When the term was first used, “social justice” referred to economic fairness, but it now encompasses issues like healthcare, racial equality, gender equality, and more. The fight for social justice is a fight for human rights. It exposes and addresses discrimination and calls for equity and equality. The World Day of Social Justice is recognized every year on February 20th, but working on social justice issues and solutions requires study. Here are eight examples of social justice degrees and master’s programs:
M.A. Communication and Social Justice
The University of Windsor
Offered at the campus in Windsor, Canada, this Master of Arts Program is a multi-disciplinary graduate-level program. It focuses on the intersections of media, communication, culture, and politics. Students will engage with how communication impacts social, economic, and political power, as well as the connections between social justice and communications in the past and present. Topics include censorship, global media systems, advertising, and propaganda. The media representation of race, gender, class, sexuality, and more will also be discussed. Classes are in English.
M.A. Diversity and Social Justice in Higher Education
The University of Michigan
This M.A. program consists of two years of full-time study. Through this concentration, students will be given the tools they need to improve their knowledge and skills as they relate to diversity and social justice in higher education. To complete the program, students must complete six credits related to higher education and 12 credits related to diversity and social justice. There is also a practicum experience, research project, and cognate coursework students choose with the guidance of an advisor. To apply, students must submit GRE scores. If you aren’t a native English speaker, you will need to prove fluency with TOEFL or IELTS scores.
Minor In Inequality Studies
Cornell University
With the Center for the Study of Inequality, this minor educates students on theoretical and practical knowledge about social injustices. To complete the program, you will need to take six courses that fulfill the requirements. Options include Race and Public Policy, and Families and Social Inequality. Through the courses, students will become familiar with social scientific literature on things like education, health, job security, ethnicity, sexual identity, and more. This minor is available to any student. If you plan on a future career in public health, medicine, or a similar field, the minor offers a Health Equity Track.
Program on Social Inequality
John Hopkins University
This concentration is meant for Ph.D. sociology students at John Hopkins University. An interdisciplinary program, students will get an in-depth look at the economic, historical, geographic, and political influences on inequality. The concentration focuses on the causes of social inequality, its consequences, and what social policies can address it. Students take a series of courses, seminars, and participate in faculty projects.
Minor in Policy, Inequality, and Poverty
Stanford University
This interdisciplinary minor gives students the skills and learning they need to participate in the science of poverty and inequality. Coursework includes big data analysis, algorithms, predictive models, and more. Students will get opportunities to work in individual and group research projects, as well. Disciplines within this minor include economics, sociology, and psychology. The minor requires 24 units and every course must be taken for a letter grade.
M.A. Social Justice and Equity Studies
Brock University
In St. Catharine’s, Canada, Brock University offers a Master of Arts program in Social Justice and Equity Studies. Students will learn to analyze social justice issues related to race, gender, age, class, and more. As a multi-disciplinary program, courses are taught by faculty across 16 different departments. Students must commit to 16 months of full-time study. Courses are taught in English, so if you aren’t a native English speaker, you must submit TOEFL and IELTS scores.
MSc Social Justice and Community Action
The University of Edinburgh
A part-time, online Master’s program, this is a great choice for recent graduates or professionals. The interdisciplinary program’s goal is to help students connect ideas about liberty, democracy, citizenship, and equality to real-world practices. Areas of focus include grassroots activism, education, and public policy development. Students can study for a Postgraduate Certificate over 1-2 years; a Postgraduate Diploma over 2-4 years; or a full Masters over 2-6 years.
M.A. Social Justice and Public Policy
University of York
Another online program, this Master of Arts examines the political, governmental, and structural systems that influence social justice. It’s designed for students already working in social or public policy. Courses focus on how social policies are created, how global forces influence local policies, and how to research and evaluate policy. The 2-year program is part-time, allowing students to study on their own schedule. In addition to the full master’s, postgraduate certificates and diplomas are also offered. In the last year of study for the master’s, students write an 18,000 word dissertation with original research and a literature review.
