Human Resources and Labor Relations
School/College: College of Letters and Science and Lubar School of Business
Degrees Conferred:
- Master of Human Resources and Labor Relations
Contents
- Graduate Faculty
- Master of Human Resources and Labor Relations
- Graduate Certificate in Mediation and Negotiation
- Graduate Certificate in International Human Resources and Labor Relations
- Courses - Industrial and Labor Relations
- Courses - Business
Overview
The Lubar School of Business and the College of Letters and Science offer and present jointly the Master of Human Resources and Labor Relations (MHRLR).
The MHRLR is an innovative master's program offering students an interdisciplinary blend of courses and faculty in the areas of human resources and labor relations. The MHRLR program prepares students for careers as practitioners, and emphasizes a firm educational grounding in both the liberal arts and business administration. This grounding includes knowledge of human resources, staffing, labor relations, the legal system, and statistics.
Elective courses and options within the core requirements allow students to gain the specialized knowledge needed to work in the human resource management and labor relations areas of: compensation and benefits, collective bargaining, alternative dispute resolution, recruitment and selection, training and development, occupational health and safety, equal employment opportunity, strategic human resource management, and international human resource management.
The program is designed for full-time and part-time students who seek careers in the private or public sectors, and with unions or management.
Graduate Faculty
(Professors' home departments appear in parentheses)
- Professors
- Anderson, Margo, Ph.D., Rutgers University(History)
- Burrell, Nancy, Ph.D., Michigan State University (Communications)
- Heywood, John, Ph.D., University of Michigan (Economics)
- Martin, Larry, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison (Administrative Leadership)
- Mone, Mark, Ph.D., Washington State University (Business Administration)
- Ragins, Belle Rose, Ph.D., University of Tennessee-Knoxville (Business Administration)
- Soofi, Ehsanolah, Ph.D., University of California-Riverside (Business Administration)
- Yasai-Ardekani, Masoud, Ph.D., City University Business School-London (Business Administration)
- Associate Professors
- Alwan, Layth, Ph.D., University of Chicago (Business Administration)
- Bender, Keith, Ph.D., Duke University (Economics)
- Daley, Barbara, Ph.D., Cornell University (Administrative Leadership)
- Drewianka, Scott, Ph.D., University of Chicago (Economics)
- Freeman, Sarah, Ph.D., University of Michigan (Business Administration)
- Hewitt, Jeanne, Ph.D., University of Illinios-Chicago (Nursing)
- Marcus, Richard, Ph.D., University of Chicago (Business Administration)
- Miller, Janice, Ph.D., Arizona State University (Business Administration)
- Assistant Professors
- Adams, Scott, Ph.D., Michigan State University (Economics)
- Singh, Romila, Ph.D., Drexel University (Business Administration)
Master of Human Resources and Labor Relations
Admission
An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements plus the following requirements to be considered for admission to the MHRLR program:
- Submission of GRE or GMAT scores and two letters of recommendation to the MHRLR program.
- Students admitted to the program will be expected to present at least three credits of prior work in microeconomics and introductory statistics.
- Students who are deficient in the areas of microeconomics or statistics at the time of admission (see above) will be expected to satisfy deficiency requirements within three enrolled semesters. Deficiencies are monitored by the Graduate School and the individual graduate program unit. No course credits earned in making up deficiencies may be counted as program credits required for the degree.
- Applicants are reviewed by the MHRLR admissions committee to assess academic achievements and the ability to do intensive graduate-level work.
Major Professor as Advisor
A student must have a major professor to advise and supervise the student's studies as specified in Graduate School regulations. The assistant director of the MHRLR Program advises and supervises the newly admitted student.
The assistant director, in consultation with the student, reviews the student's academic background and career goals and designs an appropriate program of study consistent with degree requirements.
Credits and Courses
The Master of Human Resources and Labor Relations degree will be awarded upon completion of 36 credits of prescribed graduate study and appropriate prerequisite course work. The program offers a balance between liberal arts and business-based education, requiring that at least 15 credits be taken within the College of Letters and Sciences and at least 15 credits be taken within the Lubar School of Business.
The degree requires completion of 21 credits in core courses that provide each student with a solid grounding in both labor relations and human resources while permitting some specialization according to student interests.
