ULA Program Overview

The Union Leadership and Administration Master's Degree in Labor Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is an innovative program tailored to the needs of working union officers, staff, and activists. The only nonresidential graduate program in labor studies of its kind in the country, it offers trade unionists the opportunity to study and explore the labor movement - where we've been, where we are today, and where we need to be heading. The ULA program provides the leadership and technical skills necessary for today's union officers, staff, and activists to confront the changing world and make our unions prosper and grow.

The ULA program at UMass is the only graduate program that focuses exclusively on unions from a labor perspective. Only other experienced trade unionists are enrolled in the program, which creates a camaraderie and solidarity that is both stimulating and enjoyable. Our faculty are respected scholars in their fields, but all have significant union experience. This allows them to teach courses that are both academically strong and practically based.

You don't have to move to Amherst to take advantage of this learning experience. Courses are taught during ten-day sessions in the summer and winter. Participants take two three-credit courses during each ten-day session, including a reasonable amount of reading, writing, and other participatory exercises. Students complete a writing assignment upon returning home. Six credits are earned by completing a final paper and students may transfer up to six credits from other graduate programs. Take classes just twice a year for two and one-half years and complete your degree in three years.

We hope you'll take a few minutes to review the materials and that you'll consider joining us.