Master of Professional Studies in International Relations and
Human Rights
The degree can equip students with the following skills, all of
which can be advantageous for careers in the field:
Understanding of how the United Nations and international courts
promote human rights, and how governments and other actors can help
or obstruct this.
Knowledge of the powers and limitations of the UN Human Rights
Commission, Human Rights Council, Human Rights Committee, and the
High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Understanding of the Just War Doctrine and case studies of
humanitarian intervention.
Political analysis and research skills.
Presentation and communication skills.
Acquaintance with staff and students with similar interests.
Degree structure The degree programme is currently structured
around a core course (POLITICS 750 International Relations and
Human Rights), a 10,000 word dissertation, and usually five
additional courses chosen mainly from Political Studies but also
from relevant offerings from Development Studies, Sociology, Law,
Economics, Philosophy, and International Business.
Core coursesPOLITICS 750 International Relations and Human
RightsTraces the evolution of human rights concepts and how they
inspire the negotiation of intergovernmental treaties and the
establishment of international institutions and courts to protect
human rights.
*2013 QS World University Rankings.
Study in one of the top 40 politics programmes in the world*
The Master of Professional Studies in International Relations
and Human Rights at the University of Auckland is a one-year
full-time graduate programme, usually begun after four years of
university study. Students undertake specialised study of key
issues and institutions of world politics and international human
rights protection. The programme includes both taught courses and a
dissertation.
Photo credit: Patrick Gruban
POLITICS 755 Dissertation in International Relations and Human
RightsThis 10,000 word dissertation is to be written on a topic
combining international relations and human rights issues and
institutions. It is equivalent to two courses and may be taken in
one semester or over two semesters. The topic and supervisor are to
be chosen by the student with the advice of the degree
coordinator.
Elective courses (Political Studies)POLITICS 705 Rights:
History, Theory, and Practice (political philosophy background
recommended) POLITICS 707 Politics of Global Protest POLITICS 746
Global Organisations and Governance POLITICS 768 Economic
Statecraft POLITICS 770 Intra-State Conflict and Human
RightsPOLITICS 771 Special Topic: Democratisation and International
Relations (special permission is required to include this
course)
POLITICS 772 Comparative Political Economy POLITICS 773 Special
Topic: The Ethics of War (special permission is required to include
this course)
Elective Courses (other subjects)DEVELOP 709 Early Theories of
International Development DEVELOP 710 Contemporary Theories of
International Development ECON 741 Topics in International Trade
ECON 742 Trade Policy ECON 771 Economics of Development INTBUS 706
Globalization PHIL 767 Global JusticeSOCIOL 713 Sociology of Law:
Human Rights (30 points)
Plus a variety of Law courses.
www.arts.auckland.ac.nz/politics
Admission requirements and durationRequirements for entry are
either a four-year bachelors degree, or a bachelors (honours)
degree, or a bachelors degree combined with either a professional
qualification equivalent to one years advanced study or at least
three years relevant professional experience. Students with weak
international relations study backgrounds may be required to take
appropriate international affairs courses prior to entry, such as a
one-semester Transitional Certificate (TRANC) of four undergraduate
courses at the University of Auckland or another tertiary
institution.
Students can begin in either Semester One or Semester Two. The
Master of Professional Studies in IRHR can be completed in one year
of full-time study or up to four years of part-time study.
Fees and scholarshipsFees are published on the University
website. For information visit www.auckland.ac.nz/fees
A range of scholarships and funding opportunities are available
for postgraduate students at the University of Auckland, although
there are no dedicated scholarships or tuition waivers for this
degree. For more information visit
www.auckland.ac.nz/scholarships
For more informationFor more information about the degree
requirements and courses, visit:
www.arts.auckland.ac.nz/international-relations
Contact:Associate Professor Stephen HoadleyCoordinator of Master
of Professional Studies in International Relations and Human Rights
(MProfStuds IRHR)Email: [email protected] Phone: +64 9 373
7599 ext 87031
For enrolment and general enquiries contact: The Arts Students
CentreRoom 416-418, Human Science Building, 10 Symonds StreetPhone:
923 5060 (within Auckland) 0800 61 62 65 (outside Auckland) +64 9
373 7513 (overseas)www.arts.auckland.ac.nz/asc
International students can also contact:The International
OfficePhone: +64 9 373 7513Email:
[email protected]/international
Career opportunities for graduatesThe programme has attracted
students from Australia, Canada, China, Timor-Leste, France,
Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Kosovo, Norway,
Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, The
Netherlands, Tonga, United Arab Emirates, and United States. Our
graduates have careers in NGOs, government service, media,
university teaching and law firms.
The Auckland IRHR programme enabled me to learn from leading
academics in the field, study with peers who challenged my
thinking, and enjoy a broad range of elective courses; and I was
able to study part-time so I could continue my NGO career.Lindsey
Ruffolo (New Zealand), Partnerships Advisor, World Vision.
This programme exceeded my expectations in its availability of
varied interdisciplinary courses on offer... .and it gave me the
political knowledge and professional skills I needed to secure a
job in the area of international relations and human rights.Bram
Lauwers (Belgium), Policy Officer, New Zealand Immigration
Service.
Studying at the University of Auckland helped me secure an
internship, then a consultancy, with a UN agency. The quality of
teaching, engagement and support from the staff, and their
flexibility so I could complete my graduate degree part-time, were
impressive, as were the academic facilities on offer.Andrea Egan
(United States), International Consultant to UNDP on Climate Change
Adaptation.
My year at Auckland University was a life changing experience.
The competency, professionalism, and helpfulness of the professors
were exceptional. I was able to meet and made friends from all over
the world: Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa. The IRHR degree
prepared me well for work with my government and international
NGOs.Januario Soares (Timor-Leste) Senior Program Officer, The Asia
Foundation, Dili.
Associate Professor Stephen Hoadley and a graduate of the
MProfStuds IRHR, Januario Soares from Timor-Leste.
http://www.arts.auckland.ac.nz/politicshttp://www.auckland.ac.nz/scholarshipshttp://www.auckland.ac.nz/scholarshipshttp://www.arts.auckland.ac.nz/international-relationshttp://www.arts.auckland.ac.nz/international-relationshttp://www.auckland.ac.nz/international
