The Ph.D. in industrial relations and human resources is an interdisciplinary program committed to developing scholars who can study the dynamic and changing conditions of employment and work.
The program prepares students to conduct research that contributes to the advancement of knowledge and practice in industrial relations and human resource management. In addition to studying the fundamental theories of industrial relations and human resource management, students learn how to design and conduct rigorous research, to analyze their results, and to disseminate their findings through scholarly publications. Students are expected to be actively involved in research throughout their enrollment in the program.
Required course work for the program includes seven courses to fulfill interdisciplinary distribution requirements, at least three statistics and research methods courses, two advanced seminars, and four electives. During their second year in the program, students complete an empirical research project. After completing their master's thesis and required course work, students take a qualifying examination tailored to their research interests. Upon passing the qualifying examination, students are awarded the M.S. degree and admitted to Ph.D. candidacy. Students complete a dissertation during their fourth and fifth years.
