School of Labor and
Employment Relations
Masters of Professional Studies Degrees
in Human Resources and Employment Relations
(Labor Studies Concentration)
Get a Labor-Relevant Master’s Degree from Penn State University
To be effective in today’s fast-moving world, labor leaders need to have in-depth knowledgeable
about a range of issues. And they need to possess the same analytical and leadership skills that
employer representatives have. Penn State’s MPS degree allows union leaders and staff to gain
that knowledge and develop those skills. The Labor Studies Concentration within the MPS in
Human Resources and Employment Relations (HRER) is a labor-relevant degree program that
provides union leaders with the flexibility to fit coursework into their busy schedules. The
program is:
--fully online so that students are not required to physically come to the University or any other
location for classes;
--provides maximum flexibility by not requiring students to be online at any particular point in
time;
--rigorous and requires the completion of weekly readings, assignments, and activities, but
students can work on these whenever they have time during the week;
--designed for people working full-time who are interested in taking classes part time.
Course work for the MPS degree with the Labor Studies Concentration
The MPS in Human Resources and Employment Relations (HRER) is offered by the School of
Labor and Employment Relations at Penn State. The School has worked with the labor
movement on education and training programs since its founding in 1942. The LABOR
STUDIES CONCENTRATION, within the MPS program, allows labor students to focus their
coursework on issues of relevance and importance to them. Among the labor-related courses in
the program are courses on Collective Bargaining; Labor and Employment Law; Union
Structure, Government, and Administration; Union Strategies for the 21st Century; Organizations
in the Workplace; Public Sector Labor Relations, and Labor and Globalization.
Most students do the degree on a part-time basis taking either one or two courses a semester.
Virtually all courses are offered every semester—fall, spring, and summer—so students can
work toward the degree at their own pace.
Who should apply for the Masters Degree, Labor Studies Concentration?
Anyone interested in learning about the critical challenges facing unions in the U.S. and around
the world and in developing advanced analytical and leadership skills. The program is
particularly relevant for elected union leaders and professional union staff. Classes are offered
year round and are fully online to meet the needs of busy people. Applicants must have a
bachelors degree from an accredited university and are admitted to the program on the basis of
undergraduate grades, work experience, and a personal statement. GREs or other standardized
tests are not required. Applicants can begin coursework in the Fall, Spring, or Summer
semesters and must apply 2-3 months before the beginning of a semester.
The next application deadline for beginning the program in March 1, 2015 (Summer Semester)
is. The deadline is for Fall Semester is June 1, 2015
Financial Aid
Financial aid, usually in the form of loans, is available to students who qualify.
For additional information on the Masters of Professional Studies degree go to:
http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates/human-resources-and-employmentrelations-masters/overview or contact Amy Dietz, HRER Academic Advisor at Penn State World
Campus at ard5@psu.edu.