Education
Academic Programs
Concentration in Humanitarian Health (Master of Public Health)
The Master of Public Health concentration in Humanitarian Health is provided for full-time and part-time MPH students and focuses on health of populations in crisis, internationally and domestically. These include refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), populations affected by natural and human-made disasters, survivors of human rights abuse, and survivors of human trafficking. The coursework will focus on why populations become vulnerable and the health issues they face. Emphasis will be on gaining expertise in methods to assess needs and provide assistance to displaced populations and other vulnerable groups. Students will be able to:
- Develop appropriate public health care responses for refugees, displaced persons and other vulnerable populations in humanitarian settings.
- Measure health and demographic indicators in crisis settings.
- Plan food, water, and sanitation programs for displaced populations.
- Implement and monitor humanitarian assistance programs.
- Identify, protect, and advocate for vulnerable groups.
The minimum number of academic units needed to complete the concentration requirements over and above the MPH core requirements is eighteen (18) credits.
View more information about the concentration in Humanitarian Health and to see a list of course offerings.
Certificate in Humanitarian Health
The Certificate in Humanitarian Health is open to master's and doctoral students enrolled in a degree program at the Bloomberg School of Public Health who are interested in working to improve the health of displaced populations and other vulnerable groups. Students will be able to:
- Assess an emergency situation to identify immediate and longer-term assistance needs and additional resources required.
- Identify specific health (including psychosocial and mental health) needs of affected populations; plan and implement activities to meet these needs; and monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of assistance provided.
- Understand the principles of organization and administration of relief services in collaboration and cooperation with local and international agencies and organizations.
- Use epidemiologic skills to collect, analyze, and use information about natural and human-made disasters.
- Plan and implement disaster preparedness, response and mitigation activities.
- Identify disease outbreaks and to know how to contain them in a timely manner.
- Outline the basic requirements for a food and nutrition program for a disaster-affected population.
- Use the basic principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and human rights principles to understand the protection needs of displaced populations and to identify and document abuses.
The certificate program requires a minimum of 18 credits. While the certificate program length is flexible and varies from student to student, it must be completed within three years.
Health Emergencies in Large Populations (H.E.L.P.)
The Health Emergencies in Large Populations course is offered by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and for the January HELP course, the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. For more than 25 years, the HELP course has offered humanitarian workers intensive training in the public health principles of disaster preparedness and disaster management. The course was founded to apply public health principles to the humanitarian needs of populations affected by disasters, both natural and conflict-related. Learn more about the H.E.L.P.
Public Health in Humanitarian Crises (Coursera)
A new online course to help you learn how public health concepts and skills can be applied to disasters is now online. You can take the course for free, or if you want to complete the quizzes and a short paper you will receive a certificate from Johns Hopkins and Coursera for $49. View more information on how to apply.
Outbreak READY! Digital Readiness and Response Simulations
READY brings the complex nature of a humanitarian outbreak response to life by utilizing a computer-based serious game that allows participants to test and refine their outbreak readiness skills and knowledge.
Scholarships
Humanitarian Assistance Scholarships are designed to support students committed to improving humanitarian response and health for refugees, displaced persons, and populations affected by conflict and natural disasters. The Humanitarian Assistance Scholarships provide travel and research support to promising MPH, MHS, and doctoral candidates enrolled full-time at the Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Application Review Process:
The review committee will be comprised of members of the faculty at the Center for Humanitarian Health. The applications will be judged on the following criteria:
- Scholarly merit -- including design, methodology, and originality.
- Relevance in relation to the mission of the Center for Humanitarian Health and the objectives of the scholarship fund.
- The degree to which the proposed work will provide quality field experience and support the development of careers that focus on the health and well-being of displaced populations and the field of humanitarian response.
Awards will be announced in May of each year, before the end of the 4th term of the academic year.