phd social justice

Justice Studies, PHD

On this page:, at a glance: program details.

• Location: Tempe campus
• Second Language Requirement: No

Program Description

Degree Awarded: PHD Justice Studies

The PhD program in justice studies at the nation's first School of Social Transformation invites all qualified applicants.

The diverse community of scholars unites students and faculty across academic boundaries to strategically create social change that is democratic, inclusive and just. The interdisciplinary doctoral program in justice studies prepares future scholars and change agents to address complex social problems and become tomorrow's leaders.

Degree Requirements

Curriculum plan options.

• 84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Required Core (6 credit hours) JUS 620 Justice Research Methodology (3) JUS 640 Theoretical Perspectives on Justice (3)

Other Requirement (3 credit hours) JUS 630 Data Analysis for Justice Research (3) or JUS 650 Advanced Qualitative Data Analysis (3) or SST 691 Topic: Qualitative Methods for Qualitative Researchers (3)

Electives and Research (63 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) JUS 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information For the other requirement course, students may take JUS 630, JUS 650, SST 691 or other methods course at ASU approved by the justice studies graduate director.

Students entering the doctoral program with a master's or JD degree may complete a minimum of 54 credit hours for the program. In addition to the requirements listed above, coursework includes 15 credit hours of elective classroom hours (nine of which must have a JUS prefix) and 18 credit hours comprising any combination of additional elective courses, reading and conference courses, or research courses.

Students entering the doctoral program without a master's or Juris Doctor degree are required to complete 84 credit hours. In addition to the requirements listed above, the coursework includes 12 credit hours of 500-level foundation courses, 24 credit hours of elective classroom hours (15 of which must have a JUS prefix) and 27 credit hours comprising any combination of additional electives courses, reading and conference courses, or research courses.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts
• personal statement
• writing sample
• three letters of recommendation (academic references are preferred)
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

The personal statement should be 1 1/2 to 2 pages, double spaced, and outline the applicant's areas of interest, educational and career goals. The writing sample should be 10 to 15 pages and discuss the research that best represents the applicant's academic thinking and writing skills.

The PhD/JD option allows qualified students to earn a Juris Doctor from ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law while simultaneously earning a transdisciplinary doctoral degree in justice studies. Students must apply separately to both programs. Applicants should contact the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law for its requirements.

Flexible Degree Options

Concurrent degree program.

Students can choose to create their own concurrent degree combination to match their interests by working with their academic advisor during or after their first semester of study. Some concurrent combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum; students should speak with their academic advisor for more details.

This degree is also offered as a concurrent program with the following:

Juris Doctor of Law, JD -->

Juris doctor of law, jd.

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Next Steps to attend ASU

Learn about our programs, apply to a program, visit our campus, application deadlines, learning outcomes.

• Graduates of the PhD program in justice studies will demonstrate knowledge of both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Graduates of the doctoral program in justice studies will demonstrate the ability to differentiate various theoretical perspectives of justice in their written work.
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate intersectional knowledge of justice and use an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach to address societal problems and generate solutions in their dissertations.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the doctoral program in justice studies are prepared to work in justice-related organizations, teach in community colleges and universities, and conduct research in the justice field.

Global Opportunities

Global experience.

With over 250 programs in more than 65 countries (ranging from one week to one year), study abroad is possible for all ASU students wishing to gain global skills and knowledge in preparation for a 21st-century career. Students earn ASU credit for completed courses, while staying on track for graduation, and may apply financial aid and scholarships toward program costs. https://mystudyabroad.asu.edu

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

• [email protected]
• 480/965-7682

Experience the Santa Clara Difference

Our vision imagines a region and world in which everyone has access to an inspiring education and the psychological tools and support to propel them toward flourishing lives of meaning, purpose and connection.  our education is characterized by strong values, social justice, transformative, diverse community..

OUR PROGRAM

Rooted in the Jesuit tradition at Santa Clara University, the mission of the Doctor of Education (EdD) in Social Justice Leadership program is to educate and prepare leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion. Our EdD graduates will be leaders who work across a broad spectrum of fields, from schools to universities and nonprofit entities whose focus is to promote the common good as they transform lives, schools, organizations, and communities.

We prepare leaders by cultivating the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed to lead complex organizations. Our Jesuit tradition leads us to a set of core values, including “cura personalis” – or care for the whole person, developing men and women for others, centering our actions in social justice and equity, and engaging in a cycle of learning and collaboration, action, and reflection in our work.

The EdD in Social Justice Leadership equips graduates with the 21st-century knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to lead complex organizations with the goal of  building a more humane, just, and sustainable world .

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION OFFERED:

Higher Education Leadership   Focus is on issues and complexities related to higher education, with particular attention to building and sustaining effective colleges and universities.

PreK-12 Leadership Focus is on the specific issues and complexities related to PreK-12 schools.

Social Impact Leadership   Focus is on the specific issues and complexities related to the communities served by social impact or community-based organizations. 

Doctor of Education Highlights

• Classes held at SCU and online
• 3-year program
• 77 Quarter units
• Applicants should already possess a M.A.

Course Sequence

Admissions Information

• Early admissions applications are due February 1, 2023 for Summer 2023
• Students must possess an MA  in a related field - Students without an MA will be considered on a case by case basis, but will be generally required to complete an additional year of course work unless they have extensive prior graduate work (e.g., a teaching credential based on graduate coursework). 
• 3 to 5 years of work experience
• Interview with program faculty 
• The Ed.D. program is not open to international applicants requiring an F-1 student visa. 
• A minimum 3.5 GPA in their graduate coursework.
• Transfer Units. As a “post-MA” degree program, students will not be able to transfer in “units” from prior coursework, but can petition to waive specific course requirements if they have taken very similar classes before, allowing them to enroll in more advanced coursework.

Pedro Nava, PhD, Associate Professor of Education, Director of Educational Leadership

Dr. Pedro Nava has a bachelor's degree from CSU Fresno (1996) and received a Masters degree in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy from Harvard University (2003). In 2012, Dr. Nava completed his doctoral studies at the University of California Los Angeles Graduate School of Education in Urban Schooling.  The focus of his research and teaching are in urban and rural schooling inequality, critical pedagogy and critical race theory, immigration and education, family-school-community engagement, and participatory action research.

Doctor of Philosophy

NYU Silver School of Social Work’s PhD program prepares students to become leading researchers and educators in the promotion of social justice and the health and well-being of marginalized communities nationally and globally.

Our intensive doctoral training competitively positions graduates for top-tier academic and research opportunities—such as faculty positions at leading research universities—cultivating the next wave of independent investigators, scholars, and social work leaders. Building on Silver’s nationally recognized strength in intervention and implementation research and our focus on addressing inequities, the PhD program prepares students to make their own unique contributions to the field of social welfare. 

Our rigorous coursework educates students in classic and contemporary theory, cutting-edge quantitative, qualitative and mixed methodologies, and specialized learning in their substantive areas. The opportunity to take electives within the larger university allows students to explore further their areas and methodologies in an interdisciplinary classroom. NYU Silver also prepares students to be educators through training, including in anti-racist pedagogies, and hands-on experience teaching BSW and MSW level courses.

