Master (Grad Dip) of Community Development (Emergency Management)Information for students commencing 2013

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About this Course

The postgraduate degree in Community Development (Emergency Management) grew out of a United Nations imperative to provide skills for communities to proactively work to prepare for, prevent, or reduce the effects of, disasters. The course is designed to enhance professional skills and knowledge to help communities reduce the effects of and build resilience to major emergencies and disasters, to develop strategies and to minimise the impact disaster can have.

Students enrolled in this degree from all around the world, working in both paid and voluntary capacities, are able to network online, which adds another dimension to the learning and development outcomes of this course.

Students will gain a greater understanding of the principles of working effectively and proactively with communities and how assisting communities to become more resilient impacts on the consequences of disasters. The course develops students’ analytical skills and knowledge, with emphasis on practical application to communities.

Career Opportunities

The degree is aimed at those who work (or wish to work) anywhere in the world, in emergency services or humanitarian organisations, including aid work in developing countries, disaster mitigation and recovery, community development and education programs offered by NGOs (non-government organisations) and a variety of community-based services offered by all levels of government.

Major Areas of Study

The course includes studies concerning the social, cultural, political and economic contexts of communities and disasters; communication and community education for emergencies; and monitoring and evaluating emergency management. Independent study units enable students to undertake projects and research in human services.

Course Structure and Units (Subjects)

Important - Please contact the University for confirmation of the course structure prior to acting on this information. The University accepts no liability for any loss suffered by reason of reliance on this information.

To qualify for the Master of Community Development (Emergency Management) a total of 12 units (144 credit points) must be completed.

This course offers intermediate awards (early exit points) at Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma levels.

Please note that some majors and units may not be available at each location. Unit availabilities are published for each study period and vary from year to year. Please contact the School for further information.

For course rules and a full list of units, please refer to the Specific Award Rules below.

Course Summary

Locations
Distance Education Trimester A
Trimester B
Lismore Unavailable
Coffs Harbour Unavailable
Gold Coast
Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga
Unavailable
Course Duration Master: 1.3 years full-time (4 Trimesters); 2.6 years part-time (8 Trimesters)
Graduate Diploma: 1 year full-time (3 Trimesters); 2 years part-time (4 Trimesters)
Fees and Charges Domestic fees
Additional fee information
School School of Arts and Social Sciences
Admission, Enrolment and General Enquiries scu.edu.au/enquiries
Further Information T 61 2 6620 3831 E postgrad@scu.edu.au
Total Units: Award Abbreviation: 2013 ATAR equivalent/OP:
Master - 12
Graduate Diploma - 8
Graduate Certificate - 4
MCommDev (EmergMgt)
GradDipCommDev (EmergMgt)
GradCertCommDev (EmergMgt)
N/A
UAC Course Code QTAC Course Code CRICOS Course Code
N/A N/A N/A
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Teaching Methods

The course is delivered online and there are no on-campus attendance requirements. Academic staff are available by phone and email for student consultation. Discussions through the MySCU online environment are an important element of learning in this course. Course materials are online and all units have a dedicated unit website on MySCU, which is accessible upon enrolment.

Learning Resources

MySCU is a student’s point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.

The web-based program Blackboard Collaborate delivers advanced on-line learning environments for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces and classrooms. They can share files, presentations, and applications. If the session is recorded, students can view it afterwards.

Learning materials include the provision of unit information guides, study guides and books of readings. Students may need to purchase or access prescribed text books.

The SCU library provides a wide range of services including librarian assistance, print and electronic resources, a document delivery service, catalogues, databases, ebooks, ereadings, and full-text journal literature.

The Academic Skills Development team supports student learning by offering online and on-campus academic skills workshops, email, phone, and one-on-one support.

Assessment Methods

The assessment methods used in this course vary from unit to unit and provide opportunities for students to apply their developing knowledge to their work and to explore their areas of interest. Most units utilise progressive assessment with marks typically allocated across a combination of assessment tasks due at different times during the study period. Assessment requirements for each unit are advised in writing to students at the commencement of each study period with clear guidelines, due dates, and the weighting for each assessment task.

