Schools with Human Rights Degree Programs

Students interested in human right can find degree and certificate programs offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Graduates of human rights programs can find career opportunities as community organizers, human rights monitors, researchers, development associates and analysts.

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Selecting a Human Rights School

Several universities offer human rights programs, but there isn't a standardized set of criteria across institutions. Students will need to investigate specific programs case by case to evaluate and compare course offerings. Schools tend to be flexible, and many will tailor their program according to the student's focus.

When choosing a program, students may want think about whether to select a major or minor. Since human rights is a relatively new field, majors may be more difficult to find. Human rights programs concentrate on issues of law, social justice, conflict resolution and dignity. Programs are interdisciplinary studies in which multiple departments coordinate. Central to the field is human rights law, particularly international human rights law.

Students may want to consider schools that have some expertise in a particular area of human rights. A student with a strong interest in human rights in a region, such as Africa or the Middle East, may only want to consider schools that offer courses in these areas or have professors who have published papers on these topics. Additionally, students interested in how human rights relates to other fields, such as public policy or gender, may want to look into combined programs or dual major programs. In addition to degree programs, students can find shorter certificate programs in human rights.

Human Rights Program Overviews

Bachelor of Arts in Human Rights

Human rights bachelor's degree programs stress research and analysis. The Bachelor of Arts in Human Rights is a multi-disciplinary program that explores history, political studies, literature and advocacy, as well as includes internship and study abroad opportunities.

Master's Degree in Human Rights

Master's programs focus on international issues, such as international law and ongoing regional conflicts, as well as the geography and cultures involved. A master's program in human rights can include research and advocacy, fieldwork, guest lectures and even international travel. Programs are typically offered in conjunction with a closely related field, such as social justice. In addition to required courses and scholarly research, students complete a thesis requirement in an area of human rights.

Doctoral Degree with an Emphasis in Human Rights

Doctoral programs are available as minors and concentrations or combined with other fields of study. Courses explore human rights law, gender, globalization, education and immigration. Much of the program focuses on a dissertation topic, which is researched, written and presented to an academic board. The doctoral degree with emphasis in human rights is suited for students who wish to obtain teaching positions at universities and colleges.

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