Master's in Human Resource Management and Development

M.S. in Human Resource Management and Development

The Master of Science in Human Resource Management and Development (M.S. in HR) program gives human resource practitioners the leadership skills to help build organizations that maximize the effectiveness of human capital. From planning to hiring, retaining, and developing top talent, an MS in HR equips students to be experts in this essential foundation of successful organizations.

Consider getting your M.S. in HR at NLU if you:

  • Are ready to advance from a support or line role in human resources to a management position
  • Need the knowledge base to stay up to date in the regulatory and legal framework for human resources
  • Want to develop your communications skills to effectively influence and lead in human resources practices across an organization
  • Seek to be a change agent who can advocate for the "people strengths" essential to making an organization great

Why NLU for an M.S. in HR

NLU's M.S. in HR program offers a practical, applications-oriented curriculum that builds leadership skills and knowledge that managers can implement in real time in their working environments. Students' own professional environments and challenges provide case study contexts for class learning in addition to course materials that expose students to developing human resources trends and forces operating in organizations today.

Meeting in one intensive session per week over approximately 18 months, the program is tailored to meet the needs of busy adults juggling personal and professional commitments. Fellowship with classmate-colleagues is also promoted. Master's degree human resources students generally stay with one group of classmates through the whole program, building a professional network and a deep understanding of comparative organizational environments from peers.

NLU's M.S. in HR is professionally accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).

What You Will Learn

  • Concepts, theories and practices of human resource management and development
  • Technical skill sets for HR planning and forecasting, talent management, employee relations and the law, compensation and benefits, labor/management relations
  • How to integrate HR knowledge and skills to impact organizational mission and effectiveness
  • The opportunities and challenges presented by the regulatory and legal environment of business
  • Critical thinking, leadership and problem solving skills
  • Oral and written presentation skills

Career Outlook

Employment in human resources management functions is projected to grow by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Increasing government legislation and rising healthcare costs will increase demand for human resources, training, and labor relations experts to manage recruitment and benefits functions.

Graduates with an M.S. in HR are prepared to advance in a wide range of management positions including:

  • Compensation manager
  • Talent acquisition specialist/manager
  • Director of training and development
  • Director of benefits
  • Director of labor-management relations
  • Human resources generalist
  • Recruiter

Program Requirements

The MS in HR curriculum appears below. It requires 9 courses and can be completed in 1-1.5 years. The College of Management and Business will review graduate hours completed at accredited institutions and may transfer up to a maximum of 9 hours of credit toward the Master of Science in Human Resource Management and Development.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet NLU's general admission requirements. Refer to the appropriate application checklist.

Locations

  • CHICAGO DOWNTOWN CAMPUS

    NLU’s Chicago campus on South Michigan Avenue occupies five floors of the historic Peoples Gas Building. This landmark building, across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago and Grant Park, is easily accessible by train, bus and car and is surrounded by restaurants, parking lots/garages and shops.

    122 S. Michigan Avenue
    Chicago, IL 60603
    800.443.5522

    Info » | Directions »

  • ELGIN

    Conveniently located in a fast-growing business district off I-90 and Route 31, NLU Elgin features 10 classrooms with high-tech media equipment; a computer lab with high-speed Internet access; two conference rooms; and comfortable student lounges. Parking is free at this recently remodeled and upgraded teaching site, which now includes wireless Internet access.

    620 Tollgate Road
    Elgin, IL 60123
    800.443.5522

    Info » | Directions »

  • NORTH SHORE

    Opened in the summer of 2006, NLU North Shore at Skokie is a state-of-the-art modern campus located just off the Edens Expressway near the Old Orchard Shopping Center. The campus includes 44 wireless classrooms equipped with high-tech media equipment; four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, including a walk-in lab in the library; six conference rooms; a public café for beverages and snacks; a student welcome center; a library for research and study; and multiple, comfortable student lounge areas.

    5202 Old Orchard Road
    Skokie, IL 60077
    800.443.5522

    Info » | Directions »

  • LISLE

    Located just minutes from the East-West Tollway (I-88), NLU Lisle features 42 wireless classrooms equipped with high-tech media equipment; four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, including a separate walk-in lab in the library; a café for beverages and snacks; a student welcome center; a library for research and study; conference rooms; and six comfortable student lounge areas with wireless access.

    850 Warrenville Road
    Lisle, IL 60532
    800.443.5522

    Info » | Directions »

  • WHEELING

    Located in one of Chicago's major northwest suburbs, the newly renovated NLU Wheeling includes 20 classrooms with high-tech media equipment, four conference rooms, four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, large student lounge areas with wireless capabilities and interactive video capabilities, and an extensive research library. The site also houses the university library research collection.

    1000 Capitol Drive
    Wheeling, IL 60090
    800.443.5522

    Info » | Directions »

  • FLORIDA (TAMPA)

    Established in 1988 and located in one of the city's major business districts, NLU's Tampa campus serves students in 13 counties in central Florida. In addition to six classrooms, the campus features a conference room, a computer lab with high-speed Internet access, an extensive research library and comfortable student lounges.

    4950 West Kennedy Blvd. #300
    Tampa, FL 33609
    800.366.6581 | www.nl.edu/florida

    Info » | Directions »

  • WISCONSIN

    NLU's Milwaukee campus has a proud history of serving graduate students in education in southeastern Wisconsin. Nearly one in five certified Wisconsin teachers looks to NLU for graduate education programs – more than any other university in the state. In addition to classrooms with high-tech media equipment, the campus offers a state-of-the-art computer lab with wireless Internet access and an extensive IDS research library.

    12000 West Park Place, Suite 100
    Milwaukee, WI 53224-3007
    414.577.2658

    Info » | Directions »