Union Semester

In order to qualify for admission to Union Semester, undergraduate applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and 45 credits completed before the start of the program. Graduate applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and at least a 3.0 GPA or higher from an accredited undergraduate institution.

Qualified applicants will be contacted by the Program Coordinator for a phone interview.

If you have any questions or concerns about this supplemental application, please feel free to contact us by e-mail, unionsemester@slu.cuny.edu, or phone (212) 642-2075.

Applications for Fall 2021 are due by June 1, 2021. Applications can only be submitted electronically and are accepted on a rolling basis. Early applications are given priority. Placements are limited and the selection process is competitive.

Union Semester has partnerships with a variety of unions, worker organizations and progressive coalitions and campaigns. Recent placements include United Federation of Teachers, Laborer International Union of North America, Retail Action Project, the Fight for 15 campaign, 1199 Service Employees International Union, Writers Guild of America, Transport Workers Union Local 100, and the New York City Central Labor Council. Interns might be placed in a variety of departments, and might do a range of work including organizing workers, planning events, researching corporations, analyzing legislation and policy, facilitating education programs, writing for a union paper or developing social media. We try to pair students’ interests and experience with the needs of our partners.

As part of the Community Semester Program, up to $7,000 in direct support is paid to student interns for living and other personal expenses. Financial awards are issued directly to eligible student interns in two consecutive payments of $3,500. The College does not expect financial awards will be used for tuition and fees, especially since the funds are not released until after the tuition due date. However, all tuition, fees, and associated charges must be paid by the published or assigned due date.

With the exception of currently enrolled CUNY students, all students pay an application fee when submitting their applications. The freshman application fee is $65, transfer application fee is $70, and the graduate application fee is $125). Students are responsible for the tuition and fees, which is due the first day of class.

Tuition and Fee Schedule

All tuition charges and fees are subject to change by action of the Board of Trustees of The City University of New York without prior notice. In the event of any increase in tuition charges and fees, payments already made to the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies will be treated as partial payment, and notification will be given of the additional amount due and the time and method of payment. Students are responsible for their travel to and from New York City, their tuition and fees, housing and other living expenses. Students who have concerns about managing their finances may speak with the New York Union Semester Program Coordinator who can answer questions, give suggestions for finding affordable housing and help students develop a budget.

While room and board are the responsibility of each student, the NY Union Semester Program Coordinator can provide some useful resources and information about how to find appropriate housing. Many students take apartments with friends or roommates or find rooms online. Others reside in non-profit student housing facilities, and the coordinator sends useful postings when they are available. We can also provide advice on neighborhoods and transportation.

Regardless of your interest in labor as a career, our alumni learn a great deal about the history of a social movement and the impacts that people can have on their work and world when acting collectively. Many of our alumni continue to work in the labor movement in a variety of roles including, as organizers, researchers, policy analysts, and as communications staff. The School of Labor and Urban Studies has a large network of connections and we do our best to connect students with job opportunities, serve as references, and support alumni any way we can. Students also get valuable experience for resumes and references from their mentors. Alumni have also gone on to work in a wide range of fields, including as journalism, education, and the law. Some of our students pursue graduate studies in labor and related disciplines.

Students who successfully complete NY Union Semester earn a total of 16 undergraduate credits or 12 graduate credits. It is their responsibility to follow the procedures of their college or university for transferring these credits. Upon acceptance to the program, it is recommended that students consult with their faculty advisor and registrar concerning transfer credit policies. Students who participate in NY Union Semester while they are not attending a college or graduate program will need to discuss transferring credits should they be accepted into such a program at a later date.

Union Semester applicants enrolled at other CUNY campuses should request an e-permit from their home school before submitting the Supplemental Application for Union Semester. Please contact your academic department or advisor to be sure you understand the ePermit guidelines, procedures, and deadlines. Colleges need ample time to review and approve ePermit requests. The applicant’s ePermit for each of the four courses must be submitted to SLU at least 10-days before the semester’s first official day.

Sure, you have the option of doing either the undergrad or grad program. The undergrad program is less expensive and you will receive a Certificate in Labor Studies. The grad program offers a wider range of classes, including ones like Labor & Globalization and Strategic Corporate Research. In the Master’s program you will earn 12 graduate credits and an Advanced Certificate in Labor Studies.

It does! In the grad program of Union Semester, students earn 12 credits. The MA in Labor Studies at the School of Labor and Urban Studies requires 30 credits, so you are well on your way. If you think you might be interested in the MA, contact Rob Callaghan at rob.callaghan@slu.cuny.edu.