Cornell University Registrar

Graduate Field

Industrial and Labor Relations

Program Description

Administered by the Graduate School, the ILR master of professional studies (M.P.S.) in industrial and labor relations is an unstructured program, without specific prescribed courses, which requires a research project.

Program Information

• Program Mode of Delivery: In Person
• Program Location: Ithaca, NY
• Minimum Credits for Degree: 30
• Length of Program: Two full-time semesters in residence

Program Requirements

• Two full-time semesters in residence on Cornell's Ithaca campus.
• Students complete 30 course credits, including an eight-credit research project, developed under the guidance of a faculty supervisor.
• Specific courses are not prescribed so the student, with guidance of their advisor, may select coursework tailored to his or her background, focus of study, and goals.
• Students are expected to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 with no single course or seminar grade below a letter grade C.

University Graduation Requirements

Requirements for All Students

In order to receive a Cornell degree, a student must satisfy academic and non-academic requirements.

Academic Requirements

A student’s college determines degree requirements such as residency, number of credits, distribution of credits, and grade averages. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific major, degree, distribution, college, and graduation requirements for completing their chosen program of study. See the individual requirements listed by each college or school or contact the college registrar’s office for more information.

Non-academic Requirements

Conduct Matters. Students must satisfy any outstanding sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed or agreed to under the Student Code of Conduct (Code) or Policy 6.4. Where a formal complaint under the Code or Policy 6.4 is pending, the University will withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the adjudication process set forth in those procedures is complete, including the satisfaction of any sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed.

Financial Obligations. Outstanding financial obligations will not impact the awarding of a degree otherwise earned or a student’s ability to access their official transcript. However, the University may withhold issuing a diploma until any outstanding financial obligations owing to the University are satisfied.

Learning Outcomes

• Engage in critical, reasoned analyses of issues and ideas.
• Explain ideas and analyses through written and oral communication.
• Evaluate and apply theories and assumptions of the social science disciplines to workplace issues.
• Analyze workplace issues from a variety of perspectives, including the historical, cultural, institutional and ethical perspectives.
• Access, evaluate and analyze qualitative and quantitative data, so as to enhance understanding and inform decision-making.

Admissions

Application Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines may vary by cycle. Please contact ilrgradapplicant@cornell.edu to discuss upcoming application deadlines.

Requirements Summary

• All Graduate School Requirements, including the English Language Proficiency Requirement
• Three letters of recommendation
• Academic Statement of Purpose
• Personal Statement
• Resume or CV

This degree is designed for individuals who are already practitioners, have a minimum of 8-10 years of work experience, and want to retool or redirect their efforts to a specific competency. It is appropriate for international students who wish to obtain training in the general area of industrial and labor relations and for domestic students who are employed in the human resources field and wish to upgrade their skills and understanding.

Admissions Contact Information

Name: ILR Graduate Office
Email: ilrgradapplicant@cornell.edu
Phone: 607-255-1522