Charles T. Schmidt, Jr.
Labor Research Center
Admissions to Degree Programs
The master's and certificate programs offered by the Schmidt Labor Research Center are programs that prepare graduates for professional careers in the fields of labor relations and human resources. While a graduate degree certifies a certain level of knowledge to potential employers and universities, our main objective is the development of professional knowledge. As graduate level programs, they also have a rigorous academic component, that is, they are more than professional development programs in that they involve a research and knowledge creation component.
The faculty at the Schmidt Labor Research look to identify high quality students through our recruitment and admissions screening processes. This means we seek students who can meet the challenges of advanced academic work. Specially, we look for evidence of:
- The knowledge and ability to do graduate level work in the required and elective courses in our programs.
- The ability to conduct high quality academic research.
- The potential to contribute to class discussions.
- A clear understanding to the rigors of a masters level education.
The following information sources are used to assess these criteria.
Undergraduate Degree
Undergraduate majors in any field will be considered for admission. Those with social science, history, management, and labor studies majors are especially encouraged to apply, as are those with engineering, nursing, education, urban affairs, African-American studies, and women's studies backgrounds. Your overall GPA will be considered, however, we will also look at your performance in courses most clearly related in subject manner to courses in our program.
Professional Experience (Resume)
Professional experience in labor relations, human resource management, or leadership roles will carry additional weight in admissions decisions.
Entrance Examinations
Admission to the master's degree program requires submission of scores from one of the following:
For students applying to the dual MS/JD program, the LSAT will be accepted. There are a number of exceptions to the admission test requirement. These are:
- Applicants hold a doctoral degree
- Applicants holding a J. D. degree
- Applicants to Graduate Certificate Programs
- Applicants who have earned a Graduate Professional Certificate through the SLRC with a GPA of at least 3.5
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Exam is required of applicants from foreign countries. The minimum acceptable score is 550 (213 on the computer-based TOEFL exam). Required minimum scores on the new internet-based TOEFL (IBT) are: Reading 20; Writing 22; Listening 17; and Speaking 17.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required. These letter should be from individuals familiar with your academic and/or professional work. Your should ask your references to comment on your ability to do graduate level work, your ability to contribute to the program, your motivation to complete the program, or your ability to work cooperatively. TOEFL Web Site
Graduate Coursework
Students may enroll in a limited number of courses prior to official entry into the program as non-matriculating (non-degree) students. Courses in which the student earns a grade of "B" or better taken on a non-matriculating basis will count towards degree requirements. To register for courses on a non-matriculating basis, you must complete and submit the Non-degree Student Application Form. Your performance in SLRC courses taken as a non-matriculating student will have a strong impact on our admission recommendation to the graduate school.
Application Submission
Applications should be submitted online at the Graduate Admissions Web site. Supporting material such as letters of reference, residency forms, and transcripts should be sent to the following address:
Charles T. Schmidt, Jr. Labor Research Center
University of Rhode Island
Hart House, 36 Upper College Road
Kingston, RI 02881
Phone: (401) 874-2239
Fax: (401) 874-2954
Application Deadlines
Deadlines for applications and supporting documents are April 15th for summer admission, July 15th for fall admission, and November 15th for spring admission. If you are applying for financial aid, your application and supporting materials should be received by February 1st. Applications received after these deadlines will be considered on a space available basis.
