• Course Delivery
    100% Online
  • Total Credits
    120
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit
    $235.59
  • Out of State Tuition Per Credit
    $340.92

Labor Studies, BS

Bachelor Of Science

Labor studies is an interdisciplinary field that deals with work, the workplace, and workers and their organizations. It draws from the fields of history, economics, industrial relations, political science, law, sociology, communication, and philosophy, as well as other disciplines.

The IU Online Bachelor of Science in Labor Studies exposes you to courses in writing, technology, economics, and history. You develop skills that you can apply to your day-to-day activities at your workplace, in your union, and in the community. You gain a better understanding of where you and the labor movement fit into the economy, the political arena, and society as a whole. These skills enable you to learn new jobs, take on new responsibilities and adjust to a changing job market.

Your IU Online BS in Labor Studies prepares you for such careers as:

  • Labor relations specialist 
  • Union organizer 
  • Community advocate 
  • Public policy advocate 
  • Recruiting coordinator 
  • Human resource associate 
  • Employee benefits manager 
  • Equal Employment Opportunity officer 
  • Training and development specialist 

Degree Requirements

To graduate with the BS in Labor Studies, you must complete a total of 120 credit hours. At least 30 credit hours must be taken at the 300-400 level. In addition, concentration requirements must be completed with a grade of C or higher. You may be able to transfer an associate degree or up to 64 credit hours from a regionally accredited two-year college and up to 90 credit hours from a regionally accredited four-year college or university.

Requirements are broken down as follows:

  • General education courses (30 credit hours) 
  • Additional general education courses (21 credit hours) 
  • Labor studies concentration courses (42 credit hours) 
  • General elective courses (27 credit hours) 

Student Services

IU Online provides quick and easy access to tools, tips, and IU resources to help you succeed, including:  

  • Admissions: Personalized application support for the program that is right for you
  • Onboarding: An interactive orientation to online learning and all things IU
  • Student Financial Services: Tailored resources for financial aid and money management
  • Math and Writing Support: Direct access to IU-trained math mentors and writing consultants
  • Career Services: Interactive tools and coaching to accelerate your career
  • Libraries and Research: Online access to IU library resources and research librarians
  • Technology: A full suite of software, collaboration tools, cloud storage, and training
  • 24/7 Contact Center: Real-time chat, email, and phone support direct from IU

Admissions

To be accepted to this program, you must have:
  1. At least 12 transferable credit hours.
  2. Met all other admissions requirements.

NOTE: This program is authorized, exempt, or not subject to state regulatory compliance and may enroll students from all 50 states

To apply to this program:
  • Complete application for admission. 
  • Submit official transcripts. 
  • Submit official high school transcript or equivalent (may be required of some applicants). 
  • Complete an essay (may be required of some applicants). 
  • International applicants may be asked for additional materials. 
  • This program is offered by IU Bloomington, IU Northwest, IUPUI, and IU South Bend. After applying, you will be assigned a home campus. You will submit application documents to the Office of Admissions of that campus. 
Application Deadlines

Rolling admissions. Application review will begin upon receipt of all required application materials.

Courses

Elective
LSTU-L 100Survey of Unions and Collective Bargaining3 Credits
LSTU-L 101American Labor History3 Credits
LSTU-L 104Labor History3 Credits
LSTU-L 110Introduction to Labor Studies: Labor and Society3 Credits
LSTU-L 190The Labor Studies Degree1 Credits
LSTU-L 199Portfolio Development Workshop1 Credits
LSTU-L 200Survey of Employment Law2 Credits
LSTU-L 201Labor Law3 Credits
LSTU-L 203Labor and the Political System3 Credits
LSTU-L 205Contemporary Labor Problems3 Credits
LSTU-L 210Workplace Discrimination and Fair Employment3 Credits
LSTU-L 220Grievance Representation3 Credits
LSTU-L 230Labor and the Economy3 Credits
LSTU-L 231Globalization and Labor3 Credits
LSTU-L 240Occupational Health and Safety3 Credits
LSTU-L 250Collective Bargaining3 Credits
LSTU-L 251Collective Bargaining Laboratory1-3 Credits
LSTU-L 255Unions in State and Local Government3 Credits
LSTU-L 260Leadership and Representation3 Credits
LSTU-L 270Union Government and Organization3 Credits
LSTU-L 280Union Organizing3 Credits
LSTU-L 285Assessment Project1 Credits
LSTU-L 290Topics in Labor Studies1-3 Credits
LSTU-L 314Ethical Dilemmas in the Workplace3 Credits
LSTU-L 315The Organization of Work3 Credits
LSTU-L 320Grievance Arbitration3 Credits
LSTU-L 330Global Comparison: Labor Relations Examples from Three Continents3 Credits
LSTU-L 331Global Problems, Local Solutions3 Credits
LSTU-L 350Issues in Collective Bargaining3 Credits
LSTU-L 360Union Administration and Development1-3 Credits
LSTU-L 370Labor and Religion3 Credits
LSTU-L 380Theories of the Labor Movement3 Credits
LSTU-L 385Class, Race, Gender, and Work3 Credits
LSTU-L 390Topics in Labor Studies1-3 Credits
LSTU-L 410Comparative Labor Movements3 Credits
LSTU-L 420Labor Studies Internship1-6 Credits
LSTU-L 430Labor Research Methods3 Credits
LSTU-L 480Senior Seminar or Readings3 Credits
LSTU-L 490Topics in Labor Studies1-3 Credits
LSTU-L 495Directed Labor Study1-6 Credits

Tuition & Fees

Cost for Indiana Residents
  • Per Credit Hour
  • Tuition: $235.59
  • 3 Credit Hours
  • Tuition: $706.77
Note: 

-The tuition listed is for IU Northwest and IU South Bend. For information about tuition at other campuses, please send an email to iuosfs@iu.edu.


-Additional fees will apply.

Cost for Out of State Residents
  • Per Credit Hour
  • Tuition: $340.92
  • 3 Credit Hours
  • Tuition: $1022.76
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