Master of Science - Refugee and Forced Migration Studies

Program Description The MS in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies is the first program of its kind in the United States. It offers students the chance to study the causes and consequences of forced migration and gives them hands-on experience of working with area organizations like Refugee One and the Heartland Alliance. Forced migrants – including refugees, internally displaced people, and climate refugees – are growing in numbers; the UNHCR estimates that there are 45.2 million people displaced all over the world. Syria, Colombia, Pakistan, Turkey, Uganda, Somalia, Afghanistan – these are all familiar news stories. This degree places forced migration and refugee studies in concrete historical, global, and human contexts and seek durable responses to the protracted and harrowing crises of forced migration. The MS in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies aims to train committed individuals in academic and practical skills relevant to a career related to refugee and forced migration. The degree will enable students to work at on-field refugee organizations, government and non-governmental institutions, pursue further research, or engage with community development, social justice, immigration issues, trauma, and health providers, among many others. Student goals: Develop rigorous understanding of the causes and consequences aspects of refugees and forced migration; Apply conceptual methodologies and legal frameworks for analyses and application of refugee protection regimes and human rights law; Carefully understand health issues related to refugees and other forced migrants; Acquire skills to work for and manage non-governmental agencies; Pursue further research Learning Outcomes ​Students will be able to: Access, analyze, and evaluate information and ideas from multiple sources to identify underlying conditions, and formulate conclusions. Create and support arguments using a variety of approaches, from a variety of regions, dealing with a variety of peoples. Evaluate ethical issues from multiple perspectives and employ those considerations to chart coherent and justifiable courses of action. Apply their knowledge of global interconnectedness, interdependencies, and vulnerabilities to real-life situations. Design, develop, and execute a significant intellectual and practical project related to law, public health, or conflict management. Articulate their skills and knowledge and represent themselves to external audiences. Work toward goals independently and in collaboration with others.