The Certificate in Human Rights is designed to help you broaden your understanding of human rights and to draw on multiple disciplines in order to identify solutions to human rights issues.

Human rights concern the inherent dignity of all people and the promotion and protection of that dignity regardless of an individual’s birth, color, culture, gender, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, or other status.

Why Iowa?

As a human rights student at Iowa, you’ll prepare to examine societal problems critically and to design solutions to human rights dilemmas in many different areas, such as child welfare, civil governance, ecological stability, education, health, hunger and poverty, immigration, the situations of women and of racial and sexual minorities, socioeconomic development, and violence on a mass scale.

Admission Requirements

The certificate program is open to current UI undergraduate students and to all individuals who hold a bachelor's degree and are not enrolled in a UI graduate or professional degree program.

Individuals must declare their intent to earn the certificate. See the Certificate in Human Rights website for details.

 Information

Certificate(s)
Human Rights
Careers and Outcomes

The Certificate in Human Rights benefits students interested in careers in government, social services, the nonprofit sector, business, and education, as well as those pursuing law school or other professional or graduate degrees.

Scholarships

The University of Iowa provides a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students through the Iowa Scholarship Portal. Scholarships are available to first-year, transfer, and currently enrolled students. For additional details on scholarships for your program of study, check directly with the department or college. 

The Office of Admissions and the Office of Student Financial Aid are great resources for students seeking scholarships. 

Coursework

Course work for the certificate is drawn from multiple units throughout the University of Iowa and introduces students to human rights theory and practice. Consult with the Certificate in Human Rights adviser to complete a plan of study.

Review Human Rights in the UI General Catalog to learn about required course work.