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The ILR School’s MS program with a concentration in Labor Research and Policy is designed for students who wish to focus on labor research and policy analysis. The concentration will prepare students for careers in the following areas – with more focused expertise in one area developed through their coursework, recommended internship, and thesis:

  • Labor and Employment Policy Research
  • Labor Union Research, Strategic Campaigns, and Collective Action
  • International Labor Standards Research, Monitoring, and Enforcement

Student Stories

Current and past MS ILR students

See all MSILR student stories

M.S. Degree a Conduit for Making Positive Change for Workers

"If you're thinking about having an impact on workers, you won't find a better program,” says Irfan Surya Asgani, M.S. ’24.
Irfan Surya Asgani, M.S. ’24
M.S. Degree a Conduit for Making Positive Change for Workers

MS Student Shares Journey

David A. Grant II discusses his path from SUNY Cortland to Cornell.
David A. Grant II, MS student
MS Student Shares Journey

QA with MS Student Claire Sleigh

A connection “around a shared motivation for social justice and the importance of the labor movement in achieving better outcomes” is shared by students in the cohort, Sleigh said.
M.S. Student Claire Sleigh
QA with MS Student Claire Sleigh

Faculty and Research

Academic research and expertise

MS ILR students work with researchers who study the entirety of the world of work.

ILR Faculty study issues of work from the individual to the global. Our researchers span and combine multiple disciplines and backgrounds to explore the incredibly broad range of topics that comprise the world of work. You can find more about our academics in these departments:

Read more about ILR Faculty and Research

Centers and Institutes

Applied Research Opportunities

MS ILR students have the possibility to work on applied research projects at ILR's centers and institutes.

Students can study topics ranging from sustainable work in the clean energy transition to international labor standards in rapidly changing supply chains.

See our centers and institutes

Contact the Graduate Office

Get in touch

ILR Graduate Office
Cornell University
218 Ives Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853

Phone: (607) 255-1522
Fax: (607) 254-5225
ilrgradapplicant@cornell.edu

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Get in touch
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Applied Research

ILR Centers and Institutes

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Program Structure

Requirements and Curriculum Information

Requirements

Committee, Governance, and Requirements

Requirements
MS ILR Requirements

Application Information

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Application Details

Tuition & Financial Information

The ILR MS program tuition for the 2023-2024 academic year is $20,800 per academic year. Students are responsible for approximately $4,046 Student Health Plan and Student Health Fee.

Estimated Cost of Attendance and information on applying for loans is available on the Office of Financial Aid website.

While funding is limited, applicants who are admitted to the MS program within the ILR School will be offered any available funding in their admission letter.