Mahidol University in Thailand opened the first accredited programs offered at a graduate level in the study of human rights in the Asian region. A leader in the field, the Center for Human Rights Studies and Social Development (CHRSD) continues to offer the only international PhD in the region, and its international Master of Arts in Human Rights remains one of only a handful of programs of its type globally.

The CHRSD takes a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of human rights, believing that it cannot be studied from the viewpoint of only one discipline. Human rights are rooted in human dignity, and students at the CHRSD study human rights from a variety of social scientific perspectives: political, legal, philosophical, social and cultural. The CHRSD strives to provide its students with a strong foundation in theoretical tools and skills which can then be applied to practical situations.

Studying at the Mahidol campus in Salaya means learning in a rich and rewarding intercultural environment. Bringing students together from a wide variety of backgrounds, from peace activists in Bangladesh, to high school teachers from the USA, ensures lively and challenging in-class debates. Graduates from our programs have gone on to rewarding careers in advocacy, research, and policy making, working for NGOs, international organizations and government bodies.

Applications for the international MA in Human Rights and the international PhD in Human Rights & Peace Studies are currently being accepted

The deadline for the first round of applications to the international MA in Human Rights and the PhD in Human Rights and Peace Studies for the academic year beginning in June 2010 has passed. Applications for the second round will be accepted until January 31, 2010.