Program description

The Labour Studies Program assists in resolving the challenges of daily life: globalization, organizing strategies, negotiation and dispute resolution, social and economic equality, anti-harassment policies, and human rights. Knowing and exercising a person's rights provides the power to improve working conditions, maintain relations with co-workers and superiors as well as claiming the respect in which all are entitled. The Labour Studies Program provides essential tools and basic knowledge for all working people such as teachers, union activists, managers, worker advocates, researchers, managers and technical workers.

Program options

Degree options

B.A. Bachelor of Arts (General) - 3 years
B.A. (Adv.) Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) - 4 years
Diploma in Labour Studies - 30 credit hours

Interesting courses and unique opportunities

Interesting courses

• Human Rights and Social Justice
• Political Economy of Labour
• Globalization
• Workplace Health and Safety
• Labour and Employment Law
• Labour History
• Industrial Relations

Placement option

4th-year Field Placement option in a company, union, government office, community organization, NGO, or social agency

Professional opportunities

• Manitoba Human Rights Commission
• Manitoba Labour Relations Board
• Employment Standards Branch
• Workers' Compensation Board
• Worker Advisor Office
• Manitoba Legislature
• Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
• Community Unemployed Help Centre
• United Nations International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (UNEVOC)
• Great-West Life
• Manitoba Hydro
• Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU)
• Manitoba Government Employees Union (MGEU)
• United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW)
• United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners
• Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
• Labour Lawyers
• Human Resources Managers
• and many others.

Admission requirements & prerequisites

Direct entry option

Direct entry is not an option for this program. Please review the Advanced entry option section for more information.

Advanced entry option

24 credit hours in U1 (or approved bachelors program).

This entry option is open to students who have completed either a minimum of 24 credit hours of university level study or one of the certificate programs specified on each program’s application page.

High school prerequisites

High school prerequisites: None

Many programs will require or recommend specific high school courses over and above their admission requirements. These high school prerequisites are not always required to enter the program, but they must be completed to enrol in certain university courses within it. If a student does not have a particular prerequisite when they enter the program, they may complete an equivalent upgrading course at university that will satisfy the prerequisite requirement.

More details on admission requirements, application dates and how to apply is available on the Faculty of Arts apply for admission page.

What is unique about this program at the U of M?

4th year Field Placement course offers students an opportunity to get real-world experience in the field, make useful contacts with practitioners, and develop career skills by working alongside labour professionals in labour unions, government offices, NGO's, community organizations and businesses.

Labour Studies offers two scholarships, the Charles Biesick Memorial Scholarship and the People's Co-op Award

Important links