Master of Human Rights

Summary

Make a difference with AUT’s Master of Human Rights, and turn your passion for human rights issues into a career. Unique in New Zealand, the programme attracts students from diverse backgrounds and professions – from business and law to the social sciences, communications and emergency services.

This interdisciplinary programme can open up opportunities in international human rights organisations, government, policy agencies, human rights institutions and national NGOs in New Zealand and overseas. It’s also great if you’re currently working in law, regulatory agencies, human rights or education.

You develop a sound understanding of advocacy, treaty body reporting, human rights campaigning and media strategies – key skills if you want to work in a human rights organisation. You become familiar with the global context and New Zealand’s progress in human rights, human rights communication and advocacy, methods of human rights investigation, policy development and analysis.
To complete this programme you attend a series of block courses, delivered by international experts.

Papers you study

• SOSC801 Human Rights in Global Context
• SOSC802 Human Rights in New Zealand: History, Institutions and Impact
• SOSC803 Special Topic in Human Rights
• SOSC804 Human Rights Communication and Advocacy: Theory and Practice
• SOSC805 Human Rights Policy and Analysis
• SOSC806 Human Rights Research Methods
• SOSC997 Applied Research Project Or
• SOSC987 Dissertation

Career opportunities for graduates include human rights work in:

• Government
• Policy agencies
• National human rights institutions
• International and national NGOs