Master's Program
Program Options and Requirements
You can earn your Master's degree in human resources and industrial relations (M.H.R.I.R.), under usual circumstances, by completing 12 courses in three semesters. Our largest class enrolls in the fall, and then graduates in December of the next year. This intense 18-month time frame allows you to gain a competitive edge over students in other programs by entering the work force sooner and beginning your career.
Students usually take 4 courses (or 16 hours) per semester. Additionally, most students find an internship during the summer to utilize the knowledge and skills that they have learned in the classroom. Among the 48 hours of course work, there are three required courses:
- LIR 591-Employment Relations Systems
- LIR 592-Research Methods
- LIR 593-Quantitative Methods (statistics)
Additionally, one course in each subject distribution area is required. The four subject distribution areas are as follows: Human Resource Management and Organizational Behavior, Union Management and Labor Relations Policy, Labor Markets and Employment and International Human Resource Management. There are five remaining electives, which you can use to tailor to your particular interests and career aspirations.
Although prior work experience in human resources and industrial relations is not required, we encourage you to gain some work experience before you enroll. Additionally, you must complete an undergraduate introductory course in statistics. We strongly recommend that you complete this course before you enroll at the Institute. (You may take such a course without graduate credit during your first semester at the Institute, but doing so may delay completion of the program because of course sequencing.)
Program Options
There are several different program options that are available
at the Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations. (Scroll down
to find a more complete description of each of the options).
The different options are as follows:
- MHRIR -48 hours coursework
- MHRIR -48 hours coursework/8 hours thesis
- JD/MHRIR -Joint Law and MHRIR degree
- MBA/MHRIR - Joint MBA and MHRIR degree
Most students attend the Institute on a full-time basis and complete their degree in three semesters. However students also are given the option of enrolling as non-degree or part-time.
Non-degree
ILIR allows the non-degree option for students. To become a non-degree student in ILIR, you must follow the same admission requirements as the degree students. For those students that may want to eventually obtain a degree from ILIR, please note that only two units of coursework as a non-degree student may be transferred to count towards the M.H.R.I.R. degree, and you must receive at least an A- grade in these courses.
Part-time
The Graduate College allows up to five years to complete a master's degree. ILIR allows students to take classes on a part-time basis to obtain a degree in compliance with the Graduate College timeline. Part-time students must also meet the same admission requirements as the full-time students.
Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations (MHRIR) Non-Thesis
Twelve units (courses) are required for the M.H.R.I.R. degree. The required courses include LIR 591 (Employment Relations Systems), LIR 592 (Research Methods), and LIR 593 (Quantitative Methods, or its equivalent). Also required is a choice of one course from each of the four subject distribution areas, and five more elective courses for a total of 48 hours.
MHRIR Sample Program
Fall 2005
- LIR 591 Employment Relations Systems (required)
- LIR 593 Quantitative Methods (required)
- LIR 542 Collective Bargaining
- LIR 562 Human Resources Planning and Staffing
Spring 2006
- LIR 592 Research Methods (required)
- LIR 545 Economics of Human Resources
- LIR 561 Compensation Systems
- LIR 566 International Human Resources Management
Fall 2006
- LIR 522 Government Regulation
- LIR 568 Firm Performance and Human Resource Management
- LIR 543 Workplace Dispute Resolution
- LIR 565 Human Resources Management and Strategy
Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations (MHRIR)-Thesis Option
Forty-eight hours are also required for the M.H.R.I.R. thesis option. The same three courses are required as in the regular program as well as the subject area distribution. However, this option substitutes 8 hours of thesis credit for two elective courses, for a total of 48 hours. Thesis students are required to defend their thesis in an oral examination. The thesis option is limited (through the advising system) to students who, in the opinion of their advisors, have adequate preparation and are sufficiently motivated to complete a thesis research project in a timely manner (three semesters or two semesters and a summer).
Joint Degree Programs
Joint MHRIR/JD
The joint degree program between the Institute and the College of Law provides an invaluable opportunity to those seeking a well-rounded labor-related education. Not only does the program expose its participants to labor and employment issues from a variety of perspectives, it gives its students the type of knowledge and experience crucial to setting them apart in the eyes of prospective employers. I cannot recommend the value of this program highly enough regarding what it has meant for both my expertise and my career.
Brock Renner '99 J.D./M.H.R.I.R
McDermott, Will & Emery
Chicago, Illinois
Students may receive both their J.D. and the M.H.R.I.R. degree in three or three and a half years (depending on course load and scheduling) through the College of Law and the Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations.
Students interested in this program must meet the admission requirements of both the College of Law and the Graduate College. Students admitted to the program will either take the first year law curriculum or, if he or she matriculates to ILIR during the second semester of any academic year, take the initial semester's curriculum in Labor and Industrial Relations and, in the next academic year, the first year law curriculum. (Candidates should consult the College of Law concerning any additional law requirements.)
Students enrolled in the joint J.D./M.H.R.I.R. degree must complete 9 units of coursework in ILIR and 74 hours of coursework in the College of Law. Students must take the three LIR required courses, fulfill the subject distribution requirements as specified in the master's curriculum, and also satisfy the labor and employment law requirement.
For students enrolled in the joint degree program, the College of Law will not recognize any elective courses in other departments or colleges of the University in addition to the work towards the M.H.R.I.R. degree.
All requirements must be met and both degrees must be awarded concurrently under the joint program. Students are required to enroll in the College of Law for at least four semesters.
Joint MHRIR/MBA
Students may receive both their MBA and the MHRIR degree in 2 ½ years rather than the 3 ½ years need to complete the two degrees separately through a joint degree program with the MBA program and the Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations.
Students interested in this program must fulfill each program's admissions requirements and apply to each program separately. Applicants will be evaluated for admission and financial aid separately for each program. Those accepted into both programs and wishing to pursue the joint degree will then petition to become a joint degree student.
A student in the joint degree program must register in the MBA curriculm for three semesters and the LIR curriculum for two semesters. Students may not apply for the joint degree program if they have already completed all requirements for either degree. The program requirements are: Forty-four hours of MBA courses (first-year core courses and second-year capstone) and sixteen additional hours that fulfill the requirements of one of the MBA tracks, excluding the student-designed track. Courses are selected in consultation with the track coordinator of the student's selected track. Thirty-six hours of LIR courses (two or more classes - 8 hours/12 hours may be met with MBA electives depending on the student's credentials). These courses must include LIR 591-Employment Relations Systems, LIR 592-Research Methods, LIR 593-Quantitative Methods (may be waived depending on BA 405 modules selection), and at least one course from each of the four subject distribution areas in the LIR Master's curriculum. In total, ninety-six hours are required. The joint program usually takes five semesters to complete.
Students in the joint degree program will receive both the MBA and the MHRIR degree when all requirements for both degrees are completed.
Please note: An applicant must satisfy each of the separate admissions requirements for each of the colleges in which they wish to enroll for the joint degree. You can learn more about the College of Law at www.law.uiuc.edu and the College of Commerce and Business Administration at www.cba.uiuc.edu. We suggest you contact the colleges directly about their admissions requirements.