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School of Labour Studies

Faculty of Social Sciences

Department of Anthropology

Discover Your Focus

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.

Certificate Programs

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

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.

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.

Latest News & Events

Latest News & Events

POSTPONED Labour Studies x Sociology Speaker Series: Dr. Maureen Kihika

Black Caregivers, Border Regimes and (Un)Belonging in Canada: 'Everyday' Life as Resistance in the Workplace
Nov 16, 2022

Labour Studies x Sociology Speaker Series: Dr. Evelyn Encalada Grez

Life and Work Across Borders and Seasons: The Transnational Lives of Mexican Migrant Farmworker Women in Canada
Oct 03, 2022

Labour studies students detail the challenges of contemporary work in a new short film

McMaster Labour Studies students examine issues in the contemporary workplace including burnout and work-life balance.
Aug 19, 2022

Analysis: Collectivism — not individualism — is the path to reducing social and economic inequality

Peggy Nash of Toronto Metropolitan University and Stephanie Ross of McMaster University were published in The Conversation.
Jun 07, 2022

Salsa Sarhan receives the 2022 Rudy Heinzl Award

You may know her as the president of the MSSS, but Salsa is also extremely dedicated to community service. Recently, she received the prestigious Rudy Heinzl Award from the MSU. In this Q&A, she talks about the win and what motivates her to leave a lasting impact at McMaster and the Hamilton community.
Apr 11, 2022

Meet some of our extraordinary YWCA Women of Distinction nominees

Trailblazing students and inspiring staff, faculty and community members: McMaster is proud to be associated with so many nominees for this year’s YWCA Hamilton Women of Distinction awards. Here are the extraordinary women in our community who have been recognized this year. The awards were announced March 3. The School of Social Work would like to acknowledge the amazing women on this list who are associated with the School! Heartfelt congrats to all.
Mar 13, 2022

Learn about our Programs

B.A. Bachelor of Arts in Work and 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 Work and 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 Work and Labour Studies

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

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Minor Minor in Work and 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. This program is offered in-person at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.

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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. This program is offered in-person at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.

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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, participate and learn while building 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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