Curriculum
This is an example. Please note that the most current and official curriculum information is found in our Course Catalog.
Master of Arts in Humanitarian and Disaster Leadership
Degree Requirements
- The part-time hybrid option is designed to be completed over two years, primarily online but with two total weeks of on-campus intensive courses—one at the beginning of the program and one at the end.
- The full-time residential option is designed to be completed on campus over one year, with on-campus intensives during two summers.
- The accelerated M.A. option is available to current Wheaton undergraduate students, who can take M.A. courses during their junior and senior years. These courses do not count toward their bachelor's degree but will count toward the M.A.
Sample Course Sequence
| Semester | Part-Time Hybrid | Full-Time Residential |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Year 1 | HDI 504 (6)* | HDI 504 (6)* |
| Fall Year 1 | BITH TSR (4), HDI 624 (2) | BITH TSR (4), HDI 574 (4) HDI 554 (2), HDI 564 (2), HDI 664 (1) |
| Spring Year 1 | HDI 574 (4), HDI 554 (2) | J-Term: HDI 584 (2)* HDI 654 (4), HDI 624 (2) HDI 614 (4), HDI 544 (2), HDI 674 (1) |
| Summer Year 2 | HDI 564 (2) | HDI 684 (6)* |
| Fall Year 2 | HDI 614 (4), HDI 544 (2), HDI 664 (1) |
Not applicable |
| Spring Year 2 | HDI 584 (2), HDI 654 (4), HDI 674 (1) |
Not applicable |
| Final Summer | HDI 684 (6)* |
Actual course sequence subject to professor availability
*On-campus intensive course, 1 week total per course per semester
(This will also involve pre- and post-course work. It is set up this way for faculty to communicate with students by distance before the in-person class starts, and to help maximize in-person time in class. Several weeks before on-campus intensives begin, there may be some pre-course materials sent by professors to be completed before the in-person dates.)
The summer on-campus intensive for part-time hybrid and full-time residential students typically fall on the second week of August. Please contact the HDI program administrator for specific dates. Pre-work and post-work is done remotely.
Course Descriptions
Biblical & Theological Studies Courses
BITH/Theology TSR course (4 hours)
An introduction to the Christian faith, evangelical Protestant theology, and church engagement.
HDI 614 - Transformational Development (4 hours)
This course prepares leaders to actively engage government and public leaders through policy interventions and advocacy to advance the global struggle for human rights. Students are prepared to advocate for biblical justice by developing the skills necessary to assess and intervene in the policy process as well as to develop and implement advocacy campaigns.
Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance Courses
HDI 504 - Foundations of Disaster & Humanitarian Assistance (6 hours)
An introduction to evidence-based and informed psychosocial care skills, programs, and interventions in the context of disasters, crisis, and other trauma-inducing events.
HDI 544 - Humanitarian Assistance (2 hours)
This course focuses on understanding evidence-based leadership best practices for effective emergency and humanitarian response.
HDI 554 - Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (2 hours)
The course focuses on understanding critical issues in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) related to the fields of disaster, relief, and development. These are essential tools for these fields today, both for those who will be produce this kind of data and those who will use it in their work.
HDI 564 - Disaster Management (2 hours)
This course focuses on understanding evidence-based leadership best practices for effective emergency and humanitarian response.
HDI 574 - NGO Leadership (4 hours)
This course will teach students best-practices for leading non-profit humanitarian and disaster organizations, and will introduce the practice of social entrepreneurship, program and project planning, grant-writing, fundraising, business planning, and marketing methods.
HDI 584 - Anti-Human Trafficking & Gender-Based Violence (2 hours)
The course focuses on understanding issues in human trafficking and gender-based violence and best practice interventions for prevention, awareness, and care for victims.
HDI 624 - Refugee & Forced Migration Issues (2 hours)
An introduction to various historical and contemporary cases of forced displacement, integrating diverse disciplinary approaches, including legal, political and moral analysis.
HDI 654 - Disaster, Crisis, & Trauma Intervention (4 hours)
An introduction to evidence-based and informed psychosocial care skills, programs, and interventions in the context of disasters, crisis, and other trauma-inducing events.
Career Preparation
HDI 664 - Vocation & Professional Development I (1 hour)
Students will think rigorously, biblically, and practically about their personal vocation in the humanitarian and disaster fields, and will develop skills and resources in preparation for their careers.
HDI 674 - Vocation & Professional Development II (1 hour)
Students will think rigorously, biblically, and practically about their personal vocation in the humanitarian and disaster fields, and will develop skills and resources in preparation for their careers.
HDI 684 - Field Operations (6 hours)
An intensive residence course that will involves multi-day domestic and international field simulation and practice in leadership and evaluation duties that will be supplemented with classroom learning experiences.
Total 40 hours
