Master of Humanitarian Assistance

2022 Deakin University Handbook

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Career opportunities
• Participation requirements
• Mandatory student checks
• Research information
• Fees and charges
• Course Learning Outcomes
• Course rules
• Course structure
• Work experience
• Other learning experiences
• Research and research-related study

Course overview

Intractable conflicts, climate disasters and pandemics – these are just a few of the challenges humanity currently faces. It’s clear that in the 21st century, the need for humanitarian aid has never been greater. But it’s no longer enough to assume our current practices can address these complex challenges. We need new humanitarian aid leaders, who can envision and enact a better version of the field.

Are you ready to help build a more sustainable and equitable humanitarian aid system?

Deakin’s Master of Humanitarian Assistance offers you the unique opportunity to gain practical skills through simulated experiences while exploring and analysing the role and function of humanitarian aid today. This dual focus ensures you graduate prepared to make a difference on the ground, and with the critical perspective and capability to introduce new ideas and improvements into the sector.

The course is delivered by Deakin from the Centre for Humanitarian Leadership, a collaborative venture between Deakin and Save the Children that combines good humanitarian practice with academic rigour and seeks to address the power balance that can be created and perpetuated by even well-meaning aid.

Explore the practice and theory of community-based solutions to forced displacement, needs assessment and emergency response planning, and national and international disaster risk reduction and recovery. A research unit gives you the opportunity to further explore issues of interest.

Through networking opportunities embedded in the course, you can also capitalise on Deakin’s strong partnerships with international non-government organisations (NGOs), United Nations agencies, other locally based NGOs, government agencies such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other relevant stakeholders.

Graduate with the skills to contribute abroad, at home, or in still-developing avenues.

Career opportunities

Job opportunities for humanitarian assistance graduates exist in government and non-government agencies concerned with the provision of all aspects of emergency and humanitarian responses including service provision, logistical support, communications, program management and support, community engagement and support, funding, coordination, monitoring and evaluation.

Some of the roles you might obtain, depending on your previous experience, include:

• community engagement specialist
• education adviser
• grants manager
• NGO program director.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Research information

Students will undertake research training and complete a research project in one of the three following options:

• one credit points of research training in research design, and a one credit point research project;
• two credit points of research training in research design and methods (qualitative or quantitative), and a two credit point research project; or
• two credit points of research training in research design and methods (qualitative or quantitative), and a four credit point research project developed in consultation with a supervisor from the relevant discipline

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as photocopying or travel.

Course Learning Outcomes

Course rules

To qualify for the Master of Humanitarian Assistance, students must successfully complete 8 credit points of study comprising

• AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit);
• 4 credit points of core units
• Research Project 1 or 2 credit points
• 2-3 credit points of course elective units (depending on your research project)

Course structure

Core units

Students to complete the following 4 core units (4 credit points of study)

Course Electives & Research Options

Students to select 4 credit points of study as a combination of research and course elective units listed below

Course Electives List A (includes internship units)

AHA723 Fundamentals of Humanitarian Management [No longer available for enrolment]

ADH703 Evidence and Decision Making in Humanitarian Action [No longer available for enrolment]

Internship 

Research Options

Option 1:

Option 2*:

And

*Option 2 will meet the thesis requirements for admission to a PhD pathway.

Work experience

Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

Other course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

• Contact Student Central

Other learning experiences

There are options for WIL and study tours across many of the SHSS courses.

Research and research-related study

Independent research components are embedded across a number of units.