The APMA Programme
Asia Pacific Master of Arts in Human Rights and Democratisation

The Asia Pacific Master of Arts in Human Rights and Democratisation (APMA) is a 12-month intensive, interdisciplinary graduate programme jointly offered by the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies of Mahidol University (Thailand), Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines, Kathmandu School of Law (Nepal), University of Colombo (Sri Lanka), and Universitas Gadjah Madah (Indonesia). The program reflects the inseparable links between human rights, democracy, peace, and development in the Asia Pacific region. By the end of the programme, students will have:

1) Excellent knowledge of theory and practice of the promotion and protection of human rights and democratization.
2) Tested their ability to undertake independent scholarly research on current human rights and democratization issues in the Asia Pacific region;
3) The capacity to put their academic understanding of human rights and democratization to use in real situations.

Programme Structure:
Students take up eight courses over the two semesters. These courses include:

  1. Human Rights Norms and Mechanisms I and II
  2. Dynamics of Human Rights Violations.
  3. Human Rights and Democratisation Theory
  4. Critical and Emerging Issues in Human Rights and Democratisation in the Asia Pacific
  5. Human Rights and Democratisation Research Methods
    Human Rights Intensive Course (focus changes yearly).

In January of the second semester, students take part in the Intensive Course, a series of lectures and field work on a particular human rights issue that changes yearly. Students then proceed to their chosen partner university (Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines, Kathmandu School of Law in Nepal, University of Colombo in Sri Lanka, or Universitas Gadjah Madah in Indonesia), where they take their remaining courses.

Graduation requirements
-Successful submission and defense of a master’s thesis.
-Publication in internationally recognized academic journal OR oral presentation in an international seminar of a paper related to your thesis topic
-Completion of eight courses with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0  and no grade below 3.0 for any course.

Thesis
Each student is required to submit an original thesis on an approved topic. The thesis length is between 14,000-18,000 words.

The dissertation is an important part of the APMA programme. Research is mostly done using primary sources or by using a fresh approach to an existing debate in human rights and democratisation. The aim of the thesis is to develop the student’s skills in research and academic writing while producing an original piece of research.

Application Requirements
In order to be eligible for the APMA applicants must:

  1. Hold a bachelor’s degree in any field, with a minimum GPA of 2.50 (or the equivalent). Students in the last year of their undergraduate programme can apply for admission provided they expect to graduate before 15 July  of the previous academic year. The applicant needs to submit a certificate from their university indicating their status and expected date of graduation.
  2. Demonstrated proficiency in English.
  3. Experience in human rights or related work is an advantage but not required.
  4. Academic or other publications or other evidence of writing and analytical skills an advantage but not required.

Documentation Requirements
Applicants must include all of the following documentation in their submission:

  • Completed Application Form
  • Personal Statement
  • Academic records officially translated in English – bachelor’s degree certificate of graduation and transcript of records
  • Research concept note
  • English language test certificate(s)
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Scanned copy of passport
  • Reference contact information (recommendation letters must be sent by referees separately)

Application Form
Applicants must answer the application form clearly and completely and must be signed (e-signature is accepted). Unsigned application forms will not be accepted.

Personal statement
Your personal statement will ideally be maximum 1000 words. It should include a brief background about you, why are you applying for the programme, and why you believe you are suited for this programme. It should also include what your future plans are after graduating from the program. Your personal statement should be written in a clear, concise, and engaging manner.

Academic records
This should include scanned copies of your official bachelor’s transcript and diploma or certificate of graduation/completion in English. If you are still in the process of completing your degree program, you may send us your expected date of graduation.

Research concept note
Your research concept note should be no more than 1000 words (excluding references). It should ideally indicate your proposed research topic and research questions, why you think this topic is important, your proposed methods and data sources, a brief literature review, and your conceptual framework.

Proof of English proficiency
You will have to demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting standardized English test scores. Please provide a copy of one of the test scores below.

a. IELTS Academic Module Overall score of 6.0
b. TOEFL PBT score of 550
c. TOEFL Internet-based Test score of 61
d. TOEFL CBT score of 213.
e. TOEFL ITP scores (at least 550) will only be valid if the test is taken at Mahidol University.

English language proficiency test should have been taken within two years prior to the commencement of the First Semester of the academic year you are planning to enrol in (i.e., test should have been taken August two years before at the earliest). Test scores must be valid until 15 August of the academic year you wish to enroll as a student.

An applicant can request for exemption from submission of the English proficiency requirement if they satisfy all of the following conditions:

-the applicant graduated within the last five years with a degree where English was the sole medium of instruction;
-submit a Certificate of English as Medium of Instruction from their university.

Curriculum Vitae or Resume
Your CV or resume should be no more than two pages long. A separate list of publications may be included if available but should not be more than one page long.

Copy of Passport
You will need to submit a scanned copy of your passport. The passport must be valid at least until 12 months after registration.

Letters of Recommendation
You must have two confidential letters of recommendation for your application. At least one letter must be written by a professor or academic supervisor from your university who is familiar with your academic abilities. Only in exceptional cases will we consider recommendations that do not include at least one academic referee.

Contact:
Asia Pacific Master of Arts in Human Rights and Democratisation (APMA)
Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies
Mahidol University
Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand 73170
Email: ihrpmhrd@mahidol.edu
Telephone: (+66) 2-441-0813-5