Undergraduate Admissions

One Major, Endless Possibilities

All ILR students have the same major: Industrial and Labor Relations. The ILR major focuses on the study of people and policies in the workplace. Our flexible, interdisciplinary program explores pressing work issues that affect individuals, families, organizations, and every economy and community.

The classes in our five departments examine topics critical to all organizations, from leadership, teamwork and negotiations, to globalization, the impact of technology on work, and labor relations and rights around the world. ILR students take foundation classes in law, management, history, organizational psychology, economics and statistics. They then combine electives from ILR and the other schools at Cornell to tailor the program to their specific academic or career interests.

See our Curriculum and Sample Electives for an overview of the program and examples of how students can tailor the degree to their interests.

Learn more about our program and application process:

Sign up to join one of our information sessions in Ithaca (summer sessions run from June 26 - August 3).
Register for our Virtual Information Session, which will be held at noon ET on August 8.
Watch our recorded information session.

One Major, Endless Paths

One of the greatest strengths of the ILR degree is that it allows you to study and prepare for a variety of fields:

Explore ILR career outcome data

“I came to Cornell knowing I wanted a rigorous program and the ability to learn outside of the classroom. I found the perfect balance at ILR through challenging, interdisciplinary courses and opportunities to study in Dublin, work with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Washington, D.C. and create my own radio show here in Ithaca.”

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Daniel James II ’22

Digital Communications Fellow, Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) at U.S. House of Representatives • Formerly: Co-President, ILR Minority Student Organization President, ILR Student Government Association, 2023 Schwarzman Scholar

“I have learned why it should be a societal goal to ensure that people feel comfortable and supported in every organization that they are a part of, because one’s experiences in the workplace intersects with their personal and professional lives. This depth of understanding that ILR has given me is why I want to advocate for marginalized communities in the workplace.”

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Salima Ali ’23

Senior People Consultant, EY • Formerly: Legal Compliance Intern, Blackboard High Road Fellow, ILR Peer Mentor Lead

“I translated lessons from my Human Resource and Organizational Behavior classes directly into creating Cornell Votes, which helped to increase voter turnout in our community by nearly 20 points. As a representative in city government, I drew upon the foundation I developed in law and alternative dispute resolution to write legislation. My ILR education is something I utilize every day.”

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Patrick Mehler ’23

Mediator & Arbitrator, Scheinman Arbitration & Mediation Services • Formerly: Co-Founder & President, Cornell Votes, Scheinman Conflict Resolution Club

“ILR has taught me that interdisciplinary studies and interests are truly possible. I came into ILR fully devoted to Pre-Law, and while that still remains the case, I have now found a newfound interest in Business Strategy and Human Resources that I would not have discovered had I not explored these interests through courses offered to us. My advice is to take the chance on the class that seems slightly interesting, because you never know what you may discover along the way.”

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Benjamin Babayev ’27

President, Class of 2027 Council and Moot Court

“ILR has taught me a tremendous amount about what it means to work with people to create a more effective organization, and why people do the things they do in a workplace. I’ve taken classes on bargaining strategy, group psychology, labor economics and how to effectively build and optimize people management practices in an organization. I enjoy learning how and why people do what they do, and how labor relations connect directly to sports, as an industry where the commodity being sold is the player’s ability to work.”

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Rachel Eisenhart ’28

Founding Board Member, Sports & Entertainment Law Society, Student Board Member, Cornell Hillel

“ILR gave me the language and tools to turn my passion for workers’ rights into action—whether that’s organizing on campus, supporting unions or helping create the future of labor. ILR has taught me how organizing, policy and law come together to shape the lives of workers. It’s the perfect place for anyone who wants to turn social justice into real change.”

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Rene Cabrera ’27

President, Cornell Organization for Labor Action (COLA), Co-Chair, MEChA de Cornell

Undergraduate Admissions

One Major, Endless Possibilities

One Major, Endless Paths

Contact Us

ilradmissions@cornell.edu

ph: (607) 255-2222