Capstone courses offer UCLA Labor Studies graduating students the opportunity to be exposed to and connect with labor-related community organizations, worker centers, labor coalitions, or labor government agencies, through an applied-research and community engagement experience. 

Labor Studies Capstone Pathways

For students declared in and after Summer 2025:

The Labor Studies Capstone is a 4-unit requirement. Students may fulfill this requirement by choosing one of the two following pathways:

Option 1: Academic Year Capstone Course
Complete LBR STD 191 (4 units) during Winter or Spring Quarter
Option 2: Labor Summer Research Internship Program
LBR STD 191 (6 weeks)

*Should neither of these options work for you due to extenuating circumstances, ie. conflicting course schedules, or a Winter quarter Degree Expected term, please follow up with Gloria Chan, Labor Studies SAO, as soon as possible.

Academic Year Capstone Course

This course is designed for Labor Studies majors who have Senior Standing. Students will need to be well-versed in Labor Studies and have an understanding of Los Angeles’ movements, past and present. Students must have completed Labor Studies 10 and Labor Studies 101 in advance of the capstone or enroll in 101 concurrently with 191.

Option 1: LBR STD 191 — Research Principles & Methods (Winter OR Spring 2026)

Class format: 2 hours and 50 minutes, once a week, in-person

  • Winter 2026 – LBR STD 191 (4 units) OR
  • Spring 2026 – LBR STD 191 (4 units)

Through lectures, key readings, and in-class exercises, students develop understanding of critical debates regarding role of research within socioeconomic and political contexts that impact workers, organizations, and communities at large. Overview of various research methods and techniques, literature review, data collection, analysis, and final paper. Focus on workers, labor and immigrant rights movements, policy initiatives, and/or political action in Los Angeles as research lens.

Specialized Capstone Opportunity

Option 2: Labor Summer Research Program (LSRP) – Summer 2025  

  • Summer Session C – LBR STD 191

Students engage in applied research focused on the social, economic, and political context of workers and learners, or students who attend college in Los Angeles County and also work at the same time.

During this 6-week program, students will assess the intersections and experiences of workers and learners, and how they navigate barriers and opportunities in fulfilling their academic, career, and life goals. Students will receive training on the development, analysis and dissemination of surveys and interviews. 

For more information about LSRP, go HERE. 

If you have questions or would like to discuss which capstone option works best for you, feel free to email laborstudies@irle.ucla.edu or sign up for a virtual or on-campus appointment with Gloria Chan, Labor Studies Student Affairs Officer.