Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General
The MAS (Master of Advanced Studies) is an executive master’s programme, which is designed as further education for people with a university degree and/or relevant professional experience. Typically, a MAS consists of multiple certificate level courses (CAS), a master's level course (MAS), and a master's thesis.
The CAS/MAS in Humanitarian Leadership programme prioritises the development of humanitarian leaders and managers, emphasising the enhancement of their strategic, operational, and leadership capabilities. These skills are crucial in delivering effective support to individuals impacted by conflicts and disasters.
The programme is designed to enhance the competencies of leaders and managers in the humanitarian field, providing them with the skills necessary for effective leadership and managerial roles. It also focuses on developing services that efficiently reach individuals affected by conflicts and disasters.
The CAS/MAS programme is specifically designed for humanitarian practitioners, placing a significant emphasis on the development of practice-oriented skills. This approach ensures the relevance and applicability of the programme's content and teaching methodologies. The programme is supported by the University of Lucerne, renowned for its focus on the Humanities, and benefits from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)'s extensive field-tested experience, thereby offering an education that is both grounded in academic excellence and rich in practical application.
The programme prioritises an accessible and supportive atmosphere, offering individualised assistance to participants to enable successful and enriching studies.
The MAS in HL emphasises modern teaching techniques to ensure a stimulating learning experience for participants. The curriculum features engaging classes and incorporates immersive online learning components.
The CAS/MAS in HL prides itself on offering an exceptionally diverse learning environment, with a remarkable representation of participants from all continents and various countries. We are committed to achieving the highest possible mix of diversity, including gender and contract type, to enhance the educational experience.
The Master's programme costs 9,500 Swiss Francs. Participants from the ICRC may have this fee covered by iDevelop.
For the costs associated with the CAS, please contact hleadership@unilu.ch.
Admission to the programme is restricted to individuals affiliated with the ICRC, IFRC, or national Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies. For detailed admission criteria, please contact hleadership@unilu.ch.
Yes, candidates may apply for the CAS/MAS in Humanitarian Leadership programme even if they do not possess an academic degree. While typically applicants are required to have a higher education degree from a university, university of applied sciences, or pedagogical institute, individuals without a degree can still be considered for admission upon request.
MAS General
Located in Europe, the programme allows participants to earn an official and prestigious academic degree from a renowned Swiss university. Upon completion, graduates receive a "Master of Advanced Studies" from the University of Lucerne, known for its focus on the Humanities.
First, successfully completing the three CAS courses is a requirement to apply for the Master programme.
The Master of Advances Studies programme (MAS) comprises a Master module and a Master thesis, providing a comprehensive and immersive education in the field of humanitarian leadership. Participants can expect to engage in advanced coursework, experiential learning opportunities, and a thesis project that culminates their learning experience.
The MAS in HL stands out from standard leadership programmes by providing a comprehensive educational experience explicitly designed for humanitarian leaders, addressing their distinct challenges and working environments.
The MAS programme (MAS module and thesis) is designed to be completed in approximately 1.5 years, providing a focused and efficient educational journey for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding and expertise in humanitarian leadership.
The MAS programme in HL commences in early February of every year. The registration deadline typically falls around mid-July of the preceding year. For further details or to initiate your application process, please contact hleadership@unilu.ch.
MAS Module and MAS Thesis
The MAS Module includes various topics such as Trends in Work and Leadership, Ethical Leadership in Digital Transformation, Creating a Future Proof Brain, Futures and Foresight, Leadership and Humanity, Driving Decision Making in Complex Times, Leading Hybrid Teams, Diversity and Inclusion, and Leading into Action facilitated by distinguished faculty members.
Please visit our main website for a detailed overview on contents and faculty.
The Master thesis in the MAS in Humanitarian Leadership programme offers participants the chance to undertake independent research on a topic of their choice within the field of humanitarian leadership. This academic project enables students to apply their expertise and critical thinking skills, and to showcase their contributions to the humanitarian sector.
The Master's theses are related to leadership contents and stand out as being practitioners oriented. Thereby, the research projects offer valuable insights into topics that are relevant to our graduates and offers answers to recent questions and challenges on-the-ground. Another key aim of the programme is to facilitate contemporary research that feeds back into the teams and organizations where our graduates work full-time as humanitarians.
For a list of all the research projects, please visit our Alumnae and Alumni page.
Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS)
The Humanitarian Leadership programme comprises three integral Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) courses, each focusing on a vital aspect of humanitarian leadership. These courses are:
- CAS in Leading by Example
- CAS in Leading High-Performing Multidisciplinary Teams
- CAS in Leading Complex Operations and Transformations
Once these courses have been completed successfully, interested audience may apply to the Master Module.
Yes, the three CAS can be undertaken as an independent module or as part of the comprehensive Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Humanitarian Leadership programme, offering flexibility to meet diverse educational goals. Please note that the CAS courses have to be taken in a certain order, starting with the CAS in Leading by Example.
Upon successful completion, participants will be awarded a Certificate of Advanced Studies from the University of Lucerne, recognising their achievement and specialised knowledge in humanitarian leadership.
The three CAS adopt a practitioner-oriented, blended learning approach that includes self-study with selected readings, individual coaching, reflexive questions, case studies, a flipped classroom, group/team exercises, journaling, oral presentations, reflective writing, and work-based learning, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging educational experience.
The courses offer different start dates throughout the year to accommodate varying schedules.
For details, please contact hleadership@unilu.ch.