At the heart of our program is the mentored research practicum offering students the opportunity to put their learning into practice. NYU Silver PhD students are paired from day one with a research mentor as part of our  personalized mentoring program , helping them develop competencies in core research, scholarship, and teaching areas.  NYU Silver  Faculty  are renowned for their expertise in several key research areas, including racial and social justice, behavioral health services, child welfare, and aging. Being part of a large Global Network University and located in the diverse and dynamic city of New York, NYU Silver offers an unparalleled environment for the study of areas critical to local, national and global well-being. 

In fact, PhD Program Director Dr.  Rohini Pahwa was recently awarded a  five-year, $3.1 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health  to gain insight into the factors that influence the social networks and and mental health services use of Black and Latinx people with serious mental illnesses. 

Associate Professor of Social Work and PhD Program Director

“I chose NYU Silver for my PhD . . .

because of the program’s emphasis on preparing students to become leading researchers and educators in the health and well-being of marginalized communities and in the promotion of social justice.”

Sabrina Cluesman, PhD candidate and recipient of a NIDA Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (F31)

In an Emerati Women’s Day video from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy in Washington, DC, PhD student  Layla Al Neyadi  discusses her inspiration to seek her degree at NYU Silver and her aspiration to improve mental health policy and services for her fellow Emiratis:

Please email the doctoral program office or call (212) 998-5941 for additional information.

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• university of new orleans
• ph.d. in justice studies

  Justice Studies

Concentrations

Social Justice

Educational Justice

Environmental Justice

Transformative Justice & Carceral Studies

APPLY now    REQUEST INFORMATION   EMAIL US   PROGRAM HANDBOOK

Application deadline for the fall 2024 cohort: march 15, 2024, ph.d. program requirements, this graduate research degree will help you advance justice in both theory and practice., 57 credits beyond the bachelor’s:.

• Two seminars in foundations of justice: Theories of Justice, Justice and Law
• Two seminars in interdisciplinary research methods: Justice Research I & II
• 33 credits in relevant graduate courses, including six credits directly related to one of the four concentrations
• Written comprehensive exam
• 12 credits (minimum) of dissertation research
• Dissertation Defense
• Up to 27 credits may be transferred from a prior graduate program towards elective requirements, with approval.

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PhD in Education and Social Justice

This unique PhD in Education and Social Justice (by thesis and coursework) is a part-time structured PhD programme that is undertaken entirely online, over a minimum of 4 years.

It provides a well-defined and supported route to a PhD for people around the world. The programme is designed so that participants can study entirely from home and whilst in full or part-time employment.

Key information

Tutors are internationally renowned researchers/practitioners, based in one of the best Education Departments in the UK, in a University ranked in the top 200 world-wide and top 10 in the UK. The Department has an established and excellent reputation for doctoral provision. There are close links between the Education and Social Justice doctoral programme and the Department's Centre for Social Justice and Wellbeing in Education . We also offer an online MA in Educational and Social Justice which you can join from anywhere in the world.

We have designed the programme to enable issues, theories, methods and evaluations to be applied specifically to the particular concerns, contexts and priorities of the organisations and environments in which participants are working. The programme builds a mutually supportive spirit among participants who all have overlapping professional and academic interests. This means that participants benefit tremendously from studying within a cohort of doctoral researchers who act as critical friends and an informal support network during the programme, and a continued network throughout their careers.

The programme is for professionals world-wide who are working to promote social justice in or through education (in its broadest sense).

The programme will be of benefit to a wide range of people, including, but not limited to:

• teachers working in schools, further education, higher education, and lifelong learning; policy makers; managers; researchers working with social justice issues; youth workers;
• activists and advocacy workers;
• people with equity or social justice portfolios in a variety of institutions; education support personnel;
• consultants; researchers and workers in charities and NGOs; and civil servants;
• people who are retired from, or taking a break from, professional educational work.

The programme and assignments are mainly designed for participants to focus on, and research, issues that are at the heart of their own professional practice and concerns. Non empirical library based assignments can also be undertaken.

If you have any questions, or would like further information about this programme, please contact the Programme Co-ordinator, Ali Wilkinson. Email: [email protected]

Find out what our graduates say about studying on our PhD programmes

Several doctoral researchers have published journal articles arising from their module assignments and theses.

How to Apply

The next start date is 1st October, 2025 .

Entry requirements

Apply online, what to include.

For admission to this programme applicants should normally have:

• a good honours degree from a British university or CNAA, and a good taught Master's degree; or
• qualifications of a comparable standard from a university or recognised degree awarding body in another country.

Preference will be given to applicants who have degrees in cognate areas (normally social science).

As this is a PhD by coursework and thesis we do not require a research proposal at this stage, but your Personal Statement (max 1,000 words) should outline your potential research interests and purposes and also explain why you wish to join this programme and how you hope to benefit from it. Please see the "What to include" tab for further information.

Language proficiency

Applicants will need to have an acceptable fluency in written and spoken English.

For students whose first language is not English, an English Language Test Certificate will be required, that is, IELTS Academic with an overall score of 6.5 with at least 6.0 for reading and writing.

Further information can be found at: English Language Requirements .

The next start date is 1st October, 2025.

Typical Cohort Number: 30

Initial Closing date for applications: 28th February, 2025.

Please note that any applications received prior this date will be held for consideration during March/April 2025.

Applications received after the end of February will be considered on a first come-first-served basis until the Cohort is full.

Please visit Applying for postgraduate study to apply.

As this is a PhD by coursework and thesis we do not require a research proposal at this stage, but you should explain why you wish to join the programme and how you hope to benefit from it.

Please contact the admissions team if you have any questions about applying to study at Lancaster University.

As this is a PhD by coursework and thesis we do not require a research proposal at this stage, but your Personal Statement ( max 1,000 words ) should outline your potential research interests and purposes and also explain why you wish to join this programme and how you hope to benefit from it.

Personal statement

This should contain the following:

• A statement of reasons for applying for this programme in particular;
• A statement of how you will benefit from this programme;
• A statement about your work experience trajectory and how it relates to the kind of research you are likely to undertake;
• A statement about potential research interests and purposes.

Find out more about how ESJ researchers’ work made a difference for them, their workplace and the world in our 10th anniversary year, 2023.

View a list of some of the PhD theses from the ESJ programme.

Fees and funding

The fee for each cohort is set annually by the University and represents the part-time fee for that academic year. Once a student is on the programme the fee will be increased in line with inflation for each subsequent year of the course.

The course fee for:

• 24/25 is £5,410 per academic year, for four years minimum, for UK students and £9,670 per academic year, for four years minimum, for international students.

Fees are subject to a small increase each academic year.

To help finance your postgraduate study at Lancaster, you can apply for funding from charities and other funders: further details are available on the Fees and Funding webpage.

Applicants from the European Union can read more information about Research Fees (from Lancaster University) following the 2016 Referendum.

When you apply you will need to indicate your likely source of funding for your fees. If you are not self-funding you should investigate possible sources of finance as soon as you can for the full period of your study. Many students have been supported by their employing institutions.

Structure and modules

The programme is divided into two parts and has a modular structure. All modules are compulsory. The five modules in Part One, a thesis proposal, and the final thesis are assessed.

• Part One (years 1 and 2) - consists of five modules that offer participants guided study in key areas of education and social justice nationally and internationally.
• Part Two (year 3 onwards) - participants carry out an original piece of research under the supervision of a member of staff and produce a thesis (45,000 words). There is also a module aimed at supporting you in Part Two.

Whilst this programme is undertaken entirely online, the Certificate produced on successful completion of the course will say "Doctor of Philosophy in Education and Social Justice", with no mention of the mode of delivery.

