Graduate Certificate in Refugees, Migration and Humanitarian Emergencies

For more than 20 years, ISIM has offered a Graduate Certificate related to refugees and humanitarian emergencies. Beginning Fall 2021, the Graduate Certificate adds “migration” to its name. Now the Graduate Certificate in Refugee, Migration and Humanitarian Emergencies, it is a set of classes that prepare students for careers in the humanitarian sector, or for careers that relate to refugees and migration. Students who complete the Certificate presently 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. The Certificate formally acknowledges that recipients acquire 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 (IDPs), and others on the move.

To receive the Certificate, students take a gateway course, Introduction to Humanitarian Crises, and choose 4 additional courses from many course offerings at Georgetown. Some courses have an obvious connection to refugees, migration and humanitarian emergencies, such as and 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. In addition, there are many other courses that count toward the Certificate. For example, a student, who takes a course in post-conflict situations in Latin America and writes a paper or completes a project on Colombian IDPs and the peace process, may count that course toward the Certificate. Another student who takes a course in epidemiology and writes a paper on maternal and child migrant health in Yemen or among Venezuelan refugees in Colombia may count that course toward the Certificate. Alternatively, in a business course, a student who writes about refugee entrepreneurs in Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan or German labor integration policies for refugees will receive Certificate credit for this course.

Note that these changes begin for graduate students entering in, or after, Fall 2021. For those who began their graduate programs before Fall 2021, students must take 5 additional courses to plus the gateway course to receive the Certificate.  

Students are encouraged to consult with the Graduate Certificate Faculty advisor early in their graduate program about courses that may count toward the Certificate.  

Eligibility:

This certificate is available to students enrolled in one of the following Georgetown University programs:

The Walsh School of Foreign Service:

  • Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS)Arab Studies (MAAS)
  • Russian and East European Studies (REES)
  • German and European Studies (MAGES)
  • Latin American Studies (MALAS)
  • Master of Arts in Security Studies (SSP)
  • Master of Arts in Global Human Development (GHD)
  • Master of Arts in Asian Studies (ASST)

The McCourt School of Public Policy: 

  • Master of Public Policy
  • Master of International Development Policy

Georgetown College:

  • 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: 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, about certificate requirements.

To Apply:

Download the blank application here, and email the completed version to isim@georgetown.edu.

For additional information, please contact Professor Elizabeth Ferris.