Graduate Certificate of Disaster Health and Humanitarian Assistance

Develop the skills to provide coordinated and informed public health responses to humanitarian emergencies and disaster events in Australia and internationally with this specialised course. Building on your existing healthcare qualifications and knowledge, you will learn how to best engage with displaced persons, manage response and recovery systems, and become a leader in areas of prevention, policy and planning.

What to expect

Specialise in a field you’re passionate about with a Graduate Certificate of Disaster Health and Humanitarian Assistance. This course is designed for health professionals and graduates who want to develop skills and knowledge in this area.

This certificate has two core subjects, Public Health in Humanitarian Emergencies and Disaster Health Management. You will choose two elective subjects that align with your career goals and interests, with topics including disaster management principles, leadership in disaster management, infection prevention and control, environmental health and epidemiology for public health.

Your studies will prepare you to effectively contribute to disaster health management through developing a thorough understanding of disaster prevention, preparation, response and recovery systems. You will be equipped for both national and international work in emergency response settings, particularly focused on displaced populations.

JCU Disaster Health and Humanitarian Assistance graduates are highly trained specialists who make valuable contributions to the field of disaster health and humanitarian assistance.

This course is delivered in mixed-mode (some face-to-face teaching components are included and on-campus attendance may be required) and is available part-time only.

View the handbook for a detailed overview of available subjects.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Graduate Certificate of Disaster Health and Humanitarian Assistance.

Career Opportunities

JCU Disaster Health and Humanitarian Assistance graduates are specialised professionals who find employment in a variety of local and global health settings such as international non-governmental organisations (INGOs), the United Nations and related agencies, and Australian government.

Graduates pursue careers in the field of international humanitarian assistance with organisations such as Red Cross and Médecins Sans Frontières, or have gained employment in disaster management positions such as local council disaster recovery and community development positions within Australia.