human resource professional speaking to another person

Master of Professional Studies inHuman Resources and Employment Relations

Program summary

Learn to factor human resources in the strategic plans of organizations. This online master's degree aligns with SHRM's highest standards, so you can feel confident that you will gain the relevant skills and knowledge to advance your career in HR, labor management, and employee relations.

Application deadline

Apply by April 1 to start May 13

Credits and costs

33 Credits$1,017 per credit

Engagement Opportunities

World Campus HRER students may attend a week-long study abroad or on-campus summer immersion program.

Gain Strategic Human Resources Management Skills

  • Grasp the ethical dimensions of human resources and employment relations.

  • Administer labor and human resource systems.

  • Understand the roles that employers, employees, unions, and government play in the employment relationship.

  • Analyze the complex personal, legal, employment, and organizational issues inherent in employment relations, organizational culture, and performance management.

  • Help top executives factor human resources into their strategic plans and organizational goals.

  • Meet the challenges of complex employee benefit plans, new labor laws, and employee rights.

Customize Your Human Resources Online Course List

This 33-credit online master’s program balances advanced theory with practical knowledge, making it an important credential for experienced HR professionals. You can build a strong fundamental knowledge of HR and labor, and finish with a capstone course that you can apply to your professional areas of interest.

As an online learner, you can create a human resources degree program that is relevant to your unique career goals.

Select a personalized HR track from one of eight concentrations:

  • benefits and compensation 
  • labor and collective bargaining 
  • employment and labor law 
  • staffing, training, and development 
  • ethics and leadership 
  • international human resources and employment relations 
  • labor union organization and strategy 
  • HR analytics and artificial intelligence

This customizable program consists of nine required courses (27 credits) and two elective courses (6 credits). Elective courses are paired to create a concentration, which allows you to develop expertise on a topic specific to your personal career goals.

Your course work culminates in a capstone course in which you will demonstrate an understanding of the curriculum and apply it to your professional areas of interest in human resources and employment relations.

Required Courses (24 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Legal context of employment in the United States.

  • 3
    credits

    Theory, process, and issues of industrial relations, including collective bargaining and contract administration.

  • 3
    credits

    Current human resource topics in the context of organizational strategy, planning, and responsibility.

  • 3
    credits

    This course provides students with an overview of selected managerial behavior and career topics in modern organizations.

  • 3
    credits

    This course examines current human resource management (HRM) systems worldwide and the influence of globalization on HRM practice.

  • 3
    credits

    This course connects Business Strategy, Financial Tools, and HR to an organization's strategic business objectives.

  • 3
    credits

    This course examines workplace diversity, gender, and race challenges facing employers and employees, and the skills for managing diversity.

  • 3
    credits

    Use of normative elements associated with ethical decision making, as well as the emerging interest in descriptive ethics, to address important problems human resource managers confront.

Culminating Experience (3 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an individual or small-group basis.

Elective Courses (select 6 credits)

Select six credits from one of the following concentrations.

Benefits and Compensation (6 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    This course covers one of the main functional areas of Human Resource Management, employee compensation, and prepares students to create and implement effective compensation systems.

  • 3
    credits

    This course covers one of the main functional areas of Human Resource Management, employee benefits, and prepares students to create and implement effective benefit practices consistent with organization strategy.

Employment and Labor Law (select 6 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Survey of employment and labor laws around the world that shape the practice of international human resource management (IHRM).

  • 3
    credits

    Acquire practical knowledge that HR practitioners need to deal with governmental regulation of the U.S. workplace.

    • Prerequisite

      HRER 501

  • 3
    credits

    Development of Anglo-American law regulating collective bargaining, with emphasis on American labor-management relations under Wagner, Taft-Hartley, and other acts.

Ethics and Leadership (select 6 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Theory-and research-based communication skills for leaders dealing with work-related problems in contemporary groups and organizations.

    • 3
      credits

      The course examines the continuing influence of social and environmental factors in shaping leadership and leadership development.

    • or:
      3
      credits

      Application of theories of decision making to work-related issues in groups and organizations requiring collective resolution and action.

HR Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) (6 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Research design, sampling design, data collection, and analysis; modeling, means and comparison of means, correlation analysis; and case study.

  • 3
    credits

    Foundational knowledge for HR and ER practitioners to operate successfully in the age of AI.

International Human Resources and Employment Relations (select 6 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Course exploring human resource management from an international perspective.

    • 3
      credits

      Survey of employment and labor laws around the world that shape the practice of international human resource management (IHRM).

    • or:
      3
      credits

      Analysis of structure and elements of employment relations systems in developed and developing areas.

Labor and Collective Bargaining (6 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Development of Anglo-American law regulating collective bargaining, with emphasis on American labor-management relations under Wagner, Taft-Hartley, and other acts.