Equipment and Facilities

General campus resources are available including access to computer laboratories for individual study purposes.

How to Apply

Visa conditions of International students studying in Australia mandate that they cannot enrol in courses offered online or by distance education. However International students residing outside of Australia may enrol in this course.

Direct Applications

Apply Online

The following applications to study can be made online, directly to SCU:

Online applications for the Master of Community Development (Emergency Management) involve four key steps:

  1. Register your details to create an account or login to access your applications
  2. Select the exact course you want to apply for
  3. Answer the questions and submit documents
  4. Submit your application

Once registered you can exit and return to your application at any time.

Advanced Standing

At Southern Cross University, your previous study or work experience may help you cut time off your degree.

We recommend that you apply for advance standing at the same time as you apply for admission into this course, because the amount and type of credit awarded will determine your study plan.

For more details and how to apply please visit the Advanced Standing website.

Bachelor of Social Science
Bachelor of Social Science with Honours

Other Providers

n/a

Specific Award Rules

Important - Please contact the University for confirmation of the course structure prior to acting on this information. The University accepts no liability for any loss suffered by reason of reliance on this information.

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

4.1 Admission to Candidature
  1. As an alternative to Rule 2 Section 3 Clause (20)a of the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, applicants for admission to candidature in the Master of Community Development (Emergency Management) may be selected where one or more of the following has been satisfied:
    1. have completed the Graduate Diploma of Community Development (Emergency Management); or
    2. can demonstrate academic or professional standing considered by the School Board to be equivalent to the requirements of Rule 2 Section 3 Clause (20)a or Rule 4.1(a)(i).
  2. As an alternative to Rule 2 Section 3 Clause (20)a of the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, applicants for admission to candidature in the Graduate Diploma of Community Development (Emergency Management) may be selected where one or more of the following has been satisfied:
    1. have completed the Graduate Certificate in Community Development (Emergency Management); or
    2. can demonstrate academic or professional standing considered by the School Board to be equivalent to the requirements of Rule 2 Section 3 Clause (20)a or Rule 4.1(b)(i).
4.2 Requirements for an Award
  1. To be eligible for the award of Master of Community Development a candidate shall successfully complete not less than twelve (12) units comprising:
    1. all units six (6) units listed in Part A of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules;
    2. any six (6) units, from Part B of the Schedule.
  2. To be eligible for the award of Graduate Diploma of Community Development (Emergency Management) a candidate shall successfully complete eight (8) units comprising:
    1. six (6) units listed in Part A of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules;
    2. any two (2) units, from Part B of the Schedule.
  3. To be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate in Community Development (Emergency Management) a candidate shall successfully complete four (4) units selected from those listed in Part A of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules.
  4. A candidate who while enrolled for the Master of Community Development (Emergency Management) has completed the requirements of the Graduate Diploma of Community Development (Emergency Management) or the Graduate Certificate in Community Development (Emergency Management) may elect to be awarded the Graduate Diploma or the Graduate Certificate following withdrawal from candidature for the Masters award.
  5. A candidate who while enrolled for the Graduate Diploma of Community Development (Emergency Management) has completed the requirements of the Graduate Certificate in Community Development (Emergency Management) may elect to be awarded the Graduate Certificate following withdrawal from candidature for the Graduate Diploma award.
4.3 Advanced Standing
  1. Candidates may be granted advanced standing in accordance with Rule 2 Section 4 of the University’s Rules Relating to Awards.
  2. For the Master of Community Development (Emergency Management), the Graduate Diploma of Community Development (Emergency Management) or the Graduate Certificate in Community Development (Emergency Management) candidates may be granted advanced standing from the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules, on the basis of professional qualifications obtained through study and formal assessment provided that in all cases the work completed is considered to be equal in standard to a unit or units in this program.
  3. Work experience will not be accepted as a basis for advanced standing. Candidates may receive advanced standing on the basis of recognition of prior learning (RPL) on an individual basis, where they can demonstrate (academic or professional standing) or (a level of knowledge) considered by the School Board to be equal to that required to successfully complete a unit listed in the Schedule.

Schedule of Units

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