The master of professional studies in human resources and employment relations (HRER) consists of 9 required courses (27 credits) and 2 elective courses (6 credits). Your elective courses will determine your area of concentration for the HRER master's degree.
Courses for this program will continue to be developed and opened through fall 2010. While the program is designed to be a part-time program that can be finished over 2 to 4 years, it may be possible to complete the program in less time by carefully planning your progress.
Please speak with your adviser about the course rollout plan and how it matches your individual schedule.
| Required Courses (27 credits) |
| HRER 501 |
Labor and Employment Law
Legal context of employment in the United States. |
3 credits |
| HRER 504 |
Seminar in Employment Relations
Theory, process, and issues of industrial relations, including collective bargaining and contract administration. |
3 credits |
| HRER 505 |
Seminar in Human Resources
Current human resource topics in the context of organizational strategy, planning, and responsibility. |
3 credits |
| HRER 800 |
International and Comparative Employment Relations
This course examines employment relations systems in the world today and the influence of globalization on employment relations practice. |
3 credits |
| HRER 802 |
Organizations in the Workplace
This course provides students with an overview of selected managerial behavior and career topics in modern organizations. |
3 credits |
| HRER 816 |
Labor Market Analysis
Neoclassical economic and institutional theoretical perspectives on labor supply, demand for labor, internal labor markets, wage determination and labor policies. |
3 credits |
| HRER 836 |
Diversity in the Workplace
This course examines workplace diversity, gender, and race challenges facing employers and employees, and the skills for managing diversity. |
3 credits |
| LER 460 |
Ethics Seminar
Critical investigation of philosophical problems in ethics, and viability of historical and contemporary ethical positions; course content varies with instructor. |
3 credits |
| HRER 894 |
Research Project
Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an individual or small-group basis. |
3 credits |
| Elective Courses (select 6 credits to correspond to an area of concentration) |
| LER 401 |
The Law of Labor-Management Relations
Development of Anglo-American law regulating collective bargaining, with emphasis on American labor-management relations under Wagner, Taft-Hartley, and other acts. |
3 credits |
| LER 424 |
Employment Compensation
Development and management of employee compensation systems. |
3 credits |
| LER 425 |
Employee Benefits
The examination of employee benefits programs used by employers to meet the welfare needs of employees and their families. |
3 credits |
| LER 426 |
Staffing and Training
This course is presently in Penn State's approval process. |
3 credits |
| LER 435 |
Labor Relations in the Public Sector
Analysis of labor relations problems within different areas of public employment. |
3 credits |
| WF ED 471 |
Training in Industry and Business
Appraisal of training functions and development of competencies in work analysis, design, development, delivery, and evaluation of training. |
3 credits |
| WF ED 573 |
Needs Assessment for Industrial Trainers
Acquire skills to identify training and development needs, distinguish problems with management versus training solutions, develop and evaluate training solutions. |
3 credits |
Areas of concentration (student must complete one)
Three options are currently available:
Benefits and Compensation
HRER 505 — Seminar in Human Resources
LER 424 — Employment Compensation
LER 425 — Employment Benefits
HRER 894 — Research Project
Labor and Collective Bargaining
HRER 504 — Seminar in Industrial Relations
LER 401 — Law of Labor-Management Relations
LER 435 — Labor Relations in the Public Sector
HRER 894 — Research Project
Employment and Labor Law
HRER 501 — Labor and Employment Law
LER 401 — Law of Labor-Management Relations
LER 445Y — The Politics of Affirmative Action
HRER 894 — Research Project
Students planning to complete the program in fall 2010 or later have one additional option:
Staffing, Training, and Development
HRER 505 — Seminar in Human Resources
LER 426 — Staffing and Training
or WF ED 471 — Training in Industry and Business
WF ED 573 — Needs Assessment for Industrial Trainers
HRER 894 — Research Project
