MS Labor Studies - Accelerated Residential Program at University of Massachusetts Amherst

Programme overview

The Accelerated Residential MS in Labor Studies is a full-time, in-person programme combining the study of labor history and current issues with hands-on skills in organizing, strategic corporate research and bargaining. It requires one year of full-time residency and a final semester of off-campus writing. A limited number of teaching assistantships and internships cover tuition costs and provide a stipend.

Faculty: College of Social and Behavioral Sciences | Department: Labor Center | Duration: As little as 1.5 years (one year of full-time residency plus a final semester of off-campus writing) | Intake: September residential cohort; deadline March 1, 2027 for September 2027 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Amherst, MA, United States

What you will study

Timeline: three courses in each of Fall semester 1 and Spring, two courses in a 10-day intensive July session, then a capstone paper and writing for the summer courses in Fall semester 2. The curriculum covers economic, political and legal thinking, including race, immigration, gender and the working class in a global economy.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Labor Studies MS (all tracks, Labor Center): complete the UMass Graduate School online application and meet Graduate School admission requirements; all undergraduate degrees are accepted. Submit a personal statement (interest in labor studies, unions, building power or organizing; relevant background; career goals), unofficial transcripts from all previous universities where at least nine credits were completed, an updated resume, and two letters of recommendation. International students must take the TOEFL. GRE is not required but is considered if submitted. Deadline: March 1, 2027 for the September 2027 residential cohort.

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Intake: September residential cohort; deadline March 1, 2027 for September 2027

Duration: As little as 1.5 years (one year of full-time residency plus a final semester of off-campus writing)

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