M.S. Labor Relations and Human Resources

Overview

Gain a deep understanding of the field of human resources, including the complex issues surrounding employment and labor relations in this multidisciplinary graduate program. Through a focused course of study, you will explore a wide range of topics that focus on the intersection of people and the workplace. You will gain the skills needed for a successful career in labor relations and human resources.

Our graduates work in labor unions, business firms, educational organizations, government agencies, and non-profit enterprises. Electives allow you to specialize in either labor relations or human resources. This M.S. program fully aligns with the Society for Human Resource Management’s curriculum guides for HR education. In your final semester, you are eligible for and encouraged to sit for the Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional credentialing exam.

All courses are offered in the evenings or on weekends in Providence or Kingston so that they are convenient for working professionals. Full-time and part-time programs are available. Courses taken for the certificate may be applied to the M.S.

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Information Sessions
Human Resources Certificate
Labor Relations Certificate

Specializations

You may specialize in labor relations or human resources. Elective substitutions may be made with the permission of the director of the Schmidt Labor Research Center and approval of the Graduate School. Exceptional students who come into the program with a well-defined interest, as well as a proposed plan of study, may choose to create their own specializations by choosing elective courses in an area that satisfies their professional needs.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Knowledge and Understanding: Develop deep knowledge and mastery around key functional areas and core competencies of human resources (HR) and labor relations (LR) in a national context.
  2. Application of Knowledge and Understanding: Demonstrate superior ability to apply HR and LR knowledge and theory to diagnose, understand, and address/respond to contemporary, real-life workplace and workforce challenges in the contexts of equity and effectiveness.
  3. Judgment and Decision-Making: Employ evidence-based insights, methodological expertise, and critical thinking skills to analyze, assess, and develop meaningful HR and LR solutions for people, organizations, and society.
  4. Communication: Demonstrate professional level writing, reporting, negotiation, interviewing, and presentation skills to advise and influence decision makers about topics related to HR and LR. Effectively work in teams or groups to collaboratively and creatively address HR and LR issues, manage projects, and evaluate peer assignments and contributions.
  5. Professional Development and Continuous Learning: Cultivate a habit for professional development and nurture a practice of lifelong learning. Establish and build connections with professionals working in the LR and/or HR field. Demonstrate the leadership, professional development, networking, and lifelong learning competencies.

Society for Human Resource Management

Our MS program is is fully aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management’s curriculum guides for HR education.

The URI student chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) was awarded the Student Chapter Merit Award for its excellence and achievement during the 2021-2022 Academic Year.

The URI student chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) was awarded the Superior Merit Award for its excellence and achievement during the 2019-2020 Student Chapter Merit Award period.