NCAP Strategy Course in the US and LATAM
Online 300-hour course in NCAP strategy in the US and LATAM. 6 modules covering US NCAP from NHTSA, FMVSS 208 (occupant protection) and LS-DYNA. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
NCAP Strategy Course in the US and LATAM — studying from New Zealand
Regulation, safety and reliability engineering is well established in New Zealand, underpinned by a strong regulatory framework for health and safety, transport, building and electrical equipment. WorkSafe New Zealand administers workplace health and safety law, while Standards New Zealand develops and publishes national standards. Professionals in this area support compliance, certification and risk assessment for manufacturers, infrastructure operators and public agencies.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,280 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Which New Zealand bodies set the rules for safety and compliance engineering?
WorkSafe New Zealand regulates workplace health and safety, and the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi handles vehicle and transport compliance. Engineering New Zealand is the professional body, including the Chartered Professional Engineer pathway. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so their recognition is decided by employers or the relevant body.
Do New Zealand employers hire RAMS and safety engineers?
Yes. Reliability, availability, maintainability and safety roles exist across infrastructure, energy, transport, and manufacturing. Employers typically look for demonstrated competence against recognised standards and professional registration where relevant. A private qualification can support an application, but employers decide how much it counts.
Can I study this alongside work, and do I need a visa?
Yes to both parts. The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so no student visa is needed to study from New Zealand. You get an assigned technical tutor and complete a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Programme lengths range from 300 to 1,900 hours.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Compare the rating systems of US NCAP, IIHS and Latin NCAP.
Interpret the frontal and side impact protocols currently in force in the US.
Analyse the Latin NCAP requirements for adult occupants, children and vulnerable road users.
Evaluate the contribution of ADAS systems to the vehicle's final score.
Prioritise technical countermeasures according to their impact on the rating.
Plan a product strategy adapted to each American market.
Draw up a roadmap to achieve the highest rating in the US and LATAM.
Who it's for
- Passive safety engineer looking to specialise in NCAP Strategy in the US and LATAM.
- NCAP rating strategy manager looking to specialise in NCAP Strategy in the US and LATAM.
- Homologation engineer for American markets looking to specialise in NCAP Strategy in the US and LATAM.
- ADAS systems specialist looking to specialise in NCAP Strategy in the US and LATAM.
- Vehicle safety analyst looking to specialise in NCAP Strategy in the US and LATAM.
- Safety product manager looking to specialise in NCAP Strategy in the US and LATAM.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter the automotive industry.
What you'll work with
- US NCAP from NHTSA
- FMVSS 208 (occupant protection)
- Latin NCAP assessment protocols
- FMVSS 214 (side impact protection)
- IIHS small overlap frontal impact protocols
- UN Regulation R94 (frontal impact)
- UN Regulation R95 (side impact)
- UN Regulation R152 (AEBS)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Origins of NCAP programmes1.2NHTSA's US NCAP and its stars1.3IIHS and Top Safety Pick ratings1.4Latin NCAP and its evolution since 20101.5Relationship between FMVSS and consumer programmes1.6Differences with Euro NCAP1.7Market and fleet in the US and Latin America1.8Impact of ratings on sales1.9Global NCAP organisations1.10Case study: comparing one model across three programmes
2.1NHTSA's 56 km/h frontal test2.2Side impact with moving barrier and pole2.3Rollover and roof strength tests2.4IIHS small overlap driver and passenger2.5Updated IIHS moderate overlap2.6New IIHS side test 20212.7Hybrid III and THOR dummies2.8HIC and Nij injury criteria2.9Proposed updates to US NCAP2.10Practice: calculating the star rating
3.1The 2020 protocol and its four areas3.2Adult occupant protection3.3Child protection and restraint systems3.4Pedestrian and vulnerable road user protection3.5Safety assist systems3.6Electronic stability control requirement3.7Zero-star cases and their repercussions3.8Specification differences by market3.9Vehicle regulations in Mexico, Brazil and Argentina3.10Case study: analysis of a zero-star result
4.1AEB and its assessment by IIHS4.2Forward collision and lane departure warning4.3Lighting: IIHS headlight ratings4.4Seat belt reminders4.5IIHS partial automation safeguards4.6Rear seat occupant detection4.7Pedestrian and cyclist AEB4.8Equipment differences between markets4.9Accident data: FARS and CRSS4.10Workshop: evaluating a vehicle with ADAS
5.1Defining rating targets by market5.2Global versus regional platforms5.3Cost of safety equipment5.4Planning development tests5.5Risk management for new protocols5.6Communication and marketing of results5.7Relations with authorities and consumers5.8Manufacturer strategies in Brazil and Mexico5.9Protocol roadmaps 2025–20305.10Case study: rating plan for a global SUV
6.1Vehicle and market selection6.2Analysis of applicable protocols6.3Current performance gap6.4Proposal of technical countermeasures6.5Validation test plan6.6Cost estimation6.7Schedule and risks6.8Communication plan6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is LS-DYNA, MADYMO, DIAdem, MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real full-scale impact test procedures, an ADAS test track and comparative analysis of evaluation protocols. Assessment is continuous across each module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Compare the rating systems of US NCAP, IIHS and Latin NCAP.
Interpret the frontal and side impact protocols currently in force in the US.
Analyse the Latin NCAP requirements for adult occupants, children and vulnerable road users.
Evaluate the contribution of ADAS systems to the vehicle's final score.
Prioritise technical countermeasures according to their impact on the rating.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish-language proficiency to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with LS-DYNA, MADYMO, DIAdem, MATLAB. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the final integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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