IIHA Undergraduate Program

IIHA Undergraduate Programs

You see the injustice, poverty, and disaster zones around the world—and you must do something about them. If you believe, as we do, in Fordham’s Jesuit-inspired mission to care for others and fight for justice, the international humanitarian affairs major might be the perfect program for you.
In our interdisciplinary program, offered by the Institute for International Humanitarian Affairs, you’ll examine the global impact of disasters, disease, poverty, conflict, human rights violations, and policies. You’ll learn the tools and techniques experts use to improve lives—and cast a critical eye on complex variables like politics.

You’ll study with faculty from international affairs, political science, philosophy, history, and anthropology, and learn from experts from the UN, NGOs, and the private sector.

From technical innovations used to help populations in crisis to theoretical critiques of humanitarian activities, our program will expose you to challenging situations—and innovative solutions.
You’ll learn more than international humanitarian studies here. You’ll also study philosophy, theology, literature, languages, ethics, science, and the performing arts through Fordham’s common core curriculum, the centerpiece of our liberal arts education.

We want you to excel in your field—and as a human being.

Click here for application deadlines.

Upon completion of the undergraduate humanitarian studies program, students will be able to: 

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the actors and actions in international responses to humanitarian crises; 
Employ a wide range of disciplines and case studies to examine complex humanitarian emergencies, including natural disaster, famine, war, and pandemic disease;

Recognize the value of different kinds of knowledge (including both academic and experiential) in formulating appropriate responses to humanitarian crises;
Critically evaluate the way in which humanitarian interventions are understood and assessed, specifically contrasting the differences between effectiveness, efficiency, outcome, and impact.

Our mission for students in the Humanitarian Studies Program at Fordham 

Our mission extends beyond simply satisfying the course requirements for the major or minor, and the IIHA and their advisor will support them in a number of ways. Students are encouraged to: 

Participate in the life of the humanitarian community at Fordham. Examining contemporary humanitarian issues with their peers through debates, clubs and other activities is an important part of their humanitarian education

Cultivate an in-depth knowledge of a specific area of humanitarian assistance through their elective choices, their internship, and – if in the Major – their thesis; 
Consider their professional development and their range of career options while making use of the IIHA’s relationships with practitioners as well as Fordham’s location in New York City.

Course Examples

Contemporary Issues in Humanitarian Action
Monitoring and Evaluation in Humanitarian Response
Accountability for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Humanitarian Settings
Mental Health in Complex Emergencies
Global Media and Communication
Foreign Aid and Development
African Economic Development
Political Economy of Development

“After taking humanitarian systems, my only regret is that I didn’t have more time to take other courses you taught. Even though I am a finance major, your class was incredibly interesting and had me thinking about topics and subjects outside my comfort zone. Aside from in class material which was incredibly interesting and insightful, your life lessons about hard work and integrity are ones I will take with me into my professional career.

As I approach my final days at Fordham before officially graduating, I wanted to once again thank you for an incredible classroom experience and hope that students in future semesters take away from your classes as much as I have.”

David Stepanova

Finance Major, HUST Minor, 2023.
He currently works as a Business Valuations Analyst at UHY Advisors, Inc.

HUST Alumni Careers

The combination of rigorous interdisciplinary coursework and experiential learning opportunities prepare students for a host of graduate studies and careers, such as disaster relief, global public health, human rights, and international law at the following locations:

Watchlist
World Food
Programme
CARE International
Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs
American Red Cross
The Princess Taghrid Institute for Development and Training

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Humanitarian Studies undergraduate program  in the United States  (College Consensus)

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November 1st

Early Decision Deadline

This major is for you if:

You see yourself working in the following areas:
- international NGOs
- NGOs
- global health initiatives
- State Department
- USAID
- United Nations
- human rights organizations
- international law firms
- Don’t see an area of interest? Email us and we will help you decide if this is the Major for you!
You are passionate about helping people and improving the lives of others
You are interested in working with international organizations
You are interested in becoming knowledgeable about humanitarian emergencies, including natural disaster, famine, war, and pandemic disease
You’d like to gain foundational knowledge and analytical tools necessary to examine and critique a wide range of humanitarian activities, including food aid, water and sanitation programming, medical assistance, and refugee settlements
You are in touch with current global events and pay careful attention to international humanitarian news

The Humanitarian Studies program has fostered my passion for humanitarianism and enriched my understanding of this field by connecting me to mentorship opportunities with experienced professors and network events where I have met aid workers and gained insights into their meaningful work, which I hope to one day do.”

Lauren Larsen

Fordham University Senior, Double Major in Humanitarian Studies and International Political Economy and
She currently interns at  the Red Cross.

When you join the Humanitarian Studies Undergraduate Program at Fordham University you have access to many resources: 

Conferences
Webinars
Internships
Monthly lunches at the IIHA
The Fordham Humanitarian Club

Internships

Fordham University

Career Services  Fordham University Academic Advising Services

Visit the Fordham University website here to learn more about life at Rose Hill in the Bronx and Lincoln Center in Manhattan

Click here to view application requirements   