Required Courses
- Core courses are as follows:
- Ind Rel 701 Industrial and Labor Relations
- Bus Mgmt 706 Managing in a Dynamic Environment
- Bus Admin 738 Human Resource Management
- Bus Admin 443 Special Topics in HRM (Staffing)
- Econ 415 Economics of Employment Relations
- OR
- Econ 753 Collective Bargaining
- AND
- Ind Rel 712 Employment Law
- OR
- Ind Rel 711 Labor Relations Law
- AND
- Ind Rel 731 Research Tools for Practitioners in Human Resources and Labor Relations
- OR
- Bus Mgmt 731 Research Tools for Practitioners in Human Resources and Labor Relations
If Econ 415 and Econ 753 are both taken, one of these may be used to help fulfill elective requirements. If Ind Rel 711 and Ind Rel 712 are both taken, one of these may be used to help fulfill elective requirements. The required course Research Tools for Practitioners in Human Resources and Labor Relations can be taken as either Bus Mgmt 731 or Ind Rel 731 (but not both).
To ensure a well-rounded education, students are required to fulfill the remainder of the 15-credit requirement within the College of Letters and Science and within the Lubar School of Business by selecting from a list of approved elective courses from within each organization. A student may, with advisor approval, fulfill the 36-credit requirement by taking up to 6 credits from the approved list of alternative electives in other schools such as the College of Nursing, the School of Education, and the School of Social Welfare. No student will be permitted to apply more than nine credits taken at the U/G level toward meeting MHRLR degree requirements.
Elective Courses
Please refer to www.uwm.edu/Dept/MHRLR for a comprehensive listing of elective courses.
Students without prior experience in the field are encouraged to take advantage of the program's extensive contacts in the business and labor communities by undertaking one or more internships as either Bus Adm 899 or Ind Rel 921. Students may also utilize the wide range of faculty expertise available within the program for a major research paper on a human resources or labor relations topic. These papers, under the direction of a faculty advisor, are taken as either Ind Rel 801 or Bus Adm 899. A student may graduate with honors from the MHRLR program by maintaining a 3.5 grade-point average within the program, and by writing a 3-credit major research paper (under Bus Adm 899 or Ind Rel 801).
Any new course development, programmatic changes, or program name change must be approved by the appropriate curricular committees and faculty in the respective units.
The program, including admissions and course staffing, is subject to the AACSB accreditation requirements.
Graduate Certificate in Mediation and Negotiation
The Department of Communication, in cooperation with the Master's in Human Resources and Labor Relations (MHRLR) and the Lubar School of Business, offers the Graduate Certificate in Mediation and Negotiation. The program of study is designed to provide practical and theoretical knowledge for students who wish to pursue or advance careers that involve managing or resolving disputes in organizational, educational, community, or family contexts. The program is designed to meet the increasing need of business, organized labor, public sector, and community organizations for people with skills in conflict resolution.
Using an interdisciplinary approach, the program offers a basic knowledge of mediation and negotiation between individuals and across organizations, allows some specialization in further course work, and is integrated with a final course involving either field-work or a research paper written under the direction of an expert in the area.
Students can complete the Graduate Certificate in Mediation and Negotiation while enrolled either part-time or full-time, and by taking courses during evenings and/or weekends. With the approval of the program, students admitted to either the MA in Communication or the MHRLR degree program may apply courses taken to meet certificate requirements toward their degree.
Admission
Students applying for the Certificate Program in Mediation and Negotiation must hold a bachelor's degree and must have earned a 2.75 GPA overall or must furnish substantial evidence of ability to succeed in graduate level work. Students may apply to the Graduate School as candidates for the certificate program in non-degree status, or they may pursue the certificate while enrolled in another graduate program.
Credits and Courses
The certificate requires 12 credits, including 9 credits of course work and 3 credits of field work or research.
Required Courses
- The following two
- Comm 665: Introduction to Mediation
- Econ 753: Collective Bargaining
Elective Course
- select one of the following
- Comm 865: Theory and Practice of Meditation
- IR 715: Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Bus Admin 737: Managerial Decisions and Negotiations
Field Work or Research Requirement
- select one of the following
- Comm 998: Internship in Communication
- Comm 999: Independent Study
- IR 801: Research Seminar in Industrial and Labor Relations
- IR 921: Internship in Industrial Relations
- IR 999: Independent Study
- Bus 799: Reading and Research
Recommended or Related Courses
- Not required for the Certificate
- Comm 710: Managerial Communication
- Comm 823: Seminar in Small Group Communication
- Ed Pol 510: Foundations of Human Relations
- IR 711: Labor Relations Law
- IR 714: Industrial Relations in the Public Sector
- Soc 766: Theory and Method in Social Psychology
Graduate Certificate in International Human Resources and Labor Relations
The Master's in Human Resources and Labor Relations program offers the Graduate Certificate in International Human Resources and Labor Relations. The certificate responds to the increasing influence of globalization on the practice of Human Resource Management and the conduct of Labor Relations. Firms and unions are increasingly part of a complex web of international economic relationships. Many of the workplace innovations now taken for granted began overseas: quality circles, work groups and flatter hierarchies. Many firms operate overseas under very different labor market institutions and human resource expectations. The program of study provides practical and theoretical knowledge designed to help students function as professionals in the increasing broad international context of human resource management and labor relations.
