Union Skills Course Certificates

Specialized certificates are available to students completing a series of related courses. All certificates require 12 semester credits of NLC coursework.  All NLC courses listed below are either three-credit courses (most of which are taught during the NLC’s degree week) or two-credit courses with a third credit option after additional work is completed. Classes taken through partnership with NLC academic and union partners do not qualify for NLC certificate credit.  Certificates are available to all NLC students, whether or not they are pursuing a B.A. or BTPS degree.

Credits earned through the certificate program can be applied towards the completion of the major requirements in the B.A. degree.

Certificate in Union Administration

Students must take one of the following classes:

  • Managing Local Unions
  • New Union Staff
  • Union Structure and Governance

And one class from each of three of the following areas of NLC course offerings:

  • Arbitration
  • Collective Bargaining
  • Dispute Resolution and Grievance Handling
  • Organizing Law
  • Ethics
  • Capital Stewardship

Certificate in Labor Safety and Health

Students must take at least one of the following classes:

  • Representing Injured Workers
  • Industrial Hygiene
  • Train-the-Trainer on Workplace Health and Safety (instructor permission required)
  • Additional health and safety course offered during one of the B.A semesters

And at least one of the following classes:

  • Hazardous Materials Transportation Online
  • Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program
  • Workplace Hazards and the Law

And at least one OSHA class taken through the National Labor College’s National Resource Center program.

Certificate in Organizing

Students must take 12 semester credits of coursework from the NLC’s Organizing offerings and the Strategic Grievance Handling class.

Certificate in Labor Education

Students must take 12 semester credits of coursework chosen from the following set of offerings:

  • Teaching Techniques I
  • Teaching Techniques II
  • Theories of Adult Learning
  • Instructional Systems Design
  • Distance Education
  • History of Labor Education
  • Effective Communications

Certificate in Capital Stewardship

Students must take the following courses:

  • Investment Strategies
  • Fiduciary Duties
  • Capital Stewardship and Fund Governance
  • Active Ownership and Corporate Governance

One of the above-noted classes can be replaced by a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist class offered at or through the National Labor College.