Master of Industrial and Labor Relations in Ithaca United States | Cornell University

The MILR program is a two-year, on-campus graduate degree located in Ithaca, NY, tailored for future leaders in human resources and labor relations. This professional degree equips students to address critical workplace challenges including organizational performance, worker welfare, and employment relations. The curriculum emphasizes leadership development, strategic decision-making, and mediation skills, blending academic theory with practical application. Seasoned HR professionals and labor relations experts actively engage with students, sharing insights on contemporary workplace issues. Specialization options include: human resources management, union representation, conflict mediation, employment policy, or global labor studies. The program requires completion of at least 48 credit hours across various courses and seminars, with core subjects covering negotiation strategies, workplace psychology, employment economics, labor legislation, personnel administration, and statistical analysis. Applicants holding a U.S. law degree or MBA may qualify for an accelerated one-year completion option. Those pursuing business leadership roles can enroll in a combined five-semester dual-degree program offered through the School of Industrial and Labor Relations (MILR) and Johnson Graduate School of Management (MBA).