Human Resources & Industrial Relations FAQs

Thinking about the Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations? This page covers the questions we hear most, from program formats and curriculum to admissions requirements and career outcomes.

Have a question not answered here? Feel free to email us anytime at [email protected].

 

Overview

The Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations (MHRIR) is a full-time, on-campus graduate program that provides specialized training blending core business principles, economics, data analytics, organizational behavior and labor relations.

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 offered in a full-time, on-campus only format. Completion options include a 16-Month Track (3 semesters) or a 20-Month Track (4 semesters), with the longer track structured to allow for a graduate minor or study abroad programs. View curriculum options.

The MHRIR program only admits students for Fall entry (September). Applications are considered on a rolling basis across multiple rounds. View requirements & deadlines.

The program is primarily designed for recent graduates and early-career professionals. While work experience is encouraged.

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.

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

The MHRIR provides deeper, specialized training in HR and labor relations, grounded in labor markets, analytics and HR policy. The MBA is a broader degree, covering leadership and general business functions with optional HR coursework.

Although the Center for Human Resources and Labor Studies does not schedule regular tours, we're happy to arrange individual visits and encourage you to see everything we offer. Many prospective students have found it valuable to tour our facilities and speak with faculty, current students and alumni. If you're interested, contact our admissions coordinator at [email protected].

Admissions

It offers a deeper, specialized training in HR and labor relations, grounded in labor markets, analytics, and HR policy, and features both an optional global experience and a required internship for students selecting the 20-month track.

Requirements include a bachelor’s degree (in any field) and completion of an undergraduate course in microeconomics with a grade of C or better before enrollment. Required application materials include a résumé, transcripts, personal statement, diversity statement and two recommendations. View requirements & deadlines.

Work experience is not required but is encouraged. The program is structured for individuals with limited or no prior professional experience.

No, GMAT or GRE scores are optional. Applicants may submit an Academic Readiness Statement in place of test scores. For those who do submit scores, the program looks for a 40th percentile or better on both the verbal and quantitative sections.

The program utilizes multiple application rounds. The priority application deadline and the deadline for scholarship consideration is February 1st. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis thereafter until the class is full. View requirements & deadlines.

Yes. An undergraduate degree in any field is accepted, provided the microeconomics prerequisite is met prior to enrollment.

Admission decisions are issued after the review period for each application round is complete.

Deferral policies are not published. Applicants must confirm deferral eligibility and process directly with the program office.

Submit the University’s online application. You must provide a resume, transcripts, GRE/GMAT scores or an Academic Readiness Statement, English language proficiency results (if applicable), and letters of recommendation.

We do not require a specific undergraduate major. Our students come from fields ranging from engineering to the arts. However, you must complete an undergraduate microeconomics course with a grade of C or better before enrolling. We also recommend introductory courses in macroeconomics, general psychology and statistics.

Application deadlines for the Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations are offered in five rounds: December 1, February 1, April 1 (final deadline for international applicants*), June 1 (final deadline for international applicants currently living in the United States), and July 15**. After the April 1 deadline, applications from international applicants in the U.S. are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. After the final deadline, applications are also reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

*After the April 1 deadline, applications from international applicants in the U.S. will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. **After the final deadline, applications are accepted on a case-by-case basis.

View requirements & deadlines

Test scores are optional. You can choose to submit GRE/GMAT scores or an Academic Readiness Statement.

  • Test Scores: We look for scores in the 40th percentile or higher on verbal and quantitative sections.
  • Academic Readiness Statement: If you opt out of testing, submit a statement highlighting relevant coursework, industry research, professional development or quantitative experience.

No. While we encourage professional experience, we do not require it.

You can complete the degree in 16 months (three semesters). You may extend this to four semesters if you choose to pursue a graduate minor or study abroad.

Tuition & Aid

Tuition for 2025–2026 is $36,000 for residents and $60,300 for non-residents. Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Manitoba residents all qualify for the resident rate.

A $1,000 enrollment deposit is required to confirm your spot. Merit-based scholarships are available to help offset costs.

For a full breakdown of fees, visit the Tuition & Aid page.

Yes, merit-based scholarships (fellowships) are available. There is no separate application; all complete applications submitted by the February 1st priority deadline are automatically considered for funding.

Limited assistantships (usually requiring 10 hours of work per week for faculty research or library help) are available, with applications typically opening in August before classes start. Full-ride scholarships are not offered.

Yes. Financial aid options include federal loans, private loans, merit-based scholarships and potential employer tuition benefits.

Cost of living details are not explicitly provided. Students must secure their own housing (most live off-campus in areas like Stadium Village or Dinkytown), and the program office can facilitate connections for finding roommates.

Merit-based scholarships are available. Students may also utilize federal loans (if eligible), private loans or employer tuition benefits.

The Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations (MHRIR) at the Carlson School of Management costs [DV-116] in total tuition for residents and [DV-117] for non-residents ([DV-115]). Residents of Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Manitoba qualify for the resident rate.

As the program is full-time only, part-time aid is not applicable. Eligibility for employer tuition reimbursement is possible but dependent on individual company policy.