Online and Distance learning

The Educational Research Department has considerable experience of supporting online and distance learners and we aim to make all our students feel that they are full members of the Department and part of the postgraduate community. Wherever possible we facilitate online participation at events and seminars organised by the Department.

All students have access to Moodle which is our Virtual Learning Environment. Many resources, for example, journal articles; required for postgraduate study, will be available online through the OneSearch facility offered by the Library . Additionally, the Library provides extra services for Distance Learners.

Visit our Computer requirements for studying online page for further information.

Rebecca Marsden is the Online Learning Support Officer for the Department of Educational Research and she can be contacted with queries about online learning.

The Academic skills webpages provide a wide range of online study opportunities across a range of topics. These include digital skills, referencing, research training and critical thinking.

Programme staff

The staff who teach and supervise programmes and modules can vary due to staff changes including research and other types of leave. However all academics leading modules are highly-qualified specialists in their fields.

Dr Richard Budd

Centre for Higher Education Research and Evaluation, Centre for Social Justice and Wellbeing in Education

Dr Kathy Chandler

Centre for Technology Enhanced Learning

Dr Melis Cin

Centre for Social Justice and Wellbeing in Education

Dr Bethan Garrett

Professor Carolyn Jackson

Centre for Gender Studies, Centre for Higher Education Research and Evaluation, Centre for Social Justice and Wellbeing in Education

Dr Carmen Martinez Vargas

Professor Jo Warin

Centre for Gender Studies, Centre for Social Justice and Wellbeing in Education, Richardson Institute for Peace Studies

PhDs in Educational Research

PhD - Traditional Route

PhD Higher Ed: Research, Evaluation & Enhancement

PhD E-Research and Technology Enhanced Learning

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Department of Sociology & Anthropology

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Applied Sociology and Social Justice

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Applied sociology and Social Justice (ASSJ) is a terminal degree that equips students to systematically examine inequities throughout all sectors of society. ASSJ Ph.D. students are trained to apply the Sociological lens in the four concentration areas of the program:

• Reform the criminal justice system
• Promote community development and social change 
• Advocate for racial, gender, and economic justice 
• Apply advanced applied sociological methods to the study of all social problems

ASSJ includes both high residency and low residency options, facilitated by the offering of courses in hy-flex and remote modalities, as well as the scheduling of courses in the evening.  Additionally, some of the course offerings will be online classes.  All students are required to attend one intensive, in-person retreat in Baltimore during the fall Proseminar course. ASSJ students will work under the mentorship of outstanding faculty with expertise in areas like race, criminal justice/ deviance, law, urban studies, social work, sports, education, culture, family, social psychology, health, religion, environment, labor, political economy, globalization, technology studies, and qualitative and quantitative methodology, among others.

Video Ad with Dr. Wilson and Dr. Pratt Harris on the ASSJ Ph.D. Graduate Program

Video Ad with current graduate students on the ASSJ Ph.D. Graduate Program

Video Ad with Dr. Drewery and Prof. Durham on the ASSJ Ph.D. Graduate Program

Video Ad with Dr. Layne on the ASSJ Ph.D. Graduate Program

Program Objectives

• To advance graduate research on social justice issues, including but not limited to criminal justice reform, community development and social change, and race, gender and economic justice, locally, nationally, and internationally. 
• To instruct students in advanced sociological and transdisciplinary methods that can be used to advise local, state, and federal government agencies, nonprofit groups, as well as business and industry sectors. 
• To equip social science professionals with the research skills and the knowledge to deliver evidence-based solutions to social problems. 
• To equip future academics with innovative teaching experience and cutting-edge transdisciplinary research experience to become attractive job candidates on the academic market. 
• To nurture an environment of collaboration and collective problem-solving among students and faculty, including extensive student mentoring by faculty.

Admission and program requirements are listed in here

Contact Information

Natasha Pratt-Harris, Ph.D.  Coordinator of Graduate Programs and Professor, Sociology  Tel: (443) 885-3506/3518  E-mail: [email protected]  

Leon Wilson, Ph.D. Department Chair and Professor, Sociology Tel: (443) 885-3518 E-mail: [email protected]

Morgan State University 1700 East Cold Spring Lane NEW Martin D. Jenkins Hall, Behavioral and Social Science Center (BSSC), Rm. 226.3 Baltimore MD 21251

P: (443) 885-3518

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Educational Leadership for Social Justice (Ed.D.)

The Doctorate in Educational Leadership for Social Justice is designed for current and aspiring leaders who want to create a more just and equitable future in a variety of educational and community settings. Centered on values-based education, the curriculum connects theory with practice, equipping practitioner-scholars to lead meaningful change in their organizations. Our innovative three-year Ed.D. program is offered Online to accommodate working professionals while they acquire the knowledge and skills to become critically-conscious leaders ready to make a positive impact in education.

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The LMU Ed.D. Experience

Leadership that makes a difference.

This three-year program is designed to empower its graduates to lead the call for equity in community and educational settings. Our faculty and leadership are renowned for their advocacy work.

Here, alumna Laura McGowan-Robinson Ed.D. ’16 describes how LMU supported her aspirations and led her to found the Diversity in Leadership Institute , a non-profit organization that identifies, develops, and supports racially diverse public school leaders to serve as change agents and to build talent pipelines for excellence in school leadership and advocacy.

Join Our Community of Change-Makers

Our students and alumni are a dynamic group of experienced educators and community leaders who are transforming educational communities to foster just and equitable learning environments. Review our admission requirements  before applying.

• Application Deadline for Online Ed.D. Program: September 10, 2024
• Application Fee: $0 (fee will be waived upon submission)

Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Social Justice

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This interdisciplinary program will elevate your expertise in social justice. You will build on your current knowledge of theory, research, methods, and approaches to its practical and professional applications.

Become a leader who addresses pressing issues of social justice

Dominican’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Applied Social Justice program prepares and educates professionals, especially individuals from historically excluded groups, to take on equitable, just, and liberatory frameworks to address society’s most pressing issues. You will learn to assess the roots of inequity, injustice, and disempowerment through an intersectional identity lens that accounts for the diverse social identities within and across racial and ethnic groups. 

A PhD program designed for the busy professional

As a Catholic Hispanic-Serving Institution, Dominican intentionally designed this PhD program to broaden access to the doctoral pathway, especially for working professionals from diverse Hispanic and Latine backgrounds. All classes are offered online, allowing you to significantly advance your professional education without stopping your career and personal goals. You can choose our program without traditional decision-making parameters, such as location. And because it is online, the cost is much lower than in-person programs at larger universities. Uniquely, Dominican’s PhD program can be completed in just four years, enabling graduates to elevate their work and contributions to communities affected most by social inequalities.

There will be a two-day, in-person weekend orientation in August. More information will be provided to your Dominican email should you be accepted into the program. 

PhD in Applied Social Justice students are required to attend one in-person engagement per academic year for the duration of their enrollment in the program. For first-year students the in-person residency requirement will include orientation on Dominican’s River Forest campus. The dates and times will be specified in advance.

Experience the Dominican difference

Our faculty come from across the country and around the world. They bring visionary approaches to advancing the complex and flourishing field of social justice. Our cohort model ensures deep intellectual engagement and powerful professional development within a close-knit, collaborative learning environment. A team of advisors, professors and peers will accompany you as you work to achieve your academic, research and professional development goals. We will push each other to explore individual identities, how these affect our work and our work for others, and the relative positions of power and privilege they can put us in within U.S. culture. We will aim for you to achieve the following outcomes: greater understanding of self and your positionality, greater liberation for yourself, your family, and your community, equitable academic attainment, and improved leadership for social justice. The skill set you earn will not only prepare you for greater and longer success professionally, but it will also guide you toward helping others.  

