The field of social work can mean much more than connecting people with programs that can increase their wellness. Within this field, there are many different specializations that can assist professionals with obtaining positions that can advocate for, support and empower different groups within society through their diverse knowledge of society as a whole.
What Is This Degree Program?
People that have the desire to fight for the rights of others and help community members find solace for overbearing social issues may find their place within the field of social work.
If you are seeking a MSW program that can assist you in making a difference in society, the Human Rights specialization may be a great option to choose. Within this degree program, students can explore topics related to the fair treatment of people within society, programs that can assist in providing better opportunities to all members of a community and even advocacy issues related to protecting people during legal matters. Each of these topics is just a small part of this incredibly diverse and highly-influential field.
The MSW in Human Rights may blend some of the most critical components of both social work and human rights protection. Students enrolled in this program can gain important insight surrounding the application of social work within a professional field – especially in positions responsible for protecting the rights of the people they serve.
If you have a knack for helping others and a desire to improve current public programs throughout the United States, the MSW in Human Rights could be a life-changing degree for you to pursue.
What Traits or Characteristics Should Social Workers in this Field Possess?
In order to be the best human rights activist and social worker, you should have a strong willed personality. In many cases, human rights professionals may be responsible for standing up for the rights of the people they serve during court hearings, when seeking services and programs and even in a public forum.
Well-spoken professionals may find it easier to speak their mind and opinion in this field, which can be a big part of job roles for social workers in this domain. Social workers may be able to benefit from having these strengths in communication throughout their career, since a lot of their roles may consist of those that speak out for those that cannot and advocating for individuals in need of guidance.
Hard working and dedicated professionals may also be a great fit for this field. Defending the rights of others and staying aware of changing policies present within the field of social work may require professionals to indulge in constant research and have a general intuitive nature. If you have personality traits that are complementary to those being discussed, you could be great within this field.
Above all, social workers that are interested in working in human rights professions should have a caring demeanor towards their clients. In many social work fields, clients are often seen in situations that are lower than their best. Professionals in this field should be understanding and willing to help people – even those that have made life-changing mistakes. A general empathy for other people in society can be a helpful determinant of how well you can do within this professional field.
What types of careers and responsibilities can I expect?
Human Rights Policy Activist
Having a diverse understanding of social work and human rights can help you obtain positions that can influence the creation of new policies in society. In this career field, professionals may work with communities or even the state in modifying existing policies to meet the needs of all people. These professionals may also review current policies to ensure that none are hindering the rights of any certain group of people, so that all people are given fair access to services, programs and treatment throughout the United States.
Social Researcher
Since the policies concerning society may be constantly undergoing change, professionals may be needed to ensure that new changes and implementations are meeting human rights standards. Social researchers may work with these organizations to ensure that new changes can meet the needs of all people without hindering growth or the rights of the people being served. Social researchers may also investigate human rights claims and violations to identify any areas needing immediate change.
Client Advocacy
With a MSW in Human Rights, graduates can pursue careers associated with protecting the rights of their clients. These types of careers can be found in many different career fields, especially those associated with the law, healthcare and access to public services. In this area, you may meet with clients to determine what their interests or concerns are, locate literature that is associated with their current issues and present this information in defense of your client to the relevant organization.
How Much Does An Online MSW in Human Rights Degree Cost?
Before taking the dive into a MSW program in Human Rights, students should engage in extensive research about the degree program and what type of investment it might pose for the future. Most MSW programs can be found in a convenient online format, which can make for great options for upcoming college students that are working full-time or part-time jobs.
At the University of Buffalo, students can choose from either the traditional or online MSW program. There are currently 2 types of online MSW programs to choose from, depending on the type of experience you have in the professional field and the type of undergraduate degree you hold.
The advanced standing degree program is designed for students that have previously achieved their BSW from an accredited university and are currently licensed social workers. This program may require that students complete 35 credit hours, which can translate to about 3 full semesters for full-time students.
The advanced program may introduce students to more accelerated topics in social work, as well as those that dive deeper into case studies and analyses based on what they have experienced working in the field. The standard online MSW program may require students to complete 60 credit hours, which can take around 2 years to complete at full-time enrollment. In this program, students can take part in a progressive learning program that begins with fundamental elements of social work and finishes out with advanced topics similar to the advanced standing program.
The costs of a MSW in Human Rights can be one of the main factors in your decision to pursue this degree. Many different colleges offer a wide variety of tuition rates for you to choose from, making your research extremely important in getting the best deal. The University of Buffalo current lists their tuition for the online MSW at a rate of $7,847.50 for New York residents and $12,412.50 for out of state students. Online part-time programs are billed at a rate of $736.46 for NY residents and $798.67 for non-residents.
