REFUGEE & FORCED MIGRATION STUDIES (MS)
Navigate this complex global issue and become an effective advocate
DePaul’s MS in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies—the first graduate refugee studies program in the U.S.—will give you the right mix of theory and practical experience to prepare you to help immigrants, migrants and refugees around the world. You’ll gain a broad-based understanding of the legal, political and humanitarian resources to address the issues created by these situations. As part of our refugee studies program you’ll take courses in law, history, public health, public service and international studies and gain extensive hands-on training with the agencies and institutions assisting displaced people.
This program is designed to be completed in two years, and most courses are offered in the evening at the Loop or Lincoln Park campuses.
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Fieldwork experiences in Chicago and internationally
Chicago is one of the largest immigrant hubs in the nation and has a network of agencies large and small that help refugees settle in the city. You’ll have opportunities to work with organizations like Refugee One, Heartland Alliance, the American Red Cross, and DePaul’s Asylum and Immigration Law Clinic. You can also gain international experience in Germany through internships with Caritas, Kiron University, Migration Voter and SINGA Deutschland.
Application Deadlines
The Refugee and Forced Migration studies program has rolling admissions through July 1 for the following academic year.
Admission Requirements
Submit an online application, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, résumé or curriculum vitae, personal statement and writing sample.
Required Courses
You’ll take 10 courses and complete two practicums.
300hrs
Students receive 300 hours of on-site experience as part of the program.
95%
of Refugee and Forced Migration Studies graduates were employed, continuing their education or pursuing other goals within six months of graduation.
Your mentors are innovators in their fields
Gain a full understanding of the causes and consequences of forced migration from experts like Professor Kathleen Arnold, director of the Refugee & Forced Migration Studies program. You’ll be mentored by faculty members across the university, many of whom are involved in supporting and developing structures and policies to support refugees and forced migrants.
“This coursework gave me the knowledge necessary to pursue a career with USCIS. I was at a fantastic advantage for the training needed to become an asylum officer. I was very familiar with case law and knew how to apply the refugee definition to adjudicating asylum claims. This is a very unique and specialized program for a very important component of social justice work in our world.”
Emily (MS ’19)
Asylum Officer, USCIS
Alumni Network
You’ll join a network of 180,000 DePaul alumni in Chicago and all over the world, including more than 27,000 College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences alumni working across a variety of industries and disciplines.
Scholarships & Aid
Graduate school is an investment in your future. Learn more about the financial aid and scholarship opportunities available to you.
Admission Requirements
The Master of Science in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies program has rolling admissions through July 1, 2023 for the following academic year, September 2023-2024. For additional information about the program, contact Program Director Kathleen R. Arnold, Program Administrative Assistant Madeline Easton?,???? or Program Graduate Assistant Claire Holba.
The Master of Science in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies admits students with the following prerequisites:
- A bachelor's degree with evidence of strong intellectual and writing skills.
- Preference of minimum 3.0 GPA on 4.0 scale.
- Previous study and/or experience in refugee and forced migration, though not required.
- Evidence of a strong interest in pursuing a career related to human rights, refugee, migration, health, policy, academy, and forced migration.
Application Materials
1. Online application and $40 application fee.
2. Official undergraduate transcript showing the completion of a bachelor's degree.
3. Two letters of recommendation written by work supervisors and/or faculty members familiar with the applicant's academic and/or professional achievements. One letter should be from a person familiar with your academic work.
4. Résumé or curriculum vitae.
5. Personal Statement (500 to 2,000 words with a maximum of 500 words per prompt) that address the following:
- Why do you want to apply to DePaul's Refugee and Forced Migration Studies program?
- Describe your academic background and how it relates to the Refugee and Forced Migration program.
- Describe any personal or professional experience working with refugees or refugee-related issues.
What would you like to do with this degree?
- If your GPA falls below 3.0, please explain your academic history and how you plan to be successful in a graduate-level program.
6. Writing sample (academic writing of approximately 2,000 words)
7. Applicants may be asked to provide additional supplemental materials or to interview should the admissions committee require it.
Submitting Materials
Application materials including the resume, writing sample, and personal statement, can be uploaded directly into the online application. Applicants also have the option of submitting the application without these items and emailing them separately to graddepaul@depaul.edu. Students should request recommendations through the online application and track whether they have been submitted.
Transcripts should be sent electronically to gradtranscripts@depaul.edu. If the only option is regular mail, the address is below.
Office of Graduate AdmissionDePaul University2400 N. Sheffield AvenueChicago, IL 60614-3936
International Students
International students (those who were educated outside of the U.S. and/or require an F1 visa) must take additional steps to be considered for admission.
English Language Proficiency
Students educated outside the United States must present proof of English proficiency. We accept TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo. The college requires a minimum TOEFL score of 80, a 6.5 IELTS, or 115 Duolingo score. However, the refugee and forced migration admission committee prefers TOEFL scores of at least 96. A minimum 7.0 on the IELTS or 125 on Duolingo may be submitted for this requirement.
Credential Evaluation
DePaul University requires that you submit your official educational credentials and evaluation fee to one of the following companies:
Evaluations from any other company will not be accepted. Please contact the evaluation company for information on payment and fees.
After receiving your credentials, the company you have chosen will submit their general evaluation directly to DePaul along with certified copies of the credentials you submitted for evaluation. These documents will be used for your admission review – please do not submit any educational credentials directly to DePaul University.
Application Deadlines
Students are admitted to the Refugee and Forced Migrations Studies program on an ongoing basis. The admission committee regularly reviews new applications.
Note: All admitted students begin the program in September. Each cohort takes classes together as this is a highly structured program.
Information Sessions
Learn more about the Refugee and Forced Migration Studies program and meet with program faculty at an upcoming information session.
Learn more about Graduate Admission.
Degree Requirements
?RFMS Student Handbook
Review the RFMS Student Handbook for additional information about the program.????
Degree Requirements
??Course Requirements
Students will gain both academic and practical skills. In their first year, students will acquire conceptual methodologies and legal frameworks for critical analyses of refugee protection regimes and human rights law. They will also be introduced to health issues in refugee and forced migration studies. In the second year, the two research methods courses, together with the core practicum and internships, will enable students to assess, evaluate and apply theoretical knowledge as practitioners.
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FMS 401/LAW 517 | ASYLUM AND REFUGEE LAW AND POLICY | 4.5 |
| FMS 402 | PRO-SEMINAR IN FORCED MIGRATION | 4 |
| FMS 403 | INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND POLICY | 4 |
| FMS 404 | INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| FMS 405 | PUBLIC HEALTH AND FORCED MIGRATION | 4 |
| FMS 411 | INTERNATIONAL DIMENSIONS OF PUBLIC SERVICE | 4 |
| FMS 418 | REFUGEE MENTAL HEALTH AND TRAUMA | 4 |
| FMS 419/MGT 520 | HUMANITARIAN LOGISTICS | 4 |
| FMS 450 | INTERNSHIP I (Practicum) | 4 |
| or FMS 485 | RFMS EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING | |
| FMS 490 | INTERNSHIP II (Practicum) 1 | 4 |
| or FMS 470 | MS THESIS IN FORCED MIGRATION | |
| Select two open electives | 8 | |
1
FMS 470 Requires good academic standing and director approval.
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