The Labor Studies Certificate Program is a non-credit program that provides a strong foundation in the core areas of labor studies.

The Labor Studies Certificate Program includes both an on-campus component (general classes offered by LES), and an off-campus outreach component (classes offered for particular unions). Students who enroll in the certificate program are able to take both types of classes to fulfill their requirements.

Students who desire to enroll in the certificate program are required to make a one-time administrative payment of $35, along with tuition for each course in which they enroll. There is a time limit of 5 years to complete the program, and students can, with documentation, apply LES classes taken since the year 2000 to fulfill the requirements. If you have questions about whether past coursework applies, please contact Tony DeAngelis at 612-624-1602.

Students are required to complete 75 hours of LES classroom training to fulfill the certificate requirements. The 75 hours includes 55 hours of basic requirements and 20 hours of electives.

The basic requirements are broken down into six categories. Students must take 10 hours of coursework in five of these six areas:

• Administration & Leadership (LSA)
• Collective Bargaining/Negotiations (LSB)
• Contract Administration (LSC)
• Labor Law (LSL)
• Labor & Society (LSS)
• Organizing (LSO)

In addition, all students must take the 5-hour, basic requirement course, “Introduction to the Labor Movement” (LSR).

The 20 hours of electives (LSE courses) can be classes drawn from the above categories, or from courses designated as electives.

When students finish the 75 hours of coursework, they will receive a Certificate of Completion recognizing their achievement and their knowledge of labor studies, along with continuing education units for each course.

Instructors include experienced LES staff and guest instructors with particular expertise in important areas. This year’s classes will be held at the Hubert H. Humphrey Conference Center (HHH) on the West Bank of the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota.

To enroll in the certificate program, contact the LES office, 612-624-5020.

Labor studies courses are open to all interested working people. It is not necessary to enroll in the certificate program to take any of our courses.