Online MSW in Human Rights Courses
Evaluation in Social Work
The role of the social work professional can be undefined in terms of regular, everyday duties. This is likely due to the variation of client need, which can change the responsibilities of the professional on a day-to-day basis. This course can help students learn more about the initial evaluation process conducted when a new client has been identified. Conducting assessments, reviewing results and evaluating potential needs of the client can be an important aspect in determining which steps should take place in order to help the client improve their quality of life. Students in this course may have the opportunity to practice the evaluation process as part of the course’s requirements.
Social Welfare Policy
If you are one of the many students interested in pursuing a social work career focused on human rights, you may spend a significant amount of time learning about social welfare policies, their history and implementation within current society. This course can help you learn more about why policies were developed, what situations they apply to and the constant change they need as society progresses. Students that complete this course should have a solid understanding of the applicable policies in human rights advocacy, as well as methods to modify these policies when the need arises.
Scientific Methods in Social Work
Since the field of social work is constantly improving and undergoing change, students of this discipline should have knowledge relevant to research and design. This course can help integrate knowledge of the scientific method into social research, which can allow students to provide reliable research that can change their domain for the better. In this course, students may be tasked with engaging in scientific research pertaining to their field of interest.
Online MSW in Human Rights Potential Salaries
- Policy Analysts: $31,740 on average per year (BLS).
- Sociologists: $79,650 on average per year (BLS).
CSWE Accredited Programs
Accredited Programs
CSWE (Council on Social Work Education) is the top accrediting board for Master of Social Work programs. Below, you will find a list of all of the CSWE accredited social work programs.
Specialized Area:
Coursework:
- Status:
- Available:
Specialized Area:
Coursework:
- Status:
- Available:
Specialized Area: Advanced Clinical Practice or Social Enterprise Administration
Coursework: Online program with live synchronous virtual classroom delivery and asynchronous content available 24/7
Open to students anywhere the United States
- Status: Fully Online
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Advanced Clinical Practice, Military Social Work, Social Work in Health Care, and Social Work with Children and Families
Coursework: Online courses delivered asynchronously, custom video case studies, and two 4-day in-person residencies
Open to students in the US and internationally
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Part Time
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Advanced Clinical with focus on trauma and its impact on mental health
Coursework: Online program with mostly asynchronous content
Open to students anywhere in the United States, as well as service members stationed around the world
- Status: Fully Online
- Available: Part Time
Specialized Area: Advanced Generalist
Coursework: Asynchronous, 24/7 Class Access
US and International
- Status: Fully Online
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
Specialized Area: Advanced Generalist
Coursework: Online program using mostly asynchronous instruction with 24/7 access to classes
- Status: Fully Online
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
Specialized Area: Advanced Generalist
Coursework: Online program
Open to students anywhere in the United States
- Status: Fully Online
- Available:
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Advanced Generalist
Coursework: Online program with no campus visit required
Open to residents of Kentucky and surrounding states
- Status: Fully Online
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Advanced Generalist
Coursework: Online program with asynchronous course content
Open to students from any state with which California has the requisite educational agreements; however, primary mission is Inland Southern California
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Part Time
Specialized Area: Advanced Generalist
Coursework: Courses taught through Blackboard and AdobeConnect
Open to residents of Maine
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Full Time
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Advanced Generalist
Coursework: Hybrid program (video, online, and in-person)
Primarily serving Wyoming studnets
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Full Time
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Advanced Generalist
Coursework: Online program with two required campus visits to Anchorage campus
Open only to students living in Alaska
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Advanced Generalist
Coursework: Predominantly asynchronous courses with limited synchronous options in practice and field classes
Open to students anywhere in the United States
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Advanced Generalist
Coursework: Hybrid program model (80% online and 20% in-person at cohort location in Colorado Springs or Denver)
Open to students anywhere in the world
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Part Time
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Advanced Standing program for those with a BSW or a Traditional program for those with a bachelor's in another area of study.
