The Advanced Certificate in Labor Studies is intended for people interested in learning about work and labor in historical and contemporary contexts. The program will encompass a range of work and labor topics including the development of free market capital in the United States and how it has shaped work and labor, the role of the state in forming work and labor policy, the role of workers movements, and work and labor issues in historical and contemporary perspectives. The certificate may be of particular interest to those with experience or career goals in the labor movement, labor relations, public advocacy, social justice, or non-profits.

Program Delivery and Tuition Rate

This certificate program is delivered through online courses and is billed at the non-MBA rate.

Admission

Admission to this graduate certificate program is not competitive. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. 

Application Requirements 

A complete application includes: 

• Official transcript(s) from all previously attended institutions 
• Proof of a conferred bachelor’s degree on an official transcript 

Start Terms 

This program admits new students in the: 

• Fall 
• Spring 
• Summer 

Deadlines 

Application deadlines do change from term to term. For specific deadlines, please see the Graduate Admissions Deadline page. 

How to Apply 

To apply, visit the SUNY Empire application portal and select Graduate: https://www.sunyempire.edu/application.html 

The certificate is comprised of 4 courses, each worth 3 credits, and can be completed in one to two academic terms. Students may begin this 12-credit certificate in the fall, spring or summer terms. The required courses and suggested sequence are as follows:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
LABR 6010	Work and Labor Studies	3
LABR 6020	Working in America	3
LABR 6034	American Capitalism	3
LABR 6075	Global Work	3
Total Credits		12

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

• Apply core labor studies concepts (such as labor-management relations, collective bargaining, and worker organizing) to contemporary workplace scenarios and policy debates.
• Assess complex labor issues and trends through historical and economic analysis of workforce challenges.