Graduate Certificate in Refugees, Migration and Humanitarian Emergencies
The graduate certificate in Refugees, Migration and Humanitarian Emergencies prepares students for careers in the humanitarian sector or in those related to refugees and migration.
You’ll gain a solid foundation in refugee and migration issues, humanitarian principles, U.S. and international law and policy, disaster risk reduction and response and the current challenges in humanitarian response to refugees, internally displaced persons and others on the move.
Graduates work in the United Nations, the World Bank, non-governmental organizations and U.S. and global governmental aid agencies. Some students use this expertise to pursue careers in law, diplomacy, public policy, economic development, academia and the private sector.
Requirements
To earn the certificate in Refugees, Migration and Humanitarian Emergencies, you must complete the following.
- Introduction to Humanitarian Crises course
- Four additional subject matter courses
Some courses have an obvious connection to refugees, migration and humanitarian emergencies, such as Migration and Development and Refugees in the Middle East and North Africa. Others focus on topics such as migration in the Americas and trafficking, forced labor and corporate accountability.
There are a number of courses that could count toward the certificate should you be able to exhibit a clear content relevance. For example, you could take a course in post-conflict situations in Latin America and write a paper or complete a project on Colombian IDPs and the peace process which would then allow you to count that course toward the certificate. You could also take a course in epidemiology and write a paper on maternal and child migrant health in Yemen or among Venezuelan refugees in Colombia. Alternatively, in a business course, you could write about refugee entrepreneurs in Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan or German labor integration policies for refugees.
You’re encouraged to consult with Professor Christi Smith, graduate certificate faculty advisor, at cs2187@georgetown.edu early about courses that may count toward the certificate.
Eligibility
This certificate is available to students enrolled in one of these Georgetown programs:
Eligible programs
School of Foreign Service
- Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS)
- Master of Arts in Arab Studies (MAAS)
- Master of Arts in Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies (MAERES)
- Master of Arts in German and European Studies (MAGES)
- Master of Arts in Latin American Studies (LAS-MA)
- Master of Arts in Security Studies (SSP)
- Master’s in Global Human Development (GHD)
- Master of Arts in Asian Studies (MASIA)
McCourt School of Public Policy
- Master of Public Policy
- Master of International Development Policy
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
- Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution
- Master of Arts in Democracy and Governance
- Master of Arts in Communications, Culture & Technology
Georgetown School of Nursing & Health Studies
- Master of Science in Global Health
Georgetown Law Center*
- Juris Doctor Program
- Master of Laws
*NOTE: The Institute for the Study of International Migration (ISIM) and the Law Center run parallel graduate certificate programs. ISIM organizes a joint awards ceremony for graduating students who obtain the certificate. For law students interested in the certificate, please consult with the faculty advisor at the Law Center, Professor Andrew Schoenholtz (schoenha@law.georgetown.edu) about certificate requirements.
How to apply
To apply for the Graduate Certificate in Refugees, Migration and Humanitarian Emergencies, you must do the following.
- Submit the certificate interest form. Once you have indicated your interest, you will be added to a Canvas page for certificate students.
- Through the Canvas page, submit your application in either mid-November (winter graduates) or mid-April (spring graduates).
For additional information about the Graduate Certificate in Refugee, Migration and Humanitarian Emergencies, please contact Professor Christi Smith at cs2187@georgetown.edu.
Related noncredit professional certificate program
You may also be interested in Georgetown’s Certificate in Global Displacement and Migration Studies, offered online in collaboration with the School of Continuing Studies. This program offers knowledge and information about the different groups of people on the move as well as the multiple causes and consequences of such movements. It also provides a global overview of displacement and migration numbers and trends, drivers of and policy responses to population movements and the resulting impacts on origin, transit and host countries.
This noncredit professional certificate program is offered as a one-week intensive live online course culminating in a capstone project. SFS graduate students will not receive credit towards their degree through this certificate.