In-Demand Online Labor Studies Master’s Degrees in the U.S.A

by Alex Morgan · June 7, 2024

In the modern world of HR, a specialized degree like labor studies plays a significant role in preparing professionals to handle the issues faced by organizations in labor relations and employment law. According to the report, 10.1% of labor relations professionals in the USA are members of unions.

In this blog, we will discover the universities that offer online labor studies programs, available jobs, and the difference between labor relations and labor studies programs.

Labor Relations vs. Labor Studies Program Differences

The labor relations master’s degree program covers the process of establishing union-management relationships, which consists of three phases: union organizing, negotiating a labor agreement, and supervising the agreement. This program helps identify the goals in labor relations desired by both labor and management, understand the strategies needed to achieve these goals, and determine the actions required to implement the plan.

On the other hand, the labor studies program explores employment-related issues, including the supply and demand for labor, and helps to understand the reasons for unemployment. It also considers the effects of labor unions and policies such as training programs. You will understand the labor movement and the repercussions of it.

Courses in Labor Studies Master’s Degree Programs

The following are the courses in the master’s degree of labor studies programs:

Labor Research

Most graduate programs offer a research course on employment topics such as workers, relationships, staffing, and unions. These courses often include case studies. Students will learn best practices for choosing research questions, analyzing data, and sharing their findings.

Work, Culture, and Society

This course uses a sociological approach to understand the workplace environment and different cultures. Students will learn how their workforces are influenced by immigration, social welfare, and globalization.

Labor Politics

The labor politics course highlights the policy-making side of labor. Students will learn about changes in labor over time, how politicians strategize using the labor market, and gain a deep understanding of the workforce.

Employment/Labor Laws

This course provides an overview of the history of labor and its current state. Students will study the relationships between employees and employers and the government’s involvement in this dynamic.

In-Demand Online Labor Studies Graduate Programs and Schools in the U.S.A

The following are the 10 top labor studies graduate program schools in the USA:

1. University of Massachusetts, Amherst

The University of Massachusetts, located in Amherst, Massachusetts, is a public land-grant university. It is an excellent choice for individuals seeking a degree in labor studies graduate programs in the USA. The university offers Master of Science degrees in two formats, including:

Accelerated Residential Program
Limited Residency Program

The first program is a year. The second option, the Limited Residency program, spans 2.5 years and caters to working professionals who wish to continue their employment while pursuing their degree. This program allows students to participate in intensive study sessions on campus periodically, accommodating their work commitments.

2. CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies

The CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies is a public undergraduate, graduate, and professional school in New York. It is associated with the City University of New York System. The program offers the following:

Master of Arts in Labor Studies

The requirements for admission to MA in Labor Studies are:

Minimum 3.0 GPA
Personal Statement
Two recommendation letters
A resume

It is a 30-credit hours program. Some core courses are:

United States Labor History
Labor and Immigration
Capstone
Capstone Project Planning
Research Methods
Labor Law
Labor and the economy

3. SUNY Empire State College

SUNY Empire State College is located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. It is a public college with a minimum number of students. It is an excellent decision to graduate in labor studies from SUNY Empire State College as the university offers a unique:

Advanced Graduate Certificate in Labor Studies

The above program is 12 credit hours. The courses under the advanced graduate certificate in labor studies are:

Work and Labor Studies
Working in America
American Capitalism
Global Work

The format of this course is online. The curriculum of this program is to concentrate on general labor history, labor studies, and labor-management relations.

