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Researching human rights

Victoria Hill, SIS/MA '18
I worked on human rights reports in the Caribbean.
As a Charles B. Rangel Fellow who plans on entering the foreign service after graduation, I spent the summer interning at the US Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados. The embassy covers seven countries in the Eastern Caribbean. While there, I was primarily working on the embassy’s human rights report for Dominica and focusing on issues of press freedom, the rights of people with disabilities, and prison conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I apply and when are the application deadlines?
When you should apply to the program depends on what semester you want to start taking classes in and whether you are a domestic or international student.
Application deadlines for an MA in International Affairs: Comparative and Regional Studies are as follows:
- Fall semester (all applicants): January 15
- Spring semester (domestic applicants): October 1
- Spring semester (international applicants): September 15
View required application materials
Missed a deadline but still interested in applying? Email the SIS Graduate Admissions office.
Where will a degree in Comparative and Regional Studies take me?
The Comparative and Regional Studies degree prepares policy professionals for a variety of careers. CRS graduates find positions in national, state, and local governments; they enter the private sector as consultants and executives in think tanks, transnational corporations, and international banks; and they join nonprofit organizations and NGOs.
CRS alumni consistently report that the program provided them with the knowledge and expertise to be conversant across regional and thematic disciplines—a quality that makes them well-suited for management positions where they must be able to engage with exceptionally diverse populations and stakeholders.
Looking for more information or help? SIS has a dedicated career development center to assist current students and alumni.
Is there financial assistance available?
The School of International Service offers merit-based aid in the form of scholarships and fellowships at the time of admission. SIS also has partnerships with a number of organizations like the Peace Corps and Pickering Fellowship that provide qualified individuals with funding.
Financial aid information for prospective students
Comparative and Regional Studies students may choose to research other relevant fellowship opportunities.
Need-based aid is available through AU Central Office and generally takes the form of a federal low-interest loan package.
Federal loan and work study information for graduate students
Still have questions? Send us an email at crs@american.edu