Commit to a more just and humane world

As a student of applied social justice, you’ll partake in the first known social justice doctoral program in the U.S. You will work alongside a cohort of peers who share a desire to redress injustices, resolve inequities, and heal communities harmed. Our graduates' work reflects the university's mission and their responsibility to provide compassionate service and promote a more just and humane world. At Dominican, you’ll immerse yourself in interdisciplinary learning directly connecting to real-world needs.

Community Research and Action (Ph.D.)

Interested in community psychology, community development, social program evaluation, organizational change, health or mental health policy, prevention, urban change and social policy? Join an intellectual community that enhances your knowledge and field skills.

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Program Overview

The Ph.D. program in Community Research and Action is an interdisciplinary program combining community psychology, urban sociology, human geography, applied anthropology, and human and community development. It trains action-researchers committed to promoting social justice in rigorous theoretical analysis and research methods to prepare them for careers in academia, research, and public policy. The Ph.D. degree includes (a) a core set of courses covering inequality, diversity and social justice, community intervention and change, community inquiry (social research methods), public policy and advocacy, and organizational theory and change; (b) advanced research methodology covering quantitative, qualitative, and critical methods, action research, field research, and program evaluation; and (c) minor concentrations that are designed individually, drawing from Human and Organizational Development Department courses (in community organizing and development, community health, human development and prevention science) and from other departments and specializations within Peabody College (e.g., quantitative methods, urban education) and throughout the university (e.g., anthropology, divinity, gender and sexuality studies, global health, political science, sociology). Planning is done with the major professor and approved by the student’s committee. Students receive practical training and experience in teaching, grant-writing and applied research, and program or policy work in collaboration with nonacademic partners. In addition to the required courses listed below, students must complete a grant or graduate fellowship proposal and appropriate field experience.

All entering doctoral students receive financial support covering tuition, a stipend, and health insurance for up to five years, depending on their degree level (Bachelor's or Master's) when starting doctoral studies.

Program Facts

Director of Graduate Studies: Brian Christens Admissions Coordinator: Tonya Beaird Brown Admission Term: Fall Credit Hours: 72 Application Deadline: December 1

Program Curriculum

The program is 72 credit hours structured into the following sections:

• Core (15+ semester hrs)
• Methods (15+ semester hrs)
• Advanced Content/Minor(s)/Specialization Areas/Electives (30+/- semester hrs)
• Individual Projects: M.S. thesis, Internship, Dissertation (12+/- semester hrs)

The core curriculum covers the theoretical and empirical bases of community research and action. Required research methods courses include both qualitative and quantitative approaches and emphasize an applied, field research orientation, including program evaluation, policy analysis, needs assessment, quasi-experimental, as well as more phenomenological designs. As ecological theory deserves commensurate methodology, multiple methods (e.g., survey, systematic and participant observation, existing records, social indicators, ethnography, and content analysis) and multiple levels of analysis (e.g., individual, family/group, organization/community, policy jurisdiction) are encouraged.

The program's interdisciplinary aims are reflected in the core curriculum, the required qualitative and quantitative methods courses, and the list of electives and possible minors. Minors are possible in virtually any field related to Community Research and Action, including (but not limited to) quantitative psychology, leadership and organizations, sociology, political science, religion, and economic development.

Basic Requirements

Out of the 72 required credit hours, a minimum of 42 semester hours in formal didactic coursework is required. The remaining credit hours may be met with electives and/or research and field hours. Specifics are determined by students in consultation with their advisor and program of studies committee. In addition, each student must pass all required core and methods courses, write a master's thesis by the fifth semester (or have a previously completed thesis approved), write a fundable-quality grant proposal, complete a fieldwork requirement, write and defend a major area paper (which serves as the qualifying exam for doctoral candidacy) and propose, complete, and defend a doctoral dissertation. The grant proposal will generally be focused on the dissertation topic and may elect to be submitted to one or more funding agencies to support the dissertation research.

Ph.D. Student Handbook

A copy of the handbook for doctoral students can be found here .

Cohorts and Graduate Placements

Photos of past CRA cohorts can be viewed here .

A list of program graduate placements is available here .

Newbrough Graduate Award

Each year the Department of Human and Organizational Development acknowledges the year's best scholarly work by a graduate student with the Newbrough Graduate Award. For more information on the award, click here .

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Affiliated Faculty

Brooke Ackerly , Professor of Philosophy in Political Science. Her research interests include democratic theory, feminist methodologies, human rights, social and environmental justice. She integrates into her theoretical work empirical research on activism.

Joe Bandy , Assistant Director of the Center for Teaching and affiliated faculty in the Department of Sociology at Vanderbilt University. He  oversees programs dedicated to public scholarship and community engagement in the academy, particularly junior faculty development, service learning and community engagement, sustainability education, and issues of difference and power in teaching. Joe also specializes in the sociology of development, globalization, and U.S. class relations and labor, as well as environmental problems and movements.

Ted Fischer , Professor of Anthropology and Director of the  Center for Latin American Studies at Vanderbilt University  . He is also the founder of  Maní+ . His research combines cultural anthropology and political economy with a geographical focus on highland Guatemala and Germany. His ongoing fieldwork is centered in the Kaqchikel town of Tecpán, and he has also worked extensively with the leaders of Guatemala's pan-Maya movement. His most recent research looked at consumer behavior, labor relations, and moral models in Germany.

Gina Frieden , Assistant Professor of the Practice, Department of Human & Organizational Development. Her teaching and research interests are in adult development, life transitions and counselor training.

Mark Lipsey , Research Professor, Department of Human & Organizational Development. His professional interests are in public policy, program evaluation research, social intervention, field research methodology, and research synthesis (meta-analysis). His recent research interests have been in the areas of risk and intervention for juvenile delinquency and substance use, early childhood education programs, and issues of methodological quality in program evaluation research.

Richard Lloyd , Associate Professor of Sociology. His teaching and research interests are in urban sociology, sociology of culture, social theory, sociology of art, work and occupations, social change, and political sociology.

Holly McCammon , Professor of Sociology. Her teaching and research interests are in social movements, women's legal rights, historical sociology, and political sociology.

Melissa Snarr , Associate Professor of Ethics and Society, Graduate Department of Religion, Divinity School. Her interests are intersection of religion, social change and social-political ethics.

PhD in Social Policy

In this section.

• Current Students
• PhD Student Life
• Degree Requirements
• What We Look For

The joint PhD Programs in Social Policy combine the disciplinary depth of a PhD in political science or sociology with multidisciplinary perspectives and problem-driven research on questions of social policy.

As a joint venture between the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences'  Government and Sociology departments and Harvard Kennedy School, the program is designed for students like you who have broad interests in social policy problems and solutions, spanning topics such as:

• Economic inequality
• Wealth distribution (including high-end wealth accumulation)
• Race and ethnicity
• Poverty and social mobility
• Family dynamics
• Workplace inequities
• Health disparities
• Crime and criminal punishment
• Immigration
• Local politics, neighborhoods, and segregation
• Educational access and inequality
• Political participation and political inequality  

The “discipline-plus” model

The PhD Programs in Social Policy are grounded by a “discipline-plus” structure. You will build a strong foundation in either political science or sociology before embarking on a sequence of multidisciplinary seminars and advanced research in social policy—all of which will focus primarily on the United States and Western Europe.

