Emergency Management
Serve and respond with a career in the increasing complex field of emergency management.
- Use exercises and case studies to analyze real events to improve your capacity to respond to emergencies in a wide range of settings and industries
- Benefit from supportive and experienced facilitators who are active in their industry
- Courses are built with flexibility in mind and can be accessed anytime and from anywhere
Program Availability and Schedule
Availability
Availability varies by course. Click here to view availability for courses in this program.
Schedule
Given the part-time delivery of this program, there is not a standard schedule for all learners.
Program Summary
Credential
Program Code
Area of Interest
Other Delivery Options
Work Integrated Learning
The Emergency Management Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares you, both operationally and strategically, to understand and respond to the four domains of emergency management:...(read more)
Overview
Serve and respond with a career in the increasing complex field of emergency management.
The Emergency Management Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares you, both operationally and strategically, to understand and respond to the four domains of emergency management:
- mitigation/prevention
- preparedness
- response
- recovery
In today's world, threats and risks are increasingly complex due to the diversity of natural and human caused hazards. In this program, you learn to manage these threats and risks by exploring key topics:
- legislative and policy framework
- incident management systems
- hazard identification and risk management
- critical infrastructure protection
- business continuity planning
Use exercises and case studies to analyze real events to improve your capacity to respond to emergencies.
Graduates may find employment in all levels of government and the private sector in:
- business continuity planning
- emergency management program development and coordination
- emergency management planning
- emergency response planning/coordination
- risk management
To qualify for this graduate certificate, you must complete the program within three years.
SUCCESS FACTORS
This program is well-suited for students who:
- Have sound critical and analytical skills.
- Work well in a fast-paced and unpredictable environment.
- Are inquisitive about research techniques and emerging trends in emergency management and operations.
- Are comfortable working with multidisciplinary professional teams.
Courses
Read this before applying:
Part-time graduate certificate programs require you to complete an application and be accepted into the program prior to course registration. Please complete the application form before registering. Accepted students may register for up to three courses per term.
Online  |
| Course Number | Hours | Course Name | Winter | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series: 01 | ||||||
| ERC5180 | 56.0 | Foundations of Emergency Management | | |||
| ERC5182 | 56.0 | Incident Management Systems | | |||
| ERC5186 | 56.0 | Hazard Identification Risk Assessment | | |||
| ERC5187 | 42.0 | Crisis Communication and Public Information Management | | |||
| ERC5191 | 42.0 | Critical Infrastructure Protection | | |||
| Series: 02 | ||||||
| ERC5185 | 42.0 | Emergency Exercise Design | | |||
| ERC5184 | 42.0 | Business Continuity Planning | | |||
| ERC5192 | 42.0 | Crisis Management and Critical Incident Stress | | |||
| ERC5193 | 84.0 | Placement/Research Project | | |||
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
ERC5180 Foundations of Emergency Management
Legislation is an important aspect of emergency prevention, preparedness and response. Students learn about the various acts, legislations and regulations governing municipal, provincial and federal agencies. Concepts of emergency management and the models, systems and processes required to effectively plan, mitigate, respond and recover from various disasters are explored. In addition, students learn to manage disasters involving multiple jurisdictions at national and international levels. Students gain a fundamental understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the emergency manager during tragedies, natural disasters, hazardous materials, incidents and terrorist events.
ERC5182 Incident Management Systems
Basic principles associated with incident management systems (ims) covers organization, facilities, operational guidelines and standard terminology. Students learn resource management and explore principles of an ims as they are used in incident and crisis situations and preplanned event management. Emphasis is on the flexibility and scalability of an ims structure in multi-agency operations. Students discuss planning, operational, logistical and fiscal considerations related to the management of complex incidents and events. They review the aspects of information gathering and dissemination including best practices for promoting enhanced planning and better control of information flow to safely and effectively make strategic response decisions.
