The Graduate Certificate in Business and Human Rights is a non-degree graduate program designed for working professionals who want to deepen their understanding of the ethical, legal, and social responsibilities of modern business organizations. As concerns about workplace rights, corporate responsibility, and stakeholder accountability continue to grow across industries, employers increasingly seek leaders who can navigate these challenges with both practical skill and principled judgment. This certificate provides the tools to meet that need.
Developed through a collaboration between the Busch School of Business and the Human Rights Program of the Institute for Human Ecology, the program brings together expertise in business, ethics, law, and social thought. Students matriculate through the Busch School while benefiting from interdisciplinary instruction that connects human rights theory to real-world organizational decision-making. The curriculum integrates perspectives from Catholic social thought, responsible entrepreneurial enterprise, and the American legal and political framework, offering a distinctive values-based approach to business leadership.
The program is particularly well suited for current and aspiring Human Resources professionals, managers, compliance officers, nonprofit leaders, and other professionals responsible for shaping workplace culture and organizational policy. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of human rights in business, beginning with the historical development of human rights concepts and extending to contemporary issues such as labor standards, corporate governance, workplace dignity, and the responsibilities businesses hold toward employees, communities, and stakeholders.
Coursework
Coursework emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical application. Students explore the evolution of business and human rights, examine civil rights within organizational contexts, and analyze the ethical foundations of market economies and entrepreneurship. Through this interdisciplinary approach, learners develop the ability to evaluate complex workplace situations, design responsible policies, and contribute to ethical organizational leadership.
Courses are offered in flexible formats, including online and on-campus options, making the program accessible to working professionals locally and nationally. Admissions are offered on a rolling basis, and applicants who meet the University’s requirements for enrollment in master’s level courses may apply as non-degree students. The application process is streamlined, requiring only an official transcript and application fee.
Graduates of the program leave with a deeper understanding of how businesses can promote human dignity, comply with legal and ethical standards, and lead responsibly in an increasingly complex global environment.
