Overview
Cornell Provides a Well-Rounded Industrial and Labor Relations Graduate Program in Ithaca, New York
The large campus of Cornell University located in Ithaca, New York, only adds to the attractiveness of the school's many academic courses of study and research opportunities. The university takes pride in encouraging academic freedom and flexibility, allowing students to pursue interdisciplinary studies and related fields while determining their own unique courses of study during their academic career.
Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations Allows Students to Explore Public Policy and Labor Law
Cornell's many graduate programs attract students from far and wide every year, and those available through the School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) are no exception. In order to apply to the ILR graduate options, prospective students must present transcripts from undergraduate course work, GRE or GMAT scores, two letters of recommendation, and evidence of practical work experience in their desired fields of study.
Upon being accepted to the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, students may pursue a Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Industrial and Labor Relations, or Master of Professional Studies degree. Each of these options includes minor study requirements as well as varying major course work. Complementary laboratory studies and various research opportunities allow students to pursue a well-rounded educational experience.
The Master of Industrial and Labor Relations (M.I.L.R.) focuses on studies in human resources and organizations, collective representation, dispute resolution, labor-market policy, and international and comparative labor. Graduate students pursuing this type of degree are required to complete 48 credit hours of classroom studies, including employment law, human resource management, statistics, and organizational behavior. M.I.L.R. students who already possess a law or M.B.A. degree may be able to complete these degree requirements within two semesters at Cornell.
Another specialized degree program is available to students hoping to work in the business administration field. This dual degree combines the M.I.L.R. with an M.B.A. from Cornell's Johnson Graduate School of Management.
Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) students are typically sponsored for the program by their employer, the government, or other organizations. This degree is only available to those students who have extensive professional work-related experience in the field and hope to expand their knowledge to include modern practices and advancements in their line of work. In order to complete the degree requirements of the M.P.S., students must complete various course work, a project paper, and a two-year commitment to the program. Students have the option to either complete their studies on a part-time basis on Cornell's NYC campus, or full-time on the Ithaca campus.
Graduate students at Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations may complete a Master of Science degree in two years and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in three. Both of these advanced degree options focus on studies in the area of labor history and labor law, and include one minor outside of the ILR.
All graduate students in ILR may concentrate their major area of study in collective bargaining, labor law, or international and comparative labor. M.S. and Ph.D. students may also choose to major in human resource studies, labor history, or organizational behavior. In addition, collective representation, dispute resolution, human resources and organizations, and labor market policy are available majors for M.I.L.R. students.
Minors available through the School of Industrial and Labor Relations include labor economics and social statistics. However, ILR students are also encouraged to pursue minor studies in other schools at Cornell to complement individual areas of interest and career goals.
Cornell University Offers Students a Prestigious Industrial and Labor Relations Program and Dedicated Facilities
Cornell strives to provide a comfortable learning environment that fosters a balanced lifestyle and relationships between students. Several specially-created facilities, such as a dedicated research library complete with archives and online indexes, centers, and institutes allow students to enjoy a well-rounded education in one of the most prestigious labor relations programs in the country.
The Catherwood Library provides MILR students with an opportunity to enjoy dedicated resources and research materials related to their courses of study. Articles, e-journals, books, subject guides, and research aid are all available in the library. Also unique to Catherwood's resources are the Kheel Center Archives, which includes historical photos, papers, exhibits, and other collections pertaining to the world of labor relations and the development of such over the years. Additionally, Gladnet.org is an online resource available to students that provides an easily navigable index outlining reports, related government documents, and external websites that offer current research projects and training methods for those with disabilities.
In addition, several centers and institutes facilitate learning among students through different work themes and environments, largely sponsored by corporate partners. Among these institutes are the Center for Advanced Human Resource Studies, Cornell Higher Education Research Institute, Employment and Disability Institute, Global Labor Institute, Institute for Community College Development, Institute for Workplace Studies, Martin and Laurie Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution, NYS AFL-CIO/Cornell Union Leadership Institute, and the R. Brinkley Smithers Institute for Alcohol-Related Workplace Studies.
