Gavin Howe
A degree in human rights law can open doors to a variety of career paths, including law, campaigning, research, education, advocacy, activism, and government. Human rights lawyers are in high demand and play a crucial role in advocating for individuals and groups whose rights have been violated. They work at the local, national, and international levels for NGOs, law firms, intergovernmental organizations, and governments. To become a human rights lawyer, one typically needs a bachelor's degree followed by a Juris Doctor (JD) or an equivalent qualification. This field requires a profound legal education and a strong commitment to making a positive impact on people's lives.
In addition to law, a human rights degree can lead to careers in campaigning and communication, where professionals raise awareness for human rights issues and advocate for change. Researchers play a vital role in gathering information and conducting literature reviews on human rights violations, while educators promote human rights awareness and understanding. Advocacy and activism are also crucial aspects of the human rights sector, where professionals work to influence policies and create social change. Furthermore, a human rights degree can lead to careers in government and public administration, where individuals work to uphold and promote human rights within the state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Human rights lawyer | $78,192 per year |
| Human rights researcher | $45,249 per year |
| Legal officer within the human rights field | $86,547 per year |
| Statistician in a human rights organization | $93,223 per year |
| Advocacy worker | N/A |
| Human rights campaigner | $50,000 per year |
| Human rights educator | N/A |
| Human rights activist | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
Become a human rights lawyer
Human rights lawyers are legal professionals who provide legal counsel to victims of human rights violations. They work to ensure that human rights are respected, promoted, and upheld, often specialising in a certain area of human rights such as war crimes, child rights, or refugee rights. Human rights lawyers can work at law firms, NGOs, government agencies, and international organisations.
If you want to become a human rights lawyer, you will need to obtain a bachelor's degree, and a Juris Doctor (JD) or an equivalent qualification. The exact path to becoming a human rights lawyer may vary from country to country, but here are the general steps:
Undergraduate degree:
The first step is to earn a bachelor's degree. This is a prerequisite for law school, and you should choose a subject that you know you will do well in, as your GPA matters more than your major. During your undergraduate years, you can begin to develop your knowledge and skills by taking relevant courses, volunteering for human rights organisations, or getting involved with NGOs.
Law school:
After completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to apply to law school to obtain your Juris Doctor (JD) degree. In some countries, there are additional requirements for admission, such as the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) in the United States. Many law schools offer full-time or part-time degrees, and you can expect to complete your JD in three years. During law school, you can gain practical experience through extracurricular activities such as Moot Courts, legal clinics, and internships.
Specialisation and further education (optional):
If you want to specialise in human rights law, you can pursue a Master of Laws (LLM) degree to gain more specific knowledge and training. This can make you more qualified and competitive in the job market.
Bar exam:
The final step before practicing as a human rights lawyer is passing the bar exam. This will require dedication, focus, and a great study schedule.
It is important to note that becoming a human rights lawyer requires years of dedication, hard work, and persistence. It is a challenging journey, but it can be a rewarding career that provides deep job satisfaction.
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Specialise in a specific human rights issue
If you are interested in specialising in a specific human rights issue, you can consider pursuing a career as a human rights lawyer. This career path involves advocating for individuals or groups whose rights have been violated, often at the local, national, and international levels for non-profit organisations, corporations, and government agencies.
To become a human rights lawyer, you will need to obtain the required academic qualifications, including a bachelor's degree and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree or its equivalent. During your undergraduate studies, you can gain practical experience and deepen your understanding of human rights law by participating in Moot Courts, joining legal clinics, and getting involved with NGOs such as Amnesty International or Human Rights Watch.
When choosing a law school, look for strong human rights law programs that offer experience in human rights clinics. You can also consider completing an LLM in Human Rights Law to gain more specific knowledge and training in this field. Passing the bar exam is the final step before practicing as a human rights lawyer.
As a human rights lawyer, you will have the opportunity to specialise in a particular area of human rights, such as war crimes, child rights, or refugee rights. You can also focus on other specific issues such as employment law, health law, or migration law within the broader context of human rights. Additionally, you can consider specialising in areas like women's rights or international work in developing countries.
Specialising in a specific human rights issue will allow you to develop expertise and make a meaningful impact in an area that aligns with your passions and interests. It will enable you to advocate for underrepresented individuals and strive for social and economic progress for affected groups around the world.
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Work in advocacy or activism
A degree in human rights law can be a great fit for those eager to make a positive difference in people's lives. The degree prepares students with the knowledge, skills, and awareness to engage in fields that directly promote human rights, especially in the public and non-profit sectors.
Those with a human rights law degree can work in advocacy or activism, putting their knowledge of human rights laws and policies into practice to create change. Advocacy workers often pressure stakeholders to change harmful or discriminatory laws and policies. This requires an in-depth understanding of the organisations they work with and the power dynamics at play. Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, are crucial for advocacy work, as well as the ability to negotiate and build strong networks.
Human rights law graduates can also work as campaigners, developing and delivering human rights campaigns to raise awareness and mobilise supporters. This involves engaging new audiences and executing strategies using various tools, channels, and platforms.
