Graduate

Labor and Collective Bargaining Postbaccalaureate Credit Certificate

Labor and Collective Bargaining Postbaccalaureate Credit Certificate

The field of labor relations is pivotal to maintaining fair and productive workplaces. The 9-credit Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Labor and Collective Bargaining is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate complex labor relations issues, negotiate effectively, and contribute to positive labor-management relations.

Courses taken in the certificate program may be applied toward a master’s degree in HRER, subject to restrictions outlined in GCAC-309 Transfer Credit. Certificate students who wish to have certificate courses applied towards a graduate degree in HRER must apply and be admitted to that degree program. Admission to the HRER graduate degree program is a separate step and is not guaranteed.

Admission Requirements

Applicants apply for admission to the program via the Graduate School application for admission. Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-300 Admissions Policies. International applicants may be required to satisfy an English proficiency requirement; see GCAC-305 Admission Requirements for International Students for more information.

  • ​​ Applicants with a 3.00 junior/senior grade-point average (on a 4.00 scale) will be considered for admission. Exceptions to the minimum grade-point average may be made at the discretion of the program for students with special backgrounds, abilities, and interests; 
  • ​ All applicants submit a Graduate School application (including payment of the nonrefundable application fee), resume, and personal statement addressing their reasons for pursuing a certificate in labor and collective bargaining; 
  • ​The resume and personal statement are waived if a student is currently enrolled in the MHRER or MS HRER degree programs. 

Requirements

Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements listed in Graduate Council policy GCAC-212 Postbaccalaureate Credit Certificate Programs.

All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better and a grade-point average of 3.0 to be awarded the certificate.

Required Courses

Course CodeCourse NameCredits
HRER 504Seminar in Employment Relations3
Choose 6 credits from the following list:6
LHR 401The Law of Labor-Management Relations 
LHR 434Advanced Collective Bargaining and Contract Administration 
LHR 435Labor Relations in the Public Sector 
LHR 437Workplace Dispute Resolution 
LHR 444Workplace Safety and Health: Principles and Practices 
LHR 459Collective Bargaining in Professional Sports 
LHR 466Labor Union Structure, Administration and Governance 
LHR 468American Labor Unions 
LHR 472Work-Life Practices and Policies 
Total Credits9

Cost

Students pay the regular per credit charge for graduate study at Penn State – see the most current tuition schedule.

Contact

Erin Hetzel
Education Program Assistant
eab27@psu.edu
Phone: 814-867-4167

Trisha Everhart
Assistant Director of Online Programs
pxm205@psu.edu
Phone: 814-865-0747