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School of Labour Studies

Faculty of Social Sciences

COVID-19 information and updates

Find the most recent updates here, as well as FAQs and information for students, faculty and staff.

Department of Anthropology

Discover Your Focus

Undergraduate Programs

An interdisciplinary program where work is studied as one component of a larger life experience that includes family life, community relations, gender relations, and state policy.

Certificate Programs

The world of labour is constantly changing. That's why the School of Labour Studies has partnered with both the Hamilton District Labour Council and Unifor to offer two unique labour studies certificates designed to provide the most current labour education.

Research

The School of Labour Studies conducts cutting-edge research on domestic and international labour issues. We are leaders in community-engaged scholarship, collaborating with unions, community organizations and policy-makers. Our research helps make work better for everyone.

Graduate Programs

Canada's leading program studying contemporary work, workers and social justice movements. We offer both an exceptional master's program as well as North America's on PhD in Labour Studies.

Latest News & Events

Latest News & Events

The School of Labour Studies is now open 3 days a week on campus

The School of Labour Studies are back on campus every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Hours and specific staff contacts are below.
Sep 08, 2021

The advantages of unionization are obvious, so why don’t more workers join unions?

Stephanie Ross , Associate Professor, Labour Studies, McMaster University and Larry Savage, Professor, Labour Studies, Brock University have been featured in The Conversation.
Aug 05, 2021

Dr. Judy Fudge, 2020 recipient of a SSHRC Insight Grant Award

Professor Judy Fudge has been chosen as a 2020 recipient of a SSHRC Insight Grant Award
Jun 15, 2021

Survey shows some bosses are using the pandemic as an excuse to push workers

Stephanie Ross of the School of Labour Studies and Wayne Lewchuk, Professor Emeritus School of Labour Studies and Department of Economics, McMaster University, have been published in The Conversation.
May 06, 2021

McMaster study looks at how pandemic has affected Bangladeshi workers

A community-based study led by McMaster University seeks to highlight the systemic health and safety issues facing Bangladeshi workers as racialized groups continue to disproportionately represent COVID-19 cases. Originally published in the Hamilton Spectator on March 24th, 2021 by Vjosa Isai
Mar 24, 2021

Migrant workers need priority access to the COVID-19 vaccine

An op-ed by Fay Faraday, Judy Fudge, Jill Hanley, Janet McLaughlin, Chris Ramsaroop, Ethel Tungohan and Anelyse Weiler. Originally published in the Globe & Mail.
Feb 24, 2021

Learn about our Programs

B.A. Bachelor of Arts in Labour Studies

Our BA program is innovative and interdisciplinary in nature. The McMaster School of Labour Studies is widely recognized as among the best in the world. In their classes our students engage with the many and varied issues that animate our contemporary worlds of work.

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Hons.B.A. Honours BA Labour Studies

Our Honours BA graduates have high rates of success in securing careers in labour law, community development, Industrial relations, health & safety, lawyer, mediator,  disability case worker, civil servant, community development, policy analysis, teaching, occupational health and safety, labour research and labour organizing. Honours students are required to complete either an honours thesis or a field experience. Field experience allows them to sharpen their research skills while gaining practical experience working for a union, government agency or private employer.

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Hons.B.A. Combined Honours BA in Labour Studies

Students graduate with a double major in Labour Studies and another subject.

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Minor Minor in Labour Studies

Work is central to our health (physical and mental), our economic well-being, our society and our economy. In short work affects everyone. The minor in Labour Studies is a strong complement to almost any undergraduate degree program. It provides an interdisciplinary and well rounded view of our contemporary worlds of work.

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M.A. Master of Arts in Labour Studies

The prime objective of this unique program is to introduce students to a variety of theoretical approaches and practical policy debates related to work and workers, both globally, and in Canada. Courses focus on a broad range of topics such as: union organizing; globalization and migration; labour geography; worker health and safety; and gender, racialization and work. The M.A. in Labour Studies approaches work broadly, paying attention to informal work, unpaid work in the home, as well as formal waged work. Regardless of the particular focus, work is studied as one component of life experience, and as influenced by technological change, community relations, the effects of racism, sexism, homophobia, and ableism, politics, and state regulation.

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Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy in Labour Studies

The only such degree in North America, the Ph.D. program engages closely and critically with the issues of work and labour in contemporary and historical perspective. The program aims to develop a new generation of scholars prepared to contribute to research leadership in the academy, the community, policy arenas and organizations representing working people. As a small interdisciplinary program, students will enjoy strong mentorship from leading scholars in the field and benefit from the strong union and community connections of faculty.

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U.Cert. The Labour Studies Certificate Program

The McMaster School of Labour Studies has been offering certificate courses since 1976. We are pleased to announce, that since Summer 2020, our Certificate in Labour Studies is now offered online, allowing people from anywhere in Canada to enrol and participate and learn and build relationships with union activists from different unions, industries and all corners of the country.

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U.Cert. Unifor-McMaster Labour Studies Certificate

Unifor-McMaster Labour Studies courses are designed specifically for Unifor members. Education has an important role in building a knowledgeable membership and workplace leadership. The Unifor-McMaster program is designed on a learning approach that is built upon a commitment to participants that translates into respect for prior experience, skill and activism.

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