Master of Science in Human Resources

Five learning objectives are central to the MSHR curriculum:

• Develop strong working knowledge of core human resource management principles and practices
• Develop a foundation of knowledge of the basic business disciplines
• Develop competency in managing people and teams
• Increase self-awareness and personal understanding
• Increase multicultural competencies

Students will gain mastery of a full range of human capital management approaches through courses on job design, compensation, talent and performance management, and HR-specific classes on strategy law, analytics and digital-information platforms.

The first session is a three-day intensive leadership and development workshop that helps socialize incoming students to our unique collaborative learning environment. Through the experiential nature of the workshop students build a cohesive learning team for the class group and explore the dynamics of interpersonal communication, personal ethics and values, and team development. The workshop is a residential experience, and participants are required to stay at the facility overnight.

No. The GMAT or GRE is not required.

An expedited path to the MS in Human Resources degree is available to Fully Employed MBA students or graduates, requiring as few as 31 units for completion. Up to 8 units of MS in Human Resources coursework may be waived for students who earned a grade of “B” or higher in the following FEMBA courses:

• BSCI 651 Behavior in Organizations (4)
• ACCT 652 Accounting Information and Control Systems (4)
• ECNM 657 Prices, Profit, and the Market Economy (4)

In an effort to define a common set of parameters for HR education, The HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates were first published in 2006 by SHRM (The Society for Human Resource Management), the world’s largest HR professional society. 

Based on extensive research, these guidelines were the result of a highly interactive, ongoing process involving academic communities and are revalidated every three to five years. They define the minimum HR content areas—commonly agreed-upon by academics, students, and HR practitioners—that should be included in an accredited Human Resources degree program.

Throughout the world, 371 programs in 277 educational institutions have been acknowledged by SHRM as being in alignment with its suggested guides and templates.

View the Pepperdine MSHR Curriculum

The internship can be waived based on HR or other significant work experience.