The Program

The purpose of the Undergraduate Certificate in Labor Studies is to introduce students to the study of work, labor and workers organizations through an overview of its history in the U.S. and worldwide, and through deep discussion of current developments. Students who complete the certificate will exit with a strong knowledge of labor’s role in shaping democracy and other ongoing fights for social justice. Students will also exit with foundational skills in critical thinking about power and hegemony. If students are seeking more applied skills, they may take an organizing course, which provides them highly applicable skills in grassroots organizing.

The Curriculum

Students will complete 15 credits minimum by taking 3 Labor courses (all of which count for 4 credits) and 1 elective from another department. Students will choose 3 classes out of core Labor offerings:

Labor 201: Women and Work
Labor 203: Sports, Social Justice, and Labor
Labor 204: Labor and the Global Economy
Labor 240: Labor and Work
Labor 331: Food and Labor
Labor 390STA: Labor and Community Organizing

Students will select their own relevant elective of 3-4 credits from another department, including the 5 Colleges. Electives must be related to work, labor, organizing, political economy, or inequalities, broadly defined. The Labor APM will approve the electives.

The recommended order of coursework is to begin with 200 level courses and then progress to 300 level courses.

Requirements for Completion

To complete the Labor Studies Undergraduate Certificate, you must meet the following requirements in the order in which they are listed:

Schedule an informational appointment with Sierra Dickey, Academic Program Manager, OR attend a group information session
Declare your official intent to pursue the certificate program via email to Academic Program Manager
Meet with your Labor Studies advisor to plan for course registration, timeline requirements, and multiple credentials issues
Enroll in and complete (with passing grades) 3 required labor courses
If you are a Sociology major, please note that Labor courses are cross-listed with Sociology courses. The Faculty Senate only allows students to count two courses towards both their major and a secondary credential. This same note of caution applies to the elective choice as well.
Propose your elective choice and get approval from your Labor Studies advisor prior to registration deadline
Enroll in and complete (with passing grade) an elective of 3-4 credits from a relevant department. Students do not need to complete all of the required Labor courses before taking their elective.
Make sure that you have at least 15 qualifying course credits for the Labor Studies Undergraduate Certificate
Complete all of the above within 5 years