In addition to educating Cornell undergraduates, the School of Industrial and Labor Relations has been an active leader in distance learning. Through eCornell, ILR offers an online certificate program with participants around the world. Companies involved include Boeing, IBM, and Petroleos de Venezuela, an energy company. Higher education partners include Remnin University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, both in China.

Six extension offices across New York State sponsor programs on workplace dynamics, management development, women's leadership, and workplace diversity. Through the school's five research centers on campus, industry leaders can find solutions to the problems they face on the job.