MAS in Children's Rights (MCR)

Objectives

The overall objectives of the MCR are:

• To provide participants with opportunities to acquire extended and specialised knowledge of children’s rights in their theoretical as well as in their practical dimensions through the introduction of different concepts and approaches
• To deepen understanding of the role of international instruments on children’s rights in the implementation and monitoring of children’s rights, with a particular focus on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
• To privilege both an international and an interdisciplinary approach to the study of children’s rights
• To promote critical thinking concerning the effective practical application of the concepts and principles underlying the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Public

The programme is designed for professionals who work with children’s rights issues. The participation of students with different backgrounds and levels of professional experience in an interactive learning environment helps to foster exchanges on theoretical and practical problems. Programme alumni hold positions in national and international governmental and non-governmental organisations such as OHCHR, ILO, HCR, UNICEF, ICRC, Human Rights Watch, Save the Children, BICE, national and regional administrations and academic institutions.

Partners

• Children's Rights European Academic Network (CREAN)
• International Institute for the Rights of the Child (IDE)

Overview

The Programme of the Master of Advanced Studies in Children’s Rights (MCR) counts for 60 ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer System) and takes place over two years. The plan of studies includes seven week-long teaching modules, online and residential learning sequences, group work and individual tasks, as well as reading, writing and practical learning exercises. Students are also required to complete an academic paper and an original research dissertation on a subject of their choice (‘MCR Dissertation) which approaches children’s rights from an interdisciplinary and international perspective.

Modules

The teaching modules are ordered going from general to specific. Modules one and two take a comprehensive, theoretical approach to children's rights studies and thereby aim to develop a critical understanding of the fundamental debates in children’s rights, both from an international and an interdisciplinary perspective. From module three onwards, this theoretical understanding is then applied to several important and illustrative children's rights themes, including child protection strategies and policies, criminal justice, child labour and education, migration and policy implementation and monitoring. The modules are held either online, in Sion or Geneva. they start on Monday and run until Friday evening. The choice of location or whether to conduct the module online depends on the advantages each modality and location offers for the thematic focus of the module. To maximize the learning experience, online modules allow lecturers located in faraway countries that are not able to come on-site to provide their lectures remotely. Sion and Geneva offer the opportunity to conduct field visits to key institutions such as the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC Committee), the UN headquarters, or other institutions.

It is worth highlighting that for those not able to complete the MCR programme, the following two options are on offer:

• to attend single modules and received a certificate of attendance
• to combine two modules of your choice and receive a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Children’s Rights (CAS).

12th Cycle 2025-2026

Evaluation

Information on assessment and evaluation methods is given to students at the start of the course. These include written examinations, a paper, group work and work completed for the MAS dissertation. Assessments must be completed within the required timescales.

Assessments are scored on a scale of 0 (fail) to 6 (excellent). Quarter points may be awarded. Students must obtain a minimum score of 4, or an average of 4 if the assessment consists of a series of tests, on the assessment for each module. The relevant credits will be awarded on successful completion of the various assessments.

Students who score less than 4 on any of the assessments or an average of less than 4 if the assessment consists of a series of tests may apply to repeat the relevant assessment or tests on which they have scored less than 4 for a second and final time. The second assessment will be organised as soon as possible.

Pedagogical Methods

The programme takes place over two years and requires participants to attend seven-week-long modules combined with the completion of exercises and examinations based on the required readings. Students are also expected to write a paper, complete a group project, participate in an external seminar, or conference and write a master thesis dissertation. A team of professors and academic staff members will guide them through the process.

Lecturers and Speakers

MCR staff members, lecturers, steering committee and scientific advisory board members, guest lecturers and speakers guarantee the presence of a diversity of disciplinary and cultural viewpoints on children’s rights. Since its start in April 2003, the MCR Programme has been able to count on the participation of numerous distinguished academics and professional experts, of whom many will continue to offer their precious collaboration. The detailed list of lecturers and speakers can be found here: https://www.unige.ch/mcr/index.php/academic-staff

Admission Criteria

Applicants are required to hold a university degree (or judged equivalent) and are expected to have at least two years of professional experience relevant to the programme.

Applicants must have a very good working knowledge of English to participate actively in the modules. Applications using the MCR application form should include:

• a letter of motivation;
• copies of degrees and diplomas.
• a curriculum vitae that includes career details and work experience in children's rights.
• two reference letters from people in a position to judge the applicant's professional and/or academic abilities.
• the proof of payment of the registration fee.

The MCR Steering Committee will examine applications. If necessary, they may seek additional information from the referees or invite the candidate for an interview.

All candidates shall be notified of the decision regarding their acceptance to the Master of Advanced Studies in Children’s Rights (MCR) two weeks after the finalization of the application. If there is disagreement with the Steering Committee's decision, the applicant may appeal to the Scientific Committee, whose decisions are final.

Study Regulations

 Study Regulations FR
 Study Regulations EN

Certification

At the end of the programme, participants who have met all of the requirements for completion of the academic programme receive a degree conferred by the University of Geneva. The degree awarded is the ‘Master of Advanced Studies in Children's Rights’.

Fees

Registration fee:
CHF 150.- (non-refundable)

Tuition fee

The total tuition fee for the two-year programme is CHF 15'000.-. This sum is for the MCR Programme and does not include travel or living expenses.

Single module students (certificate of attendance): CHF 2000.

Two Modules with two exams and final paper (12 ECTS Credits) Certificate of Advanced Studies in Children's Rights (CAS): CHF 5000. Online application.

Steering Committee

Prof. Karl Hanson, Prof. Daniel Stoecklin, Dr Roberta Ruggiero and Simon Nehme, Centre for Children’s Rights Studies, University of Geneva

Scientific Committee

Prof. Abdeljalil Akkari, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, Alan Kikuchi-White, SOS Children's Villages International, Elena Patrizi, PhD candidate at the University of Geneva’s Centre for Children’s Rights Studies, Prof. Maya Hertig Randall, Faculty of Law, UNIGE, Paola Riva Gapany, International institute for the Rights of the Child (IDE), Dr Yvan Droz, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies IHEID

Coordination

Dr Roberta Ruggiero, University of Geneva