The Master of Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development program is underpinned by the 2030 Development Agenda (United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals) which includes global resolutions on climate change, disaster risk reduction and partnerships for development funding. The core of this program focuses on disaster risk reduction and sustainable development whilst acknowledging climate change and sustainable finance for development through its directed course options. Students are exposed to the full range of UN frameworks, tools and metrics necessary to plan and manage the implementation of resilient development strategies.Graduates of specific courses containing UN-related tools and training receive UN certification in addition to their University of Newcastle testamur.

Total units required

160 units

Program duration

2 years full-time or part-time equivalent up to 6 years maximum.

International students studying this program on campus are required to enrol full time to comply with their student visa requirements and complete their study in the standard minimum program duration. International students requiring enrolment advice should review the program plan corresponding to the semester and year of commencement and can contact their Program Advisor at ProgramAdvice@newcastle.edu.au

The Master of Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development is designed to appeal to those in management positions in private and public sector organisations, as well as those in NGOs and civil society, whose work involves resilience-building through the mitigation of impacts arising out of extreme events, which can be as varied as natural disasters, data breaches, political instability, terror attacks or health epidemics.

The term 'Resilience Officer' is being increasingly used by organisations to describe this role, though many have yet to embrace the terminology. Nevertheless, elements of this job role will be familiar to those who work in local government, planning and implementing strategies for town planning, urban and rural development, community safety and service continuity in times of emergency.

In the private sector this is mirrored by business continuity, environmental protection, risk management, disaster recovery planning, emergency and crisis management and workplace health and safety functions. Given the financial implications posed by risk, this program is also highly relevant to those managing and minimising risk and insurance cover.

There is also clear alignment between those employed in the emergency services and the planning and implementation of risk mitigation programs, and this is mirrored in the NGO and voluntary sectors including community-based organisations.

There are four pathways into the Master of Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development (MDRSD) program: 1. Direct entry into the MDRSD program (120 units) is available for applicants who

TOEFL paper-based test score of 550; TOEFL internet based score of 79; IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5; PTE GSE score of 58; Cambridge English: Advanced score of 58.