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Rice University School of Humanities Program in Poverty, Justice, and Human Capabilities
Rice University School of Humanities

Rice University School of Humanities

Program in Poverty, Justice, and Human Capabilities

Houston, USA

Bachelor's degree

English

Sep 2026

Key Summary

    About : The Program in Poverty, Justice, and Human Capabilities focuses on the complex relationships among poverty, human agency, and social justice. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to understanding these issues through a lens of human capabilities, helping students grasp the multifaceted nature of poverty.
    Career Outcomes : Graduates can pursue diverse career opportunities, including roles in nonprofit organizations, social justice advocacy, public policy, and international development. Many find positions in research and academia, as well as in governmental agencies focusing on social welfare and human rights.

The Program in Poverty, Justice, and Human Capabilities (PJHC) provides students with a multifaceted understanding of human well-being both within the US and internationally. This interdisciplinary minor emphasizes a “capabilities approach,” which considers what people are able to do and be – for example, live to old age and engage in economic and political activities – rather than strictly what material goods they possess. The program also acknowledges the central importance of a variety of additional influences on well-being beyond income, such as gender, racial and ethnic disparities, health status, education, human rights, political freedoms, and material necessities like food and shelter. A key goal of the PJHC is to enrich students’ understanding of poverty and inequality so that, regardless of their choice of occupation, they will maintain a longstanding commitment to enhancing the well-being of all people. More generally, the program trains students to be leaders in solving global problems.