UCLA Department of Labor Studies

UCLA Labor Studies offers a wide-ranging curriculum on work, labor systems and the social, political and economic forces that shape the world.

In the United States, work is about more than just “making a living.” Our jobs influence our sense of identity, community and life opportunities. Employment is the most direct means to secure basic necessities, yet access to safe, fulfilling and fair work is deeply unequal across lines of race, immigration status, gender, sexuality, ability, education and economic status.

Labor Studies equips students with tools from sociology, economics, political science, ethnic studies and history, along with law, policy and public health, to analyze and challenge systems of inequality in modern society.

The UCLA Department of Labor Studies is grounded in social movement theory, working-class history and experiential learning. Through our unique community internship program and summer research capstone, students directly engage with labor organizations and workers, applying what they learn in real time. Students conduct innovative research and are empowered to recognize their experiences, and those of their friends and families, as legitimate sources of knowledge and scholarship.

Labor Studies Major & Minor Offerings:

Labor Studies Courses provide students with high quality academic coursework and applied research skills around the current and future state of work in the US and abroad. For a complete list of courses offered in the Labor Studies, please view our course listings after the requirements section.
The Labor Summer Research Program is a research seminar with fieldwork; a way to augment traditional classroom-based learning with experiential learning in a community setting with direct engagement in labor and workplace issues. This summer program offers students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in an applied research experience focused on the Los Angeles labor movement that is leading national efforts to promote social justice for working people.
Community Internships in Labor-related Organizations offered through the Labor Studies program connect students with professionals, community activists, and the public to gain critical perspectives on the program’s core subjects.

REQUIREMENTS

Labor Studies Major Requirements (Effective Fall 2019)

To be admitted to the Labor Studies major, students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 with at least 12 units completed at UCLA, and must have completed all non-language Labor Studies preparation courses. These courses can overlap for two majors, without any limitation.

Preparation for the Major (3 Courses)

1 Required Lower Division Course: LBR STD 10
2 Elective Lower Division Courses. Select from: AF AMER 1, M5, ASIA AM 10, 20, 40, 50, CHICANO 10B, GENDER 10, GEOG 4, HIST 2B, 8B, 12A, 12B, 12C, HNRS 82, POL SCI 60, PUB PLC 10A, 10B, SOCIOL M5, 51, SPAN 44, and related courses (by petition).

Major Requirements (48 Units)

Required Core Course: LBR STD 101 (4 Units)
5 Labor Studies Electives (20 Units)
5 Elective Upper Division Courses (20 units) Select from: AF AMER CM113, M173, ASIA AM 113, M116, CHICANO M125, M127, M128, 129, ECON 150, 151, GENDER 102, M137E, M163, HIST 141B, 146A, 146B, 146C, M150C, POL SCI 116A, M180A, PUB PLC 141 ,145, SOCIOL 157, M163, 171, 173, and related courses (by petition).
Labor Studies Major requirement updates starting Summer 2025:
- Students declared before Summer 2025:
  - Capstone requirement (8 units):
    - Option 1 – Labor summer Research Program 2025:
      - LBR STD 191 A – Summer Session B 2025 (3 weeks)
      - LBR STD 191B – Summer Session C 2025 (3 weeks)
    - Option 2:
      - LBR STD 191 – It will be offered in Winter and Spring 2026
      - LBR STD course – Any Labor Studies course
- Students declared in and after Summer 2025:
  - Capstone requirement (4 units):
    - Option 1: LBR STD 191 – It will be offered Winter, Spring 2026,
    - Option 2: Labor Summer Research Program (6 weeks)
      - LBR STD 194A – Capstone course
      - LBR STD 194C – It will count as an upper-division elective

Note: A maximum of 20 upper division units (typically 5 courses) can overlap and be in common between two majors. This applies to major requirement courses only, and not preparation for the major courses.

Each major requirement course must be taken for a letter grade, and students must have an overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better.

Transfer Students

Transfer applicants to the Labor Studies major with 90 or more units must complete as many of the following introductory courses as possible prior to admission to UCLA: one interdisciplinary labor history or one social structure and contemporary conditions course related to labor and/or social movements.

Labor Studies Minor Requirements (Effective Fall 2019)

To be admitted to the Labor Studies Minor, students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and have completed 45 units at UCLA. These courses can overlap for two majors, without any limitation

Students must complete 28 units from the approved and/or related courses with no more than 8 units of lower division and no more than 8 units can be applied to a major and/or another minor.

New UCLA students: In order to be eligible to declare a minor, new students must complete their first quarter at UCLA with at least 12 units and a minimum 2.0 term and cumulative GPA. This means that new student are eligible to declare the minor in the beginning of their second quarter at UCLA.

Minor Requirements (28 units)

1 Required Core Course: LBR STD 101 (4 Units)

Note: Students who declared the Labor Studies Minor prior to Fall 2019, do not need to fulfill this required core course. It is optional, but need to complete 28 units total.

6 Elective Courses (24 Units)

Select from: AF AMER CM113, M173, ASIA AM 113, M116, CHICANO M125, M127, M128, 129, ECON 150, 151, GENDER 102, M137E, M163, HIST 141B, 146A, 146B, 146C, M150C, LBR STD 100SL, M114C, M116, M117, M119, M121, M122, M123, M125, 126, M127, M128, M134SL, M136, 140, M144, M149, 152, M165, M166A/B/C, M167, 168, M170, M171, M172, M173, 174, M175, M176, 177, 179A/B, M180, 181, 182A/B/C, 187, 188, 189, 189HC, 191, 194A/B, 195A/B, 199, POL SCI 116A, M180A, PUB PLC 141 ,145, SOCIOL 157, M163, 171, 173, and related courses (by petition).

Note: Each minor course must be taken for a letter grade, and student must have a minimum grade of C (2.0) in each and an overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better.

COURSE OFFERINGS

View full list of Labor Studies Courses:

Fall 2025
Winter 2026
Master list of Approved and Related Courses.

Please note that enrollment in Labor Studies courses (LBR STD) is restricted to Labor Studies students during 1st pass. The enrollment restriction will be lifted for 2nd pass.

If you have questions about coursework and requirements, please feel free to book an academic advising appointment.

CAREERS IN LABOR STUDIES

Labor studies students are primed to enter the workforce in diverse sectors. Graduates are equipped with a nuanced understanding of the labor market, workplace dynamics and social systems, along with highly practical skills in research, writing, analysis, collaboration and leadership.

Examples of careers one can pursue with a degree in labor studies include: