Capacity Building International

We are living through a number of global crises, now you can learn how the international community responds.

The Crisis Management and Disaster Response (CMDR) Course by Capacity Building International prepares professionals for crisis and disaster scenarios by aligning with NATO core concepts to offer a unique learning opportunity based on the alliance’s own training program. Those enrolled will benefit from learning about NATO’s norms, standards, and practices in dealing with both events and peer institutions. This is an invaluable experience for those who are interested in developing knowledge and skills, both hard and soft, for careers in today’s global emergency management environment.

Evaluate crisis management in an international context, notably its conceptualizations, processes, standards, issues, and norms, and how these are manifested in NATO.

• Identify the concepts and approaches to collaboration, both within and between the diverse teams and institutions in the international EM context.
• Further your professional development and career opportunities through a certification of knowledge covering the only NATO concepts in EM offered in the United States.

Crisis Management in a Global Context 

Responding to the need for increased interoperability and effectiveness in the face of crisis management and disaster response worldwide, UCI DCE’s collaborative offering brings the NATO Crisis Management and Disaster Response (CMDR) courses online. The CMDR courses aim at building basic knowledge and awareness of NATO Crisis Response fundamentals, the NATO Crisis Response System (“NCRS”), and its complementary elements. The courses will incorporate subject matter experts and be in coordination with NATO content, requirements, and Centre of Excellence (COE) support.

Crises and disasters take place throughout the world on a daily basis, and take many forms, from earthquakes to viral outbreaks to threats of armed conflict. In a globalized world, these often have implications beyond their immediate locales and even their nation. Moreover, effectively responding to them requires not only traditional emergency management (EM) expertise, but also the capability to employ this in an international context with different systems, organizations, and expectations. The CMDR program prepares professionals for such scenarios by aligning with NATO core concepts to offer a unique learning opportunity based on the alliance’s own training program. Those in the CMDR program will benefit from learning about NATO’s norms, standards, and practices in dealing with both events and peer institutions. This is an invaluable experience for those who are interested in developing knowledge and skills, both hard and soft, for careers in today’s global emergency management environment.

As the global market is expanding, the need for highly skilled individuals in the field of CMDR is growing. There is a need for new leaders who understand strategically how to tackle crises and disasters within the international landscape. Utilizing skills already in practice from NATO, this specialization targets key practices already established to prepare individuals for advanced career opportunities internationally within crisis management and disaster response.

Who should enroll?

The CMDR program will greatly enhance one’s understanding of and ability to respond to crises and disasters in today’s globalized world. It is an ideal option for those just starting their career track, those transitioning into a new career, or those simply wanting enhanced credentials and applicable skills in their current careers. For EM professionals working in, or aspiring to work in related capacities at national and international levels, it will offer practical skills and professional certification, as well as a new and useful perspective on the field. Current and future military personnel will gain practical skills and insights in dealing with potential crises and disasters they may face in deployments as well as insight into working within a military alliance structure. For those in or considering an international career with governmental or non-governmental entities, it will have the added benefit of an introduction to this career track and life, along with an insight into working in an international context.

Program Benefits

• Evaluate emergency and crisis management in an international context, notably its processes, standards, issues, and norms, and how these are manifested in NATO.
• Identify the concepts and approaches to collaboration, both within and between the diverse teams and institutions in the international EM context.
• Understand the complexities and decision-making processes behind an international organization and the response to a crisis.
• Evaluate the changing global risk and security environment through the lens of emergency management and resilience from a NATO perspective.
• Earn the only professional development certification in the US that brings together international crisis management, emergency management, and NATO together into a recognized format, along with a NATO Certification.

Am I Eligible to Enroll? 

This is an open enrollment course, however, experience has shown us that the course materials are generally at the graduate level. As a result, we encourage those with either a graduate degree or equivalent work experience to apply. If you do not meet those requirements you are still eligible to apply.

What are the course requirements?

• Course Length: The course lasts a total of eight (8) weeks, with the first week being the course introduction and the last week being the Table Top Exercise (TTX).
• Course Format: This online course is asynchronous, but we do have live cohort sessions every two weeks for live Q&A, discussions, and also just to get to know each other.
• Course Materials: Student completion of course materials is measured through the completion of weekly course materials (reading and videos), and completion of a weekly knowledge check.
• Student Participation: Participation is measured through discussion forums where students to include the creation of one (1) post per week and two (2) responses to other student posts.
• Course Certificate(s): Upon completion of the full program, and Table Top Exercise (TTX), students will receive a course completion certificate, and then are registered by CBI to the NATO Center of Excellence for a NATO Certificate. Students will also get a digital badge and accreditation from CBI through Accredible. Due to our international audience and locations, we only offer digital copies of certificates.

Course Fee

The course fee for the 8-week course is $850. Please note that payment is due prior to the start of the course date. Students may withdraw at any point during the first week of the course for a full refund. At the start of the second week, refunds are processed at 50%. No refunds are authorized after the second week of the course.