Online Humanitarian Training Courses

Online Humanitarian Training Courses

The Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs offers non-credit professional courses for practitioners around the world. Each professional course for Fall 2024 is designed to prepare current and future aid workers with the knowledge and skills needed to respond effectively to humanitarian crises and disasters.

Upcoming Fall 2024 courses include:

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 will open May 1, 2024 - August 2024. All courses listed on this page are one semester long. 

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]. 

HUST 5013: Fundamentals of Humanitarian Action

Tuesdays 5:30 pm-7:15 pm l Online Synchronous

This course will introduce students to the principles of humanitarian action through three modules on (1) Defining Humanitarian Assistance, (2) Management, and (3) Strategic Planning. The aim of the course is to provide an overview of the critical aspects of international humanitarian coordination from an organizational perspective.

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

Register link will become live on May 1st

HUST 5014: Humanitarian Resource Management and Administration

Mondays 5:30 pm - 7:15 pm l In-person

This course will introduce students to the operational aspects of humanitarian response and focus primarily on the role of human resources (HR) and financial management. In response to the continuing professionalization of the humanitarian sector, this course will provide students with a common understanding of hiring practices, budges management, and donor relations in a humanitarian intervention.

Register link will become live on May 1st

HUST 5015: Information Management 

Online Asynchronous

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.

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

Register link will become live on May 1st

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

Thursdays 5:30 pm - 7:15 pm l Online Synchronous

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 envision 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.

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

Register link will become live on May 1st

HUST 5061 International Disaster Management

Online Asynchronous

From hurricanes to epidemics, from conflict to climate change, the economic and social impacts of natural and man-made hazards are increasing around the world. Disaster management is the professional discipline that lessens these impacts by reducing disaster risk. This course will promote understanding of the principal determinants of disasters and provide an evidence-based approach to the interdisciplinary and multi-sectoral frameworks required to efficiently and effectively manage humanitarian disasters. It will cover key concepts in disaster management policy and practice, including hazard risk, vulnerability, resilience, and governance through the cycle of prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and early recovery. It will also integrate epidemiology, health economics, and public administration into the disaster management mix for the first time. Using case studies of recent humanitarian crises, students will have a more complete understanding of the direct and indirect drivers of disaster risk and how they interact, enabling them to think critically about the appropriate allocation and management of resources in times of crisis.

Register link will become live on May 1st

HUAF 5500: Mental Health in Complex Emergencies 

*Online Asynchronous

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.

*The MHCE course includes online weekly meetings. 

Register link will become live on May 1st

Listen to Professor James Shepered-Barron as he introduces his class, International Disaster Management.

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: Coming Soon

  • 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

    This application will become live on May 1st. Please return to this page when you are ready to apply. 

  • 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 Coordinator, at [email protected] or call 718-817-5732.