  • 3
    credits

    Upon completing this course, students should be able to identify the legal frameworks that govern collective bargaining between employers and unions in federal, state and local governments.

Labor Unions: Organization and Strategy (6 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Comprehensive analysis of American Labor Unions/Labor Organizations: how structured, administered, and governed as they pursue economic, social, political objectives.

  • 3
    credits

    Students will examine, debate and gain a fundamental understanding of the current state of the American labor movement.

Staffing, Training, and Development (6 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    This course covers one of the main functional areas of Human Resource Management, staffing, and prepares students to be effective staffing professionals. The course focuses on the effective management of the flow of talent into, through, and out of organizations.

  • 3
    credits

    This course covers one of the main functional areas of Human Resource Management, training and development, and prepares students to be effective training and development professionals.

Optional Intensive Courses

Each summer, the Master of Professional Studies in Human Resources and Employment Relations offers a selection of the core program courses as five-day intensive courses at Penn State's University Park campus in State College, Pennsylvania. This unique blended course experience allows you to fulfill a three-credit course requirement in a condensed format while experiencing campus life at Penn State.

Class activities such as lectures, case studies, and individual and team exercises will be scheduled for six hours each day, and you may also be required to complete additional assignments outside of the classroom. Approximately two-thirds of the course work for a course will be completed during the five days you are on campus, with some preparation work required before arriving on campus, and a follow-up project to be completed after the week concludes. Because of this intensive schedule, you are only permitted to take one in-residence course at a time.

While this is not a required aspect of the master's degree program, students are encouraged to take advantage of this excellent opportunity to interact and network with your peers and the faculty and staff for the program. More information about registration for these intensive courses will be available upon your acceptance to the degree program. Please email the program office at [email protected]with questions.

*The use of the HRCI seal is not an endorsement by the HR Certification Institute of the quality of the program. It means that this program has met the HR Certification Institute's criteria to be pre-approved for recertification credit.

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

Advance Your Career

A group of business professionals collaborating and laughing in a meeting

About half of the students in the human resources programs are career changers and working professionals. You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.


Job Titles Related to This Degree

The following roles are often held by people with this type of degree:

  • Compensation and Benefits Director
  • Human Resources Analyst
  • Human Resources Director (HR Director)
  • Labor Relations Director
  • Talent Management Director
  • Training and Development Director

Employment Outlook for Occupational Fields Related to This Degree

Estimates of employment growth and total employment are provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and are subject to change. While these occupations are often pursued by graduates with this degree, individual outcomes may vary depending on a variety of factors. Penn State World Campus cannot guarantee employment in a given occupation.

Human Resources Managers

5.2%
employment growth (10 years)
181,360
total employment

Training and Development Managers

6.5%
employment growth (10 years)
39,550
total employment

Compensation and Benefits Managers

2.2%
employment growth (10 years)
16,850
total employment

Career Services to Set You Up for Success

Student having a virtual meeting on a laptop with a career counselor

From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.

  • Opportunities to connect with employers
  • Career counselor/coach support
  • Occupation and salary information
  • Internships
  • Graduate school resources 

Additional School of Labor and Employment Relations Career Services

We strive to put your success first. As a student, you may receive 1:1 career coaching with a Ph.D. faculty member to help you explore your career options. You also gain expanded access to career service resources from both the School of Labor and Employment Relations (LER) and Penn State World Campus, including:

  • Student Services Coordinator in the School of LER — find job postings and receive assistance with job searches from our internal office staff
  • World Campus Licensed Distance Counselor — learn about careers and internships and access other resources, including career assessments
  • The LER alumni group — take advantage of internship opportunities as well as full-time placement opportunities through the largest dues-paying alumni network in the world

Additional Job Fields and Opportunities

Penn State's graduate program in human resources and employment relations delivers the depth of knowledge you need to serve as a functional leader or human resources professional within your organization. You can prepare for upper-level positions in:

  • human resources, as manager of compensation and benefits, recruitment, or training and development
  • labor relations, to meet the growing requirement of a graduate degree for a position as union leader, professional staff, director of industrial relations, contract negotiator, mediator, or arbitrator

Ready to Learn More?

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Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State master's degree?

Apply by April 1 to start May 13. How to Apply 

Costs and Financial Aid

Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.

Costs and Financial Aid

Graduate Tuition

Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

2023–24 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2023, spring 2024, and summer 2024 semesters.

How many credits do you plan to take per semester?Cost
11 or fewer$1,017 per credit
12 or more$12,203 per semester

2024–25 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2024, spring 2025, and summer 2025 semesters.

How many credits do you plan to take per semester?Cost
11 or fewer$1,027 per credit
12 or more$12,325 per semester

Financial Aid and Military Benefits

Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.

