Human Rights Associates Program

The Human Rights Associates Program (“HRAP”) is designed to introduce Georgetown Law students to the breadth of human rights law and practice, expose students to current human rights topics, and help students to navigate academic and career choices. This program is open to first-year J.D. students, including evening students. Through the application process, we hope to ensure that our community is comprised of Associates who are committed to learning about and pursuing human rights work.

Associates will participate in weekly seminars that focus on a mix of 1) building skills for human rights research and analysis, 2) networking and mentorship, and 3) academic and career guidance. Participation in the program gives students a unique opportunity to meet a range of human rights practitioners and experts. Associates will also have the opportunity to attend human rights events at Georgetown Law and around Washington, DC.

Weekly one-hour sessions take place Friday mornings and begin on September 12. This is a year-long program. The fall program runs from September through November, and the spring program runs from January through April. Associates are allowed two absences but are otherwise expected to participate fully in the program.

Associates must commit to prepare for, attend, and contribute to group discussions and to complete short assignments in the absence of academic credit.

Acceptance to the program is competitive. To apply, please prepare a thoughtful statement responding to the questions below. Include your name, section, and expected graduation date at the top of the document. Send your resume and statement of interest to the attention of Professor Michelle Liu and Dash-Muse Teaching Fellow Melody Vidmar at humanrightsinstitute@georgetown.edu.  

In one to two pages, please answer the following questions: 

  1. Briefly describe the origins of your interest in human rights and how this relates to your decision to come to law school.  
  2. Briefly explain your decision to apply to HRAP, including what skills or knowledge you are most interested in gaining, what areas of human rights matter most to you, and what you hope to gain from having participated in the program. 
  3. As part of your responsibilities as an Associate, you will be asked to prepare for weekly meetings, participate in in-person and Zoom meetings, attend events on campus or around DC, and complete short research and writing assignments. Please confirm your ability and willingness to meet these commitments. 

Applications are due by Friday September 5, 11:59 p.m.

Accepted students will be expected to attend the first session on Friday September 12, 10:00 a.m.