Human Resources (MSHR)
An organization is only as good as its people. The Quinlan MS in Human Resources program will give you the analytical, team, and communication skills you'll need.
You'll be well-prepared to recruit, select, develop, and reward the employees that ensure your company's success every day. You'll also gain access to a strong alumni and human resources network in Chicago, and the mentor program run by Loyola's Institute of Human Resources and Employment Relations.
The Human Resources (MSHR) also offers an Accelerated Master's Pathway for Undergraduate students to complete their Graduate studies in a fifth year. Further details of the AMP, including the suggested sequence of courses, can be found under the Curriculum tab.
Related Programs
Certificate
Combined
Curriculum
The M.S. in Human Resources can be pursued full-time or part-time. Students with three years of human resources experience take 12 classes. Students without experience take an internship class (HRER 415) in addition to the 12 classes.
Besides the traditional Master's program, the Human Resources (MSHR) is also offered as an Accelerated Master's Pathway where exceptional students can complete the program in a fifth year. A suggested sequence for the AMP can be found below.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HRER 413 | Compensation 1 | 3 |
| HRER 418 | Human Resources Law | 3 |
| HRER 422 | Global HR Management | 3 |
| HRER 429 | Human Resource Development | 3 |
| HRER 462 | Employment Relations | 3 |
| HRER 463 | Staffing 1 | 3 |
| HRER 490 | Analytical Problem Solving 1 | 3 |
| HRER 501 | Performance Management 1 | 3 |
| ETHC 441N | Business Ethics | 3 |
| or ETHC 446 | International Business Ethics | |
| Electives | ||
| Select three of the following: 2 | 9 | |
| Incentive Pay and Employee Benefit Programs 3 | ||
| Managing and Motivating in the Workplace | ||
| Leading Change in Organizations | ||
| Group Process and Facilitation | ||
| Negotiation and Conflict Management | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Special Topics in Human Resources and Employment Relations | ||
| Global Employment Relations | ||
| Internship | ||
| HRER 415 | Internship 4 | 1 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- 1
This course may be used by students in the Accelerated Master's Pathway in their senior year.
- 2
Up to 1 elective may be a non-HRER graduate business course.
- 3
Students interested in sitting for the Society for Human Resource Management certification exams are advised to take HRER 453 as one of their three electives.
- 4
Students with less than three years of HR experience are required to take HRER 415 in addition to the 12 required courses for the M.S. in Human Resources.
Suggested Sequence of Courses
Traditional Master's Program
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| HRER 413 | Compensation | 3 |
| HRER 462 | Employment Relations | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Winter | ||
| HRER 429 | Human Resource Development | 3 |
| Select one from Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| HRER 463 | Staffing | 3 |
| HRER 490 | Analytical Problem Solving | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| HRER 418 | Human Resources Law | 3 |
| Select one from Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ETHC 441N or ETHC 446 |
Business Ethics or International Business Ethics |
3 |
| HRER 501 | Performance Management | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Winter | ||
| HRER 422 | Global HR Management | 3 |
| Select one from Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Accelerated Master's Pathway
Students can take up to 12 credit hours in the senior year with admission to the AMP. These credits are shared between the Bachelor's and Master's programs.
HRER-BBA (and HRER minor) students should work with their advisor to select up to 12 shared credits.
| Senior | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| HRER 501 | Performance Management | 3 |
| HRER 413 | Compensation | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| HRER 490 | Analytical Problem Solving | 3 |
| HRER 463 | Staffing | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Master's | ||
| Summer | ||
| HRER 418 | Human Resources Law | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fall | ||
| ETHC 441N or ETHC 446 |
Business Ethics or International Business Ethics |
3 |
| HRER 462 | Employment Relations | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Winter | ||
| HRER 422 | Global HR Management | 3 |
| HRER 429 | Human Resource Development | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Guidelines for Accelerated Master's Pathways
In Accelerated Master’s Pathways, students share limited, authorized credits between their Undergraduate and Graduate degrees to facilitate completion of both degrees in a shorter amount of time. Shared credits are Graduate level credit hours (400-level or higher) taken during the Undergraduate career and then applied both to the Undergraduate degree and towards Graduate program requirements.