HRER students may apply to be considered for a limited number of scholarships awarded by the School of LER or Penn State World Campus. In addition, students studying online through Penn State World Campus are eligible for student loans. You must meet enrollment and other criteria to qualify. World Campus has a dedicated financial aid office that can help answer your questions and address your concerns.

Earn a Valuable Credential along the Way

A figure walking on a path that includes a certificate part of the way through their progress

Show mastery of specific subjects before your degree is complete. Thanks to shared courses across programs, students can often earn a certificate along with their degree in less time than if they earned them separately.

Certificate Program Related to This Degree

The following graduate certificate can be earned while completing this degree program:

Explore how differences in culture, policies, practices, and perspectives apply to human resources and employment relations within multinational organizations. The skills learned in this program can make you a valuable asset to companies competing in the increasingly global business landscape.

Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in International Human Resources and Employment Relations

Become Part of a Highly Respected HR Program

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has determined that this program is aligned with SHRM’s HR Curriculum Guidebook. It is one of only 400 degrees worldwide that have received this distinction.

Optional Engagement Opportunities

This 5-day intensive session allows you to earn credits while enjoying the University Park campus experience. This immersion experience is completely optional and ideal for students who seek a high level of engagement with faculty and peers. Learn more about these optional intensive courses.

Students who seek greater engagement may register for one of our summer courses. These hybrid courses may count as an elective, and include an online, asynchronous component in addition to a week-long immersion at the Penn State University Park campus.

Earn HRCI Recertification Credits

HRCI Approved Seal

The Master of Professional Studies in Human Resources and Employment Relations is an Approved Provider of the HR Certification Institute. Completing the entire program can grant you credits toward your PHR, SPHR, and GPHR recertifications.

Understanding the MPS Degree

M.A. and M.S. degrees tend to be research-oriented, making those credentials ideal choices for aspiring doctoral students who want a career in academia.

The MPS degree, however, is a professional degree that places a specialized focus on real-world application of theory. This type of terminal degree, like the MBA, prepares students to immediately begin active and effective participation in their professions.

The difference between the MPS in HRER and an MBA 

The HRER program is a specialized master's degree, so 100% of the course work will focus entirely on topics critical to the HR and employment relations industry. Specialized degree programs typically require fewer credits, making them cost-effective credentials for professionals who wish to pivot into the HRER industry or move into a leadership position within the HRER field.

Alternatively, an MBA provides a broader business education, so students take course work in accounting, finance, supply chain management, marketing, and more. An MBA degree, which typically requires more credits, can help students understand how different areas of a business organization might work together.

Connect with an Alumni Ambassador

If you would like to speak to a graduate of the program, complete this form to be connected with an Alumni Ambassador. These alumni have offered to answer specific questions about the student experience and discuss any concerns you may be having before you apply.

Set Your Own Pace

Adult student doing course work online while a child plays nearby

Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals. Many students take one or two courses per semester.

Our online courses typically follow a 12- to 15-week semester cycle, and there are three semesters per year (spring, summer, and fall). If you plan to take a heavy course load, you should expect your course work to be your primary focus and discuss your schedule with your academic adviser. 

To Finish Your Degree in One to Two Years

  • Take 3–4 courses each semester

To Finish Your Degree in Two to Three Years

  • Take 2–3 courses each semester 

To Finish Your Degree in Three to Four Years

  • Take 1 course each semester

Convenient Online Format

This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.

A Trusted Leader in Online Education

Penn State students wearing caps and gowns at their commencement ceremony

Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.

How to Apply to Penn State

A new student holding a sign that reads, We Are Penn State and #PennStateBound

Apply by April 1 to start May 13

Application Instructions

Deadlines and Important Dates

Complete your application and submit all required materials by the appropriate deadline. Your deadline will depend on the semester you plan to start your courses.

  • Summer Deadline

    Apply by April 1 to start May 13
  • Fall Deadline

    Apply by July 1 to start August 26
  • Spring Deadline

    Apply by December 1, 2024, to start January 13, 2025

Steps to Apply

  1. Admission to the MPS in HRER program is competitive. A faculty admissions committee considers all of the materials submitted by each applicant and makes admissions decisions based on the strength of the candidate's credentials. Applicants meeting the minimum prerequisites are not necessarily guaranteed admission to the program.

    For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.

    Applicants who are still completing their baccalaureate requirements at the time of application may be admitted to the Graduate School conditional on the awarding of the baccalaureate degree.

    GPA — An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred.

  2. Applicants who are in the military qualify for an application fee waiver. Contact us to request the military fee waiver code. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:

    Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Penn State alumni do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State, but must list Penn State as part of your academic history. If you are admitted, you will be asked to send an additional official transcript. You will receive instructions at that time.

    Test Scores — GRE or GMAT test scores are NOT required.

    English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.