No. Career services are included as a benefit of the program. Students pay the standard University tuition and fees.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents can access loans and work-study opportunities. We consider all students for fellowships after admission. Many students also secure paid summer internships to support their studies.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes core coursework in staffing, training, compensation, labor relations, organizational behavior, managerial economics, labor market analysis and HR analytics. The total number of credits is not specified in the source.

Yes. Students may choose the 20-month option to pursue a graduate minor in areas such as business or law, which allows for additional electives. The program does not offer formal concentrations.

Yes, the 20-month completion option is specifically structured to allow time for a required internship or applied practical training experience.

Real-world experience is gained through the required internship (on the 20-month track), various applied learning experiences integrated into coursework, and optional global experience opportunities (short-term programs and study abroad).

The schedule offers limited flexibility. Classes are held in person during the day (typically all day Mon/Wed and half day Thu) during the first year. Second-year classes are typically scheduled in the evening.

The curriculum features core coursework in staffing, training, compensation, labor relations, organizational behavior, managerial economics, labor market analysis, and HR analytics, supplemented by electives and applied learning experiences.

Classes are held in person during the day on the Minneapolis campus.

Yes. Global experiences are available, including short-term international programs and longer study-abroad options, particularly for students utilizing the 20-month track.

Yes. The 20-month completion option is structured to allow time for a required internship or applied practical training.

Application review starts soon after the application deadline. Applicants are generally notified of the decision 1-4 weeks from the deadline.

During the first year of study, students attend classes during the day. Typically all- day on Monday, Wednesday and half a day on Thursday. During the second year, they attend evening courses. Many of the classes are held in person at Carlson, and some are held remotely.

Evening classes are generally held from 5:45 to 9:05pm.  Most classes meet one night per week. Some classes also have condensed schedules, like 3 full Saturdays in a row. Depending on their individual schedule, each part-time student will create a schedule of classes to meet their degree requirements.

Community & Careers

The Carlson Business Career Center provides comprehensive services, including one-on-one coaching, résumé and interview preparation, job search support, employer events and targeted networking opportunities.

Graduates are recruited by major corporations, consulting firms, manufacturing and consumer goods companies, healthcare organizations and technology firms, securing strategic HR roles shortly after graduation.

Career services include one-on-one coaching, résumé and interview preparation, job search support, employer events and targeted networking opportunities facilitated by the career center.

Graduates are recruited by large corporations, consulting firms, manufacturing and consumer goods companies, healthcare organizations, technology firms and HR service firms. View MHRIR employment statistics.

The program maintains high placement rates, with most graduates securing strategic HR roles shortly after graduation. Salary outcomes are strong, particularly for students with U.S. work authorization. View MHRIR employment statistics.

Yes. Internships are supported through career coaching, job fairs, employer connections and are formally accommodated by the structure of the 20-month program.

Yes. Students connect with alumni and professionals through networking events, mentorship programs, industry panels and corporate partnerships.

Student Life

The program features a collaborative and close-knit community of students who possess degrees from a variety of fields (e.g., engineering, psychology, business). The cohort includes a mix of recent graduates and early-career professionals. View class profile.

Yes. Students are encouraged to join HR-focused organizations, graduate professional clubs, and alumni association groups affiliated with the Center for Human Resources & Labor Studies.

Students connect with a strong network of HR alumni and professionals through various networking events, mentorship programs, industry panels and corporate partnerships.

The experience is a close-knit community characterized by strong peer support and direct faculty engagement on the Minneapolis campus. Students maintain busy schedules that include group projects, coursework and professional events.

The MHRIR community is collaborative and close-knit, characterized by strong peer support, direct faculty engagement and access to the broader Carlson graduate community.

Yes. Students can join HR-focused organizations, graduate professional clubs and alumni association groups affiliated with the Center for Human Resources & Labor Studies.

Carlson provides support through orientation, student life resources, career services, alumni connections and comprehensive campus services for students relocating to Minneapolis.

Fellowships are awarded to highly-qualified students. There is no separate application, but interested students must submit a complete admissions application by February 1.  We have limited funds available for fellowships and try to give as many students as possible some funding. There are no full-ride scholarships.

Assistantships are announced in August before classes start and students may apply for them then.  Assistantships usually require 10 hours of work per week during the school year. Participants help with recruiting, faculty research projects and with The Herman Library.

The first year of the full time program runs all day on Monday and Wednesdays and half of the day on Thursdays.  When student are not in class, they often have group projects, homework and other events to fit in.  In order to fully concentrate on the program, it is recommended that full-time students do not hold outside employment, other than any HR-related internships or assistantships they may hold. 

The second year, classes are held in the evening, and it is easier for students to work, mostly part time.

To start your housing search, housing.umn.edu.  Many students decide to live in apartments off campus.  The HRIR program office also helps students connect with each other to find roommates. Rent for off-campus housing varies. In general, rooming houses and shared housing are most affordable. Apartments, duplexes, and houses charge higher rents depending on location and other factors. Most students live in the Stadium Village, Dinkytown, Como Corridor, or Uptown areas. Stadium Village and Dinkytown are adjacent to the University's East Bank campus. The Como Corridor is northeast of the East Bank and has excellent bus service to campus. The Uptown neighborhood is centered at Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue, 4 miles southwest of campus, and features a wide range of apartments, restaurants, coffee shops, stores, and nightlife.