The online masters in social justice and human rights addresses urgent issues related to human security, labor, migration, children, family, education and the environment. This social justice degree focuses on three pathways: migration/asylum seeking, gender-based violence and sex-trafficking, and international law and organizations

Resident tuition | Non-resident tuition
ASU Online offers start dates every 7.5 weeks.
Multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.
Required number of credits to complete this degree.

Earn your social justice degree online

This online masters in social justice and human rights involves theoretically and methodologically challenging coursework that address human rights issues around the world. If you are a human rights professional or if you are passionate about ethical responses to social injustice and human rights abuses, this degree can help you take your passion and career to the next level. Students with a masters in social justice can begin, or advance their careers in advocacy work in nonprofit or government agencies, humanitarian work, international law and advocacy, as well as in careers to eliminate sex-trafficking and gender-based violence.

As a student of this online program, you can expand your understanding of social justice and human rights through critical theoretical perspectives on migration/asylum seeking, gender-based violence and sex-trafficking, and international law and organizations. Gain insight into the practice of social justice, human rights and humanitarian efforts through applied work in this masters in social justice degree. This program emphasizes applied work that contributes to the autonomy, agency and self-determination of vulnerable people and survivors of trauma.

A rare combination of social justice and human rights

This masters in social justice and human rights degree is offered by the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University. New College programs are taught by nationally acclaimed faculty with a passion for applied research, and feature coursework that emphasizes experiential learning. Unique opportunities of this program include:

  • One of the few interdisciplinary master's degree programs in social justice and human rights in the U.S. and the world.
  • Unique faculty-directed intensive internships abroad on asylum seeking, gender-based violence and human-/sex-trafficking.

Calendar

Next Start Date:

05/18/2020
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Featured Courses

Faculty

Faculty accolades 

Faculty of this social justice degree specialize in a wide array of human rights issues that affect global communities, including:

  • Gender-based violence and human-/sex-trafficking.
  • International law and organizations.
  • Migration and asylum seeking.

Program Summary

Related Careers

What can I do with a master’s degree in social justice and human rights?

The masters in social justice and human rights emphasizes action-oriented research that embeds academics in the community and in the world with careers linked to social change. Students study critical topics from migrant integration and gender justice to international law of human rights. The program offers exceptionally unique opportunities for students to participate in a community-embedded seminar directly impacting vulnerable communities.

Career opportunities include:

  • Charitable fundraiser (such as the Nina M. Pulliam Charitable Trust staff).
  • Grant writer.
  • Humanitarian aid worker (e.g., UNHCR aid worker, Oxfam aid worker).
  • International governmental organization professional (e.g., United Nations staff).
  • Nongovernmental organization professional (e.g., International Rescue Committee professional).
  • Nonprofit agency manager (e.g., Special Olympics Arizona/international manager).

Graduates of the ASU Online Master of Arts in Social Justice and Human Rights may need additional hands-on research experience prior to applying to a doctoral program.

Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree, in any field, from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. Graduate application and application fee.
  2. Official transcripts.
  3. Statement of purpose.
  4. Two letters of recommendation.
  5. Resume or curriculum vitae.
  6. Proof of English proficiency.

Additional application information

An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.

The statement of purpose should describe the educational background, scholarly interests, and academic and professional goals of the applicant.

It is preferred that letters of recommendation come from faculty members who know the applicant's work well; if these are not available, letters of recommendation from individuals in supervisory or professional roles will be accepted.

If the applicant does not meet the minimum GPA requirements, the application may still be considered.

Affording College

Learn about the different types of financial aid and scholarship opportunities available. ASU offers a Cost Calculator, Budget Worksheet and Scholarship Search to make the college planning process easier.

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