Certificate Programs
Humanitarian Assistance
Overview
Sponsoring department
International Health
Educational Objectives
This certificate program focuses on humanitarian assistance in the international health context. The program is a major educational activity of the Center for International Emergency, Disaster and Refugee Studies. The Center receives technical assistance from the International Committee of the Red Cross, American Red Cross, UN High Commission for Refugees, US Public Health Service, and various humanitarian agencies and organizations. Graduates will be able to:
1. Assess an emergency situation to identify immediate and longer term assistance needs and additional resources required.
2. Identify specific health (including psychosocial and mental health) needs of populations affected; plan and implement activities to meet these needs, and monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of assistance provided.
3. Understand the principles of organization and administration of relief services, and collaborate and cooperate with local and international non-governmental organizations, host governments, military forces and United Nations agencies.
4. Understand the epidemiology of natural and man-made disasters and how to collect, analyze, and use information
5. Plan and implement disaster preparedness, response and mitigation activities.
6. Identify disease outbreaks and to know how to contain them in a timely manner.
7. Know the public health consequences of natural disasters and their management.
8. Outline the basic requirements for a food and nutrition program for a disaster-affected population.
9. Understand the basics of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), and human rights principles and know how to identify and document their abuses.
10. Have a basic understanding of the political environment in which population displacement occurs.
Eligibility
The certificate is open to masters and doctoral students currently enrolled in a degree program at the Bloomberg School of Public Health who may be responsible for the health of displaced populations. MPH students who have a major career interest in humanitarian emergencies and human rights are encouraged to pursue the MPH concentration, Humanitarian Assistance; Health and Human Rights. The concentration has more depth.
Admissions Process
Bloomberg School of Public Health masters and doctoral students are not required to submit a formal application through the Admissions office. They are, however, encouraged to contact a certificate faculty sponsor by email in order to receive advice on selecting courses.
Course of Study
Core requirements must be taken for a letter grade. The additional course requirements may be taken on a pass-fail basis. In case of course conflicts or specific course requests, special arrangements may be made with Dr Burnham.
| Course No. | Course Title | No. Credits | Online Term | Campus Term |
| International Health Course Requirement | ||||
| 220.601 | Introduction to International Health (optional with field experience) | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Required Courses | ||||
| 221.613 | Introduction to Humanitarian Emergencies | 2 | - | 1 |
| 221.639 | Refugee Health Care | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 221.629 | Water and Sanitation Needs in Complex Emergencies | ? | ? | ? |
| 221.611 | Food Nutrition and Livelihood in Humanitarian Emergencies | 2 | - | 4 |
| 221.634 | Stress Management for Relief Workers | 2 | - | 3 |
| Elective Courses: Students must take at least two of the courses listed below | ||||
| 340.639 | Assessing Epidemiological Impact of Human Rights Violations | 2 | - | 4 |
| 221.641 | Measurement methods in Humanitarian Emergencies | 2 | - | 2 |
| 301.865 | Seminar in Health, Human Rights, and Vulnerable Populations | ? | ? | ? |
| 221.640 | Children in Crisis | 2 | - | 4 |
| 221.642 | Mental Health Aspects of Disaster: Public Health Preparedness and Response | 2 | - | 4 |
| 221.643 | Armed Conflict and Health | 2 | - | 3 |
| 221.661 | Project Development for Primary Health Care in Developing Countries | 4 | - | 4 |
| 221.614 | International Political Science for Public Health Practitioners | 2 | - | 2 |
| Recommended Additional Courses (interested students may take at least one course listed below): | ||||
| 182.626 | Tropical Environmental Health | 2 | - | 3 |
| 223.680 | Global Disease Control Programs and Policies | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| 221.627 | Issues in Maternal Mortality Reduction in Developing Countries | 4 | - | 2 |
Requirements for Successful Completion
The certificate will be awarded to all students who have satisfactorily completed the course requirements.
Contact Information
Faculty Sponsor
Name Gilbert Burnham
Phone (410) 955-7934
Email gburnham@jhsph.edu
Administrative Contact
Name
Gainful Employment Program Information
| Certificate Name | Humanitarian Assistance1 |
| CIP Code | |
| Credential Level | Post-Baccalaureate Certificate |
| Occupations and SOC Codes | 11-9110 Medical and Health Services Managers |
| 11-9150 Social and Community Service Managers | |
| 19-2040 Environmental Scientists | |
| 11-9160 Emergency Management Directors | |
| View O*Net occupational profiles | 21-1000 Community snd Social Service Professions |
| http://www.onetonline.org/find | 29-0000 Health Care Practitioners |
| Program Duration | |
| Minimum Number of Term Credits Required | 15 term credits. Each term is 8 weeks in duration. |
| Weeks2 | 32 (please read footnote) |
| Program Costs3 | |
| Tuition and Fees | The tuition and fees paid by full-time Johns Hopkins University degree students cover the tuition cost of the certificate program. Tuition is $923 per term credit for part-time degree students ($13,845 for 15 term credits) plus a one-time application fee of $45 (Academic Year 2012-2013) |
| Books and Supplies | $400 (estimated) |
| On-time Completion Rate4 | 7 students earned the certificate in academic year 2010-2011 |
| Job Placement Rate5 | Not required |
| Median Loan Debt upon Program Completion (AY 2011 -2012) | |
| Title IV Debt | $0.00 |
| Private Educational Loan Debt | $0.00 |
| Institutional Financing Debt | $0.00 |
- The certificate is offered to Johns Hopkins University graduate and post-doctoral students (including physicians completing residency or fellowship programs) who are interested in adolescent health.
- The certificate program length is flexible; it varies from student to student, however, the certificate must be completed within three years. Students do not need to be enrolled in a certificate course during consecutive terms. The number of certificate course credits taken may range from zero to 22 per term. Degree students earn the certificate simultaneously with their degree program and determine the number of credits taken each term with advisor approval. Full-time degree students are able to complete the certificate within one academic year.
- Tuition, application fee, and book costs are subject to change from one academic year to another academic year.
- Completion rates will be tracked beginning in academic year 2012-2013.
- The Council of Public Health Education which accredits schools of public health does not require schools to track job placement rates for certificate programs.