The MILR program offers the best of both worlds: a thoughtfully designed curriculum that begins with a first-semester bundle of courses and a set of core classes to build a common academic foundation. From there, students have the flexibility to shape their academic path by choosing from a wide range of concentration and elective courses that reflect their individual interests and career ambitions.

Outline of Program Requirements

To earn the Master of Industrial and Labor Relations (MILR) degree, students must complete a minimum of 48 credit hours and at least 16 courses (3+ credits each), which include:

  • 6 Core Courses
  • 6 Concentration Courses
  • 4 Electives

All courses used to fulfill the MILR degree must:

  • Be at the 5000-level or above
  • Be taken for a letter grade (Pass/Fail and S/U do not count)
  • Earn a grade of C or higher
  • Be worth 3 or more credits. Courses less than 3 credits may be combined to count as one course, but must still be taken for credit

Breakdown of Course Requirements

MILR/MBA Dual Degree Program

The dual degree MILR/MBA program from ILR and Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management offers a unique opportunity that places you in the center of today's fast changing workplace. The MILR/MBA program will:

  • Increase your career options
  • Develop management and technical skills
  • Increase your earning power
  • Gain two degrees in 2.5 years

One-Year MILR Degree

Applicants with a JD or MBA degree from an accredited U.S. institution or a BS ILR degree from Cornell University and at least 1-2 years of full-time work experience, may apply to complete the MILR degree program in one year. Not all applicants will be approved for the one-year option, but each application will be evaluated individually by the admissions committee. 30 credit hours including the 6 MILR core courses are required. Students in the one-year MILR program must:

  • Complete a total of 30 credits
  • Complete 2 full-time semesters in the MILR program
  • Complete or waive all 6 of the MILR required core courses
  • Complete or waive four of the six concentration courses
  • Complete as many relevant and appropriate electives as needed to fulfill the 30 credit requirement