MA in Humanitarian Action - Sciences Po or NOHA

Also have a look at the new MSc in International Humanitarian Affairs from the University of York's Post-war Reconstruction and Development Unit (PRDU): http://www.york.ac.uk/politics/centres/prdu/training/msc/

Dear Vikram,

This new online course in Humanitarian Action and Conflict at the Centre
for Development and Emergency Practice (CENDEP), Oxford Brookes
University, might also be of interest to you: http://architecture.brookes.ac.uk/research/cendep/hac.html

Best wishes,
Grace

Thanks for the tips, guys. Grace and Laura - I am a Brit and want to study outside of the UK just for the change really (and not a correspondence/online course) but thank you for the info. Michèle - I have looked at Geneva, but unfortunately I don't think I can afford Switzerland!

If anyone has any info on Sciences Po / PSIA in particular, I would be very grateful. On its face, the programme looks superb - quite hands on, taught be leading practitioners, and of course in wonderful Paris.

Also, as someone who has little experience in international humanitarian action, is an MA a good idea or would I be better off trying to become a UN / MSF etc volunteer in the field?

Thank you once again!

Hi Vikram,

I'm enclosing the latest edition of the AARTG, which (in the fourth & final section - see pages 17-21) contains details of all the known Australian postgraduate and short courses related to development. These include a range of Aussie on and off-campus courses.I know it's a long way from Europe, but the weather here is immeasurably better (in fact we're being blasted by heatwaves as you no doubt know).

Latest Australian Aid Resource & Training Guide (AARTG) & Update on latest monthly edition
http://www.torqaid.com/images/stories/aartglatestedition.pdf
http://www.torqaid.com/images/stories/aartgmonthlyupdate.pdf

Interestingly Deakin University, which runs the largest off-campus development studies course in the country, is currently in the process of developing a new Master in Humanitarian Assistance (MHA), delivered by a optional combination on/off-campus work and intensives. Promises to be brilliant, and hopefully will be introduced in 2014. The senior staff to contact are Drs Matthew Clarke and/or Phil Connors on mattehew.clarke@deakin.edu.au and phil.connors@deakin.edu.au

Cheers & best wishes

Chris

Chris Piper
Managing Director & Lead Consultant, TorqAid
pipercm@iprimus.com.au
www.torqaid.com
www.linkedin.com/companies/torqaid

Thanks guys. I should just be clear - am only looking for Master's programmes in Europe (but not the UK). My heart is set on Sciences Po or maybe NOHA, but definitely open to other options. Many thanks!

Nothing gets the ALNAP boards as lively as a discussion about grad programs in humanitarian action/development management!

"Also, as someone who has little experience in international humanitarian action, is an MA a good idea or would I be better off trying to become a UN / MSF etc volunteer in the field?"

A really great question, and one I've heard debated many times. When I am in the position of hiring staff, I'm looking for people that indicate they can do the job, as reflected by a combination of what work they have done (including volunteer work) and what they studied (particularly if they note what subjects they researched and some projects they undertook, not *just* what classes they took). By contrast, I've seen candidates dismissed outright because of a lack of an MA or MSc (I'll never forget seeing a post it note written by a UN HR rep on a CV of someone I considered a great candidate - it said "Only has a post-grad degree, not yet a Master's. Rejected.")

Your best bet - you need BOTH an MA and MSc *and* field experience. And to be an UNV, you most definitely need both - UNV is not for new development workers; the average age of UNVs is 34.

I have more advice on working in humanitarian affairs/development here:
http://www.coyotecommunications.com/stuff/workabroad.shtml

Oh, and since everyone else is giving a shout out to their post grad programs: I got my MSc from Open University; they are in the UK, I was in Germany at the time. I thought it was an amazing program, and I use materials from those classes to this day. I write about my experience at OU here:
http://www.coyotecommunications.com/development/why.html

Thank you. Fantastic advice!

Hi there,

At Evidence Aid, we have been compiling a list of Masters courses and thought, given the recent discussion about this topic, we would share it with you. If you have time to let us know of other courses that are out there, that would be great (you can send directly to me - callen@evidenceaid.org rather than burdening the discussion forum if you prefer).

