The Social Justice and Human Rights degree at ASU’s West campus prepares students for lives spent advocating for social justice and protecting human rights in local, national, and global contexts. With focus areas of advocacy, social change, trauma studies, humanitarianism, materialism, inequality.
The social justice and human rights program at ASU's West campus prepares you to be an advocate for social justice and the protection of human rights. You can find a rewarding future advocating for victims and survivors of human trafficking, domestic abuse and disaster relief and for migrant populations.
The BA program in social justice and human rights spans the social sciences and the humanities to prepare students to meet the challenges of 21st-century issues of social justice and protection of human rights in local, national, international and global contexts. The degree program introduces students to principles and practices of everyday humanitarianism, multimedia advocacy and theories and practices of social justice and human rights.
Students in the program have the opportunity to select from three uniquely theoretical and applied areas of focus, including advocacy and social change; critical trauma studies and everyday humanitarianism; and materialism, intersectionality and inequality.
At A Glance
Social Justice and Human Rights, BA
- Offered by: New College of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
- Location: West
- First Required Math Course: MAT 142 - College Mathematics
- Math Intensity: General
Required Courses
A major map outlines a major's critical requirements, courses, and optimal course sequence and aids students in remaining on track to graduation.
While circumstances vary between students and their paths towards graduation (utilizing placement testing to fulfill required math or foreign language courses, fulfilling multiple General Studies requirements with one course, etc.), completing the courses listed in a major map fulfills all of the requirements for graduation.
Application requirements
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements:
Affording college
Scholarships
Find and apply for relevant scholarships.
WUE eligible program
Undergraduate students from western states who enroll in this
program are eligible for a discounted tuition rate.
Financial Aid
ASU has many financial aid options. Almost everyone, regardless
of income, can qualify for some form of financial aid. In fact,
more than 70 percent of all ASU students receive some form of
financial assistance every year.
Career outlook
Students with this degree are employable in a variety of settings, including refugee resettlement agencies; agencies and shelters supporting survivors of domestic abuse; shelters for migrants, especially for unaccompanied minors; disaster relief agencies; organizations assisting survivors of sex trafficking and human labor trafficking; and agencies assisting veterans and others suffering from post-traumatic stress. Career opportunities include:
- charitable fundraiser (e.g., Nina M. Pulliam Charitable Trust staff)
- ethnic studies professor
- grant writer
- humanitarian aid worker (e.g., UNHCR aid worker, Oxfam aid worker)
- international governmental organization professional (e.g., United Nations staff)
- justice studies professor
- nongovernmental organization professional (e.g., International Rescue Committee professional)
- nonprofit agency manager (e.g., Special Olympics Arizona, international manager)
- women and gender studies professor
Example careers
Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions. Career examples include but are not limited to:
| Career | *growth | *median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Social and Human Service Assistants | 16.4% | $33,120 |
| Health Educators | 14.5% | $53,940 |
| Community Health Workers | 18.1% | $38,370 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | 13.2% | $41,570 |
| Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs | 6% | $44,400 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | 10.4% | $60,670 |
| Mental Health Counselors | 23.1% | |
| Political Scientists | 2.8% | $115,110 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | 18% | $64,100 |
| Sociologists | 1.3% | $79,650 |
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
- Bright Outlook
- Green Occupation
What are Accelerated Programs at ASU?
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor’s degree in 2.5 or 3 years.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master’s degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.
Accelerated bachelor’s degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.