Programme Details
Overview
At the heart of all humanitarian actions and development lie the fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence.
The Master of Arts in Humanitarian Action & Development Programme (MAHAD) was launched in 2021 as an accredited full-time programme for those with an interest, willingness and dedication to those noble principles and who wish to pursue a career in humanitarian work.
Given the nature and impact of the subject matter, the programme emphasises constructive skills development and broadening students’ knowledge of the major trends, both theoretical and practical, that are shaping the delivery of humanitarian aid around the world and related development studies. The programme aims to dynamically improve the decision-making skills of students, as well as expand their ability to manage multicultural teams.
The programme runs for one academic year and was fully initially accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) in 2021. The program is undergoing re-accreditation in 2024.
To apply for MAHAD, prospective participants need to:
- Be a UAE national
- Have a Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) from an accredited university, with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Have a minimum score of 79 on the Internet-based TOEFL (IBT) or a minimum score of 213 on Computer Based TOEFL (CBT) or a minimum score of 550 pm Paper Based TOEFL or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or expecting to receive one as soon as possible.
- Candidates who have already obtained a Master’s Degree or a PGD Degree from AGDA can also enroll in the MAHAD programme, after completing all degree requirements of the MA in Global Affairs and Diplomatic Leadership or the Post Graduate Diploma in UAE Diplomacy and International Relations.
The application period for the 2025 - 2026 academic year for all Master's programs is from 12th April to 12th May 2025
Completed applications are forwarded to AGDA’s admissions committee, which is responsible for reviewing and evaluating applications.
Candidates will be notified of their acceptance into the programme by end of June 2025.
Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate a highly specialised knowledge in international development and humanitarian action and its evolution over time.
- Possess a comprehensive understanding of development studies and humanitarian action in the context of international relations, international law, diplomacy, and the relevant United Nations agendas.
- Take responsibility for managing humanitarian action programmes and dealing with the challenges they will likely encounter while carrying out their professional activities.
- Acquire the cognitive and creative skills needed to become ethically motivated leaders in their chosen place of work. The programme improves and enhances the decision-making skills of the participants both in the long-term (as in project development) and in the short-term (for example, crisis management).
- Communicate effectively in general and demonstrate an ability to communicate persuasively through mass media, social media in particular.
- Continuously and pro-actively update their knowledge and skills. Graduates will be able to critically assess existing projects or actions and formulate improvements and/or new projects.
Courses in the MAHAD programme are conducted by experts and professionals in the field, and include (but may not be limited to) the following:
Core Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Cr.Hrs |
| MA_HAD 904 | International Humanitarian Law | 3 |
| MA_HAD 931 | Economics of International Development | 3 |
| MA_HAD 932 | Managing a Development Project | 3 |
| MA_HAD 933 | Principles and Practices of Humanitarian Action & Development | 3 |
Elective Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Cr.Hrs |
| MA_GAD 910 | Economic Diplomacy in Practice: Promoting Trade, Attracting FDI | 3 |
| MA_HAD 915 | The UN 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development | 3 |
| MA_HAD 916 | Human Rights | 3 |
| MA_HAD 917 | Emergency Response and Crisis Communication | 3 |
| MA_HAD 919 | Leadership and Ethics in Humanitarian Practice | 3 |
| MA_HAD 920 | Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons | 3 |
| MA_HAD 921 | Stabilization in Conflict-Affected Countries | 3 |
| MA_HAD 928 | Special Topics in Development | 3 |
| MA_HAD 929 | Regional Studies in Development | 3 |
| MA_HAD 930 | Technology and the Challenges of 21st Century Diplomacy | 3 |
| MA_HAD_922 | Middle East Refugee Crisis Management | 3 |
| MA_GAD 909 | African Political Systems | 3 |
| MA-ELECT923 | Research Methods | 3 |
| MA_HAD 934 | Women and Development | 3 |
| MA_HAD 935 | Change and Challenges in Humanitarian and Development Practices | 3 |
| MA_HAD 936 | Sustainability and Climate Diplomacy | 3 |
| GAD-ELECT922 | UN and Multilateralism | 3 |
| GAD-ELECT918 | The Geopolitics of Food Security | 3 |
Thesis Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Cr.Hrs |
| MA_HAD | THESIS | 6 |
| MA_HAD 500 | Capstone | 6 |
Young professionals enrolled in the MA programme in Humanitarian Action and Development will have to achieve 30 credit hours to complete the programme.
Participants will complete:
- 12 credit hours of core course (4 courses)
- 12 credit hours of elective courses (4 courses)
- 6 credit hours of a thesis (which they will start during the academic year and complete by June of the academic year)
The MAHAD study plan is summarized as follows:
| REQUIREMENTS | TYPE | NO. OF COURSES | CREDIT HOURS |
| Core Requirements | Compulsory | 4 | 12 |
| Elective Requirements | Compulsory | 4 | 12 |
| Thesis or Capstone | Compulsory | 1 | 6 |
| Total | 9 | 30 |
PLO1: Disciplinary Knowledge in Humanitarian Action and Development – Upon the successful completion of the programme, students will gain relevant and highly specialised knowledge in international development and humanitarian action, including how various paradigms have evolved over time, and the political, economic and legal frameworks that are currently used to understand development and humanitarian action in the region, as well as globally.
PLO2: Applied Knowledge in Humanitarian Action and Development - Upon the successful completion of the programme, students will possess diverse knowledge of case studies in humanitarian action and development, and be able to assess and apply the practical lessons learned from those case studies. They will have a sound grasp of the roles of different kinds of actors in the development and humanitarian sectors and the tools available to them. They will also have an overview of the policies and programmes of the United Arab Emirates in the field of humanitarian action and development and be able to situate this in a wider diplomatic context.
PLO3: Research Skills – Upon the successful completion of the programme, students will demonstrate a solid ability to critically evaluate information, develop coherent arguments and ideas and complete high-quality research papers as well as in-depth policy-oriented research projects that are relevant to the field of humanitarian action and development. They will also be able to adapt and use various research methods to develop and complete their projects and apply these to the type of issue that they might expect to encounter in a professional context.
PLO4: Professional Excellence - Upon the successful completion of the programme, students will be able to take autonomous responsibility for designing and managing programmes or projects in the field of development and humanitarian action. They will also understand the role of communications and leadership in the fields of development and humanitarian action. In addition, students will be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, the findings of their projects and papers to their peers and relevant AGDA stakeholders.
| Graduation Rate | Retention Rate | Dropout Rate | |
| 2022-2023 | 71% | 71% | 29% |
| 2023-2024 | TBD | 92% | 8% |
