Management & Entrepreneurship
MS IN MANAGEMENT & HUMAN RESOURCES
The Haslam College of Business’s Master of Science in Management and Human Resources (MSMHR) combines business strategy, leadership development and human resources to provide graduates with the skills to lead and manage people in the workplace.
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MSMHR
Program Overview
The MSMHR program provides the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in today’s competitive and dynamic organizational environment.
Distinctive features of the program include a cohort-based model, evening-only classes, an accelerated 12-month completion track, exclusive career events, dedicated career support, a capstone project applying classroom learning to real-world challenges and a flexible Learn from Anywhere option.
A Focus On Flexibility
Haslam’s accelerated MSMHR program path allows students to complete the required 30 credit hours in 12 months. Evening classes allow students to work full-time while earning their degree. Also, with online summer classes, students can pursue internships regardless of location while staying on track. Additional flexibility allows students to select a part-time, 21-month path.
Career-focused Curriculum
Specialized, SHRM-aligned HR courses combined with a business core emphasizing business strategy, financial acumen, legal and ethical issues, project management and workforce analytics provide students with the critical knowledge and skills necessary for advanced careers.
Team-based Learning
Experiential, team-based projects enable students to apply course concepts to solve real problems. The strategic HR leadership capstone project challenges students to synthesize material learned throughout the program to analyze a business case provided by a corporate partner.
Award-winning Faculty
MSMHR faculty include thought leaders engaged in pioneering research, as well as experienced professionals with consulting and applied work experience. The award-winning faculty have been recognized for excellence in teaching and outstanding commitment to student growth and development.
MSMHR
Learn From Anywhere
“This flexible, technology-enabled hybrid option allows students to attend classes in person or live online, accommodating their individual schedules.”
Jackie Jacobs, Program Director
MSMHR
Your Career Impact
The MSMHR program features an integrated curriculum that focuses on HR, business acumen and leadership development, all to aid students in advancing their careers.
The designated career team which provides individual advising, professional coaching, and job search support contribute to the program’s proven track record of success and 94% placement rate.
Advancing Your Career
The MSMHR degree is ideal for those interested in entering the HR field or those who want to earn their MS degree to advance their career.
Career & Networking Opportunities
The MSMHR program hosts career and networking events throughout the year to connect employers with internship and job-seeking students.
Networking events include:
- MSMHR Career Night
- HR recruiting luncheon
- Graduate Business Program Expo networking social
- On-campus and virtual corporate information sessions
- Recruiter class visits
- Alumni networking events
- Guest speakers
Opportunities for Certification
Specialized coursework prepares students for the Society for Human Resource Management-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and project management certification (CAPM or PMP). Faculty provide resources and support to students preparing for certification exams including weekly team-based study sessions.
Participate in Case Competitions
MSMHR students participate in business case competitions each year including state, regional, and national SHRM competitions and external case competitions. The UT SHRM award-winning chapter has been named Outstanding SHRM chapter for many consecutive years
Recent Internship & Job Placements
- Amazon
- Anderson Tax
- Conagra
- Covenant Health
- DENSO
- Discovery
- Eastman Chemical
- Ed Financial
- GE Aerospace
- Honeywell
- International Paper
- Jewelry Television
- John Deere
- Kimberly Clark
- Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB)
- Kraft Foods
- Leidos
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
- Pfizer
- Phoenix Suns
- Pilot Corp
- Radio Systems Corporation
- Red Stag Fulfillment
- Regal Cinemas
- Scripps
- Stryker
- Tractor Supply Company
- Ultimate Kronos Group (UKG)
- UPS
- USI Consulting
- Walmart
Careers – What CAN I Do With AN MSMHR Degree?
Discover the diverse career paths available to MSMHR program graduates, including roles and industries where students can apply their skills and expertise.
What do Human Resources Managers do?
HR managers oversee the administrative functions of an organization related to its employees.
How do I become a Human Resources Manager?
Earning an MSMHR degree provides advanced knowledge in human resources and management, making you a strong candidate for HR manager roles and equipping you with the skills to oversee employee-related functions.
What salary do Human Resources Managers earn?
With an MSMHR degree, HR managers can earn competitive salaries, often ranging from $70,000 to $120,000 annually, with potential for higher earnings in larger organizations or specialized fields.
Human resources Manager
What do Training Managers do?
