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Migration Studies, MA

Transforming the lives of global citizens facing harsh realities of migration and refugee life

With more than 230 million global citizens living outside their home countries, international migration is one of the most critical issues facing the global community in the 21st century. The challenges that these global citizens face are the focus of this master’s program, which prepares professionals to better the lives of migrants and refugees throughout the world.

Apply Now for 2024

The Fall 2024 application is open. The next application date for Fall 2024 is April 15, 2024.

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Why Study Migration Studies?

Our graduates enter careers at governmental agencies, policy think tanks, education, consulting firms, community-based nonprofits, advocacy, public interest, philanthropic organizations, and the private sector. Here are some of the benefits of pursuing a degree in migration studies.

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Our Master's in Migration Studies Curriculum

The Master of Arts in Migration Studies is a two-year, 31-unit program that begins each fall. The program consists of five core courses, four special topics courses, and four research seminars. Students can study at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City during their second semester.

Program Overview Careers

Migration Studies Alumni in Action

Lisa Anderson MA '19 has always been passionate about understanding the migrant experience and borderland issues.

To her, that meant immersing herself on location at the US/Mexico border and in conversation with people, engaging with how they think and responding to their circumstances.

Read about Lisa's immersion experience in Ambos Nogales.

nogales mural

Migration Research Abroad

Our program includes the option of taking one semester of study at the prestigious Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. As a unique binational program, students take classes together with local graduate students in Migration Studies. While in Mexico, students have the opportunity to intern with populations that migrate through the city. We also offer a spring break immersion trip to Rome and Italy, where students study refugee crisis responses in Europe.

Program Overview

Immigration Internships and Careers

Our program works with local and national government bodies, non-governmental organizations, grassroots organizations, and cultural resources to provide students with the tools for on-the-ground research and opportunities for professional experience.

Careers

Financial Aid

Our program is committed to working with students to find ways to finance their education through program scholarships, research awards, assistantships, and more.

Living and Working With Bay Area Migrants

When he was growing up in Phoenix, Flavio Bravo MA ’19 knew early on that he wanted to be like labor leader César Chávez. 

While he was at USF, Bravo lived and worked in a migrant shelter in Fruitvale in Oakland, commuting to campus. It was a valuable lesson while he studied migration studies, he says.

“I could see the bigger picture, because I could see the immigrant families where I lived.”

Flavio Bravo holding shirt that says "I support undocumented students"

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Migration Studies, MA

Ilaria Giglioli, Program Director
2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94117