Students can complete the Graduate Certificate in International Human Resources and Labor Relations while enrolled either part-time or full-time, and by taking courses during the evening. With the approval of the program, students admitted to the MHRLR degree program may apply courses taken to meet certificate requirements toward their degree.
Admission
Students applying for the Certificate Program in International Human Resources and Labor Relations must hold a bachelor.s degree and must have earned a 2.75 GPA overall or must furnish substantial evidence of ability to succeed in graduate level work. Students admitted to the Certificate will be expected to present at least three credits of prior work in microeconomics and three credits in statistics. Students may apply to the Graduate School as candidates for the certificate program in non-degree status, or they may pursue the certificate while enrolled in another graduate program.
Credits and Courses
Requires Courses, 12 cr
- Ind Rel 701 Industrial and Labor Relations
- Econ 755 Comparative Labor Markets and the Employment Relationship
- Bus Mgt 723 Managing Across Cultures,
- AND
- Bus Adm 738 Human Resource Management
- OR
- Bus Adm 795 International Human Resource Management
Course substitutions would be allowed with the consent of the MHRLR Director for those who had previously completed similar coursework.
Recommended Courses (not required)
- Ind Rel 999 Independent Study
- Bus Adm 799 Reading and Research
- Ind Rel 921 Internship in Industrial Relations
Time Limit
Non-degree students must complete the certificate requirements within three years of initial enrollment. For those who are simultaneously enrolled in a degree program, the time limit for certificate completion is the same as that for the degree.
Courses
Industrial and Labor Relations
Courses numbered 300-699 are Undergradute/Graduate. Courses numbered 700 and above are Graduate only.
- 701 Industrial and Labor Relations. 3 cr. G.
- Industrial relations systems, unions and management as institutions, work place as a socio-economic unit, labor market analysis, human resource management and collective bargaining. Prereq: grad st or cons instr.
- 711 Labor Relations Law. 3 cr. G.
- Legal aspects of labor relations; operations of National Labor Relations Board, representation issues, use of economic weapons, good faith bargaining, enforcement, Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission. Prereq: grad st or cons instr.
- 712 Employment Law. 3 cr. G.
- Introduction to federal laws and regulations covering such topics as wage standards, unemployment compensation, osha, alien employment, social security, employee safety and prohibited discrimination. Prereq: grad st or cons instr.
- 714 Industrial Relations in the Public Sector. 3 cr. G.
- Economic and legal aspects; federal, state with emphasis on municipal sector, including fire and police; impact of unionism; impasse resolution in Wisconsin and Illinois. Prereq: grad st or cons instr.
- 715 Alternative Dispute Resolution. 3 cr. G.
- Examination of the processes for dispute resolution (particularly processes involving third parties); their utility and application in union, non-union and non-workplace settings. Prereq: grad st & Econ 753(P), or cons instr.
- 716 Compensation: Theory and Practice. 3 cr. G.
- Examination of pay policies and practices, their impact on employees, internal and external determinants, and problems of administration. Prereq: grad st; Bus Adm 731(P) & 738(P) or cons instr.
- 717 Employee Benefits. 3 cr. G.
- Examination of role and scope of employee benefits, their determinants, and problems of administration. Prereq: grad st; Econ 753(R); Ind Rel 712(R).
- 731 Research Tools for Practitioners in Human Resources and Labor Relations. 3 cr. G.
- Planning and carrying out simple surveys; evaluating policies, programs, and procedures in organizations; interpreting, evaluating and using research conducted by others. Ind Rel 731 and BusMgmt 731 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another. Prereq: grad st; Econ 210(P) or Bus Adm 210(P) or cons instr.
- 754 Worker Participation. 3 cr. G.
