International Human Rights

The International Human Rights certificate (IHRC) is an interdisciplinary program that focuses on the wide array of issues – both past and present – concerning the protection of human dignity. Approaching the study of human rights as an international phenomenon with local dimensions, the IHRC urges students to think critically about human rights while preparing them for potential future roles in the field of human rights advocacy. The IHRC curriculum concentrates especially on international norms, laws, institutions, politics and social movements that have developed primarily since World War II to address such issues as genocide, poverty, torture, racism, refugees, political disenfranchisement, forced labor, oppression based on gender or sexual orientation, human trafficking and other gross violations of human rights.

In partnership with the Morgan Institute for Human Rights at the UC College of Law, the IHRC curriculum includes dozens of courses taught by faculty members from a broad range of departments and programs in A&S and across UC.

IHRC recipients have pursued graduate degrees in preparation for careers in law, education and public service.  

Full time opportunities for human rights work may be found in:

• Government agencies, including the Justice Department and Department of State
• International intergovernmental organizations such as the U.N.
• Non-governmental organizations and institutions, such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Freedom House, that address issues of forced labor, genocide, racism, torture, trafficking, violence against women and other gross violations of human rights
• Private firms that specialize in representing victims of human rights

In addition many graduates with other employers may find their careers involve human rights issues that arise in the workplace and/or in their volunteer community service activities and religious communities.

• Complete Common Application
• Pay $100 non-refundable fee
• Submit official School transcripts
• Submit official test scores
• Submit letter of recommendation (optional)