Labor Studies and Employment Relations

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Foreign:$ 48.5 k / Year(s)  
166 place StudyQA ranking:3242 Duration:4 years

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The Labor Studies and Employment Relations Department offers two undergraduate programs: a B.A. and a B.S. degree. Both explore work – how work shapes our society, how work is changing today, and what issues work poses for all of us as employees, employers, and citizens. Both provide multiple perspectives, ranging from how to manage people well, to understanding how working people can address the problems they face, and to how society can improve work.

Either degree will allow you to:

  • Explore a wide variety of issues;
  • Enjoy a world class educational experience;
  • Open up a variety of career paths;
  • Study work and find where you fit in.

The Bachelor of Arts in Labor Studies and Employment Relations (B.A.) is a joint degree between the School of Management and Labor Relations (SMLR) and the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS).

The Bachelor of Science in Labor and Employment Relations (B.S.) is granted solely by the School of Management and Labor Relations.

Although these two degrees are very similar, their general education requirements, major requirements, and student policies are somewhat different. Because of this, you may find that one of these degrees meets your individual needs better than the other.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Labor and Employment Relations

The major consists of 36 credits in labor studies and employment relations. Students must attain a grade of C or better for a class to count toward the major. In place of 6 of these credits, students may substitute related courses from other social science programs. 

A complete list of requirements is available in the School of Management and Labor Relationssection of this catalog or by contacting the department.

The following five courses are required in the B.S. program:

  • 37:575:100  Introduction to Labor Studies or 37:575:110  Work, Society, and the Quality of Life
  • 37:575:315  Employment Law
  • 37:575:401  Research Methods in Labor Studies or an alternative research methods/statistics from other programs; 01:920:311; 01:830:200; 01:790:300; 10:762:205; 01:220:322; 01:450:319; 01:960:212; 01:960:285.
  • 37:575:395  Perspectives on Labor Studies
  • 37:575:490, 496, or 497 an internship; this course will be waived for students with work experience.

General Education Requirements for the B.S. degree:

The School of Management and Labor Relations is fully compliant with the Lampitt Law requiring that all individuals who have earned an associate in arts (A.A.) or an associate in science (A.S.) degree from a New Jersey county college will have fulfilled its general education requirements. For others, the requirements are:

  • Writing: 6 credits. Expository writing (01:355:101) and one second-level writing course. See Degree Navigator for a list of approved second-level writing courses.
  • Quantitative Reasoning: 6 credits. Two courses in mathematics or applied quantitative reasoning. See Degree Navigator for lists of courses in each.
  • Natural Sciences: 6 credits
  • Arts and Humanities: 6 credits
  • History: 3 credits

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Labor Studies and Employment Relations

The major consists of 36 credits in labor studies and employment relations. Students must maintain a grade of C or better. In place of 6 of these credits students may substitute related courses from other programs.

The following three courses are required in the B.A. program: either 37:575:100 or 101 Introduction to Labor Studies and Employment Relations; 37:575:395  Perspectives on Labor Studies; and one advanced course taken in the senior year, chosen from 37:575:450, 490, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498, or 499.

Concentrations in the major are available but not required. These include:

  • Law and the Workplace
  • Diversity in the Workplace
  • Work Organization and Management
  • Labor Unions and Social Movements
  • Work, Globalization, and Migration

The Bachelor of Science program in Labor and Employment Relations is designed so that students with at least one year of college can complete their degree through a flexible combination of online, daytime, weekend, evening, and/or off-campus courses. In addition, re-enrollment is made easy for those who must interrupt their studies, and non-matriculated status is available for visiting students who want to try one or two courses in the program. 

  • Transfer up to 60 credits to Rutgers from a county college
  • Transfer up to 90 credits from a combination of 2 and 4 year institutions
  • Fulfill all your general education requirements with an AA or AS from a NJ county college (numerous AAS degrees also fulfill many requirements)
  • Flexibly combine online and in-person courses
  • Attend daytime, evening, and weekend classes in New Brunswick or at off-campus locations

Scholarships

  • Merit-based awards
  • G.O.A.L.S Minority Scholarship
  • Anthony S. Zuccarello Scholarship
  • Martin Gerber Endowed Student Support Fund
  • Scholarship in Honor of Professor Paul B.J Chu
  • The School of Management and Labor Relations Annual Fund Scholarship
  • SMLR Emergency Student Fund
  • Levine Trade Union Education Fund
  • National Merit Scholarships/College Sponsored Merit Award
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