Human Rights Studies in Politics, Law and Society (M.A.)

The Department of Social and Cultural Sciences introduced an innovative Master's degree program in the 2018/2019 winter semester: Human Rights Studies in Politics, Law and Society.

This interdisciplinary Master's program qualifies graduates of social sciences, cultural studies, political science, economics, communication studies, law, philosophy, or similar with a special interest in human rights for a professional career as an expert in human rights issues. Therefore, knowledge of social science methodology, legal argumentation, and the regionally and culturally different variants of the concretization of human rights and their meaning are taught.

Aims of the Degree Program

The innovative Master's degree program in Human Rights Studies in Politics, Law, and Society qualifies graduates of social, cultural, political, economic, communication, and legal sciences or philosophy with a special interest in human rights for a professional career as experts in human rights issues.

In this interdisciplinary and social science-based degree program, students deal with the historical and contemporary institutionalization and implementation of human rights in the fields of law, politics, and civil society. Legal, political science, and sociological approaches are applied, taking into account interculturality, diversity, and social science methodology.

Graduates of the degree program should understand the national, regional, and global development of human rights from a sociological, legal, and political science perspective. In addition, they learn about key social, political, and legal development dynamics that are influenced by the establishment of human rights. They also deal with the codifications, the political levels, and the social institutions that are dedicated to the implementation of human rights. Using social science methods, they independently analyze issues relating to human rights learn to present human rights developments in an argumentative manner and negotiate them interculturally.

Why study in Fulda?

Many Possibilities

Fulda University of Applied Sciences with its eight departments offers around 60 Bachelor's and Master's programs. The selection is large and ranges from technology, computer science, business, and law to nutrition, health, society, and culture. In addition to traditional subjects such as business administration or electrical engineering, we also offer innovative degree programs such as Nutrition, Health Sciences, or Renewable Energies.

Applied Sciences - the Combination of Theory and Practice

Fulda University of Applied Sciences is a university of applied sciences. This means that studying with us is not just about theory, but also has a lot to do with practice. This is reflected, among other things, in the close relationship between the university and regional organizations and companies, for example, when it comes to internships or theses. The International Careers Service of the International Office also offers international students and graduates a comprehensive range of information and advice on the topics of internships and career entry - paving the way to your future career.

Dual Study Programs - a German Success Story

More practice is not possible. As a student in a dual study program, you attend courses at the university and work in a company. In this way, you gain specialized knowledge that you can apply directly, gain the necessary experience for the transition into work, and also earn money. Some degree programs even include complete vocational training. This means you study in a discipline and learn a profession at the same time.

State-of-the-Art Equipment and the Latest Technology

Where could technicians, scientists, or engineers apply their acquired knowledge better than at the workplaces typical for their work? Fortunately, Fulda University of Applied Sciences has a wide range of so-called "labs" for authentic experimentation, real research, and repeated application. This Audio/video, NetLab, Renewable Energies Lab, Raw Materials Science Lab, Microbiology Lab, and Skills Labs simulate real working conditions and thus help students acquire the skills for their future profession.

From Preparatory Program to Doctorate

At Fulda University of Applied Sciences, you can follow the complete path of higher education. If you still lack some knowledge, you can catch up on it in a preparatory program. If you want to complete a Master's degree or even a doctorate, all doors are open to you. Since 2016, Fulda University of Applied Sciences has been the first university in Germany to have the right to award doctorates independently.

Thriving Internationality

Of the approximately 9,000 students at Fulda University of Applied Sciences, about 1,500 are not from Germany, but from over 100 different countries. The mix of languages, cultures, and perspectives not only creates an international atmosphere on campus and in the refectory but also enriches the courses and (student) life in the city.

Short Distances and Personal Contact

A great advantage of small towns and small universities is the short distances and personal contact between students and their lecturers. Despite its now 9,000 students, Fulda University of Applied Sciences still has a familiar atmosphere. People know each other and meet regularly. If you need support, you don't have to look far and the contact persons are easy to reach.

Support Where It is Needed

We want to help international students with their transition to life in Germany and Fulda. To this end, we have developed various measures for the time before and during your studies. Special preparatory programs such as Pre-College and Pre-Study help you to improve your German language skills, acquire specialist knowledge, or get to know the German academic system. The Buddy program, the orientation week as well as field trips provide opportunities for encounters and exchange.

Historic City With a Central Location

With a population of around 70,000, Fulda is one of the smallest cities in Germany. However, it offers a high quality of life, short distances, public safety, and nature on your doorstep. Its central location and direct connections to trains, long-distance buses, and highways make Fulda an ideal starting point for getting to know the whole of Germany.

Free Time Activities

A historic city center, museums and theatres, restaurants, and bars, concerts, clubs and parties, hiking and cycling trails, and the mountains of the Rhön. The list of leisure activities in and around Fulda is very long. On campus, there are university sports, and events as well as student projects, film evenings, the University Days, and the International Evening. And if you want even more, the train to Frankfurt/Main only takes about 80 minutes...

The Master's degree program in Human Rights Studies in Politics, Law, and Society is particularly suitable for prospective students with a first degree in social sciences, cultural studies, political science, economics, communication or law, philosophy, etc. who are interested in an interdisciplinary graduate program that provides different approaches to questions of human rights development. Openness to the various disciplines, an interest in political issues, a high level of motivation to study, and a solid command of English are good prerequisites for admission to this program.

During the course of the Master's program, students must complete ten modules spread over four semesters. In the first two semesters, students learn the basics of the history and theory of human rights and human rights codifications as well as social science methods and knowledge of legal argumentation.

Communication and understanding of human rights are another topic of the first year of study. Between the second and third semesters (during the lecture-free period), students complete an internship of at least 10 weeks in an institution relevant to human rights issues.

In the third semester, students can choose two out of three specialization modules, each with a focus on business and labor, migration or (digital) communication.

In the fourth semester, students write their Master's thesis on a research question developed during their studies or internship.

The Master's degree course qualifies students for jobs at political foundations and think tanks, at national, international, and European governmental and non-governmental organizations, in the field of media and PR, in the secretariats and committees of human rights conventions as well as in HR departments of internationally active companies, organizations, educational institutions, etc.

In addition, the course opens up the possibility of a doctorate at the Doctoral Centre for Globalisation, European Integration and Interculturality at Fulda University of Applied Sciences.