Программа по правам человека в SMU готовит лидеров для защиты человеческого достоинства

The human rights program is educating a new generation of visionary changemakers to defend and demand human dignity. We offer a unique experience that challenges students to think beyond the classroom and encourages compassion and inclusion. The interdisciplinary program introduces students to the study of universally recognized civil, political, economic, social and cultural human rights. The program offers human rights majors lecture programs, internships, independent research projects and the opportunity to participate in educational travel programs to study human rights issues worldwide. Top 20% Best National Universities U.S. News & World Report (2026) 11:1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio 90+ undergraduate majors at Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences Find information on scholarships and financial support available at SMU. Curriculum and learning Featured courses HRTS 3301/HIST 3301 Human Rights: America’s Dilemma This course examines violations of human rights within their historical contexts and explores the foundations of current human rights issues such as torture, terrorism, slavery and genocide. HRTS 4385 Human Rights Internship This hands-on course allows students to apply human rights theory in a real-world professional setting through a supervised internship with organizations in the U.S. or globally. HRTS 4390 Special Topics in Human Rights Abroad Students travel abroad to designated countries to research and write about human rights situations and violations through interaction with educational, governmental and nongovernmental representatives; human rights activists; and survivors of human rights violations. Expand your personal and academic experiences by studying in another part of the world. Take the opportunity to immerse yourself in different cultures and gain global perspectives. Recent graduates have pursued careers in the arts, business, education, engineering, environmental science, government, humanitarian aid, journalism, law enforcement, medicine, the nonprofit sector and political science. The program also boasts an exceptional placement rate for students seeking to continue their education in graduate or law school. Student stories Peter Wetherbee ’21 “The skills and knowledge that I gained from the SMU human rights program are directly linked to everything that I do today, from harnessing knowledge and systems for creating change, to using powerful communication and organizing tools to build community and bring awareness to the key issues of our time. I would not be the fundraiser, operative and advocate for human rights that I am today without this program!” Faculty Directed by Rick Halperin, a lifelong human rights activist and educator, the human rights program, one of only seven programs in the United States to grant a bachelor’s degree in this field, is staffed by a team of experienced human rights professionals. This is a carousel with rotating cards. Use the previous and next buttons to navigate, and Enter to activate cards. Request more info about the B.A. in human rights program Loading... Frequently asked questions What is a Bachelor of Arts in human rights? The SMU human rights program is dedicated to providing opportunities for promoting, defending and extending human rights. As the premier human rights organization in higher education, the SMU human rights program seeks to help individuals advance their dreams through academic achievement, human rights travel experiences, fieldwork and community outreach efforts. The human rights major consists of 30 credit hours of coursework related to human rights and at least 11 credit hours in any one world language. Students may also demonstrate proficiency in a world language through testing or other approved means. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the study of human rights, students are required to take a second major or a minor in a related field. What can I do with a degree in human rights? The major in human rights prepares students to serve as leaders and changemakers in a variety of pursuits. Recent graduates have pursued careers in the arts, business, education, engineering, environmental science, government, humanitarian aid, journalism, law enforcement, medicine, the nonprofit sector and political science. Does a bachelor’s degree in human rights prepare you for law school or graduate study? Absolutely. The program boasts an exceptional placement rate for students seeking to continue their education in graduate or law school. Does the human rights bachelor’s degree program include internships, research or experiential learning? The human rights B.A. offers over 100 academic courses, educational travel opportunities across the globe and a variety of proven social innovation efforts in North Texas. Conferences, film screenings, grassroots trainings, lectures, legislative lobbying, protest events, rallies and social action campaigns – these examples represent just some of the happenings organized by the human rights program. Likewise, a new generation of changemakers is supported through the Student Leadership Initiative, a student organization that promotes human rights activities on and off campus. Students also complete a minimum of 135 hours of fieldwork across nonprofit, governmental, private or international sectors, gaining substantive experience that strengthens their professional profile. Alongside their internship, students receive faculty guidance and engage in structured reflection to connect practice with academic learning. The internship builds practical skills in advocacy, research and program implementation while strengthening leadership and preparing students to address complex human rights challenges. What types of graduate programs do human rights majors typically pursue? As transformative leaders, human rights graduates pursue careers in a wide variety of industries. They influence ethical change as lawyers, business consultants, educators, political organizers, physicians, statistical analysts, artists, peace builders and more. Our students have gone on to attain medical, law and graduate degrees at top institutions. Our alumni hold leadership positions across the globe in the corporate world, nonprofit organizations and the public sector.