Master of Human Rights

Admissions – MHR

225 Humphrey School
301 19th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455
United States

In a world that needs visionaries, the Master of Human Rights (MHR) degree program prepares students to engage in global human rights challenges through research, policy analysis, and advocacy.

This interdisciplinary degree program provides a solid grounding in diverse substantive and methodological approaches to the study and practice of human rights. Students have the opportunity to take courses through a number of departments and schools that match their area of concentration. The program is designed to support emerging leaders who can draw upon many types of knowledge and experiences in a field that demands innovative responses to complex challenges. Students learn both theory and skills development from leading human rights scholars, thinkers, and activists, while gaining field experience through internships, research opportunities, and capstone projects to apply strategic approaches to complex global and local issues.

The MHR program is jointly supported by the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and the College of Liberal Arts, and brings together the highly regarded offerings of the graduate minor in human rights and faculty expertise in fields ranging from non-governmental organization (NGO) management to global public policy. The program leverages the global policy, leadership and management, and social policy and policy analysis expertise at the Humphrey School and the Human Rights research and teaching expertise of the College of Liberal Arts.

Want to learn more about how an MHR degree could help you pursue your goals and advance your vision?

Watch a video featuring current and former MHR students, who talk about what they've gained from their two-year degree.
Watch an overview of the MHR program from Amelia Shindelar, MHR and Human Rights Initiative coordinator.
Visit the Human Rights Program’s website to see some of the learning and research opportunities that our students have participated in while at the University of Minnesota.
Watch an interview with Barbara Frey, retired director of the Human Rights Program, who shares three fantastic reasons to apply for an MHR degree.

View Master of Human Rights application requirements

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Class profile

MHR Class Profile: 2020-21

Incoming Students: 23
Gender: 57% Female, 30% Male, 4% Other, 9% Unspecified
Minnesota Residents: 52%
International Students: 22%
Domestic Students of Color: 30%
Average Age: 25
Average GPA: 3.55
Average GRE Verbal Percentile: 58.5%
Average GRE Quantitative Percentile: 36.1%
Percent of Class Total: 13%

Prospective applicants: please note that all applications are reviewed holistically, and profile numbers should not be viewed as admission cutoffs. Please contact the Office of Admissions with any questions about candidacy.

Curriculum

Required Credits: 45

HUMAN RIGHTS CORE

Choose at least 3 of the following 6 courses for at least 9 credits:
- HIST 8910 Sec 002 Human Rights and Race (3 cr.)
- HIST 8245 Human Rights: A Global History (3 cr.)
- LAW 6886 International Human Rights Law (3 cr.)
- GLOS 5403 Human Rights Advocacy (3 cr.)
- SOC 8171 Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives on Human Rights (3 cr.)
- PA 5885 Human Rights Policy: Issues and Actors (3 cr.)

and the following first-year cohort:
- PA 5886/5887 MHR Cohort Seminar I&II (1 credit per semester x 2 semesters = 2 credits)

PROFESSIONAL CORE

Minimum of 12 credits. Must include at least one course from each of the following lists:

