Jump to Objectives – Workload – Option 1, 14-month MAS – Option 2, MAS Flexible option

Objectives of the course

At the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Understand the evolution of the humanitarian system, governance and stakeholders
• Demonstrate knowledge of core humanitarian values, principles, codes and frameworks
• Engage with major debates and critiques in the humanitarian sector
• Critically assess humanitarian contexts and complex emergencies (armed conflicts, disasters, urban settings and migration)
• Assess, monitor and evaluate humanitarian projects
• Demonstrate key management, leadership and accountability skills
• Develop relevant skill sets and competencies for the humanitarian sector, including public health, gender-based and sexual violence, communication, advocacy, negotiation, protection, finance and management.

Workload

Around 1,500 hours of work for the whole Master, including:

• 400 hours of face-to-face teaching (lectures, group work, round tables, debates, visits)
• 750 hours of self-study time (e-learning modules, readings, assignments, videos, quizzes, etc.)
• App. 350 hours for the MAS dissertation

Option 1, 14-month MAS

The Programme is made up of 4 parts for Option One, 14-month MAS, which is taken in consecutive order:

• • Term 1:  Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) in Humanitarian Action
    September-December (25 credits – ECTS)The Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) aims to offer professionals a strong understanding of contemporary humanitarian challenges through a comprehensive overview of conceptual and operational issues in past and present humanitarian crises. It is structured into five modules:
    • Module 1: Humanitarianism
    • Module 2: Contexts, Action and Consequences
    • Module 3: Revisiting Vulnerabilities and Needs
    • Module 4: Humanitarian Governance, Norms and Principles
    • Module 5: The Humanitarians and the Social World of Aidland.

• • Term 2: Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) Quality Management of Humanitarian Projects
    January-April  (10 credits – ECTS)The Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) addresses the essential components that guarantee the qualitative management of adapted projects and cohesive teams. It integrates fundamental principles such as inclusion, do no harm, accountability or participation into processes, methods and tools of project and people management.The whole CAS takes place online during 12 consecutive weeks.
  • Terms 3 and 4 Executive Short Courses (ESC)
    April-October  (2 credits – ECTS / per course)A series of short elective courses focus on key approaches and evaluative tools of humanitarian contexts. Students can select five courses to develop specific skills and learn about good practices. All courses take place online during two weeks each.The elective courses include:

• • • A relationship at stake: media and humanitarian action
    • Negotiation in humanitarian crises
    • Sexual and reproductive health in humanitarian crises
    • Cash and voucher assistance in humanitarian action: What works?
    • Health systems assessment in humanitarian crises
    • Humanitarian advocacy: from bearing witness to activism
    • Non-communicable diseases in humanitarian settings
    • Protection of civilians, from humanitarian to peace operations
    • Planetary Health
    • Digital innovations in the humanitarian sector

• • Final dissertation (15 credits ECTS)
    Throughout the DAS, MAS students will engage in workshops designed to develop information-gathering and processing, critical thinking, analytical writing and networking skills. These workshops will help participants to write the MAS dissertation. The overall aim of the MAS dissertation is to stimulate a critical and original reflection on issues linked to humanitarian action. The submission deadline for the MAS dissertation is the end of October 2023

Option 2, MAS Flexible Option

The Programme for Option Two MAS Flexible Option (up to 38 months) has a more flexible choice of courses.

• • Autumn 2023
    DAS in Humanitarian Action (25 credits ECTS)

• • 2024, 2025 or 2026
    The flexible option offers two different Certificates of Advanced Studies (CAS):

1. 1. 1. CAS Quality Management of Humanitarian Projects
      2. CAS Accountability Towards Affected Populations [new course to open in 2023]

MAS students can choose one (10 credits ECTS) or both (20 credits ECTS). Both CAS are delivered online.

• • 2024, 2025 or 2026
    Flexible MAS students who do not want to do a CAS or choose to only do one CAS can earn extra credits from a series of executive short courses. Students can select up to ten courses (2 credits ECTS each) to develop specific skills and learn about good practices. All courses take place online for two weeks each throughout the year.The executive short courses include:

• • • A relationship at stake: media and humanitarian action
    • Negotiation in humanitarian crises
    • Sexual and reproductive health in humanitarian crises
    • Cash and voucher assistance in humanitarian action: What works?
    • Health systems assessment in humanitarian crises
    • Humanitarian advocacy: from bearing witness to activism
    • Protection of civilians, from humanitarian to peace operations
    • Planetary health
    • Digital innovations in the humanitarian sector
    • Sexual violence in conflict settings and emergencies
    • Humanitarian Leadership and people management [already included in the CAS Quality Management]
    • Humanitarian project cycle management [already included in the CAS Quality Management]
    • Patient safety in humanitarian crises: addressing healthcare-related incidents [new course to open in 2023]

• • Final dissertation (15 credits -ECTS)
    Throughout the DAS, MAS students will engage in workshops designed to develop information-gathering and processing, critical thinking, analytical writing and networking skills. These workshops will help participants to write the MAS dissertation. The aim of the MAS dissertation is to stimulate a critical and original reflection on issues linked to humanitarian action. The submission deadline for the MAS dissertation is the end of October 2026.