The Graduate Studies Program in Industrial Relations (IR) is a ladderized program consisting of a Graduate Diploma and a Master's degree in Industrial Relations which aims to train qualified students, staff, supervisors, managers, and leaders of unions, business enterprises, NGOs, government agencies, and educational institutions for a professional career in labor relations and human resources development/management.
The Graduate Studies Program in IR is multi-disciplinary and has integrated various disciplines such as sociology, economics, business administration, psychology, law, political science, public administration, and statistics to give students general competence in the field. This is a ladder-type graduate program requiring students to finish core integrative courses, leading to a Diploma in Industrial Relations (Dip IR), before continuing on to develop expertise (as a Master of Industrial Relations degree holder) in any of the four areas of specialization - Labor-Management Relations, Human Resource Development, Comparative Industrial Relations, & Labor Policy and Administration.
Diploma in Industrial Relations (Dip IR)
Apply foundational concepts and theories in industrial relations, employment and labor relations, human resource management, economic development, organizational behavior, and management to explain and analyze workplace and employment relations issues, with awareness of cultural and ethical considerations and in support of decent work.
Apply quantitative and qualitative research methods to analyze labor, employment relations, and human resource issues, propose evidence-based solutions, and communicate research findings effectively through written reports and oral presentations.
Apply sound HRM and industrial relations systems, policies, and practices—including legal compliance, collective bargaining, conflict resolution mechanisms, and worker participation—to support worker well-being and effective workplace operations.
Identify and explain organizational and institutional changes and strategies at the micro, meso, and macro levels, and describe their implications for work and employment.
Demonstrate constructive engagement in employee relations, worker participation, and labor–management or tripartite settings through respectful communication, empathy, respect for diversity, ethical conduct, and basic conflict-handling skills.
Argue for and propose reforms in labor and employment laws and statutes, social legislation, and human resource policies that promote decent work.
Master of Industrial Relations (MIR)
Analyze and synthesize relevant IR and HRM theories, including comparative and international perspectives, to interpret complex employment relations issues.
Design, conduct, and communicate ethical and rigorous research to generate original evidence that informs HRM, industrial relations, and labor and employment policy in support of public knowledge.
Design and/or evaluate integrated HRM and/or industrial relations systems to promote employee well-being, organizational effectiveness, and sustainable work systems.
Analyze and propose organizational and institutional change at the micro, meso, and macro levels in the context of changes in the world of work.
Advocate and support worker voice, conflict management, and dispute resolution processes with ethical judgment, emotional intelligence, and effective persuasion.
Analyze and develop labor policies and social legislation aligned with national development goals, decent work, and international labor standards.
Diploma Program: Earn the required 21 units with an average of 1.75 or better.
Master's Program: Weighted average of 2.00 or better and pass IR 300 or the Comprehensive Exam