New Course Update: Master in Crisis Management Studies (MA-MCM)
Tribhuvan University’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences has unveiled its renewed Master of Arts in Crisis Management Studies (MA-CMS) curriculum, designed to prepare students for leadership in disaster and crisis management. This updated program not only imparts theoretical foundations but also equips students with advanced practical skills, ensuring they embody both the mindset of scholars and the hands-on expertise of practitioners.
Scholar–Practitioner Model: A Balanced Approach
A key feature of the updated program is its adoption of the scholar–practitioner model. The curriculum ensures that students gain rigorous academic knowledge while simultaneously applying those insights in real-world crisis scenarios.
The first two semesters emphasize theoretical learning, with courses such as Fundamentals of Crisis & Disaster Management, Law and Governance, Research Methodology, and Disaster Economics. These provide a solid intellectual foundation, exposing students to concepts, frameworks, and analytical tools.
The third and fourth semesters shift toward practice and application, featuring courses on Crisis Communication, Leadership and Innovation, Organizational Crisis Management, and Grant Proposal Writing. The inclusion of internships, capstone projects, and fieldwork immerses students in real crisis environments where they can apply their classroom learning directly.
This deliberate sequencing reflects the scholar–practitioner model, students become critical thinkers and problem-solvers who can bridge theory with practice, academic inquiry with field-based action.
Strong Emphasis on Research
The curriculum places research at its core, preparing students to contribute meaningfully to the evolving field of crisis management.
Research Methodology & Academic Writing (Semester I) introduces students to qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method approaches.
Data Analysis (Semester II) sharpens their ability to interpret and apply evidence for crisis assessment.
Research Seminar & Disaster Policy Lab (Semester IV) engages students in collaborative problem-solving and policy experimentation.
The Master’s Thesis serves as the pinnacle of research training, requiring independent investigation, critical analysis, and original contributions to disaster studies.
Through this staged research pathway, students graduate with the ability to generate, interpret, and apply evidence in both academic and professional contexts.
Holistic Curriculum Design
The renewed program covers 63 credit hours over four semesters, blending theory with practice:
Semesters I–II (Knowledge Base): Foundations of crisis/disaster studies, law and governance, public health, environmental change, economics, and research methodology.
Semesters III–IV (Application & Practice): Leadership, communication, humanitarian assistance, organizational crisis management, internship/capstone, and thesis.
This progression ensures that students build a strong knowledge base first, then apply it in fieldwork, simulations, and applied research.
Equipping Graduates with Knowledge, Skills, and Attitude
Knowledge: Deep grasp of disaster theories, governance systems, economics, and international frameworks.
Skills: Competency in GIS and ICT, crisis mapping, negotiation, first aid, project management, and advanced research.
Attitude: Commitment to ethical leadership, community resilience, innovation, and continuous professional growth.
The updated MA in Crisis Management Studies is not just an academic program, it is a scholar–practitioner training ground. By combining theory, research, and practice, the program nurtures graduates who are capable of critical analysis, evidence-based decision-making, and effective leadership in disaster contexts. With this model, Tribhuvan University aims to produce professionals who will advance Nepal’s disaster resilience while contributing to the global knowledge base on crisis management.
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Institute of Crisis Management Studies Samarpan Academy
info@tuicms.edu.np
01-4008181 | 9765972081