FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

School of Labour Studies

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Labour Studies Certificate Program

A woman wearing a Covid-19 mask sitting in a chair reading a book about occupational health science at McMaster campus

Labour Studies Certificate Program

The McMaster School of Labour Studies has been offering certificate courses since 1976. The Labour Studies Certificate Program explores issues facing workers in their workplaces, organizations and communities. It supports workers by providing them with the tools to understand and intervene in their world, in a worker-friendly environment.

 

Courses are offered from September to May and use the principles of adult education, which centres and respects workers’ prior experience, knowledge and activism.

About the Program

The Certificate in Labour Studies is now offered online, allowing people from anywhere in Canada to participate and learn while building relationships with union activists from different unions and industries from all corners of the country. This certificate is only offered on a part-time basis.

 

Each certificate course consists of four online sessions that are three hours per session. Our instructors are recruited from a range of backgrounds including academics, activists, and professionals. They are recognized leaders in their field and are experienced adult educators. We offer courses spanning a wide range of subject areas and topics. We can also design and deliver courses geared to your local union members’ interests.

 

Here are some examples of past courses:

  • Basics of Collective Bargaining
  • Challenges Facing the Labour Movement
  • The Workplace During Covid
  • Steward Training
  • Are Co-ops an Alternative?
  • Building Your Leadership Skills
  • Who are the One Percent?
  • Conflict Resolution and Mediation
  • Can we Rebuild the Labour Movement?
  • Labour Studies Theory
  • Labour Law for Workers
  • Arbitration
  • Issues in Health and Safety
  • The Future of Work and the New Economy
  • Labour History

 

Students must complete 12 courses, including two of the following four courses:

  • History of the Canadian Labour Movement, Part I or II
  • Labour Studies Theory, Part I or II

The remaining courses can be selected from a list of electives.

 

Courses are offered in the fall semester, from September to December; the winter semester, January to April and possibly a summer course in July. Participants can enroll in a course and begin the program at any time during the year, and there is no deadline by which participants must complete the certificate.

Register for Winter 2024 courses by filling in this Registration Form.

 

Note: By submitting this form you are requesting enrolment and will be responsible for the resulting tuition charges. Tuition is non-refundable, please ensure you are able to attend the course(s) you sign up for. If you have questions before enrolment please contact Mehrdokht O’Brien (lbstcert@mcmaster.ca).

 

You may drop a course by sending an email to lbstcert@mcmaster.ca up to a week before the first class date. Please include your full name and the course you wish to drop.

 

McMaster values your privacy. Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy at McMaster University (FIPPA) Notice on the University Secretariat website.

Certificate courses are $170/course. Some scholarships are available to people with limited incomes.

 

Payment Instructions

Before making your payment, please review your student ‘Account Summary’ on Mosaic for up-to-date balances. Your account balance is available under the ‘Student Centre’ section of Mosaic. Please note that McMaster University does not accept cash or cheque payments.

 

Online banking

Set up online banking from your Canadian financial institution’s website/app. Make sure you regularly review your Mosaic balance due to ensure you are paying the correct amount.

 

Setting Up a Payment

  1. Log in to your financial institution’s website.
  2. Go to Bill Payments.
  3. Add a Payee (or new bill).
  4. Search and add McMaster University.
  5. Enter your 9 digit student number as the “Account Number”. (Double check the ID # before proceeding)
  6. Confirm the information.

Make a Payment

  1. Log in to your financial institution’s website.
  2. Go to Bill Payments.
  3. Select McMaster University.
  4. Enter amount you wish to pay.
  5. Confirm the information.
  6. Take a screenshot as a proof of payment.

Payments can take 2 to 4 business days to arrive in your McMaster student account. If your payment has not been received within this time frame, contact your financial institution.

