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Humanitarian Studies Concentration

Introduction

Humanitarian Studies is an interdisciplinary concentration that studies the challenges and needs of affected populations during crises like natural disasters, health emergencies or war.

The goal of humanitarian studies is to develop strategies to respond to humanitarian crises effectively. The concentration leans on knowledge from multiple disciplines such as public health, sociology, law, and ethics to improve disaster response and the well-being of affected populations.

The Humanitarian Studies Concentration provides an organized program of study that focuses on the normative underpinnings and practice of humanitarian response. The curriculum covers a broad range of areas including civilian protection, international humanitarian law, human rights, disaster response, coordinated aid, and much more.

Get in touch via humanitarianstudies@hsph.harvard.edu

Curriculum

The Humanitarian Studies Concentration requires 8.75 credits for successful completion.

GHP 262-1: Emerging Issues in Humanitarian Response and Human Rights*
GHP 537: Field Methods in Humanitarian Crises I
GHP 515: International Humanitarian Response
GHP 518: International Humanitarian Response II

*Students may substitute this course with other courses with the Faculty Director’s approval. Examples include GHP 545: Humanitarian Negotiation on the Frontline and GHP 243: Conducting Negotiations on the Frontline.

Competencies

The core competencies of the Humanitarian Studies Concentration are based primarily on the framework developed through a two-year global consultation process led by the Consortium of British Humanitarian Agencies and People in Aid.

Students who complete the Humanitarian Studies Concentration curriculum will have developed competence in the following areas:

Frameworks, principles, analysis, and assessment within the field of humanitarian studies
Project and team management

Communication, collaboration, coordination

Safety and security

Leadership, negotiation, strategic planning

Enrollment

The concentration is open to all graduate-level (master’s or doctoral) students at Harvard University.

Graduate students from other schools at Harvard are encouraged to apply to the concentration and will be enrolled in the concentration based on eligibility and scheduling within their individual degree programs.

Graduate students accepted to Harvard Chan School or other schools at Harvard University are required to complete this short application for admission.