4. Cornell University

Cornell University, a large private university in Ithaca, offers different majors and is best known for human resources, labor studies, agricultural business, and management. The ILR school under Cornell University provides:

Graduate Certificate of Labor Studies

Certificate of Labor Studies is an 18-month program. The program’s format is online and consists of 18 continuing education units. Some of the courses offered are:

Labor Relations in the Public Sector
Private Sector Labor Law
Labor History
Managing Internal Union Conflict

5. Michigan State University

Michigan State University, situated in East Lansing, is a major public institution. MSU offers 384 majors and is best known for its pre-law studies, and labor studies. This University offers:

Master of Human Resources & Labor Relations

The requirements for admission to the Master of Human Resources and Labor Relations are:

Bachelor’s degree
Average 3.0 cumulative GPA
GRE OR GMAT scores (optional)

The program also provides students with meaningful and skillful internships and full-time careers. Some of the courses that come under this program are:

Human Resource Management
Strategy and Firm Performance
International HR & LR
Organizational Change Leadership
Workplace Law & Policies
Labor Relations
Analytical Skills for HR & LR

After completing graduation from Michigan State University, students go on to make roughly $40,000 per year.

6. Rutgers-New Brunswick University

To get a labor studies degree, you must check out the University of Rutgers-New Brunswick in the U.S.A. It is a public land-grant research university. The program offered is:

Online Master’s in Labor and Employment Relations

Completion time for the program is one year. The program is based on 36 credit hours. The core courses offered in this program are:

Labor law
Seminar in Labor & Employment Relations
Labor/Employment History
Research methods in labor and employment relations
Negotiation

This program benefits professionals who are doing jobs and taking the course part-time.

7. McMaster University

McMaster University is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It is a public research university. The university offers the following programs:

Master of Arts in Labor Studies

MA in labor studies is based on two streams:

Coursework and Research paper option
Coursework and thesis option

Some of the courses include:

Academic Research Integrity and Ethics Training
Labor, equity, and diversity
Labor movements and social transformation

8. West Virginia University

If you are looking for a graduate degree program in labor studies from the best school in the U.S.A., you should check West Virginia University. It is a substantial public university situated in Morgantown.

The Master of Arts in Labor and Employment Relations (MALER) program is a graduate degree in labor studies. It is designed to teach students to understand labor relations, employment law, and workforce management.

9. Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, U.S.A. It is a large public university with reasonable fee for:

Master of Labor Relations and Human Resources

The program is offered in an online format. The average completion time of the program is 3 to 5 semesters. It is a 33-credit-hour program. The courses offered are:

Organizational Development
Collective bargaining
Human Resource Development

The program helps the student to accommodate a work-life-school balance for busy professionals looking to become strategic. It will prepare individuals to advance careers in HR and meet the challenges organizations face today in labor relations.

10. University of New Haven

The University of New Haven is a wonderful choice for a degree in labor studies in the U.S.A. It is a mid-sized private institution located in West Haven. This university offers:

Master of Science in Labor Relations

The curriculum of this program is designed to prepare students to meet the demands of labor studies in today’s world. Students will be taught to gain exceptional skills that will help them to gain understanding within the organization, manage labor relations, and implement a strategic plan to benefit a company.

Labor Studies Master’s Degree–Career Opportunities, Jobs, Salaries

These are the career and job opportunities for a master’s degree in labor studies:

Community Support Analyst

Community support specialists assist individuals needing services like counseling or health care. They work with people who have experienced various challenges or crises in their careers and lives. The salary range of a community support analyst in the USA is $63,475 per year.

Training Specialist

Training specialists are responsible for planning training programs for an organization’s employees. They aim to enhance individual performance and boost the company’s reputation. Their duties include conducting surveys to identify employee needs and researching effective training programs. Training specialists can earn around $69,910 per year.

Employee Benefits Account Manager

Employee benefits account managers work hard to offer benefits to employees. Their responsibilities include finding cost-effective plans, generating revenue from employee health benefits, and building relationships with clients to understand their needs and viewpoints.

Conclusion

In conclusion, students who choose the right school to pursue a degree in Labor Relations or Labor studies programs in the U.S.A. explore many opportunities to start their career in human resources. Many institutions in the U.S.A. provide high-quality courses that will help students enhance their expertise in various paths with solid backgrounds in labor studies.