Typical Course of Study
A typical four-year program is outlined below. For full course descriptions see Cornell's online course catalog. To earn the Cornell Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Labor Relations, you need to successfully complete 120 credits. This requires eight terms for an average of 30 credits a year, although some students accelerate their studies.
| Freshman Year | Credits |
|---|---|
| Fall Semester | |
| First-Year Writing Seminar* | 3 |
| ILR Colloquium: Introduction to the ILR School (ILRID 150)† | 1 |
| Introduction to Organizational Behavior (ILROB 122)† | 3 |
| History of American Labor (ILRCB 100)† | 3 |
| Introductory Microeconomics (ECON 101)* | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Physical Education (university requirement) | — |
| Spring Semester | |
| First-Year Writing Seminar* | 3 |
| Introductory Macroeconomics (ECON 102)* | 3 |
| Science and Technology course ‡ | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Physical Education (university requirement) | — |
| Sophomore Year | |
| Fall Semester | |
| Statistical Reasoning (ILRST 212)† | 4 |
| Labor and Employment Law (ILRCB 201)† | 3 |
| Human Resource Management (ILRHR 260)† | 3 |
| Western Intellectual Tradition course ‡ | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Spring Semester | |
| Collective Bargaining (ILRCB 205)† | 3 |
| Economics of Wages and Employment (ILRLE 240)† | 3 |
| Cultural Perspectives course ‡ | 3 |
| Advanced Writing course ‡ | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Junior and Senior Years | |
| ILR Elective courses | 40 |
| |
| Additional general elective credits (in addition to distribution requirements) | |
| Total credits required for Bachelor of Science | 120 |
* Required courses usually taken in the College of Arts and Sciences
† Required courses taken in the ILR school
‡ Distribution courses (courses you choose that satisfy requirements in certain categories)
¤ Physical Education courses do not count toward the 120 credits
note: The ILR faculty believes that full-time study for a defined period best promotes intellectual development and best prepares students for citizenship and careers. Consequently, undergraduates must complete eight semesters of full-time study, including work done while on an approved credit internship or study abroad program, in order to meet their degree requirements. Those who enter the school as transfer students will be required to complete four to six semesters in full-time residence, depending on the number of full-time semesters completed at another institution.
