Master of Industrial Relations (MIR)

The Queen’s Master of Industrial Relations (MIR) is a full-time graduate degree offered on campus. It takes one year (10-12 months) to complete. The MIR prepares students for a meaningful career in areas such as labour relations, human resources management, applied and policy-oriented research, or teaching and consulting in LR/HR.

Since it was established in 1983, the Queen’s MIR has become the leading graduate degree in its field. More than 1000 graduates have gone on to shape the world of work - contributing significantly to their workplaces in private and public sector organizations, both in Canada and abroad.

What will I learn?

• A thorough grounding in labour relations and human resources practice;
• An understanding of evolving employment relationships, organizational behaviour and organizational dynamics;
• Knowledge of the laws governing the individual employment and collective bargaining relationship;
• The capacity to collect and analyze data on current workplace issues and interpret research in the field;
• The in-demand skill set of the new HR/LR professional – leadership, consulting, facilitation, coaching, team building and communication.

What career opportunities will I have?

A Queen’s MIR opens up a number of possible career paths. Most of our graduates are able to secure employment before they graduate. The Queen’s MIR has allowed many graduates to build fulfilling careers in labour relations and human resources while others have established careers in applied and policy-oriented research, teaching and consulting.

Some major employers include:

The MIR degree fast tracks you to an HRPA Designation!

HRPA has an Alternate Route to meeting the coursework requirement for obtaining your HRPA Designation. ​The Alternate Route is intended for individuals with advanced HR education.

The requirements necessary to write the HRPA Comprehensive Knowledge Exam (CKE 1 or CKE 2) can now be met with your Master of Industrial Relations degree.

For full details on the process for applying for your HRPA designation, please see the HRPA Alternate Route page. 

Now, more than ever, is the time for you to apply to our Master's programs. Find out more today by accessing the relevant Program page for your best step forward in your career goals!

“The skills I developed and the knowledge I gained through this program not only prepared me for a career in labour relations but helped me to obtain my dream job as a labour relations consultant in a post-secondary institution.”

~Sarah D'Alton, B.A.(Hon), M.I.R., Consultant. Employee & Labour Relations

Read more about our graduates, where they are now, and why the MIR matters.