Programs
Human rights is an increasingly important field of study in the United States and around the world. The United States government must report regularly to UN human rights bodies on its implementation of international human rights law. This includes reporting to the UN Human Rights Council every four years, like all other UN members, as part of the Universal Periodic Review. The US also reports regularly to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Human Rights Committee and the Committee Against Torture.
Beyond these national level endeavors, at the state and local levels dozens of nongovernmental organizations are successfully advocating and organizing to advance health, education and decent work as human rights for all, as well as advocating for the rights of marginalized people across the country. Indeed, over the past two decades, inter-governmental organizations, governments, nongovernmental organizations and social justice activists around the world have adopted human rights frameworks, strategies and tools to advance their missions and their goals.
At UMass Boston, there are four programs of study in human rights, allowing a student to start in human rights at the undergraduate level and follow through to the PhD with a focus on human rights. There are also options at every level to take a course or two in human rights.
BA with Minor in Human Rights
Human Rights Minor at the Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies at the College of Liberal Arts
- Open to students from all disciplines
- Learn about United Nations conventions, transnational advocacy, gender, and postcolonial perspectives
- Both online and on campus courses
- Contact: Womens.Studies@umb.edu
Accelerated 4+1 Master's Program
Accelerated 4 + 1 Master's Program at the School for Global Inclusion and Social Development
- Open to students starting their undergraduate degree
- Take MA courses as your electives in your junior and senior years
- Leave UMass Boston with a BA and an MA after a total of 5 years
- Contact: sgisd@umb.edu
Human Rights Certificate
Human Rights Certificate at the School for Global Inclusion and Social Development
- Open to graduate students from all disciplines
- Learn about Human Rights Law, Human Rights-based Approaches to Social Justice, Global Health and Human Rights and more
- Both online and on campus courses
- Contact: sgisd@umb.edu
Human Rights Concentration
Master's Degree with a Concentration in Human Rights at the School for Global Inclusion and Social Development
- Open to graduate students from all disciplines
- Learn about domestic and international human rights systems and understand human rights in the context of social inclusion/exclusion worldwide
- Both online and on campus courses
- Contact: sgisd@umb.edu
PhD Degree with a Concentration in Human Rights at the School for Global Inclusion and Social Development
- Open to all Master’s level students from all disciplines
- Take core classes for the PhD at the School for Global Inclusion and Social Development paired with a concentration in human rights
- Both online and on campus courses
- Contact: sgisd@umb.edu