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 in the full-time program 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).
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.
The curriculum is identical to the full-time option, but students progress at their own pace, typically taking 4-8 credits per semester and completing the program in 3-4 years. Taking core courses early in the program is recommended.
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 number | Title | Required or Elective | Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRIR 6001 | Business Principles | Required | Fall | 4 |
| HRIR 6111 | Statistics | Required | Fall | 4 |
| HRIR 6301 | Staffing, Training, Development | Required | Fall | 3 |
| HRIR 6305 | Staffing, Training, Development Leadership Practicum | Required | Fall | 1 |
| HRIR 6501 | Compensation and Benefits | Required | Spring | 3 |
| HRIR 6505 | Compensation and Benefits Leadership Practicum | Required | Spring | 1 |
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 number | Title | Required or Elective | Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRIR 6401 | Organizational Theory | Required | Fall | 2 |
| HRIR 6441 | Organizational Behavior | Required | Fall | 2 |
| HRIR 6801 | Experiential Learning Capstone | Required | Fall | 3 |
| N/A | Electives | Elective | Fall | 4 |
| N/A | Elective of Related Field (often MBA classes) | Elective | Fall | 3 |
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.
The proposed average time to complete the program for part-time students is 3 years, although it can range from 2.5 to 5 years, depending on the student's preferred pace. The following is a "standard" schedule, but we understand that every student's circumstances are unique. Our flexible program allows us to work with you to create a customized plan, whether you wish to accelerate your progress and finish more quickly or need additional time to balance your studies with other commitments.
Below is an example of a typical part-time schedule to provide an idea of how courses may be structured for the program.
Year 1
| Course number | Title | Required or Elective | Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRIR 6001 | Business Principles (Class & Lab) | Required | Fall | 4 |
| N/A | Electives | Elective | Fall | 2 |
| HRIR 6111 | Statistics (Class & Lab) | Required | Spring | 4 |
| N/A | Elective (Topics in HRIR) | Elective | Spring | 2 |
| N/A | Elective (Topics in HRIR) | Elective | Summer | 2 |
Year 2
| Course number | Title | Required or Elective | Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRIR 6701 | Labor Relations | Required | Fall | 3 |
| N/A | Electives | Elective | Fall | 2 |
| HRIR 6301 | Staffing, Training, Development | Required | Spring | 3 |
| N/A | Elective (Related Field; MBA Core Course) | Elective | Spring (4 Saturdays) | 1 |
| HRIR 6305 | Staffing, Training, Development Leadership Practicum | Required | Summer | 3 |
Year 3
| Course number | Title | Required or Elective | Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRIR 6201 | Compensation | Required | Fall | 3 |
| N/A | Electives | Elective | Fall | 3 |
| HRIR 6801 | Organizational Strategy & HRIR | Required | Spring | 3 |
| HRIR 6401 | HRIR Policy & Administration | Required | Summer | 3 |
| HRIR 6501 | Legal Environment of HRIR | Required | Summer | 2 |
Please note that elective courses offer you the opportunity to tailor your degree to your specific interests and career goals. You'll work closely with your academic advisor to select electives that align with your individual aspirations.
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 number | Title | Required or Elective | Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRIR 6001 | Business Principles | Required | Fall | 4 |
| HRIR 6111 | Statistics | Required | Fall | 4 |
| HRIR 6301 | Staffing, Training, Development | Required | Fall | 3 |
| HRIR 6305 | Staffing, Training, Development Leadership Practicum | Required | Fall | 1 |
| HRIR 6501 | Compensation and Benefits | Required | Spring | 3 |
| HRIR 6505 | Compensation and Benefits Leadership Practicum | Required | Spring | 1 |
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 number | Title | Required or Elective | Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRIR 6401 | Organizational Theory | Required | Fall | 2 |
| HRIR 6441 | Organizational Behavior | Required | Fall | 2 |
| HRIR 6801 | Experiential Learning Capstone | Required | Fall | 3 |
| N/A | Electives | Elective | Fall | 4 |
| N/A | Elective of Related Field (often MBA classes) | Elective | Fall | 3 |
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.
The proposed average time to complete the program for part-time students is 3 years, although it can range from 2.5 to 5 years, depending on the student's preferred pace. The following is a "standard" schedule, but we understand that every student's circumstances are unique. Our flexible program allows us to work with you to create a customized plan, whether you wish to accelerate your progress and finish more quickly or need additional time to balance your studies with other commitments.
Below is an example of a typical part-time schedule to provide an idea of how courses may be structured for the program.
Year 1
| Course number | Title | Required or Elective | Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRIR 6001 | Business Principles (Class & Lab) | Required | Fall | 4 |
| N/A | Electives | Elective | Fall | 2 |
| HRIR 6111 | Statistics (Class & Lab) | Required | Spring | 4 |
| N/A | Elective (Topics in HRIR) | Elective | Spring | 2 |
| N/A | Elective (Topics in HRIR) | Elective | Summer | 2 |
Year 2
| Course number | Title | Required or Elective | Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRIR 6701 | Labor Relations | Required | Fall | 3 |
| N/A | Electives | Elective | Fall | 2 |
| HRIR 6301 | Staffing, Training, Development | Required | Spring | 3 |
| N/A | Elective (Related Field; MBA Core Course) | Elective | Spring (4 Saturdays) | 1 |
| HRIR 6305 | Staffing, Training, Development Leadership Practicum | Required | Summer | 3 |
Year 3
| Course number | Title | Required or Elective | Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRIR 6201 | Compensation | Required | Fall | 3 |
| N/A | Electives | Elective | Fall | 3 |
| HRIR 6801 | Organizational Strategy & HRIR | Required | Spring | 3 |
| HRIR 6401 | HRIR Policy & Administration | Required | Summer | 3 |
| HRIR 6501 | Legal Environment of HRIR | Required | Summer | 2 |
Please note that elective courses offer you the opportunity to tailor your degree to your specific interests and career goals. You'll work closely with your academic advisor to select electives that align with your individual aspirations.
Program Highlights
SHRM Aligned
The Carlson School's Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations program is recognized by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).