Quantitative (choose at least 1)
- PA 5031 Statistics for Public Affairs (4 cr.)
- PA 5032 Applied Regression (2 cr.)
- PA 5033 Multivariate Techniques (2 cr.)
- PA 5044 Applied Regression, Accelerated (2 cr.)
- PA 5045 Statistics for Public Affairs, Accelerated (4 cr.)
- SOC 5811 Intermediate Social Statistics (4 cr.)
- STAT 5021 Statistical Analysis (4 cr.)
- STAT 5201 Sampling Methodology in Finite Populations (3 cr.)
- STAT 5401 Applied Multivariate Methods (3 cr.)
- *Note: Other higher level options are available for students with a strong statistical background, with DGS approval.
Qualitative (choose at least 1)
- PA 5041 Qualitative Methods for Policy Analysts (4 cr.)
- OLPD 5061 Ethnographic Research Methods (3 cr.)
- SOC 8852 Advanced Qualitative Research Methods: Ethnographic Practicum (3 cr.)
Management (choose at least 1):
- PA 5011 Dynamics of Public Affairs Organizations (3 cr.)
- PA 5101 Management and Governance of Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.) (Domestic focus)
- PA 5151 Organizational Perspectives on Global Development and Humanitarian Assistance (3 cr.) (International focus)
Policy and Economic Analysis (minimum 1 course).
- PA 5002 Introduction to Policy Analysis (1.5 cr.)
- PA 5021 Economics for Policy Analysis and Planning (3 cr.)
- PA 5012 Politics of Public Affairs (3 cr.)
- PA 5801 Global Public Policy (3 cr.)
- PA 5022 Applications of Economics for Policy Analysis (1.5-3 cr.)
- PA 5431 Public Policies on Work and Pay (3 cr.)
- PA 5503 Economics of Development (3 cr.)
- PA 5521 Development Planning and Policy Analysis (4 cr.)
- PA 5722 Economics of Natural Resource and Environmental Policy (3 cr.)
- PA 5805 Global Economics (3 cr.)

CONCENTRATION

Minimum of 12 credits to be drawn from a list of pre-designed concentrations or developed in consultation with advisor and DGS.

PRE-DESIGNED CONCENTRATIONS

The list of pre-designed concentrations below (and outlined in further detail in the next dropdown menu) is suggestive only. Students will be allowed, with approval from their advisor and the DGS, to pursue a self-designed concentration that modifies these, or depart from them entirely. Current concentrations include, but are by no means limited to:

Arts and Humanities
Conflict, Security and Diplomacy
Crime, Law, and Justice
Development
Environment
Gender and Sexuality
Migration
NGO Leadership and Management
Project and Policy Evaluation
Public Health
Race and Ethnicity
Research Methods

CAPSTONE OR PROFESSIONAL PAPER (3 credits)

MHR students must complete either a Capstone project or a Professional Paper. Students who choose to complete a Capstone must take the Capstone Preparation workshop PA 5080 (1 cr.) and a section of the Capstone Workshop PA 8081.
Additional Information on Capstones can be found on the Capstone Workshop webpage.

Students who chose to complete a Professional Paper can take either PA 8082: Professional Paper Writing Workshop (3 cr.) or PA 8921 Masters: Professional Paper (1–3 cr.). Additional information can be found on the Professional Paper webpage.

ELECTIVES

As needed/available to fulfill a minimum of 45 credits needed for graduation.
May include courses that develop relevant skills, such as public speaking; advanced statistical analysis; data visualization; languages; and more.

INTERNSHIP

Students must complete a 400-hour non-credit internship, generally between the first and second years of study. The Human Rights Program and the Humphrey School Office of Career and Student Success will cooperate in assisting students in finding appropriate placements.

Concentrations: pre-designed

Arts and Humanities

This concentration is meant to prepare students in the understanding of the role of artistic, literary, and cultural practices in the promotion of cultures that support and respect human rights. Students will work with their faculty advisor to choose courses appropriate to their particular arts and humanities focus.

Conflict, Security, and Diplomacy

Crime, Law, and Justice

Development

Environment

Gender and Sexuality

Migration

Human Rights, NGO Leadership and Management

Project and Policy Evaluation

Public Health

Race and Ethnicity

Research Methods

Concentrations: self-designed

Students can deepen their professional interests by creating an interdisciplinary concentration that combines courses from two or more existing concentrations as well as courses from various departments across the University. Students provide a cohesive rationale for the several themes that tie coursework together into a coherent primary concentration.

Students pursuing this concentration should consult with their advisors and review the self-designed concentration form to understand the rationale and approval that is required for this concentration. The form also includes tips for choosing courses in a self-designed concentration.

Courses are chosen in consultation with advisors and other experts in the fields of interest students are pursuing. Students are encouraged to investigate the many research centers at the Humphrey School and throughout the University to find a match for professional interests.