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Requirements and Target Group
The part-time Master's degree programme in Tactical Operational, Emergency and Disaster Medicine is aimed at professionals working in hazard prevention, emergency medical services, disaster control or at authorities and organisations with security responsibilities (BOS). It is specifically addressed to medical doctors, emergency service personnel, members of the police, armed forces, fire brigade, as well as employees in medical management positions who want to qualify for complex medical situations in crisis and disaster scenarios. People from private security companies, NGOs or international organisations focusing on emergency and disaster management also belong to the target group.
Admission Requirements: What do you need to bring for enrolment?
You can be admitted to the Master's programme if you meet one of the following criteria:
- Completed Bachelor's degree (at least 210 ECTS) in a medical-related field or successfully completed medical degree with licence to practise
- At least three years of relevant professional experience with qualification in the medical context or for medical doctors: at least one year of professional experience
- Accepted qualifications include, among others: professional activity as a doctor, paramedic, police paramedic, emergency paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician, Combat First Responder, medically-technical training occupation, health and nursing service (minimum three-year training)
- Extended police clearance certificate of type O (required after enrolment)
- Proof of physical fitness: German Sports Badge in Gold and successful rowing performance ergometry (m: 2.7 W/kg, f: 2.0 W/kg) – can be submitted in the first semester, enrolment initially on a provisional basis
- For applicants without a university degree: university entrance qualification and passed aptitude test at Hochschule Fresenius as well as at least five years of relevant professional experience
Personal requirements for a successful course of study are above all decision-making and leadership skills in critical situations, psychological and physical resilience as well as teamwork skills. You should have a strong sense of responsibility for people in emergency situations, an interest in medical crisis management and a willingness for continuous professional development. Experience in operational command, a structured way of working and confident behaviour in crisis situations are helpful. Good communication skills and the ability to remain operational even under exceptional conditions are required.
Study Contents in Detail
In the Master’s programme Tactical Operational, Emergency and Disaster Medicine (M.Sc.) you deepen your knowledge in the fields of medical operational planning, hazard prevention and crisis management. The focus is on imparting skills for strategic and operational crisis management, planning and implementing life-saving measures in mass casualty incidents, as well as leadership in national and international operational scenarios. You will learn to analyse complex operational situations, make and implement tactical decisions under pressure. The modules are structured as follows, among others:
- Cross-structural work at management and decision-making level (national and international)
- Leadership under pressure (SERE, 18E – Land Survival)
- Advanced medical care measures (DCR), including technical rescue
- Hazard prevention in special situations (e.g. 18F, prolonged care of severely injured persons)
- Work and leadership in the operations centre
- Constellation analysis and applied research for special operational procedures
- Applied pedagogy in operational medicine
- Special legal aspects in the context of special operational situations
- Master Thesis as final thesis
Special features include the awarding of further training certificates, for example in Tactical Operational Medicine (18F), Leadership in the Operations Centre (18C), Technical Rescue (18H), Prolonged Field Care (18P) and Organisational Leadership of Rescue Services (OrgLRD). Previously completed 18-series refresher courses may be recognised on an individual case basis.
How does the course proceed?
The programme is organised alongside employment and lasts four semesters with a total of 90 ECTS credits. You can continue to work part-time and directly apply the knowledge you acquire into practice. Attendance is usually required once a month from Thursday to Saturday. Additionally, there are extended weekends and individual block weeks per semester, which will be announced in good time. The courses strongly focus on practical relevance, case studies and exercises, for example in operational leadership or tactical rescue, and are complemented by applied research.
The degree awarded depends on your qualification: You will receive the degree Master Medic if you have no medical background, or Master Physician if you have prior medical training.
Career opportunities & job prospects
With this qualification, you are eligible for responsible positions in medical emergency and crisis management as well as hazard prevention. Typical fields of deployment include:
- Authorities and organisations with security tasks (BOS)
- Specialised units of the Armed Forces, police, customs, fire brigades and rescue services
- Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance, other federal authorities
- National and international organisations such as NGOs, UN, EU, NATO
- Private security companies and operators of critical infrastructures
Depending on your career regulations, you can qualify for the intermediate or senior public service within BOS (authorities and organisations with security tasks). Further possibilities exist in training and didactics or leadership roles in operational and rescue organisations.
Campus location: What does the Idstein campus offer you?
The course takes place at the main campus of Hochschule Fresenius in Idstein. Idstein is the location of the university and is situated in the Rheingau-Taunus district, near Wiesbaden. The campus offers modern lecture halls, specialised laboratories, simulation rooms for emergency training as well as close connections to regional practical partners and authorities. Workshops, practical exercises and specialist symposia such as the annual TENuK Symposium promote exchange with experts from practice, science and politics. The quiet location and the available infrastructure support focused learning and practical training in small groups.
Costs and financing options: What do you need to budget for?
The total cost of the part-time Master's degree amounts to 18,960 euros for four semesters (790 euros per month), plus a one-time registration fee of 250 euros. The price includes all teaching materials, attendance events, examination services and supervision of the Master's thesis. Additional personal expenses for travel and accommodation during attendance phases apply.
You can use various options to finance your studies:
- Employer funding as part of personnel development
- Tax deductibility as further training expenses
- Education loans such as the KfW student loan
- Scholarship programmes from the university or external funding institutions
Concrete information on funding possibilities and individual advice is provided by Hochschule Fresenius before the start of studies.
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