Online Humanitarian Training Courses

The Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs offers online humanitarian training courses for humanitarian students and practitioners around the world. Each online course for Fall 2023 is designed to prepare current and future aid workers with the knowledge and skills needed to respond effectively to humanitarian crises and disasters.

The online courses offered from August 30 - December 15, 2023 are:

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.

HUST 5015: Information Management

September 4 - December 15, 2023

This course will introduce students to the principles and strategies behind the effective flow of information in a humanitarian setting. Gathering and managing information is crucial in order to understand the cause of the emergency, identify impacted populations, and determine crisis afflicted geographical locations. The aim of this course is for students to understand the components of a successful information management network within a humanitarian intervention and identify how information can contribute to future preparedness. This course will be taught by Professor Joshua Weber.

Course Cost: $915

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

Register

Registration Deadline: August 25, 2023

HUAF 5045: Humanitarian Advocacy: Communicating the Need and Motivating the Response

September 4 - December 15, 2023

Humanitarians work in hostile environments where people are struggling for survival in situations of armed conflict or natural disasters. In such environments, people may have been forced to flee their homes with few—if any—belongings and may have suffered or witnessed human rights violations. Their plight needs to be communicated to the world in a way that will motivate the deployment of the protection and aid they so desperately need. This course will prepare students for the task of advocacy in humanitarian environments. It will focus on the identification of the most vulnerable members of a large group of survivors and the communication of their needs. It will equip students with the skills required to effectively communicate with local authorities as well as the international donor community. Students will learn to write in a different way than the academic style expected in other courses, focusing on effective advocacy messaging. This course is recommended for students who may envisage working directly in advocacy for responding to humanitarian needs. It is also recommended for humanitarian practitioners who wish to prepare for a role in advocacy or are already working in this area. This course will be taught by Professor Anne Edgerton.

Course Cost: $915

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

Register

Registration Deadline: August 25, 2023

HUAF 5500: Mental Health in Complex Emergencies

August 30 - December 15, 2023

This is a training course for mental health professionals and program staff who wish to establish mental health or psychosocial programs in a humanitarian context within conflict and post conflict areas. The course is also open to Fordham graduate students in Humanitarian Studies or relevant disciplines. It will aim to provide a practical orientation and training, including how to conduct rapid assessments, designing and setting up mental health services or psychosocial programs (exploring the differences between them), clinical work and therapeutic approaches in non-western contexts. It will address the issues of cultural validity, conflict resolution and negotiation, taking care of oneself and dealing with burnout. The course will also introduce potential field workers to essentials such as personal security, logistics, and practical aspects of humanitarian work in the field.

Course Cost: $915

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

Register

Registration Deadline: August 25, 2023

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: $915

  • To apply to an Online Humanitarian Training Course:

    • Create an application
    • Select "Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs"
    • Select Online Humanitarian Training Course
    • Select credit option
    • Select online course or courses

  • When taking the course for a Certificate of Completion, students must pay the fee of $915 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 Brendan Cahill, IIHA Executive Director, at [email protected].