The Academy’s International Approach
The Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law is proud to share that American University Washington College of Law, is ranked #4 in International Law Programs amongst all U.S. universities by the 2021 U.S. News and World Report ranking! Every year the U.S. News & World Report 2021 ranks law schools across the country based on specialty programs. For over 40 years, AUWCL has led the way in international legal education. Our innovative international programs have been consistently recognized as the top programs in the U.S. AUWCL shares the highest rank with New York University, Harvard, and Georgetown and tied with Columbia and Yale.
Over the past twenty-five years, the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law programs, initiatives academic activities have contributed to AUWCL’s international law ranking. Some of these Academy programs include the LL.M. in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, the Program of Advanced Studies on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, the Inter-American Human Rights Moot Court Competition, the Human Rights Essay Award and Human Rights Month.
LL.M. in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
The LLM in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law directly addresses the need for specialized training in international human rights law in the United States and around the world today. The HRHL LL.M. brings together a prestigious group of AUWCL and international faculty, including more than 40 world-renowned experts, strategically positioning the LL.M. as one of the top programs in the world. The LL.M Program offers an individualized curriculum in English, Spanish, or in a bilingual format, through three diverse tracks: residential, hybrid, or online. Admission are open for fall and spring.
Program of Advanced Studies on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
The Program of Advanced Studies on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law for over 25 years has gathered more than 150 participants from more than 25 different countries with different levels of professional experience, all in Washington D.C. for an intensive 3 weeks of full immersion into the world of human rights. Participants can choose from 20+ courses in English and Spanish (All courses can be taken for ABA credit).
Inter-American Human Rights Moot Court Competition
Since 1995 the Inter-American Human Rights Moot Court Competition has gathered more than 4800 participants from over 50 participating countries. As the world’s only trilingual moot court competition on the Inter-American System; the Inter-American Human Rights Moot Court Competition creates extraordinary opportunities for law students from across the globe to gain expertise in the Inter-American human rights legal system.
Human Rights Essay Award
The Human Rights Essay Award is an annual competition sponsored by the Academy that seeks to stimulate the production of scholarly work in international human rights law. Participants have the flexibility to choose any subject related to the assigned topic and submit their essay in English or Spanish.
Human Rights Month
Human Rights Month is an annual event that features conferences, workshops, a film festival, and a discussion of recent publications in the human rights sector. Through Human Rights Month, the Academy provides a forum for the education and discussion of human rights theory. Participants have the opportunity to share firsthand experiences, as well as network with fellow practitioners, scholars, and activists in the field.