Courses | Current Courses | Program Structure | Faculty | Moot Court
Human Rights at STU
STU has the only Department of Human Rights in Atlantic Canada, and the only program in Canada where students can complete an honours thesis. STU also features the only for-credit undergraduate Moot Court Program in Canada, which allows students to compete in national and international tournaments.
What sets STU’s Human Rights Department Apart?
- STU Human Rights has its own internship program that provides students with academic credit while they gain professional experience. Internship students later gained employment from our internship partners, including the Child and Youth Advocate Office of New Brunswick, Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training, and Labour, New Brunswick Human Rights Commission, Office for Children and Seniors, and Fredericton Homeless Shelters.
- Lectures and seminars are always taught by professors—not teaching assistants—which means students learn from experts in the field.
- The for-credit Moot Court program is unique in Canada. Students taking Moot Court courses earn academic credit and gain courtroom experience, as well as practical skills in legal research, brief writing, and oral advocacy.
- Students benefit from faculty expertise in Canadian human rights, international human rights, child rights, international criminal law, 2SLGTBQIA+ rights, environmental rights, and disability rights.
Where the Study of Human Rights can Take You
Students in Human Rights can identify key issues and have the capacity to work toward reasonable solutions. They develop practical skills in writing and legal research, while refining their ability to analyze texts, think critically, write clearly, and communicate effectively.
This prepares graduates for meaningful careers in fields like:
- Law
- Social Work
- Non-Governmental Organizations
- Public Policy and Government
- Policing
- Business
- Journalism and Communications
Gain Experience and Build Your Resume
STU’s Internship Program connects the study of Human Rights with professional experience through opportunities with organizations like:
- Autism Connections Fredericton
- Capital Region Mental Health and Addictions Association
- Child and Youth Advocate Office of New Brunswick
- United Way
- Multicultural Association of Fredericton
- Out of the Cold – Community Action Group on Homelessness
The Human Rights department has a for-credit internship program that pairs students with agencies and non-governmental organizations to gain practical, hands-on experience. Students earn academic credit for the internship. Some of our internship partners include:
- New Brunswick Human Rights Commission
- Department of Post Secondary Education and Labour
- Atlantic Council for International Cooperation
- Fredericton Homeless Shelters
- New Brunswick Tenants' Rights Council
- Imprint Youth Association
Moot Court gives students the opportunity to act as legal counsel in fictitious cases based on legal precedent. This develops speaking, critical thinking, writing, and researching skills, and deepens your understanding of Canadian law and American law, international law, space law, and environmental law.
You might be interested in studying Human Rights if…
- You want to go to law school, pursue a career in social work, public policy, or are interested in law enforcement.
- You are interested in being an activist in your community, pursuing social justice at the grass roots level.
- You want to better understand your rights and the rights of those who are most vulnerable.
Featured Courses
- Moot Court
- Popular Culture and Human Rights
- Exploring Disability
- Environment and Human Rights
- Advocacy, Activism, and Social Justice
- Human Rights of the Child and Seniors
- Crimes against Humanity
- Human Rights Internships
Contact Us
Dr. Christina Szurlej
Chair
Email: cszurlej@stu.ca
Penny Granter
Departmental Assistant
Email: granter@stu.ca
Holy Cross House, Room 206
Phone: 506-460-0366
Fax: 506-460-0330
Office Hours: 8 am - 4 pm