Master’s Programme and Expert Course
The Master’s degree programme and Expert course place the user or ‘learner’ as the centre of the training process. He or she sets the study pace and manages the learning process, taking time over aspects of greater interest or difficulty and moving on when he or she feels satisfied with the level knowledge developed. Selected elements of this methodology are explained below:
- Learning takes place in a Virtual Classroom, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, accessible by internet from anywhere by means of a user name and password.
- Once in the classroom the student will find general information about the course to enable him or her to get started, as well as the course subject material with accompanying exercises and support documents.
- The training process for each of the topics draws on the following tools and materials.
- Training guide with study recommendations
- Learning objectives
- Presentations
- Videos
- Selection of official documents from the United Nations, NGOs and official cooperation organizations, with study instructions.
- Summary of key messages.
- Bibliography
- The evaluation system consists of:
- Online exams
- A final assignment and/or research and development activities: Specific exercises regarding case studies and key questions.
- The learning process is supported by the set up of debate forums for all topics.
All the students cover the same topics within the same timeframe, but each student works through the course materials at his or her own pace. This enables forums to be interesting and relevant, and often provokes discussion between students of a similar advanced level.
The intrinsic flexibility in these courses means that, if necessary, students can interrupt their studies for periods of time, for work or other reasons. When this happens, they are recommended to restart at the same stage as the rest of the group and to gradually cover missed material with the support of the tutor.
The MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMME includes in-depth study of the principles and foundations of humanitarian aid and development cooperation, in addition to advanced operational topics. It prepares and equips students to face complex humanitarian challenges, and to search for creative solutions to new scenarios. The EXPERT COURSE focuses on operational aspects at an advanced level.
