Human Resources (MPS)
Graduate School
Graduate Field
Industrial and Labor Relations
Program Description
Administered by the Graduate School, the human resources (M.P.S.) (executive master of human resource management) program is ideal for high-potential human resource professionals who have 8+ years of experience. This selective 15-month program, leading to a graduate M.P.S. degree in human resources, will give you the advanced knowledge and skills needed to move into senior HR roles and enable you to develop and execute human capital strategy on a global scale. Online coursework allows you to complete the program without interrupting your career.
Program Information
- Program Mode of Delivery: In Person
- Program Location: Ithaca, NY
- Minimum Credits for Degree: 30
- Program Length: 15 months
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Online Courses | 10.5 | |
| ILRHR 8105 | HR Strategy | 0.5 |
| ILRHR 8107 | Strategic Talent Analytics | 0.5 |
| ILRHR 8108 | Business Strategy for HR Leaders | 0.5 |
| ILRHR 8109 | Finance and Accounting Principles | 0.5 |
| ILRHR 8309 | Navigating Power Relationships | 0.5 |
| ILRHR 8313 | Navigating Labor Relations | 0.5 |
| ILRHR 8314 | Preparing for Labor Negotiations | 0.5 |
| ILRHR 8402 | Results Through Talent Management | 0.5 |
| ILRHR 8404 | Managing and Leading Hybrid Teams | 0.5 |
| ILRHR 8408 | Coaching Skills for Leaders | 0.5 |
| ILRHR 8409 | Executive Compensation Essentials | 0.5 |
| ILRHR 8410 | Valuing HR Initiatives | 0.5 |
| ILRHR 8411 | Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Practice for HR | 0.5 |
| ILRHR 8412 | Analyzing Formal Organizational Structure | 0.5 |
| ILRHR 8413 | Facilitating Staffing Decision | 0.5 |
| ILRHR 8414 | Adopting Inclusive Hiring Practices | 0.5 |
| ILRHR 8601 | Human Resources Leadership | 0.5 |
| ILRHR 8604 | Strategic Decision Making | 0.5 |
| ILRHR 8702 | Using Design Thinking in Human Resources | 0.5 |
| ILRHR 8703 | Agile Project Management Approaches | 0.5 |
| ILRHR 8704 | Conversations in HR 1 | 0.5 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Ithaca, NY Courses | 10.5 | |
| ILRHR 8201 | Strategic Human Resource Management | 3.5 |
| ILRHR 8501 | Managing Talent | 3.5 |
| ILRHR 8801 | HR Leadership | 2 |
| ILRHR 8802 | Conflict Resolution | 1.5 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Capstone Case Project Courses | 9 | |
| ILRHR 8900 | Case Project – Identifying Opportunities and Challenges | 0.5 |
| ILRHR 8901 | Case Project: Identifying the Business Case and HR Challenges | 2.5 |
| ILRHR 8902 | Case Project: Developing an HR Intervention and Change Plan | 2 |
| ILRHR 8903 | Case Project: Final Report and Presentation | 4 |
- 1
Students complete .25 credits in the fall and spring.
Total Credits and GPA Requirements
- All courses must be completed for a letter grade.
- Minimum total credits required to graduate: 30 credits over fifteen months.
- Students of the EMHRM program are expected to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.70 with no single course or seminar grade below a letter grade C.
- Transfer credits are not accepted into the degree program.
University Graduation Requirements
Requirements for All Students
In order to receive a Cornell degree, a student must satisfy academic and non-academic requirements.
Academic Requirements
A student’s college determines degree requirements such as residency, number of credits, distribution of credits, and grade averages. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific major, degree, distribution, college, and graduation requirements for completing their chosen program of study. See the individual requirements listed by each college or school or contact the college registrar’s office for more information.
Non-academic Requirements
Conduct Matters. Students must satisfy any outstanding sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed or agreed to under the Student Code of Conduct (Code) or Policy 6.4. Where a formal complaint under the Code or Policy 6.4 is pending, the University will withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the adjudication process set forth in those procedures is complete, including the satisfaction of any sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed.
Financial Obligations. Outstanding financial obligations will not impact the awarding of a degree otherwise earned or a student’s ability to access their official transcript. However, the University may withhold issuing a diploma until any outstanding financial obligations owing to the University are satisfied.
Learning Outcomes
The learning goals of the ILR curriculum can be summarized as follows. Upon graduation, students in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations should have the ability to:
- Engage in critical, reasoned analyses of issues and ideas.
- Explain ideas and analyses through written and oral communication.
- Evaluate and apply theories and assumptions of the social science disciplines to workplace issues.
- Analyze workplace issues from a variety of perspectives, including the historical, cultural, institutional, and ethical perspectives.
- Access, evaluate, and analyze qualitative and quantitative data, so as to enhance understanding and inform decision-making.
- Work independently and in cooperation with others.
Program Calendar
2027 Cohort
Fall 2026
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 9, 2026 | First Day of Term |
| August 9, 2026 | First Day of Instruction |
| November 25-29, 2026 | Thanksgiving Break |
| December 13, 2026 | Last Day of Instruction |
| December 13, 2026 | Last Day of Term |
Spring 2027
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 3, 2027 | First Day of Term |
| January 3, 2027 | First Day of Instruction |
| March 13-19, 2027 | Residential Session in Ithaca, NY |
| March 27-April 4, 2027 | Spring Break |
| May 15, 2027 | Last Day of Instruction |
| May 15, 2027 | Last Day of Term |
Summer 2027
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 16, 2027 | First Day of Term |
| May 16, 2027 | First Day of Instruction |
| July 17-23, 2027 | Residential Session in Ithaca, NY |
| July 23, 2027 | Last Day of Instruction |
| July 23, 2027 | Last Day of Term |
2028 Cohort
Summer 2027
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 16, 2027 | First Day of Term |
| May 17, 2027 | First Day of Instruction |
| July 12-16, 2027 | Break |
| July 17-23, 2027 | Residential Session in Ithaca, NY |
| July 23, 2027 | Last Day of Instruction |
| July 23, 2027 | Last Day of Term |
Admissions
Application Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by cycle. Typically, the application opens in mid-June and closes in mid-March, with each new cohort starting in May. For the most accurate information about upcoming deadlines, please visit the website.
Requirements Summary
- All Graduate School Requirements, including the English Language Proficiency Requirement
- At least two letters of recommendation
- Academic Statement of Purpose
- Personal Statement
- Resume or CV
- Online video interview or essay
- TOEFL or IELTS scores, as applicable
GRE or GMAT scores are not currently required. Future admission cycle requirements will be determined prior to the opening of the online application.
Admissions Contact Information
Name: ILR Graduate Office
Email: ilrgradapplicant@cornell.edu
Phone: 607-255-1522
Website: https://www.ilr.cornell.edu/programs/emhrm