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    Mar 28, 2024  
American University Catalog 2020-2021 
    
American University Catalog 2020-2021 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Ethics, Peace, and Human Rights (MA)


An interdisciplinary program administered jointly by the School of International Service  and the Department of Philosophy and Religion , College of Arts and Sciences , the Ethics, Peace, and Human Rights (MA) program enhances students’ ethical reasoning skills and prepares them to be practitioners in the analysis, development, and application of policy responses to contemporary global issues. Whether working in the public, non-profit, or private sector, or in academia, the program provides students with the interdisciplinary tools needed to comprehensively grapple with the world’s most pressing problems.

Admission to the Program


Students may apply to either the Department of Philosophy and Religion  or the School of International Service . Students applying to SIS must apply by January 15 for fall and October 1 for spring to be considered for merit-based aid.

A Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is optional. Applicants who have completed the exam are welcome to submit their scores as part of their application. 

Degree Requirements


  • 36 credit hours of approved graduate work
  • Minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA required to remain in good academic standing and to earn the degree
  • Capstone Experience: Completion of coursework that clearly relates to the field of Ethics, Peace, and Human Rights via one of the following:
    • Approved Internship: 3-6 credit hours, with grade of B or better
    • Practicum: 3 credit hours, with grade of B or better
    • Substantial Research Paper: 3 credit hours, with grade of B or better
    • Master’s Thesis: 3-6 credit hours and submission of the thesis, with grade of SP

Course Requirements


Concentration (9 credit hours)


Complete 9 thematically-related credit hours in one of the following concentrations, or in another academically sound concentration approved by the student’s faculty advisor:

  • Ethics of Development
  • Global Environmental Justice
  • Global Governance and International Organizations
  • Human Rights and Social Justice
  • International Economic Justice
  • Peace and Conflict Resolution

Elective (3 credit hours)


Complete 3 credit hours from the following, or other approved courses:

Ethics, Peace, and Human Rights (MA) and Business Administration (MBA)


For approved dual degree program, see Ethics, Peace, and Human Rights (MA) and Business Administration (MBA) .