Crisis Management
The Crisis Management course focuses on situations where an organisation’s people, operations, reputation or stakeholder trust come under internal and public pressure. It provides a comprehensive framework for anticipating crises, assessing risks, developing a crisis plan and managing the organisational response, with a strong practical focus on crisis communication and stakeholder trust.
You will learn to recognise early warning signs, assess organisational vulnerabilities, build an actionable crisis plan and make sound decisions as situations evolve.
Crisis Management is in preparation
If interested, add your email to the waiting list and we'll send you a notification when the course details are ready and registration is possible.
Stronger decisions when pressure is high
The course helps turn crisis management into a systematic management practice rather than a reaction to an unexpected event. Participants learn to identify organisational vulnerabilities, assess risk, map critical stakeholders and develop a clear crisis management and communication plan. Particular attention is given to situations where information changes quickly and an organisation is simultaneously under scrutiny from employees, customers, media and other stakeholders. The simulation gives participants an opportunity to test decisions, messages and teamwork in a practical environment.
Who is Crisis Management intended for?
The course is suitable for managers and professionals working in communication, public relations, risk management, media, government or other roles where assessing organisational risks, communicating with stakeholders or making decisions under pressure is important. It is also relevant for specialists preparing to take greater responsibility for crisis prevention and response.
The course is delivered together with EBS bachelor’s students and gives working professionals an opportunity to deepen their knowledge of crisis preparedness.
Explore the course
The course consists of eight sessions organised around four connected topic areas. The learning journey moves from crisis anticipation and risk assessment through crisis planning, communication and simulation to post-crisis recovery and organisational learning.
The next course is planned for the 2027/2028 academic year, and the detailed lecture schedule will be confirmed in June 2027.
Topics Covered
Why is it important?
Effective crisis management begins before a crisis occurs. Leaders need to distinguish an everyday problem from a genuine crisis, recognise early warning signs and understand which risks and vulnerabilities could have the greatest impact on the organisation.
What will happen?
Participants explore the nature and phases of crises, the role of managers at different stages, environmental scanning, issues management and risk analysis. They learn how to build an overview of organisational crisis risks and assess their potential impact.
Why is it important?
A crisis is not the time to start deciding from scratch who is responsible, who needs information or how the organisation should respond. A well-structured crisis plan creates clarity and helps the organisation act quickly and consistently.
What will happen?
Participants map key stakeholders and examine their needs, communication objectives and limitations. The course also covers the structure of a crisis plan, the role of technology, regulatory frameworks and the relationship between private organisations, governments and regulated entities.
Why is it important?
During a crisis, stakeholder trust is shaped both by the decisions an organisation makes and by how clearly those decisions are communicated. Teams must be able to coordinate action, develop consistent messages and respond to stakeholder and media pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
What will happen?
Participants learn message mapping and the principles of Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT), then apply them in a practical crisis simulation. Teams develop and present an organisational crisis strategy, manage social media communication and respond to emerging events, media inquiries and stakeholder expectations.
Why is it important?
Crisis management does not end when the immediate disruption is over. Long-term resilience depends on how effectively an organisation learns from the event, rebuilds trust and adapts its policies and processes.
What will happen?
The simulation is followed by a team-based after-action review of decisions and organisational responses. Participants examine the phases of recovery, reputation repair, policy changes and the development of a stronger culture of organisational resilience.
Entry requirements
- High School Education or equivalent qualification.
- Valid temporary residence permit or EU citizenship/valid living permit
Intended learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Explain key concepts, theories, and phases of crisis management, including crisis typologies, issues management, risk assessment, stakeholder publics, message mapping, and Situational Crisis Communication Theory. (Knowledge)
2. Develop core elements of an actionable crisis communication and management plan, including a crisis inventory, stakeholder map, communication procedures, key messages, social media strategy, and post-crisis evaluation measures. (Application)
3. Work effectively in teams to manage an organization’s public-facing response during a simulated crisis, including coordination of owned media activity, responses to stakeholder pressure, media inquiries, and earned media coverage. (Social)
4. Demonstrate sound judgment, responsibility, and adaptability when responding to uncertain, fast-moving crisis situations that require timely decisions, accurate communication, and awareness of organizational consequences. (Individual)
5. Apply crisis management principles to professional contexts beyond the classroom, including business, public relations, media, government, civil society, and other organizations facing reputational, operational, or public trust challenges. (Transferable)
Requirements for completing the course and assesment criteria
The final result consists of four components: attendance and participation 20%, in-class and out-of-class assignments 30%, the crisis communication plan 20%, and the crisis simulator 30%. Assessment follows the standard EBS A–F grading scale, with 51% or more constituting a passing result.
Regular attendance is important because some assignments can only be completed during class.
Certificates Awarded
Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a continuing education certificate with ECTS credits. The credits may be transferred towards a degree programme.
Learning Environment
The course takes place at EBS’s modern campus in Tallinn, Lauteri 3. Students have access to ergonomic classrooms, the EBS library, and the cloud-based Canvas learning platform. The study process is supported by online tools such as Zoom, MS Teams, or Canvas Conference. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building. On-site attendance is required.
The University reserves the right to make adjustments to the programme in cooperation with the lead lecturer to ensure the best possible learning experience.
Crisis Management is in preparation
If interested, add your email to the waiting list and we'll send you a notification when the course details are ready and registration is possible.
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