Research at the core

The joint PhD Programs in Social Policy are targeted toward producing scholars whose research puts them at the forefront of studying key problems in social policy. The skills and cross-disciplinary insights you develop will allow you to identify important unanswered questions and create research strategies that improve our understanding of social problems.

Graduates of the joint PhD Programs in Social Policy leave the program well equipped to pursue careers in leading political science or sociology departments, public policy schools, law schools, think tanks, nonprofit organizations, and in the public sector. 

We have 34 social justice PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

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social justice PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Phd (school of social sciences) doctorate, self-funded phd students only.

The PhD opportunities on this programme do not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

PhD Research Programme

PhD Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.

Scotland’s diaspora – was there social justice for the ‘failed’ immigrant in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries?

Phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

Wales Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS), ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) Studentship in Social Care, Social Work and Social Policy

Funded phd programme (students worldwide).

Some or all of the PhD opportunities in this programme have funding attached. Applications for this programme are welcome from suitably qualified candidates worldwide. Funding may only be available to a limited set of nationalities and you should read the full programme details for further information.

Social Sciences Research Programme

Social Sciences Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities, shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.

PhDs in Education

Phd in business and law at the university of brighton, evaluating the just transition to effect policy change, specialist opportunities available for funded and self-funded research at the university of suffolk, 4 year phd programme.

4 Year PhD Programmes are extended PhD opportunities that involve more training and preparation. You will usually complete taught courses in your first year (sometimes equivalent to a Masters in your subject) before choosing and proposing your research project. You will then research and submit your thesis in the normal way.

PhDs in Law and Criminology

Law research programme.

Law Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities, shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.

Reframing Critical and Socially Engaged Arts Practices from a Creative Health / Health Humanities Perspective

The school of education doctoral opportunities as part of the faculty of social sciences, funded phd programme (european/uk students only).

Some or all of the PhD opportunities in this programme have funding attached. It is available to citizens of a number of European countries (including the UK). In most cases this will include all EU nationals. However full funding may not be available to all applicants and you should read the full programme details for further information.

PhD Opportunities in Communication, Media, and Film Studies

Funded phd programme (uk students only).

Some or all of the PhD opportunities in this programme have funding attached. It is only available to UK citizens or those who have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more. Some projects, which are funded by charities or by the universities themselves may have more stringent restrictions.

Faculty of Education, Masaryk University

Humanities research programme.

Humanities Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities, shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.

Postgraduate Research Opportunities in Law

Operationalising justice in energy infrastructure, glasgow school for business and society (gsbs) – self-funded phd projects, business research programme.

Business Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities, shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.

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School of Leadership and Education Sciences

Our story has been shaped by educators, visionaries and community activisits whose accomplishments mirror the vision of USD.

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What is Social Justice in Education? Getting a Social Justice Degree Online

Online Programs

Day after day, news stories remind us of the frightening reality of injustice in our society. Whether it’s about race, environmental health, access to education, mental or physical ability, there are countless ways in which marginalized groups are hurt by social and structural inequalities.

Educational systems are places where social inequality can

either be perpetuated or radically disrupted.

The education landscape has the power to level playing fields, change minds and hearts, and create engaged, collaborative students who go on to become engaged and justice-oriented global citizens. 

This is why social justice in education is so important today. 

Did you know that you can enroll in an online PhD program in Education for Social Justice at the University of San Diego (USD)? 

If you are an education professional or someone who is interested in building equity in our school systems by obtaining a social justice degree, keep reading to learn how you could become an agent for change in social justice and education.

Why You Should Get a Social Justice Degree at the University of San Diego:

At USD, social justice and education are not initiatives confined to certain programs; social justice informs everything we do as an educational institution and as a community.

A commitment to social justice and education is one of our core values, and professors and students across programs find ways to engage questions of social justice in their respective fields, whether that field is law, policy, health care, science, or education.

Social justice is not a nice add-on conversation for us — it is a part of how

we live, think, and serve as a community.

At a time of heightened polarization and outdated, counterproductive criminal justice, workplace, church, and school disciplinary policies, concepts of social and restorative Justice (RJ) offers an alternative approach focused on harms, needs, and obligations rather than retribution.

The goal of USD's PhD in Education for Social Justice online is to create meaningful opportunities for

healing, accountability, and earned redemption in the social justice and education landscape.

A Look at the USD PhD in Education for Social Justice online:

The USD PhD in Education for Social Justice online was established to build critical scholars capable of impacting the complex world of social justice and education. USD social justice degree scholars graduate with rich understandings and experiences of how they might use education to build more equitable, tolerant, and socially-just societies and institutions.

Students enrolled in this PhD in Social Justice online will emerge poised to take on a variety of social justice jobs in the educational realm including:

• Change agents in institutes, districts, and schools
• Educational researchers and instructors
• Teacher-researchers with instructional expertise

Program Features of the USD PhD in Education for Social Justice:

• Use theory to address pressing educational questions and challenges
• Engage in critical conversations of social justice, culture, and opportunity
• Analyze and critique existing educational research using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method research techniques
• Apply the knowledge gained to their personal and professional lives

Program Format for the USD PhD in Education for Social Justice:

• 4 Years Online
• 48 Units/8 Terms
• 1 Global Studies Requirement
• Dissertation
• Required Doctoral Required Doctoral Seminars I, II, III and IV

There is a Critical Need for Agents of Change in Social Justice and Education — Connect with USD to Today!

Without pioneers and leaders who push our school systems to improve, marginalized groups and the whole of society will continue to suffer because of social injustice. 

We need researchers, principals, teachers, administrators, and education consultants to be aware of and knowledgeable about the types of practices that lead to greater quality of education in our schools.

It’s time for educational environments to become places of justice, healing, restoration, and hope for the future.

Will you become one of these social justice and education leaders that we need? If you hope to transform the field of social justice and education with a PhD in Social Justice online, we encourage you to request more information or start your online application today.

Dive into the specifics about the USD PhD in Education for Social Justice and begin your journey today!

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Social Justice and Human Rights, MA

• Program description
• At a glance
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Advocacy, Community, Equality, Equity, Global, Immigration, Justice, Legislation, Policy, Refugees

In communities here and around the world, oppressed people respond in novel and creative ways, both to contest and transform injustice whenever it may occur. You can gain deeper knowledge to better understand these troubles in order to work toward solutions.

Students in the MA program in social justice and human rights explore key topics, such as labor, migration, education and the environment, and the legal, political, historical and cultural frameworks that contextualize them. The program is well suited to those aiming to channel their interests and passions toward ethical responses to social injustice and human rights abuses.

Students may focus on specific issues in international or domestic contexts, including refugee resettlement, immigration and citizenship, human trafficking, racialized violence, and international human rights law and organizations. In theoretically and methodologically rigorous courses taught by experienced faculty from various disciplines, students develop understanding of how social justice and human rights issues are defined by multiple and intersecting forms of inequality and social identity, including gender, race, ethnicity, class, sexuality and nationality.

Many students complete internships domestically or internationally, with interns typically working alongside other researchers and advocates for social justice in order to grasp the complexities of the issues and to hone their abilities to work effectively in both research and advocacy contexts. Internships may also inform the basis of the culminating experience: a traditional Master of Arts thesis, an applied project or a capstone course.

