Master of advanced studies (MAS) in humanitarian action
The programme at a glance
This is a multidisciplinary course which mobilises a significant segment of the international academic and institutional community of Geneva. During the year, students benefit from direct contact with more than a hundred lecturers, academics, researchers and field professionals, as well as from the services offered by the academic world and the international and humanitarian organisations based in Geneva. It therefore provides an exceptional opportunity for all those engaged in humanitarian action, development or social work, who wish to improve their professional skills in the humanitarian field. Geneva holds a particularly privileged position, since no other city has brought together so many international humanitarian actors over more than a century. It is this wealth of experience that is available to the MAS in Humanitarian Action.
Objectives
• Provide, in a multidisciplinary university context, the conceptual tools and methodologies that are essential to understanding and confronting contemporary humanitarian challenges
• Encourage understanding and critical analysis of contemporary humanitarian crises
• Facilitate exchange of experience between participants and develop skills in intercultural work
• Develop the ability to work in French and English
• Facilitate contacts with international institutions and humanitarian organisations in Geneva.
Public
The MAS addresses four groups of people:
• Professional humanitarian actors or staff of international organisations who are looking for an academic framework in which to assess their competences from a theoretical standpoint, and to reflect on their practice;
• Staff of aid organisations or NGOs wishing to enrich their knowledge in order to follow a career in humanitarian work;
• Professionals from various sectors who are considering a change of career towards the humanitarian field;
• Students holding a masters degree or equivalent with significant experience in the humanitarian or aid fields.
Candidates for the Masters thus have university training and significant professional experience in the humanitarian, NGO or other sectors. A minimum of four years academic study with a university qualification is required. For those who have been in professions directly linked to humanitarian action (social work, nursing, logistics, etc.) three years practical experience could be accepted. In other cases, a minimum of five years of work is generally required.
Duration of studies
The Masters is offered from September to July, that is, a normal University year. Because courses are organised in modules and not by term, holidays are not the same as those of the University with the exception of official public holidays. In order to enable students to follow the programme while working part-time, there are free periods of one to two weeks between modules. These periods can also be used to take optional courses.
The Masters may be taken over one or two years – three years in exceptional cases – to allow students to continue their professional activity. The one-year programme requires full-time study and even a part-time job is not feasible under this option. Students who have received an annual grant through CERAH must complete the programme in one year; the grant will not be extended if a student has failed an exam.
Teaching staff
Apart from the CERAH staff, teachers are drawn from faculties of the University of Geneva, Swiss and European universities and institutes. International specialists, field experts and staff of international and non-governmental humanitarian organisations are regular contributors.