Coursework: Asynchronous instruction via the Internet
- Status:
- Available: Part Time
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Areas of Specialist Practice: Trauma, Health/Mental Health, Children and Families, Humanitarian Social Work, and Military Social Work
Coursework: Mix of synchronous and asynchronous classes, with synchronous classes, advising, and group work on Tuesday and Thursday evenings
Open to students in most states
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Part Time
Specialized Area: Children, Youth, and Families
Coursework: Interactive television and online resources with frequent in-person visits by faculty. Classes on Saturdays with 16-hour per week field placements during second and third academic years
- Status:
- Available: Part Time
Specialized Area: Clinical
Coursework: Online program with asynchronous instruction with 24/7 access and support and no requirement for on-campus presence
Open to students anywhere in the United States, as well as service members stationed around the world
- Status:
- Available: Part Time
Specialized Area: Clinical
Coursework:
- Status:
- Available: Part Time
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Clinical and Community-Based Practice & Leadership
Coursework: Fully online program with asynchronous instruction and no campus visit required
Open to residents of New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Clinical or Macro (Management, Leadership, and Community Practice)
Coursework: Fully online program with no campus visit required
Open to students anywhere in the United States
- Status:
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Clinical Practice
Coursework: Hybrid - 80% online; 20% face-to-face (annual summer institute on main campus and monthly Saturday videoconferencing at locations throughout the state)
Regular option open to students living more than 50 miles from both East Lansing and Flint campuses and within 50 miles of the state border; advanced standing option open to students living more than 50 miles from both East Lansing, Saginaw, and Oakland campuses and within 50 miles of the state border
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Part Time
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Clinical Practice and Organization & Community Leadership
Coursework: Hybrid - 70% online; 30% face-to-face (monthly weekend in-person sessions in Lansing)
Open to all students residing in Michigan or within 50 miles of the state border
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Part Time
Specialized Area: Clinical Social Work
Coursework: Fully online
Open to students nationwide
- Status: Fully Online
- Available: Part Time
Specialized Area: Clinical Social Work Practice
Coursework: Asynchronous, 24/7 Class Access, taught by program faculty.
All of the US
- Status: Fully Online
- Available: Part Time
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Clinical Social Work Practice
Coursework: Fully online with no campus visit required
Open to students in Florida, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania
- Status: Fully Online
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Clinical Social Work specialized areas in Mental Health and Substance Abuse; Child and Family Welfare; Trauma and Interpersonal Violence; and Health and Aging
Coursework: Online program with both weekly 90-minute synchronous sessions and asynchronous course work
Open to students from all states except New Hampshire and some districts in Maryland
- Status: Fully Online
- Available: Full Time
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Clinical with optional emphasis in Health and Behavioral Health
Coursework: Hybrid weekend program (75% online; 25% face-to-face) at UH Main Campus and UH Sugar Land Campus
Eligible to residents of Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma who are able to travel to campus as needed
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Part Time
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Community Practice & Social Change and Direct Practice (Child, Youth, & Families) or (Mental Health/Adults)
Coursework: Online program
Open to students anywhere in the United States
- Status:
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Community-based Family Practice
Coursework: Hybrid of online and in-class alternating each week on Saturdays
Open to students in Virginia
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Part Time
Specialized Area: Direct Practice (DP) and Community, Management, and Policy Practice (CMPP)
Coursework: Hybrid model with in-person and online classes
Open to studnets anywhere in the United States
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Full Time
Specialized Area: Direct Practice with Children & Families and Direct Practice in Mental Health & Substance Abuse
Coursework: Fully online program with no campus visit required
Open to Texas residents
- Status:
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Direct practice with Hispanic Children and Families
Coursework: Fully online program with no campus visit required
Open to students from all US States except Delaware, all US territories, and all US military bases overseas
- Status: Fully Online
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Direct Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups and Community and Administrative Practice
Coursework: Fully online program with no campus visit required
Open to residents of Texas and other states with which UTRGV has agreements
- Status:
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area:
Coursework: Classes for both programs taught onsite; simulcast and broadcast from Denver using Interactive TV (ITV); and online using Web-based technology
Distance education program in Durango to address the special needs of rural and tribal communities of the Four Corners area or in Glenwood Springs to address the special needs of Colorado's rural and mountain communities
- Status:
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
Specialized Area: Family Social Work Practice
Coursework: Online program
Open to students anywhere in the United States
- Status: Fully Online
- Available: Full Time
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Individual, Family, & Group Practice (clinical-based) and Organizational and Community Practice (policy-based)
Coursework: Asynchronous learning with no campus visits required
Open to students anywhere in the US and internationally
- Status: Fully Online
- Available: Full Time
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Individuals & Families and Macro (Leadership & Management)