Training and development managers focus on enhancing the skills and knowledge of an organization’s employees.
How do I become a Training Manager?
An MSMHR degree with a focus on talent development can prepare you for a career as a training manager by providing expertise in designing and implementing employee training programs.
What salary do Training Managers earn?
Training managers with an MSMHR degree can command salaries between $60,000 and $110,000 per year, benefiting from specialized knowledge in employee development and organizational training.
Training Manager
What do Benefits Managers do?
Compensation and benefits managers develop and manage an organization’s pay structure and benefits offerings.
How do I become a Benefits Manager?
Pursuing an MSMHR degree with a focus on compensation and benefits gives you the analytical and strategic skills needed to manage complex benefits programs, paving the way to becoming a benefits manager.
What salary do Benefits Managers earn?
Benefits managers with an MSMHR degree can earn attractive salaries, typically between $70,000 and $115,000 annually, reflecting their expertise in managing an organization’s compensation and benefits.
Benefits Manager
What do Development Consultants do?
Organizational development consultants work to improve efficiency and effectiveness within a company.
How do I become a Development Consultant?
An MSMHR degree equips you with the knowledge to work as a development consultant, providing you with skills in organizational strategy and change management to help companies improve efficiency.
What salary do Development Consultants earn?
Development consultants holding an MSMHR degree can earn between $60,000 and $100,000, with potential for higher earnings as they bring advanced skills in organizational development and transformation.
Development Consultant
MSMHR
Admissions
Applications for the MSMHR program are reviewed in a holistic manner to assess each applicant’s potential fit and likely success in the program.
MSMHR Admissions
Requirements
Undergraduate GPA
US degree holders: 2.7
Non-US degree holders: 3.0
Resume & Personal Statement
Resume and 1-2 page personal statement
Two Letters of Recommendation
Professional recommendation from a current/former supervisor.
Academic reference or a second professional reference
Personal Interview
An in-person or virtual, 20-minute interview at the second stage of the admissions process
GMAT/GRE
Optional, but recommended for students seeking merit-based GTA positions or scholarships
English Language Proficiency (For non-native speakers)
Scores must be provided directly by ETS (Educational Testing Service) to the UT Office of Graduate Studies. The MSMHR requires a minimum score of 600 or 100 on the IBT (minimum of 25 in each category) for the TOEFL or 7.5 for the IELTS. Scores are valid for two years.
MSMHR Admissions
Key Admission Dates
December 5
Priority admission review date for international and domestic applicants; if students wish to be considered for a merit-based GTA appointment.
February 13
Second admission review date for domestic applicants
After February 13
After February 13, domestic applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the cohort is full but no later than June 12.
TBD
Final review date for international applicants
MSMHR Admissions
Learn More
EXPLORE DAYS (virtual)
Learn more about the MSMHR program and connect with the program staff.
EXPLORE dates for Fall 2025 are
Tuesday, September 16, 5-6 p.m.
Tuesday, October 21, 4-5 p.m.
Thursday, November 13, 5-6 p.m.
Wednesday, December 3, 4-5 p.m.
Get Started
How To Apply
Take the next step toward advancing your career and enhancing your business skills with the MSMHR program. Our application process is straightforward – simply gather your required documents, including your resume, essay responses and references, to begin.
Curriculum
What You’ll Learn
Total Program Hours – 30
Fall Semester Courses
12 Hours
Summer Semester Courses (online only)
6 Hours
Elective Option
(choose between MGT 580: Project Management, HRM 582: Employee and Labor Relations or MGT 595: Special Topics in Management)
3 Hours
Spring Semester Courses
12 Hours
Choose a 12- or 21-Month Program
Accelerated, 12-Month Program Path
Year 1
Fall: HRM 521, MGT 558, MGT 555, MGT 545
Spring: MGT 562, HRM 535, HRM 540, MGT 556
Summer (synchronous online): MGT 553, Choice of elective (MGT 580, MGT 582 or MGT 595)
Part-time, 21-month Program Path
Year 1
Fall: HRM 521, MGT 558
Spring: MGT 562, HRM 535
Summer (synchronous online): MGT 553, Choice of elective (MGT 580, MGT 582 or MGT 595)
Year 2
Fall: MGT 555, HRM 545
Spring: HRM 540, MGT 556
MSMHR ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS
Our students use the flexibility of the MSMHR program to launch a new career trajectory without losing ground in their current positions. Students apply information immediately in the workplace, all while developing new and relevant knowledge and expanding their network.