ERC5186 Hazard Identification Risk Assessment
Threats and hazards vary in their likelihood, probability and impact; an effective approach to managing them requires that the risk be identified, assessed and monitored as a basis of effective emergency management. Through case studies and critical analysis, students explore the methods, tools and approaches to identify and respond effectively and strategically to the multitude of risk within an emergency management framework.
ERC5187 Crisis Communication and Public Information Management
During a crisis, the media is often seen as the enemy. Most companies and organizations do not realize that adopting a strategy of working with the media can make managing the crisis a lot easier. Students understand how the media operates in a crisis, how to proactively work with the media during a crisis, and how to communicate through the media to reach all key audiences and stakeholders. Students also gain a solid grounding on how public information fits into emergency management framework.
ERC5191 Critical Infrastructure Protection
A historical perspective of how various critical infrastructures have evolved and the quantitative approaches commonly used to evaluate them is explored. Students apply quantitative vulnerability analysis to a variety of infrastructure sectors and how best to allocate limited funding to minimize overall risk. Students attempt to answer the question what should be protected and how?
ERC5185 Emergency Exercise Design
Students develop emergency exercise programs for their agencies or jurisdiction. Understanding the fundamentals of exercise design prepares students to design and conduct a small functional exercise for their organization. Such exercises test emergency plans to the fullest and identify potential plan gaps or shortfalls, while providing suggested corrective actions. The Exercise Evaluation portion provides knowledge and skills to manage exercise evaluation activities before, during and after an emergency management exercise. Focus is on the exercises based upon the students' local emergency disaster plans.
Pre-requisites: ERC5180
ERC5184 Business Continuity Planning
Areas of business continuity and disaster recovery are covered. Students learn the concepts, principles, terminologies and available solutions in this subject area. The Disaster Recovery Institute International is the course foundation and model.
ERC5192 Crisis Management and Critical Incident Stress
An effective foundation for concepts and skills employed in crisis or disaster situations is explored. Students learn about group behaviour, psychological response to crisis, crisis communication, as well as gain a solid grounding in understanding and managing critical incident stress reactions in people exposed to traumatic events, with particular emphasis given to the nature of trauma and the mitigation of its impacts. Students explore different types of critical incidents and their associated features, acute, delayed, and cumulative stress reactions of normal persons exposed to abnormal events, the rescue personality and basic debriefing methodology.
Pre-requisites: ERC5180
ERC5193 Placement/Research Project
Students choose between completing a field placement or completing a research project. The field placement provides the opportunity for the student to complete a field project related to emergency management under the guidance and supervision of a mentoring Emergency Manager. Alternatively, the research project option provides students with the opportunity to conduct an independent research project which is original, sustainable and creative. Both options demonstrate the learner's knowledge of theory and the ability to apply it in the field. Note: the field project location and research project topic require approval from the course facilitator.
Pre-requisites: ERC5180 AND ERC5182 AND ERC5184 AND ERC5185 AND ERC5186 AND ERC5187 AND ERC5191 AND ERC5192
Careers & Pathways
Careers
Graduates may find employment in government (all levels) and the private sector in such roles as business continuity planners, emergency management program coordinators, emergency management planners and as emergency response officers.
Pathways
Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.
Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Develop, review and update emergency policies and programs based upon relevant legislation, standards and procedures.
- Conduct hazards identification and risk assessments, based on probability and consequence including the formulation of a risk profile addressing public and private sector issues and concerns.
- Develop, implement, and maintain a business continuity plan that ensure the continuation and recovery of normal operations of affected business and industry.
- Develop, evaluate, and conduct training programs and exercises to test current emergency management programs.
- Assess the integration and compatibility of various emergency policies, plans and procedures of area/regional private and public sectors.
- Formulate, implement, and coordinate assigned projects within the community emergency management program within an allocated budget which meet or exceed legislative requirements incorporating a proactive risk management process and global best practices.
- Perform operational functions in emergency situations.
- Coordinate the development of, and administer public awareness and education programs, emergency information and media relations programs.
