MS Management, Strategy & Leadership - Human Resource Management

Despite the advancements of the digital age, companies will always have a strong need for people who understand life’s challenges and can provide a personal, human approach to workplace management.

Who Should Register

The Master of Science in Management, Strategy & Leadership concentration in Human Resource Management is catered toward:

• Dedicated HR professionals (early, mid and late career) looking to enhance their credentials and advance their careers.
• HR professionals who are primarily focused on the HR field, but who are open to other functional areas as part of their career plans.
• HR professionals or other managers with the goal of running their own organization.
• Those wanting to gain a strategic human resources management perspective.
• Individuals looking to develop an understanding of how human resource management relates to an organization as a whole.

About MSU's Broad College of Business

Founded in 1855 on the ideals of democratization of knowledge, Michigan State University (MSU) is an inclusive, internationally recognized university with a mission of advancing knowledge and transforming lives. Michigan State University Online is the home to online programs from MSU's Eli Broad College of Business. These flexible programs are offered in a variety of structures and formats and designed for working professionals. Through the convenience of online, video-based e-learning with the added value of face-to-face networking in select programs, you can gain applicable industry knowledge and learn from the faculty thought leaders at one of the top research universities in the world.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for MSU’s online MS in Management, Strategy and Leadership program, you should have:

• 3 years (minimum) full-time managerial experience in a supervisory role and a high degree of potential for advancement to an organizational leadership role
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college
• 3.0 minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA)

Application Checklist

Start Your MSU Application

• Complete your online application with a $100 application fee (one-time, nonrefundable)

Order Transcripts

• Official transcripts from all college/university programs or courses of study attended prior to applying to Michigan State University
• Official military transcript (if denoting servicemember or military veteran status in application)

Provide Professional Resume, Essay & Recommendations

• Applicants’ resumes must include up to 20 years of work experience (if applicable).
• Applicants’ resumes must explicitly list supervisory vs. non-supervisory for each role within their work experience. If the role was supervisory, the applicant must include a range of direct reports.
• Applicants with military service must denote rank (and associated pay grade) for every position listed on their resume (military roles).
• 3 letters of recommendation from professional, work-related references, preferably supervisors. Letters should speak to your ability to work within and lead teams, and your contribution to a professional business environment are strongly recommended.
• Statement of intention essay (2 pages), detailing your direct supervisory and/or management experience, and stating how you see the degree furthering your career and organizational goals.

Required Courses

The online Master of Science in Management, Strategy & Leadership features 10 core courses that explore topics in business strategy, leadership, negotiations and conflict resolution, international management, ethics and more.

In addition, students opting for a concentration in Human Resource Management must complete the following four courses (each carrying two credit hours):

• MGT 811 – Fundamentals of Human Resource
  Familiarize yourself with the essential components of talent acquisition and development, including legal issues, measurement, job analysis, performance assessment and recruitment.
• MGT 814 – Managing Diversity in the Workplace
  Explore how organizations can benefit from differences in ethnicity, age, tenure and education. You can also discover some of the challenges that may arise and learn techniques to manage conflict.
• MGT 818 – Talent Management and Development
  How do you manage human resources to realize an organization’s goals and mission? Study strategies for employee recruitment and development, performance management, succession planning and retention, career management and leadership development.
• MGT 822 – Developing Reward and Compensation Systems
  Learn how to apply compensation principles to organizational objectives and strategically use compensation systems to attract, motivate and retain employees. You can also discover the managerial aspects of paying employees at all levels.

The full program curriculum covers additional topics in human resource management, team development and leadership to help students empower themselves and gain the skills and knowledge to become HR leaders.

What You'll Learn

The full program curriculum covers additional topics in human resource management, team development and leadership to help students empower themselves and gain the skills and knowledge to become HR leaders.