Australia
Bond University, MSc, Masters of Retrieval Medicine
Burnet Institute, MPH, Master of Public Health
Deakin University, Masters in Humanitarian Assistance (MHA) starting 2014
Deakin University, MPH, Master of Health Promotion
Deakin University, MPH, Master of Public Health
Flinders University, MSc, Master of Remote Health Management
Griffin University, MSc, Masters of Public Health Science (International)
James Cook University, MSc, Masters of Public Health (Tropical Medicine)
Monash University, MPH, Master of International Public Health
Queensland University of Technology, MPH, Master of Public Health
University of NSW, MPH, Master of International Public Health
University of Queensland, MPH, Master of Public Health (Defence Field)
University of Sydney, MPH, Master of International Public Health
University of Sydney, MSc, Masters of Public Health (including humanitarian emergencies)
University of Western Australia, MPH, Master of Public Health
University of Wollongong, MPH, Master of Public Health

Belgium
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, European Masters in Disaster Medicine (www.dismedmaster.com<http://www.dismedmaster.com>), (Emergency Management and Disaster Medicine Academy www.emdmacademy.org<http://www.emdmacademy.org>)
Université catholique de Louvain, Disaster Epidemiology and Research

France
Paris School of International Affairs, MA in Human Rights & Humanitarian Action (http://www.psia.sciences-po.fr/)

Italy
Università del Piemonte Orientale, European Masters in Disaster Medicine (www.dismedmaster.com<http://www.dismedmaster.com>), (Emergency Management and Disaster Medicine Academy www.emdmacademy.org)

New Zealand
Auckland University of Technology, MEmMgmt, Masters of Emergency Management
Auckland University of Technology, MPH, Master of Public Health
Massey University, MPH, Master of Public Health
University of Auckland, MPH, Masters of Public Health
University of Otago, MTravMed, Masters of Travel Medicine

South Africa
University of Free State, Masters in Disaster Management
University of the Witwatersrand, MPH, Master of Public Health
University of Venda, MPH, Master of Public Health
University of Western Cape, MPH, Master of Public Health
Walter Sisulu University, MPH, Master of Public Health

Spain
Universidad de Oviedo, Masters in Public Health in Disasters

Sweden
Karolinska Institutet, Public health response to disaster
Uppsala University, MA in International Humanitarian Action (via NOHA)

Switzerland
Geneva Center for Education & Research in Humanitarian Action, Institute of International & Development studies (various courses for MA qualifications) (http://www.cerahgeneve.ch/accueil.html)

UK
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, MSc, Masters in Public Health in Developing Countries
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, MSc, Masters in Nutrition for Global Health
Loughborough University, MSc, Water and Environmental Management
Loughborough University, MSc, Water and Waste Engineering
Oxford Brookes University (online course) Humanitarian Action & Conflict within CENDEP (http://architecture.brookes.ac.uk/research/cendep/hac.html)
Oxford Brookes University, MA, Masters in Development and Emergency Practice (Shelter options)
Queen Margaret University, MSc, International Health
University of Aberdeen, MSc, Masters in International Health and Management
University of Dundee, MSc, Masters in Applied Professional Studies (Child Care and Protection)
University of Edinburgh, MSc, Masters in Global Health and Public Policy
University of Edinburgh, MSc, Masters in Advanced Professional Studies (Adult Protection)
University of Glamorgan, MSc, Masters in Disaster Relief Healthcare
University of Huddersfield, MA, Masters in Child Welfare and Safeguarding
University of Liverpool, MSc, Humanitarian Health Programme Management
University of Liverpool, MSc, International Public Health
University of Liverpool, MSc, Masters in Tropical and Infectious Diseases
University of Liverpool, MSc, Masters in Tropical Paediatrics
University of Manchester, PhD, Humanitarianism and Conflict Response
University of Manchester, MA, Masters in Humanitarianism and Conflict Response
University of Warwick, MSc, Child Health
University of York, MSc in International Humanitarian Affairs (PRDU Dept) (http://www.york.ac.uk/politics/centres/prdu/training/msc/)

