As a student in our program, you will gain the conceptual and analytical tools necessary to critically assess the principles and practices underpinning emergency management and prepare for a rewarding career in this rapidly growing field. Exploring topics such as business continuity planning and disaster risk management, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of how to apply key concepts, methodologies and technologies used by emergency management professionals to complex real-life challenges.
Take advantage of experiential learning opportunities and interact with leading professionals who will provide you with a deeper insight into the field. You'll have the option to complete a field experience that will help to foster a greater understanding of the complexities and realities emergency management professionals face. You'll also learn from experienced professors, many of whom have been active in the field.
This semester-long field placement course enables students to gain practical DEM experience. While completing their 135 hours in a relevant organization, agency or company, students will be able to:
- Apply what they are learning in the program to real world situations
- Experience emergency management in practice and gain important practical experience
- Broaden their DEM network and shape their future career.
How to Apply
Review course prerequisites.
Email the program with an updated resume expressing your intent to enrol in the course.
Students will be chosen based upon their prior demonstrated knowledge and competence.
Successful students will be given permission to enrol in the course.
FAQ
What is a placement?
Placements are designed to help you connect competencies and skills learned in the classroom with hands-on work experience in an organizational setting. These placements focus on career exploration, employability and professional skill development, with an emphasis on achieving specific course learning outcomes. Since placements are tied to a course, you earn academic credit. Placements are completed on a part-time basis to ensure you can balance your coursework and other commitments.
What are the prerequisites to enroll in the DEMS placement course?
Students must have completed AP/ADMS/DEMS 2700 3.00 and AP/ADMS/DEMS 3701 3.00 with a minimum grade of C+ in each course. Open only to those students enrolled in the Bachelor of Disaster and Emergency Management or the Emergency Management Certificate.
What kind of work can I complete during placement?
Take advantage of experiential learning opportunities and interact with leading professionals who will provide you with a deeper insight into the field. You'll have the option to complete a field experience that will help to foster a greater understanding of the complexities and realities emergency management professionals face. You'll also learn from experienced professors, many of whom have been active in the field.
How many hours do I need to complete for placement?
The field experience component of this course will require a commitment of 12 hours per week over 11 weeks (132 hours).
How can I find a placement for this course?
You are responsible for finding your own field placement for this course. The Course Director will assist you with this on an informal basis.
How are placements graded?
Please review the course outline carefully at the start of the term. A significant portion of your grade depends on your performance during the placement and your supervisor will also be asked to provide an evaluation.
What about insurance?
The Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) provides Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage (or, in some instances, other insurance coverage) for Ontario post-secondary students who are completing an unpaid placement as a part of their course/program.
Note
Please note that the placement cannot begin until an Agreement between York University and the Placement Organization is signed. The EE Office will work with your Course Director to facilitate this process.
You could work here!
The field placement course provided me with the practical knowledge and skills that I needed to both find employment in the emergency management field, but more importantly be successful within this field. Learning and understanding how an emergency management program operates first-hand is essential to making the transition from university into the workforce. Shortly after completing the field placement course, I was hired full-time by the organization I had completed my placement with. Now, two years later, I am responsible for coordinating and supervising the students that do their placements with our emergency management program. My experience has come full-circle.
— Ben Gallagher
Alumnus, Disaster & Emergency Management '19
Questions?
Please email the Experiential Education (EE) team at eelaps@yorku.ca for more information.