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Design the program you need for the career you want

Stony Brook's graduate Human Resource Management (HRM) programs offer flexible pathways to advance your career.

Our signature 30-credit master's program provides a broad-based foundation of essential courses plus customizable electives to align with your unique career goals. The master's curriculum follows standards established by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), ensuring comprehensive, up-to-date content that reflects the competencies needed to be an HR leader.

For professionals seeking a focused credential, we also offer a 15-credit advanced graduate certificate that covers fundamental HR concepts and practices through our core coursework.

To help you plan your academic journey, we've included degree requirements, course descriptions and a scheduling overview below.

For guidance on selecting the program and electives best suited to your goals, please don't hesitate to contact an advisor.

MSHRM Degree Requirements

30 credits plus an optional internship

5

Core Courses

Learn the foundations of human resource management, labor relations, business acumen and diversity.

4 

Electives

Dive deeper into your areas of interest by choosing from 8 specialty electives.

1

Capstone Course

Research an HR topic that matters most to you (or your organization)

70

Combinations

Develop a degree program that is unique to your specific needs.

Course Descriptions

 

Optimized Scheduling for Working Professionals

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100% Online Courses

Our online courses are asynchronous, meaning that the interaction doesn't happen in real time (like in a Zoom meeting). Instead, you have the flexibility to complete your coursework and participate in class discussions when it is most convenient for you.

HRM students have indicated it takes about 10 hours per week to complete their coursework (more if it is a dense or unfamiliar topic, less if it is a topic of which they have prior knowledge).

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Short Terms, Multiple Start Dates

We admit students in the Fall, Spring and Summer. Each term runs for 10 weeks – long enough to cover the topic, short enough to maintain momentum. Required courses are offered every term, as are most electives.

Bonus Session: We offer three or four courses during the 3-week Winter term for students who want to accelerate their studies.

 

Sample Plans

Take Two Courses Per Term

Finish in less than two years
 
YEAR ONE

FALL:

  • HRM 532 Foundations of Human Resources
  • HRM 533 Employee Relations and Labor Management

SPRING:

  • HRM 548 Diversity and Global Issues in the Workplace
  • HRM 547 Performance Management in Organizations

SUMMER:

  • HRM 551 Business Acumen and Data Analytics for Effective HR Leadership 
  • HRM 545 Employment Law and Policy
YEAR TWO

FALL:

  • HRM 537 Employee Learning and Professional/Career Development
  • HRM 538 Organizational Development and Change Management 

SPRING:

  • HRM 595 Strategic Human Resources Master's Project
  • HRM 541 Human Relations and Workforce Planning

 

 

Take One Course Per Term

Finish in three years
 
YEAR ONE

FALL:

  • HRM 532 Foundations of Human Resources

SPRING:

  • HRM 533 Employee Relations and Labor Management

SUMMER:

  • HRM 548 Diversity and Global Issues in the Workplace
YEAR TWO

WINTER:

  • HRM 547 Performance Management in Organizations

FALL:

  • HRM 545 Employment Law and Policy

SPRING:

  • HRM 551 Business Acumen and Data Analytics for Effective HR Leadership 

SUMMER:

  • HRM 545 Employment Law and Policy
YEAR THREE

FALL:

  • HRM 537 Employee Learning and Professional/Career Development

WINTER:

  • HRM 538 Organizational Development and Change Management 

SPRING:

  • HRM 595 Strategic Human Resources Master's Project

Still have questions?

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