For more information, to be added to our email update list or for help enrolling in courses, please send your inquiry to lbstcert@mcmaster.ca.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

I do not remember my Mac ID username (e.g., smithj)

In your email, try to locate your McMaster Person ID/MacID email. This mail would have your Person ID number and barcode number. If you have both of those numbers go to the MacID Management website and click ‘Need help with your MacID?’ and follow the prompts from there.

 

If you cannot locate your student number and/or barcode number, please contact Program Assistant Mehr O’Brien at lbstcert@mcmaster.ca for assistance.

 

I forgot my password for my MacID

First, ensure that you have your MacID username (e.g., smithj). If you do not remember your MacID username, please see the above FAQ. With your username go to MacID Management website and click on ‘Forgot Password?’. You will be instructed to answer your security questions and then reset your password. If you do not remember your security answers, or if you do not have any security questions listed, please contact University Technology Services (UTS) for assistance at either uts@mcmaster.ca, live chat or (905) 525-9140, ext. 24357 during business hours.

 

Visit UTS website for more information. They will ask you for your student (person ID) number and barcode number. If you do not remember your student number and barcode number and cannot locate this information in your email, please contact the Program Assistant, Mehrdokht O’Brien at lbstcert@mcmaster.ca for assistance.

 

I need my barcode to reset my password but I cannot locate this information

If you do not remember your student number and/or barcode number and cannot locate this information in your email please contact the Program Assistant , Mehrdokht O’Brien at lbstcert@mcmaster.ca for assistance

 

I don’t remember the answers to my security questions

If you do not remember your security answers, or if you do not have any security questions listed, please contact University Technology Services (UTS) for assistance at uts@mcmaster.ca, at either uts@mcmaster.ca, live chat or (905) 525-9140, ext. 24357 during business hours. Visit UTS website for more information. They will ask you for your student (person ID) number and barcode number.

 

How can I obtain an Enrolment/Completion letter?

Students can log into the MOSAIC Student Centre to access this information. Please follow the steps below:

– Log into Mosaic > Student Centre tile > Academics section.

– Use the drop down menu in the Academics section (defaulted to ‘other academic…’) to select ‘Enrolment/Financial Letters’ and click the grey arrow.

– Select the Enrolment/Completion letter.

– Your academic career is ‘Independent’.

 

Please ensure that your pop-up blocker is off so that the letter can be downloaded.

 

How can I obtain a receipt for a course?

You can view your course enrollment history by signing into MOSAIC and navigating to Student Center.

 

Choose “Course History” from the drop-down menu located in the Academic section (located on the top left corner of the page).

 

Alternatively, for payment details, you can log in to your MOSAIC student centre and print an ‘enrolment/financial letter’ from the academics section, as well as print out the ‘payments’ page in the finances section.

 

How do I get my transcript?

You can log into your MOSAIC Student Centre to access this information. Please follow the steps below:

– Log into Mosaic > Student Centre tile > Academics section.

– Select ‘Transcript: Request Official’ from the dropdown menu (defaulted to ‘other academic…’) and complete the form.

– Your academic career is ‘Independent’.

NOTE: You will see you also have the option view an unofficial transcript from the academics section drop down menu. Please ensure your pop-up blocker is turned off if you would like to view this.

 

How do I view my grades and completed courses?

You can log into the MOSAIC Student Centre to access this information. Please follow the steps below:

– Log into Mosaic > Student Centre tile > Academics section.

– Select either ‘Grades’ (broken down by term) or “Course History” from the dropdown menu (defaulted to ‘other academic…’).

– You will be able to view all completed, registered and/or dropped courses on this page.

 

How do I apply to graduate?

After you complete all your required courses and all final grades have been posted in MOSAIC, please apply to graduate by contacting Program Assistant Mehrdokht O’Brien at lbstcert@mcmaster.ca

Register for a course by completing the Registration Form.

 

Each Course: $170.00. Payment instructions are listed on this page under Financial Information and Scholarships section.

Apply to the Labour Studies Certificate Program