college majors

Labor Relations Major

What is Labor Relations?

Work is a major factor in our society. Consequently, the relationships that develop between labor and management are very important. Students in labor relations acquire an understanding of the environment in which both employees and managers find themselves in contemporary American society. The major is important to professional managers and public administration officials. The major provides a background needed to address issues of labor-management relations in both the public and private sector. In this major, one studies the nature of work, the politics and economics of the workplace, the many schemes of work and workplace design and compensation, and the possible restructuring of work, compensation plans, and work relations. Majors acquire knowledge about wages, work hours, conditions of employment, workforce diversity, labor markets, skills and training. They become skilled in managing interpersonal and inter-group conflicts.

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What Kinds of Students Major in Labor Relations?

Students in this major tend be adept in social problem solving. They seek to settle arguments, to find ways in which everybody involved in an issue comes out a winner. They are oriented toward management, but find great interest in the social sciences such as psychology, sociology, history, economics, and government. They may be active in student government, political campaigns, peer mediation, mock trials, debate, or conflict resolution.

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What Courses Do Labor Relations Majors Take?

The required and elective courses you would take for majors vary considerably among institutions. Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth of topics you are likely to experience were you to major in this field.

Labor Management Relations Contemporary Workplace Issues Labor Law
Race, Gender, and Employment Collective Bargaining and Contract Administration Leadership in Work Settings
Human Resource Management Labor History Employment Practices Law

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What Types of Positions do Labor Relations Majors Take After College?

These professions and professional organizations illustrate the types of positions you might qualify for if you complete this major. Some majors are more directly related to employment than others, however. You should consider the likelihood of employment after graduation carefully, if you do not plan to go on for graduate work in a field. Even with the completion of graduate work in some fields, however, employment is difficult, so you should determine what the prospects are for this or any major. Employment possibilities are often enhanced by the selecting employment-related courses and by the enrollment in second major or in a minor.

Labor Union Negotiator Mediator Foreign Service
Labor Organizer Human Relations Specialist Labor Contract Administrator
U.S. Department of Labor State Labor Department Trainer

Are you interested in detailed information about the forecasted demand for a particular profession? Are you interested in the estimated salaries such positions are likely to pay? This government Web site allows you to search on a particular job, whether listed here or not, to give you this information.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Related Links

If you are interested in learning more about what professionals in this field do and what kinds of activities they engage in, check out some of the following links. You might also want to check out web sites for University or College departments offering this major.

Holt Labor Library
American Labor Studies Center
International Institute for Labour Studies
Labor Net
Labor History Links (Michigan State University)
Virtual Library: Labor and Human Relations

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University Departments to Consider

The following institutions are the featured institutions on MyMajors because they support MyMajors and you in your search for the best major available. They offer excellent curriculums in well-rounded programs for you to consider.

For information on options available to campuses wishing to see their majors listed on MyMajors, contact: admin@mymajors.com for details.

Other fine institutions offering this major offer excellent programs to consider.

University of Bridgeport (CT)
Management and Industrial Relations
  San Francisco State University (CA)
Labor Studies

For information on options available to campuses wishing to see their majors listed on MyMajors, contact: admin@mymajors.com for details.

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Two-Year College Curriculums to Consider

Laney College (CA)
Labor Studies

Suggest to your two-year college advisor that their institution's majors be included to show you their course requirements and unique resources. Two-year college representatives should contact admin@mymajors.com for details.

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Want More Information? Look at major descriptions prepared by university academic advisement staffs.

Labor Relations Major
cyber graduate
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