Why Study Human Rights at SMU?

The SMU Human Rights Program is dedicated to providing opportunities for promoting, defending, and extending human rights.

As the premier human rights organization in higher education, SMU Human Rights seeks to help individuals advance their dreams through academic achievement, human rights travel experiences, field work, and community outreach efforts.  

The Human Rights Program specializes in three areas of human rights work

Major/Minor Undergraduate Academics

Major/Minor

SMU is one of seven U.S. institutions to offer a bachelor's degree in this field.
Human Rights Trips trips

Human Rights Trips

The Program facilitates several human rights trips throughout the world each year. 
Action and Outreach river

Action and Outreach

The program offers leadership to a variety of outreach and action efforts every semester.

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girls in photo

Making Lasting Impressions

“At SMU, I was able to forge my own path. Thanks to the human rights program, I’ve also made lasting connections that have enabled me to expand the scope of work I’ve been doing. I’ve been able to open doors that have never been opened.” ~ Averie Bishop ’19

Student Greg Guggenmos Standing Holding Books.

Think big, do good

“The key to making a difference is to approach social problems and other people with curiosity and compassion. By learning and working together, you can tackle real problems and see real change.” ~ Greg Guggenmos ’18, ’19

Student Neha Husein Holding a Phone.

Navigating the intersection of commerce and compassion

“People sometimes question my combination of majors. When they do, I point out that so much of my campus involvement – everything from planning and organizing cultural awareness events to serving as the social media and marketing coordinator for the SMU Human Rights Program – demonstrates how beautifully they mesh together.” ~Neha Husein ’19