Exercise Design

This program targets professionals in emergency management, including those working in municipal, provincial, and federal government roles, as well as employees of private agencies and non-governmental organizations involved in emergency preparedness. It is especially valuable for practitioners responsible for developing and implementing emergency exercises.

Participants will acquire hands-on knowledge in designing comprehensive emergency exercises, from concept development to facilitating multi-agency exercises. The program also covers the processes for creating evaluable and actionable emergency exercises that improve operational readiness. The program consists of two key courses: 

• Exercise Design Fundamentals (EMRG-1530): Covering foundational concepts, the development of discussion-based exercises, and the comprehensive design process.
   
• Advanced Exercise Design (EMRG-1532): Focused on operations-based exercises, covering administrative and financial components, evaluation materials, and team organization for complex scenarios.

Subjects

• Exercise Design Fundamentals: Terminology, exercise types, purposes, and multi-phase design frameworks. 
   
• Exercise Planning and Development: Scenario development, planning for discussion-based exercises, creating multi-agency objectives, and developing exercise plans, protocols, and supporting materials (e.g., Master Sequence of Events List).
   
• Exercise Staffing and Resources: Staffing considerations, resourcing, exercise administration, funding, and engaging subject matter experts and consultants.
   
• Evaluation and Reporting: Exercise evaluation, after-action reporting, internal and external communications, and continuous learning tools.

The program offers practical and specialized training in exercise design, focusing on the latest practices in emergency preparedness. The program features competency-based courses, allowing participants to create and lead exercises that test emergency plans and personnel performance. Developed by experts in the field, this program prepares students for real-world emergency scenarios with both discussion-based and operations-based exercise design skills.

What You Need to Graduate

To graduate from the Micro-credential in Exercise Design, students must:

1. Complete the Two Required Courses:
   
   • EMRG-1530: Exercise Design Fundamentals (3 weeks)
   • EMRG-1532: Advanced Exercise Design (3 weeks)
      
2. Meet Academic Requirements:
   
   • Achieve the passing grade in both courses as per JIBC's grading scheme.
      
3. Fulfill All Course Requirements:
   
   • Complete all assignments, quizzes, and practical exercises demonstrating mastery of competencies related to exercise design.
      
4. Completion Timeline
   
   • EMRG-1530 and EMRG-1532 run for three weeks with a one week break between them. We encourage students to enroll into the courses scheduled back-to-back, however, students are given up to one year to complete the program. Courses are offered three to four times annually to meet demand.

Successful completion of both courses will earn students a micro-credential and a digital badge verifying their expertise in emergency exercise design.

Program Format

The program is delivered entirely online with both synchronous and asynchronous components. Courses will be led by instructors, offering a blend of independent study, group discussions, case studies, and applied learning activities.

The program is designed for part-time students and can be completed within several weeks, with breaks scheduled between courses.

Upcoming Intakes

The Micro-credential in Exercise Design program offers three intakes per year, Winter, Spring and Fall.

Students can register for both required courses (EMRG-1530 and EMRG-1532) at the same time, provided the courses are completed consecutively.

The tuition fee is approximately $500.19 per course, plus a $6.40 Learner Services Fee. Financial assistance may be available through the StrongerBC Future Skills Grant for eligible students, covering tuition and related fees for initial program intake.

For information about International Student Tuition and Fees, visit the International Students page.

Textbooks & Supplies

Course material is embedded within the courses directly. 

To apply for the Associate Certificate in Exercise Design (EDESAS) program, follow these steps:

1. Application Submission:
   
   • Apply online through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), JIBC’s official application platform.
2. Admission Requirements:
   
   • Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
3. Confirmation
   
   • Students will receive confirmation from the program area on the status of the program application.

Once an applicant is accepted, we suggest registering for courses as quickly as possible to avoid disappointment as the number of seats in each class is limited.

What is the Associate Certificate in Exercise Design (EDESAS) program?

• EDESAS is a specialized micro-credential program focused on exercise design within emergency management. It teaches skills for creating, facilitating, and evaluating emergency simulations to test plans and procedures.

Why was this program developed?

• EDESAS was developed to address the need for streamlined, competency-based training in exercise design, replacing the former EMEDAS program. It’s tailored for those in emergency management, ensuring practitioners can efficiently design relevant, practical exercises.

What credential will I receive upon completion?

• Graduates earn an Associate Certificate in Exercise Design, along with a digital badge validating their completion of the program.

Admission and Enrollment

• What are the admission requirements for the EDESAS program?
  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old. There are no specific academic prerequisites, making it accessible to a diverse range of students.
• How do I apply to the program?
  • Applications are submitted via EducationPlannerBC (EPBC). 
• Is there a deadline for applications?
  • The program operates on a rolling admission basis, with multiple course offerings throughout the year, allowing students to begin when it suits them best.

Course Structure and Content

• What courses are included in the program?
  • EDESAS includes two courses:
    • EMRG-1530 Exercise Design Fundamentals: Focuses on foundational concepts and discussion-based exercises.
    • EMRG-1532 Advanced Exercise Design: Focuses on operations-based exercises and multi-agency collaboration.
• Are there prerequisites for the courses?
  • Yes, students must complete EMRG-1530 before advancing to EMRG-1532. However, they may register for both courses simultaneously if they plan to complete them consecutively.
• How are the courses delivered?
  • Both courses are offered online and feature a mix of synchronous and asynchronous activities, including lectures, discussions, and applied learning activities.
• What learning methodologies are used?
  • The program emphasizes practical, hands-on activities like analyzing sample exercises, group discussions, and real-world scenarios to enhance skills in exercise design and evaluation.

Time Commitment and Completion

• Can I complete the program part-time?
  • Yes, EDESAS is designed with part-time learners in mind, offering flexible online course structures that accommodate working professionals.
• What is the expected weekly time commitment?
  • Students should anticipate dedicating approximately 5 hours per week per course for readings, assignments, and online participation.
  • Tuition is approximately $500.19 per course, plus a $6.40 learner services fee.

Fees and Financial Aid

• How much does the program cost?
  
  • Tuition is approximately $500.19 per course, plus a $6.40 learner services fee.
• Is financial aid available?
  • The program qualifies for the StrongerBC Future Skills Grant, which may cover tuition for eligible students. Additional funding options may be available through JIBC’s financial aid office.
• Are there additional costs for course materials?
  • No, students are not required to purchase materials. All resources are provided within the course or through open-access resources.

Assessments and Evaluation

• What types of assessments are used in the program?
  • Assessments include quizzes, assignments, and real-world projects. For example, students might develop parts of a discussion-based exercise or plan a multi-agency exercise design.
• What is the passing grade?
  • A minimum grade of D is required to pass each course.
• What happens if I don’t pass a course?
  • Students may retake a course if they do not achieve the passing grade. However, they are encouraged to reach out for support if they face challenges.

Program Completion and Advancement

• Is there a time limit to complete the program?
  • Yes, students must complete the micro-credential program within 12 months of their start date.