Migration and Refugee Studies (M.A.)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Master of Arts

The MA program in Migration and Refugee studies is an interdisciplinary degree program that aims to provide graduates with critical knowledge, research methods and analytical skills of current theoretical, legal, political, economic, social, demographic and psychological issues in migration and refugee studies. The knowledge and skills acquired may be applied in careers within institutions such as governmental, non-governmental and international agencies, as well as universities, research organizations and private corporations dealing with the multitude of issues connected with migration and refugee movements.

Admission

Applicants seeking admission to the Master’s program should have an undergraduate degree of high standing (equivalent of a B grade or higher) within the field of Humanities and/or Social Sciences and meet the university’s language proficiency. Pre-requisites may be assigned, depending on the student’s academic background. Students with related work, research or volunteer experience will be given priority.

Requirements:

Course Requirements

The MA program requires the successful completion of 8 courses (24 credit hours). These include five required core courses plus three elective courses.

Students must choose 5 courses out of the following 6 core courses:

MRS 502/5206 - Comparative Migration Policies (3 cr.)
MRS 507/5200 - Introduction to Forced Migration and Refugee Studies (3 cr.)
MRS 518/5201 - International Refugee Law (3 cr.)
MRS 500/5202 - Migration & Refugee Movements in the Middle East and North Africa (3 cr.)
MRS 501/5203 - International Migration & Development (3 cr.)
MRS 576/5204 - Methods of Research with Forced Migrants & Refugees: Issues in Forced Migration (3 cr.)
Two electives must be chosen from the CMRS list of electives offered each semester.

One elective can be chosen from the LAW department from among the following International Human Rights courses:
LAW 514/5214 - Human Rights in the Middle East (3 cr.)
LAW 516/5216 - Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (3 cr.)
LAW 519/5219 - Human Rights in Africa (3 cr.)

Thesis Requirements

All students must complete a thesis according to university regulations. Before commencing work on the thesis, the student must present a thesis proposal for approval by CMRS. The thesis proposal should comprise a research question, including a set of hypotheses, the sources of information and an outline of the research method to be used – and should not exceed 2000 words. After the acceptance of the thesis proposal, students must register for course MRS 5299 “Research Guidance and Thesis”. After the completion of the thesis, it must be defended in an oral examination during which questions may be asked regarding any aspect of the thesis itself or of courses taken in the program particularly as they may relate to the thesis.

Time Line

Completion of the Masters Degree in Migration and Refugee Studies will normally take 2 years.

AUC New Cairo Campus

AUC Tahrir Square Campus

New York