New MHRIR Curriculum Offers Flexibility, Reinforces Rigor

Minnesota Carlson’s Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations (MHRIR) program is launching a new curriculum in Fall 2027, marking a new chapter in the program’s rich 75-year history.

Carlson’s MHRIR program aims to build on its research-driven foundation while evolving to meet the needs of today’s business landscape. The updated curriculum emphasizes the integration of human resource management skills with foundational business functions.

“The program trains students to move beyond traditional support roles, empowering them to link workforce decisions directly to employee engagement, firm performance and competitive strategy,” said Professor Alan Benson, academic director of the MHRIR program. “The new curriculum equips students with the critical thinking skills to navigate an increasingly dynamic and data-driven business landscape.”

The curriculum changes offer more flexibility, making it possible to complete the program in two to three semesters, depending on applicants’ academic background. The rigorous 40-credit program is comprised of coursework across the 22-credit HR Pillar, which includes a new hands-on learning capstone; an 18-credit Business Foundations component; and an optional People Analytics specialization:

• HR Pillar (22 credits): The HR Pillar focuses on core HR competencies, such as HR strategy, people analytics, staffing, rewards, labor relations and organizational behavior. It is delivered in a one-year, cohort-based, in-person format — designed to build capability progressively from foundational concepts to applied practice. It culminates in the HR Impact Lab, a new, four-credit signature experiential learning course where students work as an engagement team with a faculty mentor to offer solutions to partner organizations. 
• Business Foundations (18 credits): Students choose from a menu of options covering analytics, finance, operations and more from a wide variety of courses offered at Minnesota Carlson. These courses can be completed before, during or after completing the HR Pillar, and span a variety of teaching modalities, creating more flexibility for students. 
• People Analytics Specialization: A new optional specialization in People Analytics has been introduced to capitalize on the growing importance of data and AI in human resources. Students can complete the MHRIR core curriculum and the specialization requirements within four semesters.

There are multiple pathways to the MHRIR degree, including a new 4+1 option for Minnesota Carlson undergraduate students in which their bachelor’s degree waives several credits in the Business Foundations component. Certain credit requirements may also be waived for Carlson Management minors and students with a bachelor’s degree from other institutions, including University of Minnesota Duluth’s Labovitz School of Business and Economics and University of Minnesota Morris. For more details, visit the MHRIR program page.