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Tailored to your interests

The Ethics, Peace, and Human Rights degree uniquely combines ethics with an international policy focus. Hallmarks of the degree include interdisciplinary inquiry, solid grounding in foundational concepts and issues of both international affairs and philosophical ethics. Students will explore practical applications of ethical and policy analysis to contemporary social problems in global affairs and can expect interactive teaching that utilizes case studies, simulations, exercises, and intensive class discussion.

Degree Options

The Master of Arts in Ethics, Peace, and Huamn Rights prepares students to analyze international relations and global problems through ethical policy.

The EPHR program builds directly on the intersection of positive peace and contemporary ethical theory. The program prepares students broadly in the practical application of policy analysis to difficult ethical choices in global affairs, and specifically to the dynamics of war, peace, and conflict resolution. Students will focus their studies by selecting one of six different concentrations, and will complete a Capstone option of their choice: an internship, thesis research, or practicum experience. Students are encouraged to gain hands-on training in global affairs policy and analysis by incorporating Skills Institutes and Practica into their curriculum.

Concentrations

EPHR students will select one of six concentrations to expand and deepen their understanding of peace strategies, justice, ethics, development, and more. EPHR’s degree requirements are designed to maximize flexibility and to allow students to focus course work on areas that are most appropriate to their goals and interests.

  • SIS-610 Theories of Conflict Violence & War
  • SIS-611 International Negotiation
  • SIS-619 Comparative Peace Processes 
  • SIS-619 Conflict Prevention Analysis
  • SIS-619 Youth and Conflict Gender, Conflict & Security
  • SIS-619 Localizing Peace
  • SIS-619 Economics of Violence & Peace
  • SIS-619 Negotiation Analysis & Skills 
  • SIS-733 Int’l Peace & Conflict Resolution Seminar II
  • PHIL-655 Philosophy of Religion
  • PHIL-702 Phenomenologies of Violence 
  • PHIL-702 Philosophy of Human Rights 
  • RELG-675 Religion & Global Violence
  • SIS-619 Environment, Peace & Conflict
  • SIS-620 Intro to Environmental Economics
  • SIS-620 Water Governance 
  • SIS-620 Political Ecology of Food & Agriculture 
  • SIS-620 Global Climate Change 
  • SIS-620 Urban Political Economy 
  • SIS-620 Building a Post-Carbon World  
  • SIS-620 The Future of Environmentalism 
  • SIS-620 The Politics of Conservation 
  • SIS-635 Food Security: An Institutional Perspectives
  • SIS-649 Environment & Development
  • SIS-660 Environment & Politics
  • SIS-610 Theories of Violence and War
  • SIS-613 Reconciliation & Justice
  • SIS-619 Human Rights & Conflict
  • SIS-619 Gender, Conflict & Security
  • SIS-619 Transitional Justice
  • SIS-619 Human Rights Impact Analysis
  • SIS-619 Human Rights in the Middle East
  • SIS-635 Human Trafficking in Global Society
  • PHIL-616 Feminist Philosophy
  • PHIL-617 Race and Philosophy
  • PHIL-655 Philosophy of Religion
  • PHIL-685 Latin Â鶹´«Ã½ Philosophy
  • PHIL-702 Phenomenologies of Violence
  • PHIL-702 Philosophy of Human Rights 
  • RELG-675 Religion & Global Violence
  • SIS-616 International Economics
  • SIS-619 Latin Â鶹´«Ã½ Political Economy
  • SIS-619 Demilitarizing the U.S. Economy
  • SIS-627 International Finance & Emerging Markets
  • SIS-630 Economic Politics in the EU
  • SIS-635 Social Accountability
  • SIS-649 Governance and Development
  • SIS-650 Global Economy & Sustainable Development
  • SIS-665 International Trade & Investment Relations 
  • SIS-666 International Financial Relations 
  • SIS-673 Comparative Political Economy
  • SIS-752 Global Economic Governance 
  • SIS-619 Conflict & Development
  • SIS-635 Social Accountability
  • SIS-635 Food Security: An Institutional Perspective
  • SIS-635 Human Trafficking and Globalization
  • SIS-635 Population and Development
  • SIS-635 Community Development
  • SIS-635 Rural Development
  • SIS-635 Urban Development
  • SIS-635 Children, Youth & International Development
  • SIS-635 Education & Development 
  • SIS-635 Global Health 
  • SIS-636 Micropolitics of Development 
  • SIS-648 Gender and Development
  • SIS-649 Governance & Development
  • SIS-650 Global Economy & Sustainable Development
  • SIS-610 Theories of Violence & War
  • SIS-619 Unpacking Intervention and Civil War Disarmament, Demobilization & Reintegration (DDR)
  • SIS-619 Weak States and War
  • SIS-619 Foundations of Global Governance
  • SIS-619 The United Nations
  • SIS-625 International Organizations
  • SIS-635 Social Accountability
  • SIS-635 Food Security: Institutional Perspectives
  • SIS-635 Community Development
  • SIS-635 Rural Development
  • SIS-635 Urban Development
  • SIS-648 Gender and Development
  • SIS-649 Governance & Development
  • SIS-650 Global Economy & Sustainable Development

Experiential Learning

Students are also encouraged to take Skills Institutes and can participate in the Graduate Practicum Program, both of which provide extensive training in developing practical solutions to contemporary global problems.

The Practicum is a one-semester, pre-professional experience, which serves as a capstone option. Student teams complete projects for external client organizations, producing deliverables that address challenges identified by clients in a statement of work. Students work under a site supervisor and a faculty advisor. Each practicum offers real-world experience with project management, client relations, oral presentations, and writing skills. Practicum options change every year, and students can apply to one that best suits their academic and career interests.

Skills Institutes are intensive workshops designed to introduce students to professional skills relevant to careers in international affairs. Taught by experienced practitioners from many fields, these courses allow students to translate theory into practice and gain the competencies sought by today’s employers. This program provides students with the opportunity to focus on tangible skills that are applicable in the workplace. These can include more generalized skills in international affairs or specific skills in peace and conflict resolution. Over the course of 2-3 full days, students are immersed in courses designed to be rigorous and experiential.

Application At a Glance

View a detailed admission and degree requirements listing for your degree of interest.

Entrance Semester
Fall and Spring
Application Deadline
January 15 for the fall semester
October 1 for the spring semester
Additional Requirements
Undergraduate degree
Two letters of recommendation
Resume
Statement of Purpose
TOEFL/IELTS score if international applicant
Application
Completion of online application