Program Overview: 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. The Certificate takes advantage of the faculty members teaching in association with the Ohio University National Resource Center for African Studies and the Institute for the African Child, as well as faculty in programs such as International Development Studies, Communication and Development Studies, or Public Administration. There are only handfuls or American universities offering 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.

Admissions Information: No requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Change of Major/Minor/Certificate Policy: No selective or limited admission requirements.

External Transfer Admission: No requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Opportunities Upon Graduation: Many students pursuing graduate study in internationally-focused fields at Ohio University are seeking careers in governmental and non-governmental 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.