Students gain deeper insight into the theory and practice of social justice, human rights and humanitarian efforts, and they develop practical skills in research and grant writing.

• College/school: New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
• Location: West Valley or Online
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply .

30 credit hours and a thesis, or 30 credit hours including the required applied project course (JHR 593), or 30 credit hours including the required capstone course (JHR 549)

Required Core (6 credit hours) JHR 501 Proseminar in Social Justice and Human Rights (3) JHR 502 Foundations in Social Justice and Human Rights (3)

Professional Development (3 credit hours) JHR 506 Grant Writing for Social Justice and Human Rights (3) JHR 515 Power and Inequality in Academia and Activism (3) JHR 584 Internship (3)

Research (6 credit hours) JHR 500 Research Methods (3) JHR 525 Critical Methodologies in Social Justice and Human Rights (3)

Electives (9 or 12 credit hours) JHR 503 Gender-based Violence and Sex-Trafficking (3) JHR 504 International Law and Organizations (3) JHR 505 Migration, Asylum and Refugees (3) JHR 510 Problem-based Seminar in Social Justice and Human Rights (3) JHR 540 Critical Humanitarianism (3) JHR 550 Global Justice (3) JHR 598 Global Racial Justice (3)

Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours) JHR 549 Capstone in Social Justice and Human Rights (3) or JHR 593 Applied Project (6) or JHR 599 Thesis (6)

Additional Curriculum Information Campus students pursuing JHR 593 or JHR 599 will complete 9 credit hours of electives coursework. All online students and campus students selecting JHR 549 Capstone in Social Justice and Human Rights will complete 12 credit hours.

Course availability will be dependent on semester and modality. Students will select professional development and elective courses based on academic and professional interests as well as course availability. Additional elective courses may be approved by the academic unit.

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree, in any field, from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• graduate application and application fee
• official transcripts
• statement of purpose
• two letters of recommendation
• an academic writing sample (preferred) or professional writing sample
• resume or curriculum vitae
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

The statement of purpose should describe the applicant's educational background, scholarly interests and academic and professional goals.

It is preferred that letters of recommendation be from faculty members who know the applicant's work well; if these are not available, letters of recommendation from individuals in supervisory or professional roles will be accepted. If letters of recommendation from two faculty members are not available, then it is strongly preferred that at least one letter be from a faculty member.

A writing sample is recommended but not required for students applying to the digital immersion program. If the applicant does not meet the minimum GPA requirements, the application may still be considered.

Applicants should see the program website for application deadlines.

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.

Studying abroad is possible for graduate students. There are more than 50 program opportunities, with programs on every continent.

Faculty-directed programs tend to be the best fit for graduate students; taking courses with ASU professors over the summer or during academic breaks offers students close mentorship and professional network growth in many fields of study while they earn ASU credit. Exchange program participation is also possible with careful planning.

More information on available programs can be found on the Global Education Office website .

Graduates with a master's degree in social justice and human rights can begin or advance their careers in advocacy work in nonprofit or government agencies, humanitarian work, international law and advocacy, as well as in careers that enable them to address forced migration, trafficking, and gender-based or racialized violence.

Career examples include:

• advocate or lobbyist
• community organizer
• grant writer
• humanitarian aid worker
• policy analyst or researcher
• program officer
• public defender
• social justice specialist or consultant
• social service worker

Graduates from this program are well poised to pursue additional graduate education, such as law school or doctoral programs.

School of Social and Behavioral Sciences | FAB N101 [email protected] 602-543-3000 Admission deadlines

9 Social Justice Degree Programs in the USA

The terms “social justice” and “human rights” are often used interchangeably. While closely connected, they’re not identical. Human rights refer to the basic rights everyone is owed – like the right to food and water, the right to housing, and the right to be free from discrimination – but social justice is more concerned with the distribution of wealth, privileges, and opportunities. Human rights affirm that everyone deserves adequate shelter, but social justice focuses on the fact that some people can only afford rent on a 2-room apartment shared with three roommates while a wealthy individual buys up multiple single-family homes.

No one degree is required to work in the social justice field, but there are degree programs in the USA focusing on the subject. Some are social justice-specific , but there are other programs where you can choose a social justice concentration or earn a certificate offered by an educational institution. Here are nine examples:

Do you want to pursue a career in human rights?

Our eBook “ Launching Your Career in Human Rights ” is an in-depth resource designed for those committed to pursuing a career in the human rights field. It covers a wide range of topics, including the types of careers available, the necessary skills and competencies, and the educational pathways that can lead to success in this sector. Whether you’re considering a master’s degree, looking for your first job, or exploring specific human rights issues, this guide offers valuable insights and practical advice. It’s a helpful tool for anyone looking to understand the complexities of working in human rights and how to effectively navigate the challenges and opportunities that come with this important work. Learn more .

M.A. Social Justice and Human Rights

George Mason University (Fairfax, VA)

The Social Justice and Human Rights concentration is available in the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program. Students can design their studies around what matters most to them and gain an understanding of the social, political, cultural, historical, and economic threads binding social justice issues. The concentration prioritizes a global and intersectional framework. Course and research topics include immigration, disability rights, racial justice, and environmental justice. Experiential learning opportunities – like internships, consulting projects, and field studies – are also available.

To earn the MA, students will need to complete 36 total credits. 14 are required courses. Students also need a certain number of credits in Emphasis Courses, Experiential Learning, Elective Courses, a Research Methods course, and a capstone project or thesis.

BS in Social Justice Studies

Eastern Kentucky University (Richmond, KY)

The Social Justice Studies major from this public university embraces an interdisciplinary framework, encouraging students to become critical thinkers with a global, intersectional perspective. The SJS program focuses on going beyond the idea of “justice” within crime, law, and the criminal justice system. Students study the diversity of social issues, like economic inequality, classism, sexism, colonialism, war, and more. With this degree, students are equipped as global and local citizens motivated to work towards a more just world.

The SJS program consists of a Core series of courses (18 hours), Electives (15 hours), and Supporting courses (12 hours). This major is offered through EKU’s School of Justice Studies.

M.A. Higher Education – Diversity and Social Justice

The University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)

The Master of Arts in Higher Education offers a concentration in Diversity and Social Justice. This program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for addressing diversity and social justice issues in higher education. With the support of other students and faculty, the program explores educational policies, the practice of social justice education, and how knowledge can be implemented. Students are paired with an advisor from the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education based on what the student is interested in.

The Diversity and Social Justice program takes two years of full-time study with at least 30 credits. Students complete 9 credits in Core courses, 15 in the Diversity and Social Justice concentration, and 6 Cognate courses (which must be outside Higher Education and must address diversity and social justice issues). Students must also complete a 2-semester internship.

BA in Social Justice

Hamline University (St. Paul, MN)

This BA program prepares students for a career in social justice with an understanding of social injustices based on history, culture, geography, theory, and ethics. Students learn skills needed to problem-solve using innovative, analytical, ethical, and integrative methods. Majors in this program have gone on to careers in politics, human services, human rights, education, and more.

To earn the BA in Social Justice, students must take 12 courses. Two are required courses. The others must be the following areas: one course in politics or legal studies; one in social, cultural, economic, or psychological analysis of social justice issues; one in history with a social justice focus; one in moral, ethical, or values concerns; and one in practical skills. Students must also take at least five courses in one of three concentrations: an existing discipline or interdisciplinary program (like philosophy, law, women’s studies, etc); a specific geographical area (like Asia, the United States, etc); or a student + advisor-designed concentration. Internships or fieldwork is not required for this program, but it’s highly encouraged.

