The Joseph S. Murphy Institute for Worker Education and Labor Studies is a collaboration between the City University of NY (CUNY) and New York City labor unions, for the purpose of serving the educational, policy and research needs of unions and their members. The Institute is comprised of the Center for Worker Education and the Center for Labor, Community and Policy Studies. The Institute is part of the Graduate School and University Center’s School of Professional Studies, CUNY.

The mission of the Center for Worker Education is to expand higher education opportunities for working adults. It provides students with access to the degree and certificate programs they need to develop their skills and interests, keep pace with industrial and technological change, advance their careers, and participate actively in their unions, communities and workplaces. The Center also develops special degree and certificate programs that encourage students to take leadership roles.

The Center for Labor, Community and Policy Studies is dedicated to revitalizing a strong and democratic labor movement and supporting labor’s efforts to create a more just and equitable society. To fulfill this mission, the Center conducts research, offers leadership development programs, hosts forums and national conferences, and publishes articles, books and a national labor journal to promote debate on issues critical to labor’s future and its policy role.