Master of Disaster Management
Purpose:
Sources: SAQA official qualification record, SAQA registered qualifications record. Yiba Verified does not own the underlying qualification data shown on this page.
Qualification type
Master's Degree
Credits
242
Sub-framework
HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
Providers listed
1
Qualification snapshot
Official qualification identity fields captured from the qualification record.
Originator
University of the Free State
Quality assurance functionary
CHE - Council on Higher Education
Field
Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies
Subfield
Generic Management
Qual class
Regular-Provider-ELOAC
Recognise previous learning
Y
Important dates
These dates are carried directly from the qualification record.
Registration start
2024-07-01
Registration end
2027-06-30
Last date for enrolment
2028-06-30
Last date for achievement
2031-06-30
Purpose and entry context
Official SAQA text formatted for easier reading.
Purpose and rationale
Purpose
The purpose of this qualification is to provide disaster management practitioners, or those who may have future disaster management responsibilities, training in a holistic approach towards disaster management to enable them to manage all kinds of disasters by implementing proactive disaster management strategies in terms of relevant legislation, policies and directives, and effectively co-ordinate relief and recovery programs.
Rationale
The Master of Disaster qualification aims to educate and train Postgraduates that have a theoretical and/or practical experience in disaster management. These graduates can apply educational knowledge, skills, principles and methods in the field of study. They are equipped with the required skills and expertise to contribute to the expansion of the disaster management sector in the broad as well as contribute to the body knowledge. Graduates will demonstrate knowledge, skills and applied competence in this field of study that provide opportunities for continued postgraduate activities as well as preparing them for a professional career. Many students enrolling in this programme are from the African continent where a general lack of efficient research based support exits to support en develop disaster management programme.
Entry requirements and RPL
Admission to the Master of Disaster Management is subject to the General Institutional Rules and Regulations for Advanced and Postgraduate Qualifications. A prospective candidate may apply for admission if they adhere to the following criteria:
- An appropriate three-year degree plus appropriate practical experience and/or preparatory studies.
Or
- Any other relevant Degree, e.g. four-year and/or Honours Degree or a relevant professional qualification equivalent with practical and/or preparatory experience will also allow candidates to read for the Masters in Disaster Management Degree.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning will be applied according to institutional policy.
Structure and assessment
Qualification rules, exit outcomes, and assessment criteria from the SAQA record.
Qualification rules
This programme consists of nine compulsory modules, including a research project in an extended research essay format and two minimum electives selected from seven. All nine modules need to be completed successfully to be awarded the qualification.
The Degree can be offered over a minimum period of one year (full time). Students will be allowed to take the Degree over a two-year period (part time).
Learning programmes
Year One
Compulsory
- Research Methodology, 15 Credits.
- Hazards and Disaster Management, 15 Credits.
- Strategic Disaster Management, 15 Credits.
- Disaster Management principles and practices, 15 Credits.
- Disaster Risk Management, 15 Credits.
- Information Technology in Disaster Management, 15 Credits.
- Public Health, 15 Credits.
- Management of natural and human-made disasters, 15 Credits.
Year Two
Compulsory
- Dissertation, 90 Credits.
Elective (choose any two)
- Trauma Management, 16 Credits.
- Political Strategic Planning, 16 Credits.
- Information Management, 16 Credits.
- Ethnic and Cultural Conduct, 16 Credits.
- Management of media relations, 16 Credits.
- Environmental risk and impact assessment, 16 Credits.
- Disaster vulnerability and risk assessment, 16 Credits.
Exit level outcomes
After successful completion of the Master of Disaster Management the graduate would be able to
- Apply a holistic, integrated approach when solving complex problems in relation to disaster management.
- Conduct and evaluate assessment in relation to disaster management processes.
- Identify, interpret and apply the theory and applied knowledge to suite assessment tools, procedures and methods.
- Make informed decisions, guided by ethical standards, scientific evidence and societal needs within the context of disaster management.
- Communicate effectively with a variety of audiences, including those from the academia, private and public sectors.
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct research on a disaster management-related problem.
Associated assessment criteria
Students are required to submit a research component to successfully complete the qualification. Assessment is done according to the Guidelines for Master's and Doctoral Assessments of the UFS. For most of the modules presented in the qualification evaluation of the student's academic progress will take place on a continuous basis. Assessments will include technical problem-based projects and field work.
Assessment documents are moderated to ensure that they conform to the scope and context of the competency as stipulated in the qualification as well as constructed in such a way that the Assessor assesses the outcomes applied, during the Learner's activity performances, towards achieving an outcome.
Candidates will have three formal contact sessions of five days each year. During the first contact session, candidates will be orientated and will receive all module material for the first year. The programme consists of eight compulsory modules, two electives and a research project reported in an extended research essay format. The programme is structured in modules and requires practical assignments to be completed by candidates and submitted at predetermined dates. Assignments will be marked and graded by the lecturers, who will give candidates feedback in a written format and also orally during contact sessions. Assignments will be part of a continuous evaluation process. Apart from the assignments a formal evaluation (written or oral) will take place at the end of each semester, normally during June and November. Practical examination in second year is compulsory.
Progression and comparability
Articulation options
After successful completion of the Master of Disaster Management, graduates may articulate horizontally into other relevant cognate Master's or equivalent NQF exit Level 9 qualifications for deepening of knowledge and competencies. In terms of vertical articulation, students may progress to Doctoral qualifications or equivalent qualifications on NQF exit Level 9 in a relevant cognate field.
International comparability
The Master of Disaster Management is a specialist qualification preparing students for advanced professional practice. The development of this standard also involved the following:
- The SAQA Level Descriptors for NQF exit Level 9 were used to design this qualification standard. These Level Descriptors are internationally benchmarked criteria based upon published work of the National Quality Assurance bodies in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia.
- This qualification employed the Qualification Descriptors for the Professional Master's Qualification, as outlined in the HEQSF.
Notes
As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015.
Providers currently listed
This reflects provider names published on the official record. It is useful for qualification discovery, but it should not be treated as a substitute for checking the relevant quality body’s latest provider status.
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