Master in Civil Society Studies

This two-year Civil Society Studies master's program at Ajou University in Yeongtong-gu, South Korea, is conducted entirely in English. The discipline focuses on organizations and movements operating outside government and the private sector, such as non-governmental organizations, advocacy groups, community associations, and volunteer networks. Coursework generally covers the theory and history of civil society, nonprofit management, social movement organizing, philanthropy, and how civil society groups interact with the state under different political systems. Graduates from this field often work at non-governmental organizations, international development agencies, foundations, and government offices that engage with civil society partners. Others pursue roles in human rights or humanitarian organizations, or move into research positions studying democratization, social capital, and civic participation. Program management skills gained in this discipline are also relevant to organizations dependent on volunteers, donors, and grassroots networks to carry out their work. New cohorts begin in March and September, and English-medium teaching supports a classroom that mixes domestic and international students. South Korea's recent history of civic organizing and democratic change provides material for examining how civil society has shaped political and social outcomes in a fast-developing country. The Yeongtong-gu campus, close to Seoul, places students near a range of domestic and international civil society organizations, offering opportunities for fieldwork and professional connections relevant to the discipline.