Labor and industrial relations programs prepare people to work with unions and managers. They deal with issues in the workplace such as working conditions and wages. Students learn to mediate and resolve labor disputes. They also learn about labor laws and how to negotiate contracts.

Union membership is declining in most industries. However, unions and managers still make many decisions about wages and working conditions. Often the two sides have different goals and priorities. Labor relations specialists help to work out an agreement. Later they make sure both sides follow the terms of the agreement.

Labor relations specialists also work with businesses that do not have a unionized work force. With these businesses they deal with issues that are important to workers.

A bachelor's degree is good preparation for entering this field. Typically you need four years of study after high school to get a bachelor's degree. About 55 colleges offer a bachelor's degree in labor and industrial relations. In the program you get a good grounding in business subjects. This is because the issues that arise between labor and management may touch on almost any aspect of the business. Labor strikes and lawsuits can be costly and can interrupt production. So part of the program teaches methods for forecasting disputes before they arise. You also learn ways to maintain harmony between the sides.

About 30 universities offer a master's degree in labor and industrial relations. This takes two more years of study after your bachelor's. A master's degree improves your chances for managerial jobs or work as a mediator between two sides.

Students who are interested in negotiating contracts may want to get a law degree. This requires three years beyond the bachelor's degree. About 180 accredited law schools operate in the U.S., and virtually all of them offer some courses in labor law.