Introduction

Please click here to see Political Science department information.

The Labor Leadership certificate is meant to develop the next generation of leaders in labor unions and civic organizations focused on labor and related issues of race, class and gender equity. The certificate is particularly relevant to labor union leaders, rank and file members, and community-based organizational staff who desire to receive continuing education regarding labor leadership. The labor leadership certificate will combine academic instruction with field learning and community-based research projects. The program features active partnerships with local labor organizations, such as unions and community-based groups focused on relevant labor, class and race issues (such as immigrant rights groups, workplace gender equity groups, etc.). Certificate students will enhance synergetic learning in the classroom, and enlarge networking opportunities among all students.

These requirements are subject to periodic revision by the academic department, and the College reserves the right to make exceptions and substitutions as judged necessary in individual cases. Therefore, the College strongly urges students to consult regularly with their faculty advisor and CLAS advisor to confirm the best plans of study before finalizing them.

Program Delivery

The certificate can be earned either through our traditional on-campus courses, or entirely through classes offered in a weekend-intensive format in our New Directions program. Students may take classes in either format desired.

Declaring This Certificate

Any undergraduate admitted to CU Denver in a degree-seeking or non-degree seeking program may pursue this certificate.

To declare this certificate, students must meet with the Political Science Department advising faculty.

General Requirements

Students must satisfy all requirements as outlined below and by the department offering the certificate.

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Program Requirements

1. Students must complete 12 credit hours from the approved courses.

2. Students must complete 6 credit hours of upper division (3000 or 4000 level) level courses.

3. Students must earn a minimum grade of C (2.0) in all certificate courses taken at CU Denver and must achieve a minimum cumulative certificate GPA of 2.0. All graded attempts in required and elective courses are calculated in the certificate GPA. Students cannot complete certificate or ancillary course requirements as pass/fail.

4. All courses in this certificate must be taken in residency at CU Denver.  

Required Courses 

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Complete four of the following courses-substitutions may be approved by the program advisor:		12
PSCI 4326	Advanced International Political Economy: Globalization	3
PSCI 4535	Labor and Working Class Politics	3
PSCI 4914	Community Organizing and Community Development	3
PSCI 5424	The Social Economy and Sustainable Development	3
PSCI 5434	The Cooperative Movement: Politics and Policy	3
PSCI 5548	Labor Law and Collective Bargaining	3
PSCI 5550	Labor, Trade Unions and the Global Economy	3

To learn more about the Student Learning Outcomes for this program, please visit our website.