1. About
  2. Program Information
  3. Admission Requirements
  4. Application Requirements
  5. More information

About

Our MA program emphasizes social justice frameworks born out of anti-colonial, decolonial, anti-racist, transnational, and community-based knowledge processes and practices in the context of graduate studies. An integral aspect of the program will focus on the multiple and dialectical definitions of social justice as a field of conceptual, activated, and collective actions. It represents a creative and robust platform to offer dynamic courses, develop innovative pedagogical approaches, and forge a research agenda located within the interdisciplinary space carved out by the overlap between human rights and social justice as two fields of academic inquiry and political advocacy work. Students can explore issues relating to:

  • Critical human rights and citizenship
  • Public and global health
  • Social movement and political cultures of solidarity
  • Indigenous epistemologies and self-determination
  • Socio-environmental justice
  • Queer and trans rights and social justice
  • Anti-terrorist/anti-security/anti-policing


Program Information

Degree: Master of Arts
Length: 2 years
Entry Terms: 
Fall Application Deadline: February 1
Contact: Graduate SupervisorPaul Mkandawire
Pathway Options: Coursework, Research Essay, Thesis

Click to view Course listing and Program Requirements (new tab)

Admission Requirements

The normal requirement for admission to the M.A. Human Rights and Social Justice is a B.A. Honours degree with a minimum B+ average in human rights or social justice or a related field, and demonstrated English proficiency. Applicants possessing an undergraduate honours degree from other fields of study may be admitted with additional requirements which will be specified on the offer of admission.

Application Requirements

  1. Statement of intent/research interest (1 single space page). Please include the following information: a brief description about your relevant education and work experience, a basic outline of your research interests, and a brief explanation of your interest in our MA program. Please note: you need only provide a general research topic/research proposal. Additionally, it is not necessary for you to identity a potential supervisor or have an appointed supervisor to be admitted to the program.
  2. A cv/resume with a list of published and creative works if applicable.
  3. Two letters of reference from persons who are prepared to comment on your academic background and potential for graduate studies.
  4. One certified transcript from all universities you have attended.
  5. The language of instruction at Carleton is English. For admission into Carleton’s graduate programs, you will need to demonstrate that your knowledge and use of English are strong enough for graduate studies at an English-language university. Please review the latest information on language proficiency and testing here: https://graduate.carleton.ca/international/english-second-language/

More information

For information regarding domestic and international graduate fees and costs:

Student accounts – tuition fees or  International Graduate Fees

Any other questions, please email us at  iisgrad@carleton.ca or the Graduate Advisor, Dr. Paul Mkandawire