PhD Human Resources & Industrial Relations at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Programme overview

The Ph.D. is an in-residence, interdisciplinary degree, which typically leads to a career in teaching and research, especially at business schools or industrial relations schools. Research-oriented careers outside the academic world are also available. The program can be completed in six years beyond the baccalaureate degree or five years beyond the master's degree.

Faculty: School of Labor and Employment Relations | Study mode: full-time | Location: Champaign, IL, United States

What you will study

Required courses listed include LER 542 Collective Bargaining; LER 556 Industrial Relations Theory; LER 557 Human Resources Theory; LER 558 Faculty-Student Workshop; LER 599 Thesis Seminar (min/max applied toward degree).

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Students with outstanding academic credentials, with or without a master's degree, are encouraged to apply to the Ph.D. program. Students must meet the general admission requirements of the Graduate College, as well as the specific requirements of the School. Applicants to the doctoral program must submit an academic statement, personal statement, CV and submit evidence of research ability, such as a master's thesis, an undergraduate thesis, special reports, or published articles. Three letters of recommendation are required and the Ph.D. applicants are also required to submit either a GRE or GMAT general test score. International applicants must meet the English Language

Domestic applicants: USD 14,908 a year (2026-27). Illinois resident rate. Tuition only for new and continuing graduate students, Fall 2026-Spring 2027 at full-time (12 credit hours per term). Non-Illinois U.S. resident tuition for this programme: $32,204. Excludes campus and mandatory fees, health insura Source

International applicants: USD 32,204 a year (2026-27). International rate. Tuition only for new and continuing graduate students, Fall 2026-Spring 2027 at full-time (12 credit hours per term). Excludes campus and mandatory fees, health insurance, housing and other expenses as the source states them separately Source

Not all graduate programmes offer admission in all terms; term availability is set by each programme of study.

Graduate applicants apply online through the Graduate College application; deadlines and term availability are set by each programme. Medicine, law and veterinary medicine applicants apply directly to their colleges.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply

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