- Analyzes worker participation programs using history, economic and industrial relations theories, and empirical research and case studies. Jointly-offered w/& counts as repeat of Econ 754. Prereq: grad st; Econ 451 or cons instr.
- 800 Current Issues in Industrial Relations: (Subtitled). 1-3 cr. G.
- Topics course covering subjects such as quality work, innovations, employee testing, dispute resolution. Retakable w/chg in topic to 6 cr max. Prereq: grad st; Ind Rel 701(P) or cons instr.
- 801 Research Project in Industrial and Labor Relations. 3 cr. G.
- Work with a faculty advisor on the development and preparation of a research project on a current industrial relations issue. Prereq: completion of 24 cr in MHRLR Prog; cons instr.
- 888 Candidate for Degree. 0 cr. G.
- Available for graduate students who must meet minimum credit load requirement. Fee for 1 cr assessed. Prereq: grad st.
- 921 Internship in Industrial Relations. 1-6 cr. G.
- An internship with a company, union or a governmental agency in the field of human resources and labor relations. Project paper required. Prereq: grad st; 8 cr in MHRLR Prog completed.
- 999 Independent Study. 1-3 cr. G.
- Supervised investigation of a particular topic area either not covered by other industrial relations courses or a level of sophistication beyond that in other courses. Retakable w/chg in topic to 9 cr max. Prereq: grad st; cons instr.
Courses
Business Administration
Courses numbered 300-699 are Undergradute/Graduate. Courses numbered 700 and above are Graduate only.
- 442 Industrial Psychology. 3 cr. U/G.
- Application of psychological principles to industrial problems. Prereq: Bus Adm 330(P) & Psych 101(P).
- 443 Special Topics in Human Resources Management: (Subtitled). 3 cr. U/G.
- Selected topics in human resources management. Specific topics will appear in the Schedule of Classes whenever the course is offered. May be retaken with change in topic to max of 9 cr. Prereq: jr st & admis to Bus Adm major (excluding Pre-Business Administration srs & Univ Special Students with no undergraduate degree), & Bus Adm 330(P); or grad st.
- 733 Organizational Development. 3 cr. G.
- Problems of implementing change. Roles of external and internal consultants. Determining needs and measuring relevant variables. Prereq: grad st; BusMgmt 706(P) or cons instr.
- 737 Managerial Decisions and Negotiations. 3 cr. G.
- Provides frameworks for making effective decisions and negotiating viable solutions. Improves performance in these key managerial roles by engaging in case study, exercises, and industry projects. Prereq: grad st; BusMgmt 706(P).
- 795 Seminar-in-Management: (Subtitled). 1-3 cr. G.
- Intensive and critical examination of a specific management problem area or a related research question. Specific topic and additional prerequisites may appear in the schedule of classes each semester. Repeatable with change in topic. Prereq: grad st; appropriate management science core courses or cons instr.
- 796 Competition and Strategy. 3 cr. G.
- An interdisciplinary analysis of forces that shape industry competition and a firm's competitive advantage. Focuses on strategies for success in high technology, mature, declining, and global industries. Prereq: grad st; BusMgmt 706.
- 799 Reading and Research. 1-12 cr. G.
- Individual work suited to the needs of graduate students. May be retaken with change in topic with cons appropriate Lubar School of Business prog committee. Prereq: grad st; cons instr.
- 899 Management Research Project/Thesis. 1-6 cr. G.
- Original analysis of a management problem. Involves the application of the elements of scientific inquiry in the context of a contemporary problem. Prereq: grad st; cons instr.
Courses
Business Management
- 709 Data Analysis for Management Applications. 3 cr. G.
- Developing statistical thinking through basic concepts for data analysis. Formulation of regression and related models, diagnostics, interpretations and reporting of statistical results for management applications. Prereq: grad st; Bus Adm 701(P) & 702(P).
- 712 Strategic Management. 3 cr. G.
- Tools for strategic thinking and developing competitive strategies. Analysis of forces that shape industry competition and competitive advantage. Management issues and internal functional strategies that lead to effective strategy implementation. Prereq: grad st; BusMgmt 704(P); 705(P); 706(P); 707(P); 708(P); 709(P); 710(P); 711(P).
- 715 Leadership, Team Building, and Effective Management. 3 cr. G.
- Provides a working knowledge of team building, managing change, and effective business communication methods, and an understanding of leadership tools. Prereq: grad st.