Michigan State University Human Resource Management Programs: Shaping Future Leaders

As companies form and expand, the demand for HR managers and executives who can strategically manage and develop an effective workforce grows. Michigan State University (MSU) offers a range of human resource management programs designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this dynamic field. These programs cater to various educational levels and career aspirations, from undergraduate studies to graduate certificates and master's degrees.

Undergraduate Program in Human Resource Management

MSU's undergraduate program in human resource management is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in both business principles and specialized HR knowledge. The curriculum balances business and general education requirements with foundational courses in core HR areas, such as staffing, compensation, and training and development.

Curriculum and Focus

The major in human resource management has a specialized scope that focuses on staffing, compensation, and training and development. This program prepares students for careers in human resources and it is built around the view that human resource specialists must also have good business acumen. The curriculum provides a balance of business and general education requirements, along with foundational courses in human resources areas.

To build a solid business foundation, there are common degree requirements for all Broad majors. Students must complete twelve (12) credits from the following courses. No more than 6 credits of courses offered outside the Department of Management may count toward fulfilling this requirement.

EC 380 Labor Relations and Labor Market Policy (3 credits): This course covers the development, functions, legal framework, and economic effects of unions and collective bargaining. It also examines the institutions and economic impacts of government programs, including minimum wages, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and antidiscrimination policies.

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HRLR 313 Employment Relations (3 credits): This course focuses on labor relations, collective bargaining involving unions, dispute resolution, and arbitration.
HRLR 314 Legal Environment of Work (3 credits): This course explores the legal rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers, affecting safety, nondiscrimination, wages, hours & benefits, collective action and unionization.
HRLR 414 Legal Standards in a Global Workplace (3 credits): This course examines workers’ rights as human rights in developed and developing countries, covering private, national, and international standards.
HRLR 420 Comparative Human Resources and Labor Relations Systems (3 credits): This course explores institutional networks and practices in human capital systems in selected countries, covering labor and employment laws, employment relations, and human resources practices.
MGT 411 Organizational Staffing (3 credits): This course covers job and organizational analysis, personnel planning, recruitment, selection and placement, employment interviewing and testing, validation of selection procedures, equal opportunity employer (EEO) guidelines and affirmative action, and issues and diversity of ethics.

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MGT 412 Compensation and Reward Systems (3 credits): This course focuses on designing compensation systems, job evaluation, internal and external equity, pay-for-performance plans and financial incentives, wage and salary surveys, benefits administration, and diversity and ethical considerations.
MGT 413 Personnel Training and Development (3 credits): This course covers designing and implementing training and development programs, career stages and career planning, needs analysis, experimental design and program evaluation, learning theories, and issues and diversity of ethics.
MGT 414 Diversity in the Workplace (3 credits): This course examines problems experienced by racial, ethnic, physically disabled and other minorities in work organizations, awareness training for managers, and ethical issues.
MGT 475 Negotiations (2 credits): This course focuses on strategic negotiation, negotiation preparation, buyer-supplier relationship assessment, international negotiations and negotiation simulation.
MGT 476 Globalization and International Management (3 credits): This course covers international management issues, including national culture, leadership, decision-making, team performance, communication, negotiations, structure and personal career implications of international management.

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MGT 490 Independent Study (1-3 credits): This course involves a supervised program of independent library research designed to supplement classroom study.
MGT 491 Special Topics in Human Resources Management (3 credits): This course explores topics in management such as advanced organizational behavior, managing labor relations, organizational development, organizational theory and design, strategic leadership and decision-making.

Courses in the human resource management major, augmented by offerings in psychology, sociology, and economics, prepare the student for two broadly defined career paths. The first, a general managerial orientation designed to build skills in analyzing and effectively dealing with individuals in the work place, concentrates on topics of motivation, organization design, leadership, and development of interpersonal skills. The second orientation provides techniques essential to successful careers in human resources management. It stresses selection and training techniques, human resources planning, compensation, labor relations, and training and evaluation.

Career Opportunities

Where students get hired: human resource management bachelor’s degrees from Broad get students employed across a wide spectrum of our corporate hiring partners.

The Human Resources and Labor Relations degree focuses on the people side of business. This degree is for students who want to work within an organization, with a focus on its most important asset - people. Demand for qualified human resource professionals is among the highest for all professions, providing excellent employment opportunities for graduates of this major. Offering a comprehensive understanding of human capital in a global society, students develop critical thinking skills and learn essential problem-solving, social, emotional and entrepreneurial skills for advancing the well-being and success of working people, organizations and communities worldwide.

Student Organizations

The mission of the Human Resource Association is to create an environment that stimulates interest in human resources, builds professional skills and connects students with human resources professionals. The association strives to achieve this by hosting events for the members to interact with one another and members of other professional organizations, company presentations in which the members have one-on-one contact with professionals in the HR field and discussing important topics in HR.

The Student Senate of the Broad College of Business creates a representative body concentrating their time to improve the quality of life for all students in the college. The Broad Student Senate strives to provide means for responsible and effective student participation within Broad, to serve as the official voice of the student opinion on matters affecting students and/or their rights, and to provide a mutual and beneficial understanding with members of the faculty and administration.

