The PhD in Labour Studies will prepare students for the critical appraisal of work, working people and their organizations, and how labour market policies and institutions shape the experience of work and employment. It will provide students with opportunities to learn about advanced research methods, theory, public policy and a variety of issues relevant to labour studies.

Students will be required to complete coursework in advanced labour studies theory, critical community engaged research methods, a graduate doctoral seminar, and an additional graduate level course drawn either from our MA in Work and Society or from a social sciences graduate faculty at McMaster University. Students will take a comprehensive examination in their area of interest and present a thesis which shows competence in original research and will be required to defend it during a final oral examination.

Graduates of the PhD in Labour Studies will take up careers in academia while others will see their PhD studies as a pathway to employment in both the public, non-profit and private sectors primarily as researchers, policy makers, administrators, organizers and educators.