Coursework: Online and hybrid formats
Primarily serving students in Colorado
- Status: Fully Online
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
Specialized Area: Individuals and Families
Coursework: Mostly Asynchronous, with the exception of practice and field seminar courses
Most of the US
- Status: Fully Online
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Master of Social Work
Coursework: Web-based and weekend courses
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
Specialized Area: Master of Social Work - Graduate Program
Coursework: Classes held Tuesday evenings via Interactive Video Broadcast (IVC) in Brigham City, Kaysville, Tooele, Price, Blanding, and Vernal/Roosevelt
- Status:
- Available: Part Time
Specialized Area: Master's in Social Work
Coursework: Online program
- Status: Fully Online
- Available:
Specialized Area: Mental Health and Trauma
Coursework: Primarily asynchronous content with the exception of weekly 90-minute collaborate learning sessions
Open to students anywhere in the United States, except Delaware, Kentucky, New Jersey, and North Carolina
- Status: Fully Online
- Available: Full Time
Specialized Area: Military Social Work (MIL); Alcohol and Drug Counseling (ADCS); Gerontology (GER); Mental Health Counseling (MH); and Psychology Oncology (ONC)
Coursework: Online or hybrid optionswith no campus visit required
Open to students anywhere in the United States
- Status: Fully Online
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Multi-System Life Course
Coursework: Online asynchronous program augmented by pre-scheduled webcasting
Open to students anywhere in the United States
- Status: Fully Online
- Available:
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Practice and Leadership in Communities and Organizations
Coursework: Fully online MSW program
Open to students nationwide
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Full Time
Specialized Area: Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, and Organizations
Coursework: Fully online program with both synchronous and asynchronous components
Open to residents of Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, District of Columbia, and Pennsylvania
- Status: Fully Online
- Available: Part Time
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, and Organizations
Coursework: Interactive television, in-class sessions, and online technology
Open to any students able to travel to the sattelite locations
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Part Time
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Program emphasizes work with Indigenous and rural communities with a particular commitment to Decolonizing Social Work and mindfulness-based practice
Coursework: Distributed Learning methodologies (online discussions, video conferencing, chats, web tours, small group work, shared projects, virtual role plays)
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Part Time
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Rural Advanced Generalist
Coursework: Synchronous and asynchronous online instructional formats
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Part Time
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Trauma-Informed and Human Rights Perspective
Coursework: Fully online program with courses delivered through both asynchronous and synchronous methods
Open to students anywhere in the United States and Canada
- Status: Fully Online
- Available: Part Time
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area: Urban Family Studies
Coursework: Online program using asynchronous instruction with 24/7 access to classes
Open to students anywhere in the United States
- Status: Fully Online
- Available: Full Time
Specialized Area:
Coursework: Interactive television, computer-based and hybrid education delivery
Open to residents of neighbor islands
- Status: Fully Online | Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area:
Coursework: Live classrooms facilitated online
Open to students anywhere in the United States
- Status: Fully Online
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area:
Coursework: Classes Friday nights and Saturdays through hybrid of distance technology and traditional classroom study broadcast in Cedar City (SUU), Richfield (Snow College), Orem (UVU), and Ogden (WSU)
- Status:
- Available: Part Time
Specialized Area:
Coursework: Courses taught online and via Poly-com (similar to Skype)
Open to students anywhere in the United States
- Status:
- Available: Part Time
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area:
Coursework: Asynchronous 7-week modules with six start dates per year (two start dates for advanced standing)
Open to students anywhere in the United States except Delaware; Washington, DC; Kentucky; Massachusetts; New York; and North Carolina
- Status: Fully Online
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area:
Coursework:
Students must complete field practicum in one of 18 designated northern California counties
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Part Time
Specialized Area:
Coursework: Online program, augmented by Webcasting and periodic face-to-face skills institutes
Priority given to applicants who reside more than 50 miles from an accredited MSW program
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Full Time
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area:
Coursework: Primarily online program
Open to students anywhere in the United States; however students will be required to participate in face-to-face skills labs held on selected Saturdays at regionally convenient locations across the state of Alabama and field placements will be within a 200-mile radius of Tuscaloosa, AL
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Full Time and Part Time Options
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area:
Coursework: Primarily asynchronous online delivery with some synchronous components
Open to students in all states except DC, ID, IA, KY, ME, MD, MI, NV, NH, NC, OH, OK, OR, PR, and TN
- Status: Online with Campus Visit
- Available: Part Time
- Advanced Standing
Specialized Area:
Coursework:
- Status:
- Available:
Specialized Area:
Coursework:
- Status:
- Available:
Specialized Area:
Coursework:
- Status:
- Available:
Top MSW Programs
- CSWE Accredited MSW Programs
- 100% Online MSW
- Online Clinical MSW
- Advanced Standing Online MSW
- Online MSW with No GRE
- 1 Year MSW Programs
- CSWE Accreditation
MSW Concentration Areas
- MSW: Hispanic Children & Families
- MSW: Human Rights
- MSW: Individuals & Families
- MSW: Mental Health & Trauma
- MSW: Substance Abuse
- MSW: Urban Family Studies