Additionally, graduates can pursue a career as a human rights researcher. Researchers monitor news reports, conduct interviews, use satellite images, and employ social media forensics to gather information and evidence on human rights issues. They collaborate with others to draft reports that are used as references by human rights entities. Researchers may work in offices or go on field trips and human rights missions to gather firsthand information.
A human rights law degree can open doors to a variety of advocacy and activism roles, allowing graduates to advocate for social change, equity, and the protection of human rights.
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Work in campaigning and communication
A degree in human rights law can lead to a variety of career paths that involve campaigning and communication. Here are some roles you can consider:
Human Rights Lawyer
Human rights lawyers are responsible for advocating for individuals or groups whose rights have been violated. They work at the local, national, and international levels, providing legal representation and arguing cases in court. To become a human rights lawyer, you will need a strong legal education, typically including a Juris Doctor (JD) degree or its equivalent. During your studies, you can gain practical experience through moot courts and legal clinics, which will help you develop the necessary skills and knowledge.
Human Rights Campaigner
Human rights campaigners are responsible for developing and implementing campaigns to raise awareness of human rights issues and support individuals and communities at risk. They engage new audiences, mobilize supporters, and utilize various tools, channels, and platforms to execute their strategies. Human rights campaigners often have a background in human rights, human rights law, or related fields, and they are effective communicators who can reach and engage diverse audiences.
Advocacy Officer
Advocacy officers in the human rights field work to change harmful or discriminatory laws and policies. They need to understand power dynamics and be skilled communicators, both in writing and face-to-face interactions. Advocacy officers maintain networks and leverage these connections to create change. They also have in-depth knowledge of the organizations they work with and the ability to navigate power structures to achieve their goals. A master's degree in human rights, human rights law, political science, or social science is often a qualification for this role.
Human Rights Researcher
Human rights researchers gather information and conduct literature reviews on human rights issues within government agencies and nonprofit organizations. They monitor news reports, conduct interviews, use satellite images, employ social media forensics, and utilize various other sources to gather data. Researchers may also participate in field trips and human rights missions to gather evidence and draft reports on their findings. A master's degree in human rights or human rights law is often preferred for this role, as it requires strong research and analytical skills.
Statistician
Within the human rights sector, statisticians are responsible for analyzing and providing data related to human rights issues in specific regions or areas. They create databases, manage research information, and provide statistical support to teams within the organization. This role requires strong analytical and data management skills, as well as a solid understanding of human rights issues.
The above roles within campaigning and communication offer diverse opportunities to make a positive impact in the human rights field. Each role requires a unique set of skills and qualifications, so be sure to research the specific requirements for your desired path.
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Work in research
A degree in human rights law can lead to a variety of career paths, including research. Human rights researchers monitor news reports, conduct interviews, use satellite images, employ social media forensics, and gather information from a variety of other sources. They may join human rights missions to gather evidence and collaborate with others to draft reports on their findings, which are then used as references by human rights entities. Researchers typically have master's degrees in human rights or human rights law, but they can also come from a variety of other backgrounds.
Human rights lawyers also engage in research as part of their work. They research cases, prepare legal documents, and negotiate settlements, all while advocating for people affected by human rights violations in court at the local, national, and international levels. To become a human rights lawyer, you need a profound legal education, such as a Juris Doctor (JD) degree or its equivalent.
In addition, there are other research-focused roles in the human rights field that you may want to consider. For example, a legal officer within the human rights field provides data and information related to human rights law during legal proceedings and court hearings. They also maintain knowledge of local, national, and international human rights laws, prepare legal documents, and support attorneys. Another role is a statistician in a human rights organization, who analyzes and provides data related to human rights issues in the areas the organization represents. They create databases to store research and provide statistical information to teams throughout the organization.
A degree in human rights can also lead to careers in government, the public sector, and non-profit organizations. For example, organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International offer opportunities to get involved with human rights issues. A human rights degree provides a strong foundation for understanding the political, social, historical, economic, and cultural influences on world events, and this knowledge can be applied in a variety of research-focused roles.
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Frequently asked questions
A human rights law degree is an academic credential verifying the completion of a three-year law school program. It combines rigorous coursework with practical experiences and community engagement.
The requirements for a human rights law degree vary depending on the specific program and location. However, generally, you need to have a bachelor's degree and pass the LSAT exam to get into a law school offering a Juris Doctor (JD) degree or an equivalent qualification.
With a human rights law degree, you can pursue a career as a human rights lawyer, legal officer, researcher, advocate, or campaigner. You can work in various sectors, including non-profit organizations, corporations, government agencies, and intergovernmental organizations.
Human rights lawyers advocate for individuals and groups whose rights have been violated. They work at the local, national, and international levels, researching cases, preparing legal documents, negotiating settlements, and arguing in court.
Besides law, human rights degrees can lead to careers in campaigning and communication, research, education, activism, and advocacy. Human rights professionals can work in social services, public administration, government, international organizations, and more.
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