Master of Humanitarian Health at Johns Hopkins University

Program Overview

Please note: The Master of Applied Science (MAS) program in Humanitarian Health is not open to new matriculants in AY22-23. Students previously admitted to the program should consult the prior catalogue/guidebook under which they were admitted or review the OPAL Student Resources site in CoursePlus. For additional information, please follow up directly with OPAL Office to verify program requirements; [email protected].

The Master of Applied Science (MAS) is a fully online, part-time degree designed for working professionals, delivered through the Online Programs for Applied Learning (OPAL). Programs focus on emergent industry sectors in public health and health care that have a need for highly skilled professionals. By building on the strengths of the School, they provide unmatched opportunities for advanced training and focus on both local and global health issues. Students are prepared to create innovative solutions through multidisciplinary approaches that apply the latest scientific knowledge. All MAS programs will culminate in a final Integrative Activity. The goal of this activity is for students to synthesize knowledge and skills obtained through coursework in a final project that demonstrates mastery of program competencies, as applied to real-world public health and health care questions. Students can complete their degree program in as little as two years, but are allowed up to four years.

Graduates gain necessary tools to adopt and adapt to the rapidly changing roles of the humanitarian professional and to support humanitarian organizations in service delivery, applied research and public health advocacy. The Humanitarian Health Master's program focuses on both local and global issues, and prepares students to address public health problems through multidisciplinary approaches that apply the latest scientific knowledge.

LinkedIn Group

We have established a LinkedIn group for each of the OPAL program areas in order to strengthen connections between current students, faculty, and alumni of OPAL programs, as well as to facilitate student-to-student peer networking.

Participation is voluntary, but we encourage you to join this professional networking community.

BSPH OPAL Humanitarian Health

Additional Public Health Learning Resources

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Public Health Training Center provides links to many of its online learning resources, as well as external resources, databases and public health organizations. These can be used to supplement learning on a particular topic, or provide background material. Many of these resources are available for free via their website.

The Welch Medical Library at Johns Hopkins has many resources related to research, writing and documentation on their YouTube channel.

The School has a number of research and practice related seminar series that occur throughout the year and contribute to the intellectual community of the School, for students, staff, and faculty.  The Bloomberg School has a website that provides some additional resources for practitioners as well.

Practitioners can also access dozens of courses from Bloomberg School faculty on Coursera. Practice-focused offerings include courses on topics such as gun violence, food systems, health equity, biostatistics, and epidemiology, among others. 

MAS in Humanitarian Health Contact Information

MAS Program Advisers

Paul Spiegel, MD
Professor of the Practice and Program Co-Director, MAS and Certificate programs in Humanitarian Health
Email: [email protected]

W. Courtland Robinson, PhD
Associate Professor and Program Co-Director, MAS and Certificate programs in Humanitarian Health
Email: [email protected]

For Program-wide Issues

Elizabeth F.  Topper, PhD, MEd, MPH
Senior Lecturer and Director, Online Programs for Applied Learning (OPAL)
Email: [email protected]

PROGRAM COMPETENCIES

Please note: The Master of Applied Science (MAS) program in Humanitarian Health is not open to new applicants in AY22-23. Students previously admitted to the program should consult the prior catalogue/guidebook under which they were admitted or review the OPAL Student Resources site in CoursePlus. For additional information, please follow up directly with OPAL Office to verify program requirements; [email protected].

The Master of Applied Science (MAS) in Humanitarian Health curriculum is delivered entirely online and designed for working students. Courses reflect the breadth of global public health; online students are trained in epidemiology and biostatistics, form practical skills derived from workshops in professional development, and understand critical issues in the humanitarian and disaster fields.

By the end of the program, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of humanitarian architecture, including key organizations, international and UN systems, and sectors, including health; water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); shelter; nutrition; food security; and protection.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of core humanitarian and human rights principles, treaty instruments, and codes of ethical conduct in humanitarian and disaster settings.
3. Apply skills in assessment, monitoring and evaluation, and research relevant to humanitarian contexts-including qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods.
4. Apply skills in humanitarian health project design, planning and implementation, including awareness of appropriate interventions and how to contextualize them in operational settings.
5. Critically assess and synthesize information relevant to humanitarian health interventions, prioritize decisions and actions, and communicate decisions and actions effectively.
6. Demonstrate key management and leadership skills needed to function in humanitarian and disaster contexts, including developing and maintaining collaborative relationships, operating safely and effectively, adapting and coping, and maintaining professionalism and critical judgment.
7. Apply leadership and management skills, as well as program evaluation methods, to inform decision-making in humanitarian and disaster settings.