Admission to the College of Business

First-year business applicants are first reviewed by the Office of Admissions for admissibility to the university. Then they are reviewed by the Broad College of Business for direct admission to the College of Business. During this time, the student's major will appear as business preference in their account (no additional action is required).

The Broad College of Business has a competitive admission program with limited space for direct admission.

Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management and Development

MSU's Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management and Development is designed for working professionals seeking to enhance their HR expertise and advance their careers. This program focuses on connecting core functions of HR, including compensation, training and development, talent management, and labor relations, to overall business strategy.

Program Structure and Benefits

Focused on leading individuals as well as meeting long-term organizational goals, MSU’s Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management and Development helps you connect core functions of HR, including compensation, training and development, talent management, and labor relations to overall business strategy. Gain the knowledge and skills to improve the performance and competitive position of your organization through this focused program comprised of only five courses (9 credits). The Broad College of Business graduate programs instill a roll-up-your-sleeves work ethic most top employers seek. This program combines a foundation of HR courses covering topics from compensation systems, staffing, developing learning organizations and more to help you advance in this upwardly mobile career path.

This graduate certificate, offered exclusively online, was designed specifically for self-directed professionals like you, looking to continue their education. This credential leverages the convenience of anytime, anywhere interactive, video-based e-learning, opening doors to career advancement opportunities, while fitting into the constraints of your busy schedule. Breaking the mold of traditional online graduate courses, 5-week courses allow you to gain more skills and knowledge in an accelerated time frame.

Admission Requirements

The For-Credit Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management and Development is designed for professionals who have earned a bachelor’s degree and have at least three years of full time managerial experience in a supervisory role. Please note: The GRE and GMAT requirement is currently optional. If you choose not to take the GRE or GMAT, you will need submit an Academic Statement instead.

Master of Human Resources and Labor Relations (MHRLR)

MSU's Master of Human Resources and Labor Relations degree is recognized as one of the top programs in the nation for human resources and labor relations. The program provides a comprehensive understanding of human capital in a global society.

Program Highlights

Recognized as one of the top programs in the nation for Human Resources & Labor Relations education, the School of Human Resources & Labor Relations excels at helping our Master's students find meaningful and lucrative internships and full-time careers. We keep our cohort size between 50-60 students each year, which means we can offer every student one-on-one academic support and individual career preparation and placement services. HRLR consistently places our Masters students into highly competitive internship and full-time careers. Because of the reputation of MSU's program, between 30 - 50 companies come to campus ever year specifically to recruit our students. Our students get a solid foundation in seven core knowledge areas, that are SHRM academically aligned, and taught by expert faculty who provide students with not only essential HR and labor relations theories, but also the practical application of this knowledge in the workplace. Learn how to motivate others and create a vibrant culture of success.

This major also prepares students for a variety of graduate programs, especially our top-ranked Master of Human Resources and Labor Relations degree at MSU, recognized as one of the best programs in the nation for human resources and labor relations.

Career Placement

HRLR consistently places our Masters students into highly competitive internship and full-time careers. Because of the reputation of MSU's program, between 30 - 50 companies come to campus ever year specifically to recruit our students.

Rankings and Reputation

News & World Report ranks MSU’s undergraduate program in management in the top 20 in the nation. This major also prepares students for a variety of graduate programs, especially our top-ranked Master of Human Resources and Labor Relations degree at MSU, recognized as one of the best programs in the nation for human resources and labor relations.

Salary Expectations

The median salary of hr students who receive their bachelor's degree at Michigan State is $56,501. This is higher than $50,415, which is the national median for all hr bachelor's degree recipients. Graduates of the master's hr program at Michigan State make a median salary of $99,526. This is a better than average outcome since the median salary for all hr graduates with a master's is $59,948.

Diversity

During the 2021-2022 academic year, 147 hr majors earned their bachelor's degree from Michigan State. Of these graduates, 33% were men and 67% were women. Of the 47 hr students who graduated with a master's degree in 2021-2022 from Michigan State, about 30% were men and 70% were women. The majority of the students with this major are white. The majority of master's degree recipients in this major at Michigan State are white.

System Requirements for Online Programs

To ensure an optimized classroom experience on both desktop and mobile devices, please adhere to the following system requirements.

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 or later; OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later
Web Browser: Google Chrome latest version; Mozilla Firefox latest version; Microsoft Edge latest version; Apple Safari latest version
Computer Processor: 2 GHz or faster
Computer Memory: RAM 3 GB or more
Hard Disk Space: 160 GB available
Audio/Video: Speakers/Headphones; Microphone (optional); Webcam (optional)
Software: Microsoft Office 2013 or later (Windows); Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 or later; Adobe Reader latest version; Macromedia Flash Player latest version
Internet Connection: High-speed internet capable or streaming video smoothly
Mobile Operating System: Android v4.4 and later; iOS 9.02 and later

Although these programs are accessible from mobile devices like tablets or smartphones, students should not use a mobile device as their only educational technology option. A laptop or desktop with reliable and daily access to the internet is required.

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