Institute for Work and Employment Research

PhD in Industrial Relations and Human Resources

Industrial Relations and Human Resources is an interdisciplinary program that blends institutional understanding with advanced analytical training in social science methodology.

The program is appropriate for students who are seeking broad training in industrial relations, human resource management, public policy, or other aspects of the labor market and employment practices.

Coursework in the program addresses industrial relations theory and research, labor economics, comparative systems of industrial relations, collective bargaining and labor management relations, management of human resources, labor law, and public policy.

A weekly seminar brings together faculty, students, and faculty from elsewhere at MIT and other universities to discuss current research.

While they are at MIT Sloan, PhD students in Industrial Relations can work on funded research projects with faculty affiliated with the Industrial Relations Section, established in 1937 and one of the earliest such organizations in the country.

MIT’s Dewey Library, which houses one of the best Industrial Relations Libraries in the country and extensive computer facilities, provides further support.

Applications can be downloaded at MIT Sloan’s PhD Program Web site. For more information on the program, visit the PhD Requirements section of this site.