Program Overview

Master of Arts in Human Rights Program

The John Jay Human Rights Master of Arts Program is a professionally-oriented master’s program that provides students with a thorough understanding of human rights law and theory and the practical skills necessary to translate this understanding into practice. Students completing the program will be able to demonstrate understanding of substantive concepts in the scholarly and practical field of human rights, conduct methodological research, and engage in practice-oriented work, such as fact-finding, report-writing, media outreach, and advocacy.

Program Summary

• Credits Required: 36
• Program graduates will be highly competitive for a variety of positions including public and media relations, fundraising, social science research, and legal support services.

Key Components of the Online Program

• 100% online courses - Flexible course schedule. No scheduled meeting times. You can study when and where you want.
• Smaller class size - That means more one-on-one time with the instructor.
• Accelerated 8-week session format - Earn credits every 8 weeks. Finish within one year.
• Prominent faculty - Our faculty members are leading authorities in human rights studies.
• Affordable price - We offer one of the most affordable human rights studies programs in the U.S.
• A prestigious credential - Online or on campus, you’ll obtain a credential that is recognized worldwide.

Curriculum

The online Master of Arts in Human Rights consists of 36 credits. Students should be able to complete the course of study in two years of full-time study or four years of part-time study.

Curriculum Courses

• HR 701 International Human Rights: Organizations and Institutions
• HR 702 Human Rights: International and Domestic Legal Frameworks
• ICJ 703 International Criminal Law
• HR 705 Philosophy of Human Rights
• HR 706 Human Rights Advocacy and Activism
• ICJ 715 Applied Research Methods in International Crime and Justice
• HR 750 Advanced Seminar in Human Rights

Electives

• HR 711 Human Rights and Humanitarianism
• HR 712 Civil and Political Rights and Civil Liberties
• HR 713 Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
• HR 714 Human Rights and Corporate Social Responsibility
• HR 718 Health as a Human Right
• PAD 732 The Independent Sector: Contemporary Issues in Nonprofits and Philanthropy
• CRJ 765 Social Movements, Revolution, and Terrorism
• CRJ 778 Victimology
• PSY 705 Victimology
• CRJ 754/PAD 754 Investigative Techniques
• FOS 761 Forensic Anthropology: Osteological & Genetic Identification
• PAD 718 International Public Policy and Administration
• HR 780 Internship in Human Rights
• ICJ 703 International Criminal Law
• ICJ 704 Crime, Justice, and Cultural Struggles
• ICJ 705 Human Rights and Counterterrorism
• ICJ 706 Transnational Crime
• ICJ 715 Applied Research Methods in International Crime and Justice
• ICJ 730 Human Trafficking
• CRJ 744 Terrorism and Politics
• CRJ 784 Organized Crime

Requirements

To be considered for admission, students must meet the following requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. or an international equivalent
• An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher (or meet contingency requirements as determined by the program on a case-by-case basis)
• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or IELTS, is required for international applicants who have not studied in English-speaking countries.
• Submission of a complete application

Meet the Faculty

• Susan Kang, PhD: Program Director of the Online Human Rights MA
  • Education: PhD University of Minnesota, BA University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Biography: Susan Kang, Associate Professor of Political Science, received a BA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a PhD from the University of Minnesota. Her research and teaching interests include international relations, international political economy, labor and human rights, and international law.
• Charlotte Walker-Said, PhD: Program Advisor for the Online Human Rights MA
  • Education: Princeton University A.B. 2003, Yale University Ph.D. 2010
  • Biography: I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Africana Studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice-City University of New York.
• Jennifer Rutledge, PhD: Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Associated Faculty- Human Rights MA
  • Education: PhD University of Minnesota, BA University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Biography: Jennifer Rutledge completed her BA at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota. Her research and teaching interests are in social policy and comparative politics.
• Veronica Michel-Luviano: Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Associated Faculty- Human Rights MA

Accreditation

John Jay College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education; is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States and the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA); and is registered by the New York State Education Department.