Online and In-Person Humanitarian Training Courses

The Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs offers credit/non-credit professional courses for practitioners around the world. Each professional course for Fall 2025 is designed to prepare current and future aid workers with the knowledge and skills needed to respond effectively to humanitarian crises and disasters.

Upcoming Spring 2026 courses include:

Course dates: January 12, 2026 - May 11, 2026

Deadline: December 30, 2025

Below you will find the descriptions and outlines for each course. 

You will also find FAQs and contact information regarding registration, fees, course materials and structures at the bottom of the page.

Applications for humanitarian training courses are open. All courses listed on this page are one semester long (5 months). 

Upon fulfilling the course requirements described in the syllabus, students will receive a Certificate of Completion from Fordham University.

If you are interested in pursuing credit for any of the classes below, please email us at [email protected]. 

** PLEASE READ **

Important Information for International Students:

The program is self-funded. Covering tuition, fees, and living expenses in New York for 12 months is the sole responsibility of the incoming student. Scholarships and graduate assistantships are not available for this program. Attending this program does not qualify for a student visa; therefore, visa assistance is not provided by the university.

Payment:

Payment is due only after you have received your visa.

What the course fee covers:

Enrolling in any Humanitarian Training Course (HTC) will only cover the course content. None of these courses cover any form of accommodations or travel. Any personal costs will be the sole responsibility of the student.

Scholarship:

There is no funding available to support students for any of the upcoming Fall 2025 Humanitarian Training Courses. Whether you are enrolling as a certificate student (no academic credit) or a credit-bearing student, you will be fully responsible for paying your tuition fees.

HUST 5012 Contemporary Issues in Humanitarian Action (0 to 3 credits)

Professor Anne Edgerton | Core course | ONLINE | 3 credits | Thursdays, 5:30 pm - 7:15 pm

Online: This course offers a deep dive into the evolving world of humanitarian response. By examining real-world crises and the challenges faced by humanitarian actors, this course provides a unique opportunity to understand how the humanitarian system is adapting to new threats and promoting localization. Through active learning and expert insights, students will gain valuable knowledge and skills to contribute to a more effective and equitable humanitarian future.

Upon fulfilling the course requirements described in the syllabus, non-credit students will receive a Certificate of Completion from Fordham University.

Apply

HUST 5016 Monitoring and Evaluation of Humanitarian Action (0 to 3 Credits) 

Professor Pierrette Quintiliani | Core course | In-Person | 3 Credits | Mondays, 5:30 pm - 7:15 pm I LC

Lincoln Center campus: This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the principles and methods of assessing humanitarian programs. By learning how to design and implement effective monitoring and evaluation strategies, students will gain the skills necessary to make informed judgments about the success of humanitarian interventions and contribute to more evidence-based decision-making in the field.

Upon fulfilling the course requirements described in the syllabus, non-credit students will receive a Certificate of Completion from Fordham University.

Apply

HUST 5017 The International System: Principles and Practice (0 to 3 Credits) 

Professor TBC | Elective Course | In-Person | 3 Credits | Tuesdays, 5:30 pm - 7:15 pm | LC

This course provides a critical, practice-oriented introduction to the international humanitarian system. Students will examine the historical evolution of humanitarian action, from early relief efforts and post–World War II institutions to today’s complex network of United Nations (UN) agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), donor states and local actors, among others. The course explores the legal frameworks, normative foundations, and humanitarian principles that guide global action, while reviewing the dilemmas that shape response in crises. Special emphasis will be placed on contemporary challenges, such as protection of civilians, accountability to affected populations, climate-related crises, digital technologies, and the humanitarian–development–peace nexus – equipping students to engage critically with debates on the future of humanitarian aid. Guest practitioners from the UN system and NGOs may contribute, ensuring a direct connection to field realities and policy discussions. This course is intended for students and professionals seeking to work in humanitarian action, or in fields that work alongside humanitarian actors, as well as for those wishing to deepen their understanding of how the international system responds to crises worldwide. This course is open to Fordham seniors.

Upon fulfilling the course requirements described in the syllabus, non-credit students will receive a Certificate of Completion from Fordham University.

Apply

HUST 5035 Forced Migration: The Humanitarian Challenge of the Decade (0 to 3 Credits) 

Elective course | In-Person | 3 credits | Wednesdays, 5:30 pm -7:15 pm I LC

Lincoln Center campus: Migration is a growing phenomena which is often at the top of the agenda in the media, political discourse, government policy and public opinion. Unfortunately it is also the source of much misinformation and prejudice. When migration is forced, assistance to those displaced becomes a major focus of activity for humanitarians, their donors, the governments and communities of affected countries. This course will enable students to confidently engage on the issue of migration. In their future careers they will be enabled to interact with policy makers, those who implement policy and external actors in a knowledgeable, evidence based manner, demonstrating leadership and clarity of thought.

Upon fulfilling the course requirements described in the syllabus, non-credit students will receive a Certificate of Completion from Fordham University.

Apply

HUST 5600 International Humanitarian Law, Policy and Practice (0 to 3 credits)

Professor Christopher Harland | Elective Course | In-Person | 3 Credits | Fridays, 5:30 pm - 7:15 pm

Rosehill Campus: This course will explore the development and application of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), also known as the law of armed conflict. IHL is a set of
rules that, in times of armed conflict, seeks to protect people who are not or are no longer participating in hostilities, and to restrict the means and methods of warfare. The rules of IHL aim to balance military necessity against fundamental principles of humanity. IHL also provides a normative framework to facilitate the delivery of aid by humanitarian organizations engaged in mitigating the suffering caused by armed conflict. Students will examine treaty law which forms the legal bases for IHL; in particular the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their additional protocols of 1977, in addition to customary international law. Students will study the principles of proportionality, distinction between military objectives and civilian objects and precautions in attack. They will also become familiar with weapons restrictions and prohibitions. Questions to consider throughout the course include: What is international humanitarian law? How is it created, interpreted, applied, and enforced, and how does it evolve? How does it intersect with other branches of public international law, mainly international criminal law and international human rights law? This course will include case studies to illustrate principles and concepts. This course is open to Fordham seniors.

Apply

Returning Fall 2025 - Listen to Lynne Jones, Professor of Mental Health in Complex Emergencies (MHCE), answer common questions about our most popular course. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • These semester-long courses can be taken for 3 academic credits or for a Certificate of Completion from Fordham University at a reduced cost.

    Cost with Academic Credit: View GSAS Tuition and Fees

    Cost for Certificate: $990

  • To apply to an Online or In-Person Humanitarian Training Course:

    • Create an application
    • Select Humanitarian Training Courses
    • Select Term: Spring 2025 
    • Select the course (s) you wish to apply to. Please note the modality of each course in the parentheses.

  • When taking the course for a Certificate of Completion, students must pay the fee listed under the course and fulfill the course requirements described in the syllabus. Upon completion of the requirements, students will receive a Certificate of Completion from Fordham University.

  • Each course is taught in an asynchronous format where professors will upload weekly units on Monday. Each professor may propose a few live online sessions throughout the semester. However, if this is the case, they will work with students on scheduling the synchronous meetings, which will not be mandatory and will be recorded and made available to students who cannot attend.

  • Upon registering for each course, students are provided with access to Fordham's E-Learning system, Blackboard. Blackboard is the platform by which students will access all course materials, including the course lectures, readings, discussion boards, and other interfaces designed to enable students and professors to interact and engage throughout the course.

  • For all registration inquiries, please connect with Lucianny De Leon, IIHA Programs Officer, at [email protected] or call (or text on WhatsApp) (718) 817-5732.