MS Labor Studies - Union Leadership and Activism at University of Massachusetts Amherst

Programme overview

The Union Leadership and Activism (ULA) track is a limited-residency, part-time route to the UMass Amherst MS in Labor Studies for people who work full-time, such as union officers, staff, rank-and-file activists, worker center employees and community organizers. Students attend four on-campus residencies and complete writing assignments after each.

Faculty: College of Social and Behavioral Sciences | Department: Labor Center | Duration: 2.5 years part-time (four 10-day residencies) | Intake: January and July cohorts; deadlines October 1, 2026 (January 2027) and April 1, 2027 (July 2027); applications accepted on a continuing basis depending on space | Study mode: full-time | Location: Amherst, MA, United States

What you will study

At each ten-day residency in January and July, students take two four-credit courses, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The curriculum covers economic, political and legal issues including race, immigration, gender and the working class in a global economy, taught by scholars with union experience.

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. Deadlines: October 1, 2026 for the January 2027 cohort and April 1, 2027 for the July 2027 cohort; ULA applications are accepted on a continuing basis depending on space.

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: January and July cohorts; deadlines October 1, 2026 (January 2027) and April 1, 2027 (July 2027); ap

Duration: 2.5 years part-time (four 10-day residencies)

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