Philosophy major/Social Justice track

Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT)

For millennia, philosophers have wrestled with questions about ethics, society, and justice. Philosophical methods of analysis and argumentation are important parts of activism and social progress. Available through the Philosophy department, the social justice track provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to reckon with injustice. They will apply their philosophical skills to issues of human rights, social responsibility, and equality.

Philosophy majors submit proposals when applying for the social justice track. Proposals should include three philosophy courses and two non-philosophy courses that create a coherent concentration. Additionally, students must take one Core course in history or mind and reality, as well as two philosophy electives and at least two advanced philosophy courses (in any area) during their junior or senior years.

University of Colorado (Denver, CO)

MH/MSS Social Justice Track

The Graduate Social Justice Track is an interdisciplinary Masters available to students admitted to the Master of Humanities/Master of Social Science Program. Students build knowledge and practical skills related to democracy, education, race, class, gender, and more. The program provides learning opportunities that prioritize intersectional understandings of the social justice issues of today. Coursework, internships, collaborative research, events, and training help students thrive.

The MH and MSS degrees both require 36 credits. 9 must be through the Core requirements. At least 12 must be Social Justice-themed. Students must also take elective courses and complete a project or thesis (worth 3-6 credits) on a social justice topic. It’s strongly recommended that students take at least one quantitative/qualitative research methods course.

M.A. Equity and Social Justice in Education

San Francisco State University (San Francisco, CA)

Students studying in the Equity and Social Justice Education MA program learn about culture, language, race, ethnicity, ability, and gender diversity in education. Theoretical, historical, and political perspectives as they relate to education are the focus. Social activism is also a large part of the program. Students will learn interactive pedagogies and teaching philosophies using critical thinking, demonstrations, simulations, and more.

To complete the degree, students must take 18 credits of Core courses, 3 credits of Research Methods, 6 credits of Electives, and 3 credits of a “Culminating Experience,” which is either a Master’s thesis or a field study. The program does not provide a teaching credential.

MA of Public Administration – Human Rights and Social Justice

Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)

Taken through the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs, the MA of Public Administration allows students to take courses from across the campus. The Human Rights and Social Justice concentration focuses on human rights and the policies that expand human rights. Students studying this concentration also analyze political and economic barriers that block progress and prevent social justice from becoming a reality. Representative employers (full-time and internships) include Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, China Labor Watch, and more.

Students take 9 courses in Foundational Coursework, 5 courses in the Human Rights and Social Justice concentration, and a one-credit Colloquium course every semester. Students are also expected to participate in practical work experience, which can include internships, off-campus study/externship, or a graduate certificate program. Because analysis and written communication are essential to public affairs, students also have opportunities for a capstone project, a professional report, and a thesis.

Social Justice (Undergrad and Graduate Certificate)

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Harvard Division of Continuing Education is a division of the University dedicated to programs and unique online teachings for high school students, professionals, and distance learners. Students who choose an Undergraduate or Graduate Certificate in Social Justice examine both theoretical and practical questions of social, political, and economic rights. They’ll learn about core themes of social justice through areas like the environment, politics, religion, law, and more. Upon completion of the certificate, students will have valuable insight into policy, principles of social justice, and social justice issues.

To earn the certificate, students will need to complete four certificate courses for graduate credit and earn at least a B-grade in each course. The courses must be completed within three years. The graduate certificate in social justice requires 16 credits or four courses. A social justice foundational course is required along with three electives.

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About the author, emmaline soken-huberty.

Emmaline Soken-Huberty is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon. She started to become interested in human rights while attending college, eventually getting a concentration in human rights and humanitarianism. LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and climate change are of special concern to her. In her spare time, she can be found reading or enjoying Oregon’s natural beauty with her husband and dog.

PhD in Social Justice Education

The PhD in social justice education is 52 credits. All candidates are expected to have a master’s degree prior to starting the PhD. To be considered a full-time student, you must be taking at least six credits a semester, though some on-campus jobs require you take nine credits. The program is designed for students to take three to five courses each semester. Courses listed in the program of study are all in person and on campus. Eighteen of these credits are required foundational coursework for all students. EDUC 797C does not count towards the four research methods courses that are required. Individual students can choose to follow the youth specialization or college specialization track, with 6 required theory credits, 12 research credits, 6 elective credits, and 10 dissertation credits to meet the minimum 52 credits required for degree conferral.

Application information & deadlines

Please consult the program .

Become a more innovative educator, a leading educational professional, or an effective public policymaker committed to social justice and diversity in education

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Q&A with Featured Presenter Lazarus Lynch in Advance of 16th Annual Social Justice Festival

The Social Justice Festival , a two-day celebration of stories from multiple disciplines that build community, manage conflict, and explore identity hosted by the Anne Frank Project , returns to Buffalo State on September 25 and 26. Aligned with Buffalo State’s Homecoming Week , this year’s festival theme is “Home: Building Our Collective Story.”

“The idea of ‘home’ is fascinating to wrestle with, especially for our students,” said Drew Kahn, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and AFP founding director. “‘Home’ can be defined in so many ways—the ‘homes’ they grew up in and left to attend college, their new ‘home’ of Buffalo State, and their future ‘homes’ post-graduation. These ideas coupled with our ever-changing definition of family and home in the U.S. make for exciting prompts for multiple, diverse sessions.”

There are always new things to look forward to at the festival, Kahn said; the presenters change each year, as do the disciplines explored and departments highlighted. One thing that doesn’t change? Attendees are active participants.

“In addition to our exploration of social justice, we also emphasize an important pillar of Buffalo State: experiential learning,” Kahn said. “We believe that doing is an essential component of relevant, authentic learning. Students should come ready to actively engage in the work, with the full confidence they will be collaborating in a safe, structured, and creative space where their presence matters.”

This year’s featured presenter is Buffalo State alumnus  Lazarus Lynch , ’16, a highly successful chef, psychotherapist, social worker, author, and content creator.

“Laz is all about teaching and facilitating spaces where authentic belonging, self-awareness, inclusion, equity, and sense of purpose all come together,” Kahn said. “He is a walking definition of what’s best about Buffalo State.”

We caught up with Lynch as he prepared to travel to Buffalo State for the Social Justice Festival.

What was your involvement with the Anne Frank Project as a student? 

I was on campus for about a week or two my freshman year when I had started to hear about the Anne Frank project and Rwanda , and hearing from students who had gone the previous year. There was a very strong impulse in me that I had to get involved with this program. I remember going into the orientation to learn about Rwanda and hearing that it was a theater opportunity. I was a health, nutrition, and dietetics major . But being who I am, I thought, “There’s got to be a way for me to get to Rwanda with this group, and if it’s meant to happen, it’ll happen.” I’ll tell my story of how it all unfolded when I’m on campus, but the short version is I was able to go to Rwanda and do the entire experience. I was the only non-theater major and the only freshman in the cohort. I was determined. I just knew that I had to be there. 

Why were you inspired to participate in the Social Justice Festival this year?

I’m a longstanding heart partner to the Anne Frank Project and its mission: changing lives through storytelling and helping to create a more kind world through telling stories. This year was special; Drew reached out, I was available, and I told him, “I’ve got to come back to Buffalo State. I’ve got to come back and be part of it.” What’s also brought me back is the greater timing in the world. What I have to say and what I have to contribute feels poignant at such a time as this.

