Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations

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Master of HR & Industrial Relations Degree Designed to Advance Your Career

Whether you're switching fields or advancing your human resources career, the Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations (MHRIR) at the University of Minnesota is widely recognized for its expertise in HR education. With a proud 75-year legacy of HR educational excellence, our expertly crafted curriculum and human resources courses blend foundational HR principles, cutting-edge practices, and key industry theories—equipping you with the knowledge and skills to excel in today’s evolving workplace. Plus, you'll build a strong professional network while tapping into Minnesota’s world-class business hub of Fortune 500 companies, startups, and industry leaders.

  • 92% of 2025 graduates received job offers within 6 months of graduation
  • $85,006 mean starting base salary for 2025 graduates
  • 1:1 career support
  • SHRM-aligned curriculum

Become a Human Resource Leader with a MHRIR Degree

The Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations program at Minnesota Carlson trains HR leaders who can hold their own in a finance conversation. You'll build depth in staffing, rewards, labor relations and people analytics, and take business coursework alongside MBA and MSBAi students. The HRIR/MBA dual degree is available if you want both credentials.

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Start date
Fall
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Duration
Full-Time:
16 or 20 months
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Format
On 
campus; day
classes
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Work experience
Encouraged, not required
 
HRIR courses

How is the MHRIR Curriculum Structured?

The MHRIR is a 40-credit degree, and the heart of it is one intensive year with your cohort. 10 courses, built to move from foundations to applied practice, ending with the HR Impact Lab. The other 18 credits are business coursework you choose from across Carlson.

Explore Human Resources Curriculum

HR Students Hone Crucial Expertise in Global Teaming

Make an Investment in Yourself with a MHRIR Degree

Earning a masters degree in human resources is an investment for your career that gives you multiple benefits. You will boost your earning potential, expand your professional network, and gain access to Minnesota's second-to-none business landscape—home to Fortune 500 companies, a dynamic entrepreneurial community, and industry leaders with cross-sector expertise. Whether in Minnesota or across the globe, this degree gives you the competitive edge to excel in HR and beyond. 2026-2027 tuition:

  • Resident total tuition: $37,110
  • Non-resident total tuition: $62,430

Merit-based scholarships are available.

 

Explore Tuition & Scholarships

Become a Human Resource Leader with a MHRIR Degree

The Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations program at Minnesota Carlson trains HR leaders who can hold their own in a finance conversation. You'll build depth in staffing, rewards, labor relations and people analytics, and take business coursework alongside MBA and MSBAi students. The HRIR/MBA dual degree is available if you want both credentials.

Maroon calendar icon with a maroon circular border
Start date
Fall
Maroon clock icon with a maroon circular border
Duration
Full-Time:
16 or 20 months
Maroon laptop icon with a maroon circular border
Format
On 
campus; day
classes
Maroon paper and pencil icon with a maroon circular border
Work experience
Encouraged, not required
 
HRIR courses

How is the MHRIR Curriculum Structured?

The MHRIR is a 40-credit degree, and the heart of it is one intensive year with your cohort. 10 courses, built to move from foundations to applied practice, ending with the HR Impact Lab. The other 18 credits are business coursework you choose from across Carlson.

Explore Human Resources Curriculum

HR Students Hone Crucial Expertise in Global Teaming

Make an Investment in Yourself with a MHRIR Degree

Earning a masters degree in human resources is an investment for your career that gives you multiple benefits. You will boost your earning potential, expand your professional network, and gain access to Minnesota's second-to-none business landscape—home to Fortune 500 companies, a dynamic entrepreneurial community, and industry leaders with cross-sector expertise. Whether in Minnesota or across the globe, this degree gives you the competitive edge to excel in HR and beyond. 2026-2027 tuition:

  • Resident total tuition: $37,110
  • Non-resident total tuition: $62,430

Merit-based scholarships are available.

 

Explore Tuition & Scholarships

oman listens attentively to a conversation during a professional networking event.

Elevate Your HR & IR Skills in a Thriving Business Ecosystem

At Minnesota Carlson, expert guidance from our acclaimed faculty, executive boards, and the Carlson Business Career Center empowers you to launch a successful career. Immerse yourself in a dynamic Twin Cities ecosystem that features numerous Fortune 500 firms across diverse industries, innovative NGOs, a thriving entrepreneurial community, and extensive cross-industry collaboration. Our graduates excel at leading organizations such as Ecolab, General Mills, Lenovo, PepsiCo, Tencent, UnitedHealth Group, Honeywell, and Land O’Lakes.

