Doctorado en Derechos Humanos

I. PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Doctor of Philosophy in Human Rights (PhD) is an advanced academic program designed to train researchers, scholars, and professionals capable of analyzing, interpreting, and contributing to the development of international human rights law from a critical, interdisciplinary perspective committed to global justice.

The program integrates three major approaches: the legal doctrine of human rights, the historical and political development of their international recognition, and the priority areas for their implementation in contemporary contexts. Students acquire high-level analytical competencies, methodological rigor in legal research, and the capacity to engage in national and international protection scenarios.

Over six semesters, doctoral candidates develop their dissertation under the supervision of an expert tutor in one of the program’s specializations, producing an original contribution to knowledge in the field of human rights.

II. MISSION AND VISION

Mission

To train Doctors of Philosophy in Human Rights with a solid grounding in law, ethics, and philosophy, capable of leading research, teaching, and advocacy processes within national and international systems for the protection of fundamental rights, contributing to the consolidation of a more just, equitable, and dignified world order.

Vision

To be an internationally recognized doctoral program distinguished by the quality of its human rights research, the impact of its graduates in international organizations, academia, civil society, and the public sector, and its commitment to the values of human dignity, equity, and the rule of law.

III. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

General Objective

To train high-level researchers capable of producing original, rigorous, and applied knowledge in the field of international human rights law, as well as actively contributing to doctrinal, jurisprudential, and normative advancement in this domain.

Specific Objectives

▸  Develop advanced research competencies in public international law and human rights.

▸  Critically analyze the doctrine, jurisprudence, and international instruments of human rights.

▸  Explore the intersections between human rights, bioethics, political philosophy, gender, and cultural pluralism.

▸  Examine the functioning of protection mechanisms within the universal system (UN) and regional systems.

▸  Produce a doctoral dissertation constituting an original contribution to scientific knowledge.

▸  Prepare graduates for professional practice in academia, international organizations, NGOs, and the public sector.

IV. ADMISSION AND GRADUATION PROFILES

Admission Profile

The program is aimed at professionals holding a master’s degree or equivalent in Law, Political Science, Philosophy, International Relations, Social Sciences, or related disciplines. Applicants must demonstrate:

▸  Solid grounding in international law or areas related to human rights.

▸  Academic or professional research experience in the field.

▸  Reading and comprehension ability in at least one foreign language (English preferred).

▸  A coherent and relevant doctoral research proposal.

▸  Disposition for interdisciplinary work and rigorous academic debate.

Graduation Profile

Upon completing the program, the Doctor of Philosophy in Human Rights will be able to:

▸  Lead human rights research projects to international academic standards.

▸  Publish in indexed journals and participate in global research networks.

▸  Design and implement public policies, litigation strategies, and rights protection programs.

▸  Advise governmental bodies, NGOs, and international institutions on human rights matters.

▸  Teach at the university level in legal, philosophical, and social disciplines.

▸  Contribute to normative and jurisprudential development at the national and international level.

V. RESEARCH LINES AND SPECIALIZATIONS

The program offers doctoral supervision in the following specializations, according to the areas of expertise of the academic faculty:

VI. CURRICULAR PLAN — 120 ECTS | 3 YEARS

SEMESTER I — Doctrinal and Methodological Foundations

Semester I Total: 30 ECTS | Focus: Epistemological and legal grounding of the doctoral candidate.

SEMESTER II — International Protection Systems

Semester II Total: 30 ECTS | Focus: International and regional protection architecture.

SEMESTER III — Specialized Thematic Areas I

Semester III Total: 30 ECTS | Focus: Rights in critical contexts and cultural diversity.

SEMESTER IV — Specialized Thematic Areas II

Semester IV Total: 30 ECTS | Focus: Advanced research and emerging topics.

SEMESTER V — Advanced Doctoral Research

Semester V Total: 30 ECTS | Focus: Doctoral writing, empirical research, and academic mobility.

SEMESTER VI — Doctoral Dissertation and Defense

Semester VI Total: 30 ECTS | Focus: Completion, presentation, and defense of the doctoral dissertation.

VII. CREDIT SUMMARY AND DISTRIBUTION

VIII. DESCRIPTION OF MAIN MODULES

1. General Theory of Human Rights

This course explores human rights concepts in relation to public international law and is structured around three main approaches: the doctrine of human rights; the historical and political development of human rights; and the key areas for their future implementation. It seeks to develop analytical skills and the ability to identify relevant practices in a changing context, examining fundamental rights such as the right to life and the prohibition of torture, and their intersection with contemporary issues such as migration, armed conflict, and climate change.

2. Bioethics and Applied Ethics

Training and research in bioethics issues and applied ethics problems. It examines emerging ethical dilemmas related to biotechnology, public health, the beginning and end of life, and the implications of scientific advances for human dignity and fundamental rights.

3. Ethics and Policy of Respect for Cultural Differences

Training and research on issues related to coexistence in pluralistic and culturally diverse societies. It addresses recognition and respect between individuals and groups, intercultural dialogue, the rights of minorities and indigenous peoples, and the challenges of multiculturalism for international law.

4. 20th-Century Philosophies: Contributions to Political Thought

Training and research in the main contributions of 20th-century philosophical and political thought. It studies key thinkers such as Arendt, Habermas, Rawls, Foucault, Butler, and Derrida, analyzing their relevance to the contemporary understanding of rights, justice, and politics.

5. Political Philosophy

Training and research in political philosophy with emphasis on theories of justice, the legitimacy of power, deliberative democracy, and the philosophical foundations of the rule of law. The course connects classical and contemporary political theory with current debates on human rights and global governance.

6. Philosophy of the Subject and Culture

Training and research on philosophies of the subject and culture. It explores theories of subjectivity, identity, collective memory, and alterity, as well as their impact on the understanding of human rights from postmodern and decolonial philosophical perspectives.

7. Gender, Difference, and Otherness

Training and research on issues related to gender, differences, and otherness in the history of philosophical, political, and social thought. It analyzes feminist movements, queer theories, LGBTIQ+ rights, intersectionality, and the rights of historically excluded populations.

8. Civil Society and Political Institutions

Training and research on topics related to civil society and political institutions, democratic theory, and the challenges of globalization. It examines the role of NGOs, social movements, and citizen participation in rights accountability processes at the national and international level.

9. Doctoral Dissertation: Manuscript and Defense

Dissertation projects are presented by each student in a formal seminar, which is often (although not necessarily) open to the public, followed by a closed question and answer session in which the student defends their thesis to the thesis committee. These two components — public presentation and private defense — together comprise the doctoral thesis defense. The process includes four progressive accompaniment seminars (Thesis Seminars I through IV) spanning the third through sixth semesters.

IX. DOCTORAL RESEARCH PROCESS

The program adopts a model of progressive research training structured in four stages:

X. CAREER OUTCOMES AND PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS

Graduates of the Doctor of Philosophy in Human Rights program have pursued distinguished careers across multiple sectors:

XI. LEADING REFERENCE UNIVERSITIES WORLDWIDE

The curricular design of this program has drawn on best practices from doctoral programs in Human Rights at the following institutions:

XII. FINAL PROVISIONS

This Study Plan may be reviewed and updated by the Academic Council of the program on a semester basis, in response to doctrinal, jurisprudential, and normative developments in the field of international human rights law, as well as recommendations from the relevant accreditation bodies.

Completion of the doctoral program requires the accumulation of 120 ECTS, successful completion of all thesis seminars, submission of the doctoral dissertation manuscript, and its successful defense before the evaluation committee designated by the institution.

120 ECTS | 3 Years | ACHEA Accredited