The MS-HA interdisciplinary program is designed for those seeking knowledge and experience to address a wide range of challenges that humanitarian aid workers currently face. It equips them as practitioners with the theoretical grounding, skills and tools to provide aid and respond to emergencies more effectively.
If you believe as we do, that in every great challenge, there is great opportunity to learn, to discover and to achieve the highest vision we hold for ourselves and each other, then we encourage you to join us.
Application deadline
We are accepting applications on a rolling basis. To apply to the MS in Humanitarian Action program, email us at humanitarianaction@sandiego.edu.
Application process
We consider a number of factors that allow us to assess how applicants will contribute to creating a diverse and inclusive community, which is essential to the excellence of a world-class school of peace studies. As part of our mission, we cultivate a community that reflects the full range of the human experience, such as: age, race, ethnicity, gender expression and identity, language, different abilities, learning style, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic status, status as a veteran, and political and worldviews.
Each applicant is evaluated using holistic review, and students are selected on the basis of grades, experience, exam scores (if submitted), recommendations and four short essays. Applicants with undergraduate degrees of all majors are encouraged to apply; success is not determined by the undergraduate degree because the MS-HA program is multidisciplinary and practice-based.
Application checklist
The MS-HA program does not require specific coursework, experience or standardized admission tests (like the GRE) for admission.
For more information about the Kroc School's MS-HA program, visit MS-HA FAQs.
Official (degree-granting) transcripts
Must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admission:
Office of Graduate Admission
University of San Diego
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110-2492
grads@sandiego.edu
Applicants must have a 3.0 (on 4.00 scale) average in all undergraduate coursework. Candidates with a GPA under 3.00 will be asked to provide an explanation of low performance in an essay. Candidates with GPA under 3.00 are also recommended to complete a standardized test such as GRE or GMAT. If you earned a degree from an institution outside the United States, you are required to submit an official international transcript evaluation (also called a foreign credential evaluation) as part of your application. Please note that the evaluation must be a course-by-course evaluation. You must order your official course-by-course evaluation from one of the following evaluation services.
- World Education Services, Inc. (WES)
- Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
- International Education Research Foundation, Inc. (IERF)
- Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. (JSA)
- SpanTran: The Evaluation Company (SpanTran)
- Foreign Academic Credential Service (FACS)
Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
Should include all relevant education and employment information to help the Admissions team make an informed decision.
One letter of recommendation
From a professor or professional supervisor, or 2 letters of reference.
Four short essays
Help us understand who you are and what inspires you to seek a Master’s degree in Humanitarian Action.
Reflect on your aspirations and expectations for the future as you address the questions in no more than 1,000 words total (about 250 words each). Where appropriate, provide evidence to support and explain your argument, including justifying your perspective against conflicting views. Be sure to answer all the questions.
- What is a specific social issue or problem that you believe plays an important role in creating, exacerbating, or prolonging humanitarian crises? Justify your answer.
- In your opinion, what are the biggest obstacles to solving that problem? (In other words, why hasn't it already been solved?)
- Describe something that has inspired you to enter the humanitarian field.
- Why do you want to pursue a Master of Science in Humanitarian Action at the Kroc School in particular? Be sure to address how a Master of Science in Humanitarian Action fits into your professional plan or career trajectory.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
International students only
Mandatory for all applicants educated outside the United States whose primary language is not English. The test can be waived if English is your primary language or you have obtained a bachelor's degree from the U.S., Great Britain, Canada or Australia. Other exceptions can be made on a case by case basis.
Minimum scores
- TOEFL: 83
- IELTS: 7
OR
An official score report from the Duolingo English Test with a score of 120 or better.
USD admission quick links
Questions?
Connect with the Kroc School's admissions team to learn more about our degree programs