Admission and Matriculation
Accelerated Master's Pathways are designed to enhance opportunities for advanced training for Loyola’s Undergraduates. Admission to these programs is competitive and will depend upon a positive review of credentials by the Graduate program. Accordingly, the admission requirements for these programs may be higher than those required if the Master’s degree were pursued entirely after the receipt of a Bachelor’s degree.
Students enrolled in an Accelerated Master's Pathway who choose not to continue to the Master’s degree program upon completion of the Bachelor’s degree will face no consequences.
Ideally, a student will apply for admission to an AMP program as they approach 90 credit hours in their Undergraduate career.
Students will not officially matriculate into the Master’s degree program and be labeled as a Graduate student by the university, with accompanying changes to tuition and Financial Aid (see below), until the Undergraduate degree has been awarded. Once admitted to the Graduate program, students must meet the academic standing requirements of their Graduate program as they complete the program curriculum.
Advising and Registration
Students in their final Undergraduate year will work with Advising in the home School of their Bachelor's program(s), as well as the Graduate Program Director of the Master’s program. Any 400-level or higher courses that the student plans to enroll in should be reviewed by both advisors to ensure that these courses will complete requirements for both degrees.
Registration in Graduate level courses during the Undergraduate year may require assistance from the Graduate Program Director and/or the student’s current academic advisor to enroll.
Shared Credits
Only courses taken at the 400-level or higher will count toward the Graduate program. At the Undergraduate level, students are restricted to enrolling in and sharing up to the number of Graduate level credits explicitly indicated in the catalog for their selected AMP program.
In general, Graduate level coursework should not be taken prior to admission into the Accelerated Master's Pathway. Exceptions may be granted for professional programs where curriculum for the Accelerated Master's Pathway is designed to begin earlier. On the recommendation of the program’s Graduate Program Director, students may take one of their Graduate level courses before they are admitted to the Accelerated Master’s Pathway if they have advanced abilities in their discipline and course offerings warrant such an exception.
Degree Requirements and Conferral
Undergraduate degree requirements are in no way impacted by admission to an Accelerated Master’s Pathway. Students should not, for example, attempt to negotiate themselves out of a writing intensive requirement on the basis of admission to a Graduate program.
The program’s Graduate Program Director will designate credit hours to be shared through the advising form and Master’s degree conferral review process. Graduate credit hours taken during the Undergraduate career will not be included in the Graduate GPA calculation.
If students wish to transfer credits from another university to Loyola University Chicago, the program’s Graduate Program Director will review the relevant syllabus or syllabi to determine whether it meets the criteria for a 400-level course or higher.
Programs with specialized accreditation requirements that allow programs to offer Graduate curriculum to Undergraduate students will conform to those specialized accreditation requirements.
Degrees are awarded sequentially. All details of Undergraduate commencement are handled in the ordinary way as for all students in the School/College/Institute. Once matriculated in the Graduate program, students abide by the graduation deadlines set forth by the Graduate program. Students in these programs must be continuously enrolled from Undergraduate to Graduate degree program unless given explicit permission by their program for a gap year or approved leave of absence. In offering the option of an Accelerated Master’s Pathway, the university is making possible the acceleration of a student’s Graduate degree completion. It should be understood that students may not request deferral of their matriculation into the Master’s degree program. If students would like to delay their Graduate studies after earning the Undergraduate degree, they may apply for admission to the traditional Master’s degree program. Any application of Graduate credit earned while in the Undergraduate program is subject to the policies of the Graduate degree granting school.
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supersede school policies.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the theoretical and practical demands of HR professional career and human relations requirements of being an effective manager; both of which involve attracting, engaging, and retaining talented employees.
- Develop and administer human resource strategies, programs and policies in the specific functional areas including talent acquisition/staffing (including employment planning, recruitment, and selection), HR development and training, compensation and benefits, performance management, and employment relations.
- Understand how the practice of effective human resource management can positively impact the business and result in a competitive advantage to the organization.
- Utilize critical thinking skills which involve complex human behavior and motivation.
- Appreciate of the value and methods for sustaining employee diversity including a global perspective as it relates to human resources.
- Develop research, written, and oral communications skills by preparing in-depth case presentations and reports.
- Appreciate ethical perspectives and support sustainable outcomes with respect to all aspects of HR management.