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All Majors & Minors

Humanitarian Action

Degree

Minor

School/College

John Charles Meditz College of Arts & Sciences
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Fairfield's minor in humanitarian action—one of the few such undergraduate programs in the United States and elsewhere—has continued to grow since its launch in January 2016.

What You'll Learn and Do

Complement your general studies

The humanitarian action program includes faculty with expertise in an array of disciplines including ethics, engineering, health, history, economics, management, and international affairs.

Enter a modern field

In response to the increasing number, scope, and intensity of humanitarian emergencies, the field of humanitarian action has grown dramatically over the last 25 years, along with diverse career opportunities.

Join a strong academic and professional network

Humanitarian action students can prepare for their futures through extracurricular activities such as the Humanitarian Action Student Club and the Jesuit University Humanitarian Action Network (JUHAN).

Gain hands-on experience

Fairfield aims to foster students’ professional development by providing internships with relevant international organizations, non-profit, media, and business organizations, as well as national, state, and local government entities that deal with issues of importance to humanitarian crises and disaster response.

Get Involved

A group of students hold baskets outdoors.

Jesuit Universities Humanitarian Action Network

The Jesuit Universities Humanitarian Action Network (JUHAN) was launched in 2008 through a collaboration between Georgetown, Fordham, and Fairfield Universities as a way to raise awareness of the Jesuit ideology of “men and women for others” on Jesuit campuses while working together to address the humanitarian need of those who are suffering.

A student holds a hammer in front of a wooden fence.

Peace Corps Prep Program

Fairfield helps students make an impact on their communities through the Peace Corps Prep program.

I love being part of a community that recognizes the importance of raising awareness about issues that are often not in the limelight. HA has helped me develop a sense of confidence that making a difference is always achievable with persistence and collaboration.

- Mia Van Mater, '26

Find Out More

Course Requirements

Humanitarian Action Minor

18 credits

Contact Us

Undergraduate Admission
admis@fairfield.edu
(203) 254-4100

Career Outlook

Fairfield’s Humanitarian Action internship program will provide opportunities for students to acquire and hone skills and insights; relate theory to practice and practice to theory; and reflect on the meaning and ethics of humanitarian action for their own life, career goals, and commitments.

Internship Opportunities

Students work with relevant international organizations, non-profit, media, and business organizations, as well as national, state, and local government entities.

Possible Placements

  • Save the Children
  • Caroline House
  • AmeriCares
  • Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB)
  • Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants

To me, HA has become the framework through which I engage in my local community and understand the world around me. The program has given me so many amazing opportunities and has inspired me to pursue a career in the non-profit sector.

- Amelia Bowles '24

Resources for Student Success

The University Career Center serves Fairfield University students with comprehensive career support services, programming, and resources.

Learn About Career Preparation

Fairfield supports the scholarly success and intellectual growth of our students by providing various resources on campus including the Science Center, Writing Center, DiMenna-Nyselius Library, and more.

Academic Support at Fairfield

Through an internship relating to humanitarian action, students will have opportunities to acquire and hone skills and insights; relate theory to practice and practice to theory; and reflect on the meaning and ethics of humanitarian action for their own life, career goals, and commitments.

Typically, an internship is a one-semester course and requires 10 to 15 hours per week on-site (or 120-150 hours per semester). Other requirements include an e-portfolio containing weekly reflections on internship experiences and readings and a final reflection paper. An on-site supervisor and the Humanitarian Action internship coordinator will evaluate the student.

You can also take an internship for credit as part of the requirements for a Humanitarian Action Minor. HUAC 3980 is a three-credit elective course toward meeting the 18-credit requirement of the Humanitarian Action minor. Stop by Canisius 200 to learn more about HUAC 3980.

Objectives for a student engaging in an internship include:

  • Acquire practical experience to complement your academic training in Humanitarian Action.
  • Employ learned concepts, knowledge, and skills in an applied setting.
  • Improve skills in applying thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, coordination, facilitation, and teamwork, including data gathering and analysis, policy, and advocacy.
  • Develop transferable skills, competencies, and knowledge through field experience.
  • Ascertain and refine career objectives through reflection of professional experience.
  • Engage with non-profit, government, business, media, or international organizations or agencies as a representative of the Humanitarian Action minor and Fairfield University.
  • Explore the ethical responsibilities associated with specific careers relating to Humanitarian Action.

Interested in Pursuing a Humanitarian Action Internship?

Service and Simulations

International Rescue Committee, Abilene, TX

Offered each spring, this trip provides students an opportunity to work with the International Rescue Committee in its work to help newly resettled refugees in Texas.

United Nations Global Citizenship Seminar

Offered each fall, this trip provides students with an insight into the inner workings of the UN as well as many of its sister agencies. In addition to touring the UN Headquarters building, students receive detailed briefings focusing on humanitarian issues, refugees, and other forces behind global migration. On past trips, students have met with senior-level administrators, and representatives from the UN, UNICEF, UNHCR, and the International Organization for Migration.

Atlantic Hope

Offered biennially in the spring, a limited number of students can participate in the Consortium for Humanitarian Service and Education’s (CHSE) intensive hands-on simulation of a humanitarian relief operation.

Participating in the Humanitarian Action Club has inspired me to reach out and support the world around me locally and globally. I continue to gain knowledge about the active issues regarding national and international affairs and how to take a role in solving them.

- Bobby Schattle

Bobby Schattle stands in an academic building.

Explore More

  • Three people stand in front of a political meeting room.

    Faculty

    Learn more about the humanitarian action faculty members.

  • A group of students sitting at desks listen to a lecturer in a classroom.

    Fairfield Meditz in the News

    See what our students and faculty in the Meditz College of Arts and Sciences have been up to.

Get Started at Fairfield

Get In Touch

  • 1073 North Benson Road
    Fairfield, CT 06824

  • (203) 254-4000

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60 minutes
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