How would you describe your work to someone who is unfamiliar with it?  

It’s people-centered, heart-centered, soul-stirring work. In a way it’s indescribable, because it does reach so many people in many different ways, but my mission is for people to connect back to their roots through food, storytelling, and pathways that help improve their mental health. We know that if a person is not nourished, they’re less likely to have good attention skills, and to feel safe and secure. Being able to incorporate my understanding and knowledge as a mental health clinician, chef, content creator, and storyteller—all of those pieces help make the work that I’m doing more impactful to communities, individuals, and families. 

How did your time and experiences at Buffalo State shape your journey and career? 

As a student, I got a job on campus in the Health Promotions Department , educating the campus on health and wellness. I developed a mentor there—Tammy Kresge—and she was willing to sit with me once a week, listen, hold space, and support me in figuring out how I was going to take the love I had for food, storytelling, and media and create something I could offer the world. I remember leaving her office one day after a moving conversation about the relationship I had with my father. I went to take a nap; I remember falling asleep, being slightly drowsy, and hearing in my head: “son of a southern chef.” I ran back to her office, and I said, “I got it. Son of southern chef.” She said, “Oh my god, I have chills.” Son of a Southern Chef later became a cookbook, a world-recognized name, the name of brand partnerships… and it began at Buffalo State. When I first graduated, I was getting a lot of requests to be on television and things, and I didn’t know what I was doing, and I started working with faculty member Debra Park. She helped me to form those early seeds of how to make all of this make sense. I’m forever grateful to both of those women.

“Figure out what you want to do later and try to do a version of that right now.”

What advice would you give students looking to make an impact in their communities? 

One: Figure out what you want to do later and try to do a version of that right now.   When I got to campus, I started making cooking videos out of my dorm and putting them on YouTube. I collaborated with students in the film department. It became like a mutual exchange; I fed them and taught them how to cook, and they filmed. Because of those videos, I got the opportunity to come to Los Angeles and create videos for a platform called TasteMade. It was through them seeing that content.

Two: Find mentors, like I found Tammy. Find people you can talk to about your ideas who are going to feed your dream, not take away from it or rob you of the energy, joy, or purity of it.

Three: Trust yourself and follow your instincts. I changed my major three times because I wanted to find a place that felt like home. Ultimately, I became an individualized studies major—I combined everything and figured it out. 

Why should people attend the Social Justice Festival? 

Humanity needs a lot of hope right now. I think people are struggling to feel hopeful, to feel well. When we show up as our whole selves and our best selves, we can really inspire other people to do great and incredible things. If you’re looking for hope, if you’re in search of community and connection, it’s an incredible place to experience that. If you already have community and connection, but you’re wanting to move beyond what you know to do, it’s a great opportunity to learn what you can do to make the world a more socially just place.

The Anne Frank Project’s Social Justice Festival will take place on campus Wednesday, September 25, and Thursday, September 26. For more information and a full schedule of events, please visit the  Anne Frank Project website .

Photos by Lazarus Lynch.

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Bridging your B.A./M.A.  

The 4+1 B.A./M.A. in Africana Studies will allow University of Delaware students who are Africana Studies majors or Africana Studies minors to focus their graduate program of study to meet their specific career goals, whether it be K-12 education, academia, or community justice work.  This accelerated degree program provides students with the opportunity to complete an undergraduate degree with Africana Studies and a master's degree in Africana Studies in less time at less cost than completing both programs individually.  With a combined degree, students will have specialized knowledge and advanced analytical skills, and will be prepared to matriculate into Ph.D. programs, and to enter the workforce with a commitment to social justice, community engagement, and Africana perspectives--much needed skills for the twenty-first century. 

Benefits of pursuing an accelerated 4+1 B.A./M.A. include:

• Completing both degrees in less time
• Graduate credits taken in undergraduate junior & senior year may apply toward both the bachelor's and master's degrees
• Completing a full-time master's degree without interrupting your professional career
• A leg up in the job market and for doctoral programs upon graduation
• Opportunities to engage in advanced study

Students completing the M.A. degree in Africana Studies, will be able to:

• Discuss foundational theories of Africana Studies
• Articulate multidisciplinary research methods in Africana Studies
• Analyze historic and contemporary issues through a Pan-African lens
• Develop Africana Studies content for public scholarship, community engagement, collections-based research, and social justice efforts
• Apply gender and sexuality intersectional analysis to the study of Black life and culture
• Explore the study of Black life through visual and material culture
• Design an original research project that synthesizes knowledge and skills from Africana Studies to a concrete issue or context

Only current University of Delaware students can apply to the 4+1 program. The admission application fee will be waived. Applicants to the 4+1 program must be at least in their junior year of study at the University of Delaware, enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts degree in Africana Studies, have an overall undergraduate Grade Point Average of 3.0 or better for at least 60 credits, and an undergraduate average of 3.25 or better in at least four Africana courses. In addition, applicants should have taken or be enrolled in AFRA 110.

Following provisional admission, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout their remaining undergraduate studies. Students who fail to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress may be restricted from progressing to the graduate phase of the program. Once students complete their baccalaureate degree, the provisional status is removed.

Students are admitted to the 4+1 program in Africana Studies on the basis of consideration of a combination of all of the following materials:

• a personal statement outlining their goals and objectives for pursuing this program;
• a writing sample (a recent scholarly paper);
• three letters of recommendation, of which at least one must come from a professor in the Africana Studies Department at UD;
• unofficial undergraduate transcripts

Candidates should apply using the  Graduate Course Approval Form for 4+1 Admission Application  provided by  the Graduate College . Along with the materials listed above, applicants must also complete and submit an Africana Studies 4+1 Program Supplemental Document.

Admissions to the graduate program is competitive. Those who meet stated requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths. Completed applications are due February 15. We offer Fall admission only. Applications from those who wish to be considered for financial aid must be submitted by January 15.​​​

Requirements

Visit UD’s  graduate​ catalog​  for complete course information including credits, prerequisites, restrictions, and when courses are typically offered.

Students in the 4+1 program must complete 24 graduate credit hours of Africana Studies courses along with a thesis. 4+1 students should take the M.A. required course AFRA 600 during the senior year. They also should use AFRA 601 in place of their 400-level capstone seminar for the Africana Studies major, which simultaneously counts towards the B.A. and the M.A. degrees. The minimum grade for dual-counted courses is B+.

Visit UD’s  academic catalog​  and  course search​  for complete course information including credits, prerequisites, restrictions, and when courses are typically offered. Regarding the thesis requirement, theses may take one of several forms, such as a written document, or a material or visual project, or a website. Students using the program for professional development should consider the project form of the thesis. Students who may be using our program as a stepping stone toward Ph.D. admissions should complete the more traditional longer written thesis. Students must discuss the form of thesis in consultation with their advisor.

Financial Support

Financial aid is available to graduate students in the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, tuition scholarships, and University fellowships. Assistantships and fellowships consist of tuition and a stipend for the September–​May academic year. Awards are competitive and merit-based. All funding decisions are made in consultation with the graduate committee, the director of graduate studies, and the department chair.​

Applicants for admission to the program must indicate their wish to b​e considered for financial aid with their application.

All graduate fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships are accompanied by a grant of the full cost of tuition and include a stipend. Tuition scholarships carry no stipend. You can also find more information about fees and funding from the  Graduate College.

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