Program Structure/Curriculum
At Fisher, continuous innovation within the Master of Human Resource Management (MHRM) program ensures that students become best-in-class business/HR leaders.
MHRM Curriculum
Fisher's streamlined Master of Human Resource Management (MHRM) curriculum, consisting of 39 credit hours, reflects the latest evolutions within HR. Designed with continuous feedback from employers and students, the program emphasizes in-demand skills and knowledge while developing principled leaders who drive organizations forward.
Students can complete the program in just three semesters (18 months) on a full-time schedule or choose a part-time option tailored for working professionals balancing career, family, and education. In addition to the essential core coursework shown below on the curriculum sheet, popular elective options include a Coaching Series, Negotiations, Technology and Innovation, Data Analysis and Visualization, and Leadership Effectiveness through Applied Projects (LEAP). The program also features action-based learning experiences, such as an annual case competition hosted by a corporate sponsor, the LEAP course, and networking opportunities with high-level HR professionals and business executives.
Program Structure
Domestic students enrolling in Fisher's MHRM program can pursue their degree on a full-time or part-time basis. International students entering the program on an F-1 Status Visa* are not eligible to pursue the MHRM degree on a part-time basis, and must maintain full-time coursework status. The program is offered fully in-person and on-campus. View the full-time/part-time curriculum sheets above.
EVENING CLASSES: Core classes are offered Monday through Thursday from 6:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. ET. The exception is the Contemporary Topics in HR & Professional Development course, which meets four times a semester for class on a Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET. Working professionals who cannot flex their time during the four dates each semester must work with their academic advisor to make accommodations.
*Learn more about the F-1 visa, and applying as an international student.
In addition to required core coursework, MHRM students must take at least nine elective credit hours. Electives may be graduate-level BUSMHR courses, independent study, or Ohio State electives outside the Fisher College of Business related to human resources*.
*Approval by academic advisor required. For non-business courses to meet the elective requirement, the courses must be offered at the graduate level and relate to the human resources field.
As technology continually changes the HR landscape, the need to think cross-functionally is a requirement of all business leaders. The MHRM integrates cross-functional thinking through the Contemporary Topics in HR and Professional Development, a one-credit-hour course each semester (spans the program). This offering is a workshop-style course with networking opportunities with high-level HR professionals and business executives.
MHRM students will also take a Human Capital Strategy Capstone (three credit hours) to integrate their experience further and provide even more hands-on learning.
The MHRM curriculum is embedded with the skills and knowledge that top employers value to help you stand out, among them:
- Labor and employee relations
- Current trends and HR technology
- International HR
- Strategy
- Communication skills
- Leadership + implications
- Learning and development
- Business savvy
- Leveraging diversity
- Ethics
- Excel
- Resume-worthy experiential learning
Students in the MHRM program will have a dedicated academic advisor, career coach, and other supporting faculty and staff to ensure they get the most out of their graduate education as possible. Because Fisher's HR graduate program is housed in the College of Business, we have a strong career focus with resume support, coaching, career fairs, companies recruiting here, handshake, etc. Here are some links highlighting support for MHRM students:
- Career management consultation (impressive outcomes)
- Fisher's Office of ACCESS
- Academic advising - Personalize the MHRM program to your career goals
- MHRM Advisory Board - Join a network of MHRM alumni and friends
MHRM students can navigate the program on a full-time or part-time basis. You'll be in the same classes no matter which option you choose. Typically, students not working or coming from undergrad choose the full-time option while working professionals and industry leaders choose the part-time option.
Can I move between the two options?
Part-time students can begin with a part-time course load, or can switch from full-time to part-time status later in the MHRM program. Part-time students are strongly encouraged to meet regularly with their academic advisor to ensure all curriculum requirements are met by the desired graduation date.
If a students’ course load falls below 8 credit hours, they are considered “part-time” by The Ohio State University Graduate School and will be assessed tuition & fees accordingly.
Practicum vs. Thesis
Practicum (Internship or Tutorial) - most common choice
The HR Practicum is for students interested in transitioning their skills and degree into a work-related setting after they graduate. Students who choose to do the Practicum option complete 39 credit hours of coursework. The focus of this plan is to allow students to practically apply knowledge and skills acquired through MHRM coursework in a real business setting. The Practicum option can be completed through one of two tracks.
- Summer Internship: Students pursuing an internship gain practical experience in an HR role. The internship is to be a full-time 40/hr. a week working commitment, typically completed during the summer between years 1 and 2 of the full-time MHRM program. This is the most common option for our full-time MHRM students. Visit the careers page to learn more about internships.
- Tutorial: Working professionals (part-time students) are usually unable to pursue an internship, and they typically choose to complete a tutorial in their current role, through volunteer project(s) or through small-scale research projects. They will develop a project with their faculty advisor that allows them to practically apply coursework in their job.
Thesis
Students looking to gain research experience, or ultimately pursue a PHD, can select the Thesis option. Students work with a thesis advisor who has specific expertise in the area of research. This is not a common selection as most students choose to do the summer internship or tutorial.
Ohio State Fisher College of Business HR Majors ONLY: The MHRM program makes it easy to continue your education by allowing Fisher undergraduates with a major in human resources to waive out of three courses (9 credit hours) in the curriculum and replace them with electives. Here are the courses that get replaced:
- MHR7311 Staffing & Talent (3)
- MHR 7303 People Analytics for Human Resource Management (3)
- MHR 7313 Total Rewards (3)
Experiential Learning: MHRM Case Competition
The Fisher MHRM program hosts a case competition each year, in which students compete in teams against peers to solve an HR-related business problem.
The competition is facilitated by a corporate sponsor and students present their ideas in front of a panel of judges from partnering companies. Winners may be invited to the annual external case competition, where Fisher MHRM students compete against HR master's students from other top-ranked peer schools.
Each student is required to participate in one annual case competition, and many choose to participate both years for the experience and networking opportunities. Students then write a reflection paper on their learning.
Questions? E-mail the MHRM team in the Graduate Programs Office at fisher_mhrm@fisher.osu.edu.