Human Resources & Industrial Relations Curriculum

The Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations curriculum is built from a foundation of economics and social psychology and provides students with a thorough understanding of contemporary practices, and underlying theories, in the major areas of human resources and industrial relations. By the end of the program, students will develop a conceptual basis and analytical framework for successful careers with corporations and public sector organizations.


Program Format

Students can curate their degree to suit their goals and interests. The accelerated 16-month path allows for a focused, immersive experience over three semesters. Alternatively, students can extend their program to 20 months, enabling them to pursue study abroad opportunities, add a graduate minor or certificate, or engage in Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

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Full-Time

This rigorous option can be completed in 16 months (three semesters) or extended to 20 months to accommodate additional academic pursuits, such as a graduate minor in business or law, or unique study abroad experiences.

What you'll learn

To provide a rigorous education across the entire human resources and industrial relations field, the curriculum is structured around 3 core areas and rooted in 3 key concepts from social science, behavioral science, and business. Students take core courses in all 6 of these areas of HRIR.

Core Areas

  • Staffing, training, and development
  • Compensation and benefits
  • Labor relations and collective bargaining

Key Concepts

  • Organizational behavior and theory
  • Managerial economics and labor market analysis
  • Data analysis

Below is an example of a typical full-time schedule to provide an idea of how courses may be structured for the program.
 

Year 1

Year 1 of the Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations full-time program covers core courses such as Business Principles, Statistics, Staffing, Training, Development, Compensation, and Benefits, along with practical leadership practicums.

Course numberTitleRequired or ElectiveTermCredits
HRIR 6001Business PrinciplesRequiredFall4
HRIR 6111StatisticsRequiredFall4
HRIR 6301Staffing, Training, DevelopmentRequiredFall3
HRIR 6305Staffing, Training, Development Leadership PracticumRequiredFall1
HRIR 6701Labor Relations and Collective BargainingRequiredSpring3
HRIR 6501Compensation and BenefitsRequiredSpring3
HRIR 6505Compensation and Benefits Leadership PracticumRequiredSpring1

 

Year 2

Year 2 focuses on organizational theory, behavior, and an experiential learning capstone, complemented by elective courses tailored to individual interests, which often include MBA classes from related fields.

Course numberTitleRequired or ElectiveTermCredits
HRIR 6401Organizational TheoryRequiredFall2
HRIR 6441Organizational BehaviorRequiredFall2
HRIR 6801Experiential Learning CapstoneRequiredFall3
N/AElectivesElectiveFall4
N/AElective of Related Field (often MBA classes)ElectiveFall3

Tailor Your Academic Journey:

Explore Interdisciplinary Minors: Extend your studies by adding a minor from complementary fields such as Graduate Business (8 credits), Integrative Therapies and Healing Practice (8 credits), Law (6 credits), or Race, Indigeneity, Disability, Gender and Sexuality (6 credits).

Flexible Capstone Experience: Enhance your experiential learning capstone by spreading it across an additional semester, allowing for a more immersive and comprehensive opportunity.

Global Perspective: Broaden your horizons by spending a semester abroad in diverse locations such as Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, or Switzerland, fulfilling your related field course requirements.

Short-Term International Immersion: Embark on a 4-credit, 2-week short-term study abroad experience during January or May terms, exploring destinations like Australia, Ghana, Morocco, Poland, or Sweden.

Core Areas

  • Staffing, training, and development
  • Compensation and benefits
  • Labor relations and collective bargaining

Key Concepts

  • Organizational behavior and theory
  • Managerial economics and labor market analysis
  • Data analysis

Below is an example of a typical full-time schedule to provide an idea of how courses may be structured for the program.
 

Year 1

Year 1 of the Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations full-time program covers core courses such as Business Principles, Statistics, Staffing, Training, Development, Compensation, and Benefits, along with practical leadership practicums.

Course numberTitleRequired or ElectiveTermCredits
HRIR 6001Business PrinciplesRequiredFall4
HRIR 6111StatisticsRequiredFall4
HRIR 6301Staffing, Training, DevelopmentRequiredFall3
HRIR 6305Staffing, Training, Development Leadership PracticumRequiredFall1
HRIR 6701Labor Relations and Collective BargainingRequiredSpring3
HRIR 6501Compensation and BenefitsRequiredSpring3
HRIR 6505Compensation and Benefits Leadership PracticumRequiredSpring1

 

Year 2

Year 2 focuses on organizational theory, behavior, and an experiential learning capstone, complemented by elective courses tailored to individual interests, which often include MBA classes from related fields.

Course numberTitleRequired or ElectiveTermCredits
HRIR 6401Organizational TheoryRequiredFall2
HRIR 6441Organizational BehaviorRequiredFall2
HRIR 6801Experiential Learning CapstoneRequiredFall3
N/AElectivesElectiveFall4
N/AElective of Related Field (often MBA classes)ElectiveFall3

Tailor Your Academic Journey:

Explore Interdisciplinary Minors: Extend your studies by adding a minor from complementary fields such as Graduate Business (8 credits), Integrative Therapies and Healing Practice (8 credits), Law (6 credits), or Race, Indigeneity, Disability, Gender and Sexuality (6 credits).

Flexible Capstone Experience: Enhance your experiential learning capstone by spreading it across an additional semester, allowing for a more immersive and comprehensive opportunity.

Global Perspective: Broaden your horizons by spending a semester abroad in diverse locations such as Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, or Switzerland, fulfilling your related field course requirements.

Short-Term International Immersion: Embark on a 4-credit, 2-week short-term study abroad experience during January or May terms, exploring destinations like Australia, Ghana, Morocco, Poland, or Sweden.


Program Highlights

"SHRM academically aligned" badge

SHRM Aligned

The Carlson School's Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations program is recognized by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). 

Take the next step

Contact Master's in Human Resources