Since 1942, the Harvard Trade Union Program has prepared union activists to meet the challenge of dynamic leadership within their unions and society. Today, the program helps union leaders develop keener analytical, managerial, and problem-solving skills as well as discover ways to deepen public understanding of the value and importance of labor unions.
It is comparable to the advanced education that Harvard University offers to executive-level individuals in Business, Government, and Law. It teaches the essential skills for the management and leadership of unions and provides a unique opportunity to explore key issues for the labor movement.
Graduates of the Harvard Trade Union Program hold leadership positions at every level, from their local unions to international positions, from the public sector to the trades, in the United States and worldwide.
Harvard Trade Union Program 113th Session
January/February 2026
Dates and information TBD
Registration opens July 2025
Harvard Trade Union Program: A Look into the Class of 2025
Takeaways from members of the Class of 2025 are below. If this resonates with you, apply to be part of the next class of the HTUP.
“The program has provided so much in terms of my leadership skills to strengthen my union.” Doris Hernandez Murphy, AFSME
“There’s a lot of people that have given me some insight on some new things and talking with members from a variety of different sectors and just getting their perspective has been helpful.” Charleeka Thompson, United Steelworkers
“It’s a unique learning environment in which people come together from all over the world to really share information and then obviously gain new information so that they can go back and be stronger leaders. So it’s been a pleasure and I’m just grateful for this opportunity to be here over the last 5 weeks.” Dean Shelton, IAFF
“Don’t be shy, get yourself involved in HTUP[sic] You’ll be a way better labor leader for coming here. You’re going to learn all types of skills that make you think a little more critically and analyze material differently than you ever thought you would.” Colin Daniels, Iron Workers