92%

of 2025 graduates accepted job offers within 6 months of graduation

$89,750

mean base salary for MHRIR 2025 graduates with U.S. work authorization ($85,006 salary for all MHRIR 2025 graduates)

$12,438

Mean signing bonus for the Class of 2025

Explore HRIR Employment Statistics

Immerse Yourself in Hands-On Learning

The MHRIR curriculum puts applied work in every course. You'll build recruiting strategies, design pay structures, run analyses on real workforce data and test frameworks against case studies drawn from working organizations. Faculty bring research and practice into the same classroom, and HR leaders from Twin Cities companies show up as speakers, coaches and clients.

The Human Capital Lab is where it comes together. Over the full spring semester, your team partners with an organization on a live business problem, assessing strategy, analyzing data and delivering recommendations built to survive a real budget and a real leadership team.

 

Explore Hands-On Learning Opportunities

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Grow Your Network Inside and Outside the Classroom

Through Minnesota Carlson’s Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations program, you’ll form relationships that last far beyond graduation. Our vibrant HR community brings you together with dedicated faculty, fellow students, and a robust alumni network eager to share insights and opportunities. Whether you’re attending the HR Tomorrow Conference or engaging with the Center for Human Resources and Labor Studies Alumni Association, you’ll gain the professional support you need to thrive in an ever-evolving HR landscape.

Headshot of Shenae Johnson

The Carlson experience gave me access to opportunities I likely wouldn’t have had otherwise. Through Carlson, I’ve developed meaningful relationships with Fortune 500 leaders and learned about the many amazing companies in the Minneapolis area.

Zeynab Rzayeva

Beyond its strong reputation, the school offers a unique sense of community that values collaboration and a hands-on approach to learning—something that truly resonates with me.

Headshot of Yingzhuo Dong

Carlson’s strong connections with Twin Cities companies gave me hands-on experience with real business challenges that you can’t find anywhere else.

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Masters in Human Resources & Industrial Relations Alumni

Discover how this industrial relations & HR masters degree has propelled the careers of 3 alumni, each making an impact at different companies and accelerating their success in the HR field.

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Center for Human Resources and Labor Studies Alumni Association (CHRLS)

CHRLS cultivates a strong community of alumni and MHRIR students, fostering connections and ongoing professional development. Through the Association, alumni and students gain access to valuable career resources, networking opportunities, and learning activities designed to support long-term growth and success in the field.

Explore CHRLS

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Is a Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations Right for You?

Discover how earning a Masters in Human Resources and Industrial Relations can help you advance your career, develop specialized skills, and make a lasting impact in the workplace. Learn about the program’s curriculum, career opportunities, and benefits.

Read About the Long-Term Benefits

Browse all Graduate Articles & Tips

MHRIR Application Deadlines

Apply early and give yourself the best chance to join Minnesota Carlson's Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations program.

Admissions Requirements Overview

The following materials are required to apply to the MHRIR program:

  • University Online Application
  • Resume
  • Personal Statement
  • Transcript
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • English Language Proficiency
  • Application Fee
  • International Applicants: Additional
  • Information and Requirements

View All Admissions Requirements

Application Deadlines

  • Round 1: December 1
  • Round 2: February 1
  • Round 3: April 1 - final application deadline for international applicants
  • Round 4: June 1 - final application deadline for international applicants who are currently living in the United States
  • Round 5: July 15

Missed the deadline? Please email [email protected] for further guidance and to determine your eligibility to submit a late application.

 

Start Your application

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Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations FAQs

The Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations (MHRIR) is a full-time, 40-credit graduate program at Minnesota Carlson that prepares you to lead where people and business performance intersect. You spend your first two semesters in person with a cohort, building expertise in HR strategy, people analytics, talent, rewards, labor relations, and organizational behavior. Then you choose Carlson business courses to round out your degree, finishing in 16 months.

The program targets recent graduates and early-career professionals seeking strategic careers in Human Resources, employee relations, talent management, labor relations or organizational strategy.

The MHRIR is a full-time program you complete in 16 months, starting in the fall. We don't offer a part-time or fully online option. You take three semesters: fall, spring, and the following fall. Add a semester to finish in 20 months if you study abroad or take additional Carlson coursework.

Your first two semesters are in person with your cohort. Your third semester is more flexible, with many courses offered in evening or online formats. Explore the MHRIR curriculum.

The MHRIR program starts once a year, in the fall. You can apply in one of five rounds: December 1, February 1, April 1, June 1, or July 15.

If you're an international applicant, your final deadline is April 1, or June 1 if you currently live in the United States. See our requirements and deadlines.

The MHRIR program welcomes both recent graduates and candidates with work experience, and you don't need professional experience to apply. Our students are 26 on average and bring zero to five years of work experience. If you do have work experience, we strongly prefer that at least one of your two recommendations come from a supervisor. See our class profile.

No. The program is not specified as STEM-designated in the source materials. International students must confirm OPT eligibility directly with the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office.

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Phone: 612-625-5555
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