The graduate certificate program in Humanitarian Assistance provides advanced graduate-level education for students seeking a deeper understanding of the theoretical, normative and practical dimensions of international humanitarian relief. Typically, the international community has organized relief responses during and following armed conflict, in response to natural disasters, or in cases of human-induced environmental catastrophes such as famines or other grave threats to human security.

This program features an interdisciplinary approach and addresses critical topics such as humanitarian and human rights practice, short-term relief and long-term development, conflict analysis, management, and resolution, health and global politics. Graduates of the Humanitarian Assistance certificate program are equipped to understand the nature of complex emergencies, concepts of humanitarian assistance and principles of humanitarian neutrality, the contexts of man-made and natural crises from war, flood, or fire, and the structure and functioning of international organizations and transnational networks that deliver critical emergency aid and longer term post-crisis development assistance. The certificate program is principally available to Master's degree candidates within the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, including those pursuing degrees in development, human rights, international studies and security; however, the certificate is open to annually to several select graduate students from other University of Denver professional programs.

Students who matriculate into this program pursue leadership roles in research, field work, advocacy and policy making; practically, the program places strong emphasis on policy development, best practice, and field-based training, including participation in a substantive internship in a closely related field or policy setting. Extensive field experience is crucial to skills development and an understanding of "best practices" in professional humanitarian assistance work.

The certificate consists of a 15-credit-hour core curriculum complemented by elective courses, field training and skills development courses, and an internship. Students devise an individually tailored plan or program goals, course objectives and internship activities. Depending on individual contexts, opportunities or constraints, students are typically able to complete wither a Certificate (a minimum of 30 credit hours) or a Concentration (approximately 15-20 credit hours) in humanitarian assistance within a 12-month period.

Admissions decisions are conducted following a formal application and an interview once students matriculate at the University of Denver.

If you are interested in either the certificate or concentration, please contact the office of Graduate Admissions at 303.871.2544 or korbeladm@du.edu.

Please note: this is not a stand-alone certificate. Interested students must apply and be accepted to an MA program to then pursue this certificate in conjunction with an MA.

Program resources

• Course descriptions
  
• Certificate program in Humanitarian Assistance fact sheet
• Humanitarian Assistance Program website
• Office of Student Affairs portfolio page, home of the MA handbook and other important documents
• Admissions FAQs

The Relief Post: Humanitarian Assistance Program's Winter 2012 newsletter