Master of Human Rights

The Master of Human Rights promotes a critical understanding of the discourse that enables policy workers, lawyers, educators, social workers and journalists to contribute to the development, protection and application of human rights.

This courses suit those who want to enter the field of human rights or add a human rights perspective to their profession; and to those working in the field who wish to enhance their knowledge in a particular area of human rights practice or advocacy.

Using both theoretical and practical learning methods, you’ll examine modern human-rights institutions and explore the philosophical and political development of beliefs about human rights that underpin current systems. You’ll consider how social movements, grass-roots campaigns, and government and non-government organisations have contributed to human rights practices and activism.

The courses examine the subject from multidisciplinary, multicultural and multireligious perspectives to ensure you develop a globalised understanding.

Students who complete the master degree to a high standard can apply for doctoral-level studies.

Please refer to the handbook for additional course overview information.

What you'll learn

• apply knowledge of the principles and concepts of human rights in work and community settings
• critically analyse political, service, policy and moral issues using a human rights framework; think creatively to develop human rights based solutions to social and political problems
• locate, critically evaluate and synthesise relevant evidence and human rights literature
• communicate, both verbally and in writing, comprehensive analyses of complex human rights data or theories
• use technologies to effectively collect information and communicate findings
• demonstrate ability in self-directed learning
• recognise the global nature of human rights issues and apply knowledge of practices learned
• demonstrate a critical appreciation of diverse cultural aspects of human rights theory and practice
• demonstrate ability to work ethically and independently on study and fieldwork projects, as well as work collaboratively with fellow students, staff and colleagues in the field