Academics

two studentsWhy Major or Minor in Human Rights?

SMU Human Rights occupies a distinctive niche in the national landscape of higher education, it remains one of only seven institutions in the country, and the only institution south and west of Missouri, to offer an undergraduate major.

The major in human rights prepares students to serve as leaders and changemakers in a variety of pursuits. The minor, which serves as an excellent complement to all majors, teaches students on how to promote, defend, and extend human rights in their chosen career fields. Recent graduates have pursued careers in the arts, business, education, engineering, environmental science, government, humanitarian aid, journalism, law enforcement, medicine, the nonprofit sector, and political science. The program also boasts an exceptional placement rate for students seeking to continue their education in graduate or law school.