About Human Rights

Human rights are fundamental rights of every person irrespective of their nationality, race, religion and orientation. We all need to know human rights because they are a necessary form of protection for all of us, especially to the vulnerable segments who may be subjected to abuse, neglect, or isolation. Most importantly, these rights empower us and allow us to speak up and challenge poor treatment by public authorities. Some common course modules students can expect to study are business and human rights, freedom of belief, social movements, rights of the differently abled, international criminal law, gender and human rights, humans rights of refugees, transitional justice and philosophy of rights.

　　

Is Human Rights right for me?

Human rights are all about fighting for people's rights and liberties. Human rights professionals work in a variety of settings, worldwide. They fight for positive change in society such as extending protection towards vulnerable sections of society and improving government accountability.

　　Every day on the job is unique for many human rights professionals. Human rights careers can cover various issues and locations, from local to international, from grassroots organisations to government agencies. In line with global events, human rights issues shift and change, and some of the issues you may have advocated for throughout your life will change in their nature and progress. A Human Rights degree is exciting, not least because courses vary in topic and provide opportunities for field trips, expert meetings, research projects, study abroad programs, internships, legal clinics, and more. Those who want to make a difference in the world will, no doubt, find a Human Rights degree fulfilling!

　　

Human Rights study options and costs

　　Human Rights programmes combine elements from various disciplines, such as sociology, law, philosophy, anthropology and psychology, to investigate human interactions and activities and how they interact with one another and develop. You can study Human Rights at the associate, bachelor's, and master's level.

　　An associate's degree in Human Rights is typically a two-year programme that prepares you for entry-level positions in the field. An associate degree can cost up to $13,405 in tuition. A bachelor's degree in Human Rights is the first step toward making a difference in the world and contributing to its betterment. A bachelor's degree in human services qualifies graduates for various careers in advocacy, healthcare, and social work. Schools frequently offer a bachelor of arts (BA) or a bachelor of science (BS) degree in Human Rights. According to the National Centre for Education Statistics, a typical four-year university degree can cost more than $30,000. However, online bachelor's degrees in human services are widely available, which can help make it more affordable.

　　A master's degree in Human Rights prepares you for management and organisational roles in human services agencies and programmes. Depending on your institution's programme, you can earn a Master’s of Arts (MA) or a Master’s of Science (MS) in Human Services. A master's degree in the US costs between $31,000 and $56,500.

　　

Future outlook

Students majoring in Human Rights find employment in a variety of sectors and are also in high demand. According to a survey conducted by Columbia University Centre for Career Education, 73.6% graduates of Human Rights majors were either employed, had a fellowship, or were enrolled in graduate school.

　　

Career pathways for Human Rights graduates

　　

Human Rights Lawyer

　　Human rights lawyers advocate for victims of abuse, persecution, and violations of human rights. Human rights lawyers are responsible for various tasks such as drafting legal documents, conducting research on human rights cases, negotiating settlements, and arguing human rights cases in court. The average annual income of a human rights lawyer is $125,820.

Human Rights Researcher

　　Human rights researchers ensure that human rights work is based on solid evidence. They conduct human rights investigations, go on field trips to interview victims of human rights violations, and write reports on their findings. Human rights researcher salaries range between $50,000 and $85,000.

Human Rights Advocacy Officer

　　Working in advocacy entails lobbying and influencing governments, communities, corporations, human rights defenders, politicians, and other decision-makers to address current human rights issues. Advocacy officers earn between $31,000 and $90,000 per year.

Political Affairs Officer

　　One of the position's primary responsibilities is to monitor political trends to advise field officers on their work. Political affairs officers assist in creating various documents and briefs on current political issues, which provide information and talking points for senior officials. The average annual salary of a political affairs officer is $127,000.