Migration and Refugee Studies- MA
Program Overview
Develop the necessary insights and abilities to understand and address the global phenomenon of migration. The master’s program in migration and refugee studies, an interdisciplinary degree program offered by the Center for Migration and Refugee Studies (CMRS), aims to provide graduates with knowledge, research experience and analytical skills that can be applied in careers within various institutions that deal with issues connected with migration and refugee movements. Former students hold high-level positions in organizations including but not limited to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, International Organization for Migration, United Nations Children’s Fund and Save the Children.
The MA program requires the successful completion of eight courses and the writing of a thesis. Completion of the master’s degree normally takes two years.
Degrees and Admission Requirements
Students wishing to pursue a Master's degree in Migration and Refugee studies should meet the minimum academic and admission requirements set by AUC.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the program, students are equipped to:
- Identify and distinguish between the different types and patterns of contemporary international migratory movements, taking into consideration the complexity of the drivers leading to movement.
- Analyze the benefits and costs of different types of international migration.
- Critique different viewpoints and perspectives on migration and construct strong, well-informed arguments of their own.
- Analyze the different types and motives of movement in the global south, with a particular focus on the Middle East and North Africa.
- Apply migration theories to interpret the emergence and perpetuation of migratory movements.
- Select and apply appropriate social sciences research methodologies, including approaches to data analysis and interpretation, while designing and conducting research.
Career Impact and Practical Experience
The MA coursework introduces students to the theories and concepts underpinning the most important debates in the field of international migration. To extend learning outside of the classroom, the curricula of many courses also embed hands-on experience and career preparation. For example, the core course “International Refugee Law” heavily utilizes case studies and trains students on how to properly conduct refugee status determination, effectively preparing students for careers with legal aid agencies. Meanwhile, “Practicum: Internship or Research” offers students the opportunity to intern with organizations conducting fieldwork or research on migration and refugees.
Fellowships
Fellowships are highly competitive awards. They are open to new students and may also be available to continuing graduate students who display superior performance in their academic endeavors, depending on the availability of allocated funds for a given fellowship award.
Instructors
Ibrahim Awad is a professor of practice in global affairs and the Director of CMRS. He holds a PhD in political science from the Graduate Institute of International Studies, University of Geneva, Switzerland. His research interests include international migration, employment, human and labor rights, development, politics and political transitions in the MENA region, international relations and global governance.
Maysa Ayoub is the Associate Director of CMRS. She holds a PhD in political science from Cairo University and an MA in sociology from AUC. Her research interests include migration policies, integration and livelihoods of minorities, diaspora and transnationalism and social problems in MENA and the Arab world.
Gerda Heck has a shared position as assistant professor in the Department of Sociology, Egyptology and Anthropology and CMRS. Her research interests include migration and border regimes, urban studies, migrant networks and (political) organizing, religious practices and migration and ethnography and qualitative research.
Sara Sadek is an adjunct professor at CMRS and the Technical Advisor for the Egyptian Migration Hub (Ehub). She holds a PhD in politics from the University of York and an MA in refugee studies from the University of East London. Her research interests include refugee movements, civil society and transnational networks, protection, migration governance and mixed migration.
The master’s in migration and refugee studies helped me in specializing my career as an international analyst and in creating a professional network in Egypt, where I currently work.
Thanks to the vast network of local and international professionals that CMRS exposed me to, I was able to access several opportunities and work directly with refugee and migrant populations in Cairo. I worked as a Refugee Status Determination Officer at AMERA and then EFRR while completing the CMRS MA program.
Discover More in Academics
Learn about related programs, and important research that contribute to building knowledge on migration and refugee studies, supporting policy-making and contribute to the debate on international mobility.