Human Rights Law

INTRODUCTION

• This Master’s program aims to offer students the possibility to acquire solid knowledge and skills in the field of Law as well as in Human Sciences (History, Politics, Theology, Philosophy, Sociology, etc.)
• This interdisciplinary combination will allow students to not only better understand human rights issues, but also to contribute to more effective implementation of their protection. In addition, this multidisciplinary approach means that students will acquire a critical skillset that will allow them to develop their own understanding of human rights issues.
• This Master’s is designed so that students adapt their program according to their interests. With this in mind, the Master’s program offers a range of optional courses that address specific and current issues of human rights development.
• Lastly, the Master’s program combines theory with practice by offering students the opportunity to opt for writing a thesis or for an internship that will be supervised by an organization that works in the field (an NGO).

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER’S IN HUMAN RIGHTS

• Students who have completed their undergraduate studies in Law, Political Science, History, Philosophy, Theology, Religious Sciences, or other studies deemed equivalent;
• Members of NGOs and human rights associations;
• Specialists in cooperation, development, or humanitarian aid;
• Journalists, civil servants, members of the diplomatic corps, or political leaders;
• Anyone working in the protection of human rights (refugees ...) with a BA university degree or equivalent (with validation of prior qualifications).

LEGAL CLINIC

• The Legal Clinic has a double purpose, pedagogical and social:
• Train students through legal experience, practicing real cases,
• Serving people or disadvantaged populations.
• Students, under the guidance of university professors, will develop a legal response to a "consultation" based on facts, in collaboration with lawyers or NGOs. By fulfilling this type of mandate, students deepen their research and written skills. In addition, they learn to act with professionalism and combine their theoretical knowledge and skills with real practical cases.
• This type of experience is a great asset since the students will be in direct contact with professionals acting to defend human rights.

THESIS OR INTERNSHIP 

• The student prepares a thesis, based on research related to one of the themes of the Master’s program.
• The project starts in the first year (6 ECTS), then the thesis is written in the second year, under the guidance of one of the Master’s program’s professors (21 ECTS). This will be the subject of a final oral defense (3 ECTS)

ASSESSING KNOWLEDGE 

• Each course is evaluated, either by a detailed assignment (10-15 pages) where the students are asked to solve a practical case or to think about a legal problem, or by a set of shorter assignments, based on reading.
• A written exam (in an approved exam center near the student's residence) concludes the Master 1.
• The oral defense of the thesis or internship report concludes the Master 2.

SKILLS COVERED BY THE MASTER IN HUMAN RIGHTS

• The training aims to train competent and versatile human rights lawyers from an interdisciplinary perspective;
• Regarding the legal aspects, students will master the international dimension of human rights by studying the systems of protection of human rights offered by international jurisdictions and institutions;
• Regarding the interdisciplinary aspects, students will acquire tools in human sciences (History, Philosophy, Political Science, Theology, etc.) to better understand the implementation of the protection of human rights;
• By the end of the Master's degree, students will have in-depth knowledge of human rights issues, which will make them excellent practitioners in the various fields mentioned.

POTENTIAL CAREER PATHS

Thanks to the complete and interdisciplinary character of the training, the students will be able to work in the following fields (non-exhaustive list):

1. Public sector: officials, mission officers in Ministries, etc .; rapporteurs in court, lawyer, etc.;
2. Private voluntary sector: collaborator, trainer, management position for various NGOs (national or international);
3. International Sector: Officials, Mission Managers in international organizations such as the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Council of Europe, etc.
4. Graduates of a Master's in Human Rights program may pursue a variety of careers, including working for non-governmental organizations, international organizations, government agencies, and advocacy groups. They may also pursue careers in academia, research, or journalism.

PEDAGOGY

• Our teaching favors interactivity: classes focus on theoretical contributions and the study of practical cases. Participants also attend seminars that promote the reading of reference works.
• The diversity of the origin of the participants ensures the diversity of points of view on the issue of human rights. It offers a space for both learning and exchanging ideas.

CERTIFICATION OBTAINED

• The Master’s in Human Rights Law is awarded by Domuni University. It represents 120 ECTS credits.
• The Master’s degree is awarded to participants who have followed the courses, met assessment criteria, participated in mandatory activities as well as having completed the thesis or internship report.

Master in Human Rights

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