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5 Master’s Programs Focused on Human Trafficking

M.A. in Human Trafficking, Migration and Organized Crime

St. Mary’s University in Twickenham, London, UK, offers a Master’s program in Human Trafficking, Migration, and Organized Crime. This 12-month program is an interdisciplinary study of human trafficking, migratory flows, forced labor, and organized crime, looking at the issues from social, political, legal, and economic perspectives. Students also complete a dissertation or work-based research report. St. Mary’s also offers opportunities to work through their research center, the Centre for the Study of Modern Slavery.

Prospective students must have an undergraduate degree or equivalent in a related field. Tuition for UK/EU students is £6,000/year. Tuition for international students is £13,650/year. Funding and scholarships are available for students with need- and merit-based eligibility. This program is ideal for students wishing to pursue careers in nonprofit or government organizations working to combat human trafficking, as well as students wishing to pursue further research through a doctoral degree and those working in private, health, and social work sectors on the frontlines with potential victims.

M.A. in International Human Rights

The University of Denver Josef Korbel School of International Studies in Denver, Colorado, USA, offers a Master’s program in International Human Rights with a concentration option in Forced Labor, Human Trafficking and Human Rights. This 2-year, full time program focuses on human rights issues from a multidisciplinary perspective, covering topics of economic development, gender, security, administration, and more. As part of this program, students can apply to work with the University of Denver’s Human Trafficking Center, a research and advocacy organization that partners with organizations and lawmakers to influence policy and gather data.

Applicants of the program must have an undergraduate degree or equivalent. Tuition for all students is $28,752/year. Scholarships and fellowships are available to Master’s students, and the graduate school site provides a list of external scholarships available. Students in this degree program typically pursue careers with non-profits, advocacy organizations, government agencies, intergovernmental organizations, law firms, and academic institutions.

M.A. in International Policy and Development

The Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey in Monterey, California, USA, offers a Master’s degree in International Policy and Development with a specialization option in Migration, Trafficking, and Human Security. This 2-year program offers courses and seminars on various issues related to international development and policy, including theoretical coursework and applied research and practicum.

Prospective students must have an undergraduate degree or equivalent and must submit a resume, various essays, a letter of recommendation, and a personal scholarship statement along with other required materials and a video interview. Tuition is $39,590/year for all students. A wide variety of need- and merit-based scholarships and fellowships are available to students. Most graduates of this program work in international organizations, government agencies, intergovernmental organizations, and nonprofits. The specialization in Migration, Trafficking, and Human Security provides knowledge, research, and skills to prepare students to work with these specific issues in their future careers.

M.A. in International Development Studies / Graduate Certificate in Global Gender Policy

George Washington University Elliot School of International Affairs in Washington, DC, USA, offers a Master’s degree in International Development Studies and a graduate certificate in Global Gender Policy, which both offer opportunities for in-depth study in human trafficking and related issues. The Master’s degree is a 2-years program with an interdisciplinary approach to issues relating to international development and policy. The graduate certificate requires 15 credits to complete.

Applicants are required to a have an undergraduate degree or equivalent, as well as GRE scores. Tuition per credit is $1825 for all students, and the Elliot school requires a $900/semester fee. GWU and the Elliot School offer several merit-based fellowships and scholarships for students. The majority of graduates of this program work in nonprofits, with others working in government organizations and private sector companies.

M.A. in International Social Work and Social Development

The University of Bedfordshire in Grantham, UK, offers a Master’s program in International Social Work and Social Development that has a variety of opportunities to learn about human trafficking and related topics. This 12-month program covers a range of international policy and development issues, along with courses on practical skills and research methods. Students must complete a dissertation to complete the degree program.

Applicants must have an undergraduate program or equivalent and a professional social work qualification or comparative academic and/or volunteer work. Tuition for all students is £8,250/year. Several merit-based scholarships are available to UK/EU and international students. Program graduates often pursue careers in social work, nonprofit and humanitarian organizations, and research and advocacy institutions.

More Masters in Human Rights for your consideration.

About the author

Allison Reefer

Allison Reefer is a young professional living in Pittsburgh, PA. She works with a refugee resettlement agency to help refugees and immigrants in the city, and she volunteers with a local shelter for human trafficking victims. She obtained her Master in International Development from the University of Pittsburgh and a BA in Writing from Geneva College, focusing most of her academic work on human trafficking and migration in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In her free time, she loves to write, read, sing and play bass guitar, practice Russian, and explore her city.