Online MLER Frequently Asked Questions

The tuition rate is $1,183 per credit or $3,549 per 3-credit course. The tuition rate is the same for in-state, out-of-state, and international students. University off-campus fees apply and depend on the number of credits taken. The Board of Governors sets tuition/free rates each July for the coming year. Click here for a chart of the current tuition and fees for the 2023-2024 academic year.

The Net Price Calculator from the Rutgers Office of Financial Aid office can give you an idea of how much your graduate education will cost.

Applications to the program are submitted through the Rutgers Graduate and Professional Admissions online application system. You can apply online here. The first step in the application process is creating an account by choosing a login ID and PIN. Be sure to choose the Professional Master of Labor and Employment Relations Online on your application.

Once you begin an application for admission, you may save your progress and return to the application later to complete it. If you experience difficulty with the online application and need an alternative method, please contact us.

To apply, you will need to complete and submit your application online, pay the application fee, submit a resume, and a personal statement.  Please explain why you are interested in labor and employment relations. If you have worked in HR or managed others, or you have participated in union organizing campaigns or social justice activities related to our field, be sure to let us know. 

We evaluate applications primarily based on grades earned in prior college courses, on professional achievement, and on three recommendations from people who know your strengths. Also, you will need to have official transcripts from all colleges or universities that you have attended sent to Rutgers.

A 3.0 undergraduate grade point average is required. However, the admission committee considers a combination of other factors including years and quality of work experience, letters of recommendation, professional skill sets, and statement of purpose. Some of these other aspects may compensate, at the discretion of the admissions committee, for a GPA not meeting the requirement.

Admission is rolling so there is no firm deadline, but realistically it is difficult to become a degree student unless we receive all materials, including recommendations, about 10 days before any semester starts.  Please apply as early as possible in order to secure a place in your preferred online courses because these tend to fill up. 

Twelve (12) 3-credit courses are required to complete the degree and, yes, the program is entirely online.  If you are interested in completing the degree partially online and partially in-person, please apply to the regular MLER degree program.

The program is designed to offer flexibility in completion, finishing in as early as 18 months full-time or up to 5 years part-time, depending on the course load that you decide to take. Taking a minimum of at least one course is recommended per semester, although breaks from matriculation are allowed. 

Most students in the program are working full-time and if that is the case for you, we recommend you take 2 courses per term – or perhaps 1 per term if you have a demanding position or additional non-work responsibilities.

If you are using a FAFSA loan, a minimum of 6 credits is required per semester. A full-time student may take up to 3 courses per term in the Fall and Spring semesters. To register for more than three courses during any given semester, prior approval from the program director is required.

Yes, the program is fully online and is arranged to cater to working professionals and offer flexibility to maintain work/life balance. You can work full-time while enrolled in the program, and there is no need for relocation or campus visits.

Yes. Official admission to Rutgers occurs at the start of the Fall semester or at the start of the Spring semester. However, you can take Rutgers summer courses as a non-degree student before your admission. Courses you take as a non-degree student will count fully toward your degree after admission. 

Yes. The admissions process is the same for international students except that they need to demonstrate English Proficiency by submitting TOEFL or IELTS scores (unless they earned a degree from the U.S. or another country where English is the primary language). You should be aware that you will not be eligible for a Visa to reside in the United States if you are in a fully online degree program.