USA
American Military University, MA, Masters of Arts in Emergency and Disaster Management
Boston University, MPH and PhD, Public Health Concentration International Health
Columbia University, MPH, Masters in Public Health, Forced Migration Track
Denver University, MA, International Development Studies Concentration Humanitarian Assistance
Emory University, MPH, Masters in Public Health, Concentration in Global Health
Fordham University, MA, Masters in International Humanitarian Action
George Washington University, MA, International Development Studies Concentration Humanitarian Assistance
George Washington University, MPH, Master of Public Health and Graduate Certificate
George Washington University, MSc, Masters of Science in Engineering Management
Georgetown University (Washington DC), Masters Certificate in Refugee and Humanitarian Emergencies embedded in Masters programs at School of Foreign Service, Public Policy Institute & Government Dept (http://isim.georgetown.edu/academics/refugees/)
Harvard University, MPH, Masters of Science in Global Health and Population
Harvard University, PHD, Master of Public Health in Nutriton
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg, MPH, Public Health Concentration Health in Crisis and Humanitarian Assistance
New York University, MPH, Masters of Public Health, Concentration in Global Health Leadership
Tufts University, MA, Humanitarian Assistance (http://sites.tufts.edu/feinstein/education/maha)
Tufts University, MS and PhD, Food Policy & Applied Nutrition Specialisation in Humanitarian Assistance
Uniformes Services University of the Health Sciences,MPH, Masters in Public Health
University of California, Berkley, MPH, Masters of Public Health, Concentration in Nutrition
University of Maryland, MPH, Masters of Public Health, Global Health Concentration
University of North Carolina, MSPH, Masters of Science in Public Health
University of South Florida, MPH, Public Health Concentration Global Disaster Management and Humanitarian Relief

Thanks Claire and EvidenceAid.

I would like to draw your attention to another Australian Program - at The University of New South Wales. We have recently established a Master of Development Studies which has two streams - International Development or Forced Migration and Displacement. Both streams offers considerable flexibility to undertake specialised courses or research in areas of particular interest, alongside the required core courses.

The website link is as follows: http://socialsciences.arts.unsw.edu.au/areas-of-study/development-studies-95.html - I would be happy to provide more details. The link to the Program flyer is here: http://socialsciences.arts.unsw.edu.au/media/File/UNSWFASS_PG_DevelopmentStudies_2013.pdf .

It should be noted that a joint Masters degree with many of the other Masters programs at UNSW - such as Policy Studies, International Relations, Journalism and Communication, or International Public Health - would also be possible.

If I can be of further assistance please let me know.
Many thanks and kind regards,
Anthony Zwi

Professor of Global Health and Development
School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences I The University of New South Wales

Maybe not quite the same, but McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario,
Canada has a Master's in Global Health.

See http://fhs.mcmaster.ca/globalhealthprogram/

Harry Shannon

Vikram,

Just to compliment the wide range of suggestions you have solicited and to add to the Canadian options. Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC Canada offers this and other choices in the humanitarian field at its School of Peace andf Conflict Management.
http://www.royalroads.ca/prospective-students/master-arts-disaster-and-emergency-management.
I agree with other comments that whilst a Masters or other post grad accreditation is a key academic qualification for most posts at management level, the critical importance of gaining operational experience and practical field skills cannot be underestimated be it at your home base or overseas. Many entry level humanitarian aid staffers, have had minimal exposure to field conditions prior to their first deployment, a question of "Experienced person needed" but how do you get that experience? Our own group through our work has identified the need to offer such an opportunity to these domestic and international disaster managers of the future and we will be offering our first "Humanitaran Field Training School" at the Project Hope HQ at Carter Hall in Virgina, USA in May this year. With class work limited to only 40% of the agenda the course is focused on outdoor activities and practical field skills, systems and tools ranging from First Aid and medical skills in the field, Security & Safety, IT and Radio communications, Coordination mechanisims, Operational 4x4 Driving and more. These will be reinforced with simulations and exercises based on actual operational case studies. See: www.globalemergencygroup.com in the coming week or so.

Iain Logan, Director The Global Emergency Group. USA & UK

Hi,

This is a very interesting sharing of information. I have just started lecturing in the UK on the
MA in Peace and Development, which brings together research and teaching on work where we need to consider both aspects.

It is at Leeds Metropolitan University, and next year we will also offer an MSc in Information Technology for Development.

Do email me for more information.
Rachel Julian

Dr. Rachel Julian
Leeds Metropolitan University
www.navigatelife.co.uk

Dear ALNAP colleagues,

Are there any other online courses (particularly Masters' courses) that can be recommended?

With best wishes,

Julie