MASTER'S DEGREE
ABOUT THE COURSE
Result of the accreditation process by the Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES) Decision: Accredited Number of years of accreditation: 6 • Validity period of accreditation: 31/07/2031 A3ES Resolution • Self-assessment report
Schedule/Work Schedule: Daytime
Maximum number of admissions: 20
Language of instruction: English
The MAHA Master's degree prepares professionals and future professionals to deal with humanitarian responses. It is an international programme with several years of experience and features specialised professionals, including both lecturers and civilian and military guest speakers.
Humanitarian emergencies occur in different types of situations, most often conflict situations, but they can also be natural disasters, health emergencies, or specific security risks.
The response to these situations opts for a humanistic approach and specific strategies, namely: promoting the health and essential well-being of the individual, preparing for disasters and security risks, and analyzing and preventing international and internal crises. Organization is essential, and therefore it is necessary to know how to plan for emergency situations, coordinate and work with the various emergency operators to provide humanitarian services, understand logistical and management support tools, and know the methods of post-emergency evaluation and post-crisis development.
We offer an invaluable teaching experience while simultaneously providing practical experience through work projects linked to EU-funded projects and internships in international, national, and local NGOs.
Language of instruction: English
Curriculum Plan
2nd Cycle (Master's Degree) • 3 semesters • 90 ECTS
According to information from DGES
Scientific area: Social and behavioral sciences
1st Year • 1st Semester
| Course Unit | ECTS |
|---|---|
| Disaster Management | 6 |
| Strategic Management of NGOs | 6 |
| Research Planning and Practice | 4 |
| Principles and Practice of Humanitarian Action | 8 |
| International Security | 6 |
1st Year • 2nd Semester
| Course Unit | ECTS |
|---|---|
| International Humanitarian Law | 4 |
| Emergency, Reconstruction and Development: Ethical Debates | 6 |
| Public Policies and Humanitarian Action | 6 |
| Humanitarian Health | 6 |
| Thematic Seminars | 8 |
2nd Year • 1st Semester
| Course Unit | ECTS |
|---|---|
| Internship | 30 |
Coordination
ERASMUS+ EXCHANGE
Students at the Fernando Pessoa University (UFP) who meet the eligibility criteria have the opportunity to undertake periods of study and/or internships through international mobility programs.
International student study periods are carried out at higher education institutions outside of Portugal with which UFP maintains student exchange agreements under the Erasmus+ Program (within the European area), or other existing bilateral exchange agreements.
Information regarding mobility/exchange programs is available through the International Relations Office. (connection).
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
The MAHA Master's program is recommended for candidates who already work or intend to work in areas related to humanitarian risk prevention and management, in NGOs providing humanitarian aid or related services, in international organizations, in development promotion and human rights defense agencies, or in civilian or military organizations involved in peacekeeping operations in conflict zones.
The course is also very suitable for organizations interested in issues of vulnerability and poverty eradication, in planning and managing risks involving certain populations (e.g., children), in resolving ethnic and religious conflicts, in protection against violence and human trafficking, as well as for media professionals and decision-makers associated with political processes (e.g., monitoring electoral processes).
The program is designed to meet the demands of the job market. It aims to provide candidates with a highly practical understanding of the skills and knowledge necessary to manage both the strategic aspects and the more practical aspects of implementing humanitarian issues, in both the public and private sectors.
PRECARIOUS
In addition to the application requirements, it is equally important to consult the information regarding fees, tuition, and charges applicable to master's degree programs. On this page, you will find a section dedicated to tuition fees for master's programs, as well as other relevant information about credit transfers, charges, and fees associated with different academic services.
Employability & Academic Success
To help better understand the academic results and professional integration of UFP graduates, the latest report on Employability and Academic Success is available. In this document, you will find concrete data on the employability rates of Master's and other degree graduates, as well as academic success rates for the 2024/25 academic year.