KIRSTYN CARLISLE
Benefits Alliance Manager, UKG
“The Haslam College of Business’s MSMHR program enabled me to make monumental strides in my career progression. Prior to enrolling in the program, I found myself limited to predominantly administrative support roles and lateral career moves that did not support my long-term goals to progress into leadership. The MSMHR programs strong curriculum focus on management frameworks allowed me to explore, identify, and develop my personal leadership brand while gaining hands-on project and data management skills that significantly improved my professional profile and marketability.”
Shante Southwood
HR Business Analyst, Knoxville Utility Board (KUB)
“The MSHRM (Master of Science in Human Resource Management) program has profoundly transformed various aspects of my life. Notably, it has provided me with invaluable knowledge, expert guidance, and a comprehensive skillset that enabled me to achieve my ultimate professional objective of pursuing a career in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) field. One of the program’s most significant advantages lies in the numerous opportunities it afforded me to network with accomplished professionals hailing from Fortune 500 companies.”
Brock Southwood
HR Manager, Covenant Health
“The Haslam School of Business MSMHR program has been a transformative experience, empowering me both personally and professionally to achieve my goals. Through this program, I gained valuable insights into my leadership strengths and weaknesses, while the support from professors and the extensive alumni network provided exceptional opportunities for growth. Equipped with essential skills, I now excel as a HR Manager at Covenant Health, making a significant impact on the organization’s success. This program’s impact on my personal and career development underscores the significance of quality education and networking in attaining success.”
Doug Collins
Chief Operating Officer, Physical Sciences Directorate, ORNL
“After deciding to return to school and researching many different programs, I decided that Haslam’s MSMHR was the right choice for me. The flexibility and affordability of the program were key contributors in my decision. As a late career professional, I spend much of my time leading and developing staff, and the MSMHR program helped me to further grow my leadership skills.”
Emily Easter
Learning & Development Analyst, Knoxville Utility Board (KUB)
“This program has been instrumental in helping me successfully transition careers and has prepared me to enter the field of HR as a prepared professional and highly effective leader. One of the greatest strengths of the program is the consistent support and encouragement from the faculty, many of whom work diligently to develop personal relationships with students. I will continue to regard several of my professors as professional mentors long after my time in the program ends.”
Jessica Rupnaraine
Senior HR Generalist, Honeywell
“The MSMHR Program helped me to apply knowledge to my work experience. This increased my capabilities and opened new doors in my career. The faculty delivered the curriculum in a way that shaped a positive experience throughout the program.”
MSMHR
Tuition & Financial Aid
Estimated Program Cost (for students entering Fall 2024)
12-Month Path
- In-State: $22,626
- Out-of-State: $47,282
21-Month Path
- In-State: $27,030
- Out-of-State: $57,870
An up-to-date schedule of tuition and fees for in and out of state students can be found on UT’s Graduate School website.
Tuition and fees listed on the graduate school’s website do not include room, board, books and supplies or other living expenses. In addition to these costs, students admitted to Haslam’s MSMHR program will be responsible for a $4,500 program fee ($1,500 per semester for the first three semesters of enrollment; students with tuition waivers will still be responsible for this program fee).
Financial Aid
Learn about federal student loans and other need-based financial aid for graduate students at the UT Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships page. Complete the FAFSA Application for Federal Student Aid) by February 15.
Funding
Admitted applicants are automatically considered for merit-based, program-funded graduate assistantships and scholarships. Assistantships and scholarships are highly competitive and not all applicants receive funding opportunities. The graduate assistantships include a tuition fee waiver and a stipend for the semester awarded. No additional application is necessary for financial consideration. However, you can apply for graduate assistantships that are outside of the MSMHR program; UT’s graduate school website lists openings from multiple departments and colleges.
Meet Our Student Ambassadors
Connect with our MSMHR student ambassadors to learn more about the program.
MSMHR
Featured Faculty
Jacquelyn Jacobs
MSMHR Director & Distinguished Lecturer
Whit Whitworth
MSMHR Asst. Director
David Williams
Diane Walker & Raffi Markarian Entrepreneurship Professor, William B. Stokely Distinguished Scholar