- Liaise/coordinate with provincial ministries, federal departments, private and public sector enterprises to develop and sustain partnerships to assist with all phases of emergency management strategies while ensuring up-to-date data and research.
- Lead emergency management teams using knowledge about the different styles of leadership and influence and their impact on behaviour in an emergency management context.
- Develop operational plans to respond to public health emergencies, natural disasters and terrorist events.
- Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.
Tuition & Fees
2024/2025 Academic Year
Fees are subject to change.
Fees for part-time programs are charged on a course-by-course basis and are published on each individual course page. For questions related to fees, please call the Registrar's Office at 613-727-0002.
Graduation Fee:
Once you have completed all the courses in the program, it is the responsibility of the student to complete a credential application (https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/certificationgraduating/). A graduation fee is charged when the application is submitted. After your credential application has been approved, you will be invited to Convocation.
Additional program related expenses include:
The approximate cost of books and supplies is $600 over the program duration. For more information visit https://www.algonquincollege.com/coursematerials/students/.
Admissions Requirements
Program Eligibility
- Applicants are required to provide proof of successful completion of a university degree or two-year Ontario College Diploma (minimum) or equivalent in a related discipline, OR related work experience in emergency management.
- Applicants who have not completed a university degree or college diploma may be considered based upon relevant emergency management work experience and/or postsecondary credits achieved. These applicants will be assessed individually.
- Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject-specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
- IELTS-International English Language Testing Service-Overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-Overall 88, with the minimum of 22 in each component: Reading: 22; Listening: 22; Speaking: 22; Writing: 22; OR Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 120, minimum of 120 in Literacy and no score below 105.
This program requires an application process.
Applications to graduate certificate part-time programs must be submitted via our online application form available at: https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/part-time-application-form/.
Application Information
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Program Code 1809X09FAO
Applications must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements via:
Ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228
Applications are available online at www.ontariocolleges.ca.
Applications for Fall Term, Winter Term and Spring Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.
International applicants please visit this link for application process information: https://algonquincollege.force.com/myACint/.
For further information on the admissions process, please contact:
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Program Code 1809X07PAO
Applications to Grad Cert Part-time programs must be submitted via our online application form (https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/part-time-graduate-certificate-application-form).
Prior to starting your application, please ensure that you have consulted the program admission requirements and have all the supporting documentation in a digital format ready to be uploaded.
Applications submitted in a paper format or via email will not be accepted and incomplete applications will not be processed.
Applications will typically be processed within 2-3 weeks but can take longer during peak times and start of academic terms. Applicants are encouraged to apply at least 4-6 weeks prior to start of term.
Additional Information
Program Resources
International students wishing to study online should visit https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/international for information related to International online students and for International fees information prior to registering. Please note that AC Online programs do not qualify international students for new study permits or study permit extensions.
PRIOR LEARNING AND RECOGNITION (PLAR):
Students who wish to apply for PLAR need to demonstrate competency at a post-secondary level in all of the course learning requirements. Evidence of learning achievements for PLAR candidates may include a comprehensive challenge examination and/or completion of a portfolio.
ACADEMIC PLANNER:
The Academic Planner provides registered part-time students the ability to declare into a program of study. The Academic Planner outlines successfully completed courses to date, as well as courses that need to be completed in order to meet graduation requirements. It is therefore, essential that all part-time students declare to their program of study, allowing administrators to plan course offerings. The tool is available on ACSIS, located under 'Part-time Students' on the left-hand toolbar.
PROGRAM PROGRESSION:
As per policy AA39: Program Progression and Graduation Requirements when students are admitted to a program, they are assigned to the Program of Study that aligns with their start date. If a student takes a break for two or more consecutive terms the Program of Study is reset to align with the current version (when studies are resumed). This tool is available on ACSIS.
Contact
Future Students
For additional information, please contact our Customer Service Representative team at online@algonquincollege.com and they will direct you to the best person to answer your specific questions.
Current Students
For additional information, please reference the AC Online Circle of Care.