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Center for International Studies
Yamada International House
56 E. Union St.
Athens, Ohio 45701
Group of CIS students posing for group photo in Baker University Center.
African Humanitarian Studies Graduate Certificate

African Humanitarian Studies Graduate Certificate

The purpose of the Graduate Certificate in African Humanitarian Studies is to channel the growing interest shown by students today in research and careers related to humanitarian interventions in non-western settings related to poverty, natural disasters, and conflict. 

While African Studies at Ohio University presents a holistic view of the continent, there is call to focus on the role of the world community in resolving some of Africa’s most pressing humanitarian issues. Only a handful of American universities offer a similar program.

Students plan their course of study for the certificate with the assistance of the program advisor. They may choose to focus on project planning for interventions, on the culture or politics of humanitarian crises and their aftermath, or on conflict resolution studies. Courses chosen for study in the certificate provide tools for students wishing to advance a career related to this field.

 

Career Opportunities

Many students pursuing graduate study in internationally focused fields at Ohio University are seeking careers in governmental and nongovernmental organizations that plan and implement responses to humanitarian crises in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The Graduate Certificate in African Humanitarian Studies will appeal to those students who may have had internship experiences abroad with such organizations and seek to upgrade their credentials for further employment, or to help students seeking jobs with these organizations to focus their course work in that direction.

Research on humanitarian interventions is needed as well and some students may seek the credential to shape dissertation and other research projects.

Admission Requirements

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International Students

This certificate program alone does not permit full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to this certificate. However, this certificate can be completed during any Ohio University graduate program and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to that degree program.

Completion Requirements

Full Certificate Requirements and Courses in the Official Academic Catalog

Core Options

Complete 12 hours from the following courses:

  • COMS 6200 - Communication in Social Conflict
  • ECON 5500 - Development Economics
  • EDLE 7310 - Conflict Management in Educational Administration
  • GEOG 5410 - Geography of Hunger and Food Security
  • INST 5903 - Special Topics in Africa
  • JOUR 5670 - Foreign Correspondence
  • MPA 5680 - Nonprofit Financial Management and Resource Development
  • MPA 5890 - Non-profit Leadership and Governance
  • POLS 5410 - African Politics
  • POLS 5560 - International Organization
  • POLS 5880 - Environmental and Public Policy Dispute Resolution

Electives

(4 hours)

Capstone

Complete 4 hours of capstone project in African humanitarian studies.

  • INST 6930 - Independent Study
  • INST 6940 - Professional Project

Culminating Experience

A professional project will be due in the final semester. The professional project, typically in the form of a final paper intended for submission to an academic journal allows students to fulfill this requirement.

For More Information

Contacts: Dr. Ghirmai Negash and Dr. Jonathan Agensky