    Reference (1) — You will need to initiate the process through the online application by entering the name, email address, and mailing address of one professional reference. Upon submission of your application, an email will be sent to your reference requesting they complete a brief online recommendation regarding your readiness for graduate study and confirming you meet the requisite minimum of one year of work experience. Please inform your reference that they must submit the form in order for your application to be complete.

    Program-Specific Questions/Materials

    Résumé — Upload your résumé to the online application. One year of full-time work experience (or its equivalent) is preferred; however, students who meet all other requirements will be considered with less than the preferred minimum.

    Short-answer Questions — Applicants will be asked to briefly respond to the following 5 questions within the graduate application. The answers to these questions will allow the admissions committee to get to know more about you and your goals and experiences.

    • What are your short-term and long-term career goals and how do you expect this program to impact those career goals?
    • Discuss your strategy of how you will shape the program to support your professional aspirations.
    • Tell us about your leadership style and provide a supporting example.
    • Explain how you are prepared/preparing to succeed in an online graduate program. Discuss your strategies, and perceived challenges, that you may have related to time management, and plans for how you will handle unexpected changes/interruptions to your schedule.
    • Give an example of a time in which you received professional constructive criticism. What was it, who did it come from, and how did you apply it going forward?

    If you need clarification on any of the above questions, please reach out to the program office at [email protected].

  3. To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account.

    Create a New Penn State Account

    If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

    Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.

  4. You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.

    • Choose Enrollment Type: "Degree Admission"
    • Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus

    Checking Your Status 
    You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form. 

    Technical Requirements  
    Review the technical requirements for this degree program. 

  5. 5. Complete the application.

Admissions Help

If you have questions about the admissions process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

Contact Us

Customer service representative wearing a headset

Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.

To learn more about the Master of Professional Studies in Human Resources and Employment Relations, please contact:

World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
[email protected]

Erin Hetzel
Phone: 814-867-4167
[email protected]

Learn from the Best

In the Master of Professional Studies in Human Resources and Employment Relations program, you will study with highly regarded faculty from Penn State's College of the Liberal Arts, one of the premier institutions in the world to study and work in the liberal arts disciplines.

The diverse faculty at the Penn State School of LER is one of the fundamental strengths of the HRER program. You will be taught by:

  • accomplished Penn State scholars who research emerging best practices and teach on Penn State's physical campuses
  • experienced professionals who are active practitioners in their respective fields and trained to teach in an online environment. These instructors, who help you connect theory to real-world application, have previously held positions as corporate HR department heads, labor and employment lawyers, labor movement professionals, and government and public sector personnel.

School Director

Elaine Farndale

Director, School of Labor and Employment Relations

  • Degree
    Ph.D., Cranfield University of Management, United Kingdom
  • Degree
    M.A., Personnel Management, Kingston University, United Kingdom
  • Degree
    B.A., French and Modern Dutch Studies, University of Hull, United Kingdom

Dr. Elaine Farndale ​is director of the School of Labor and Employment Relations and a professor of human resource management. Dr. Farndale's areas of specialization and research include international and comparative human resource management (HRM); the power, professionalism, and roles of the HR department; HRM and firm performance; change management and HRM; eHRM and new HR delivery mechanisms; and HRM and employee engagement. She has presented numerous papers at international conferences and has published articles and chapters in both the practitioner and academic press. Dr. Farndale has also worked as an HR specialist for several years.

Lead Faculty

Brian Redmond

  • Degree
    Ph.D., I/O Psychology, Graduate Center, City University of New York
  • Degree
    M.A., I/O Psychology, New York University
  • Degree
    B.A., Psychology, Castleton State University

Dr. Brian Redmond is a teaching professor and the lead faculty for labor and human resources and organizational leadership. He worked in several organizations (manufacturing, financial, education, management, and service) before deciding that education was his true calling. He still performs organizational consulting, specifically in the realms of leadership, organizational behavior, and online education. Dr. Redmond teaches and authors courses in leadership that span the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. He has been teaching online since 2004. He has published and presented research and applied solutions regarding online education since 2003.

Faculty

  • Akram Al Ariss

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Norwich Business School, University of East Anglia
    • Degree
      B.S., Engineering, Lebanese American University

    Dr. Akram Al Ariss lectures at Champagne School of Management, ESC Troyes in France. His research focuses on international human resource management (IHRM). He has written several book chapters, book reviews, and journal articles — in English, French, and Arabic — on interdisciplinary issues related to IHRM, including articles in British Journal of Management; Thunderbird International Business Review; Career Development International; Work, Employment and Society; and Personnel Review.

  • Roland L. Bessette

    • Degree
      J.D., Michigan State University College of Law
    • Degree
      B.A., Journalism, Wayne State University

    Roland L. Bessette spent 34 years with the federal government as a senior executive (SES) with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of General Counsel, in the position of regional counsel (Michigan and Wisconsin), plus a 25-year collateral assignment as a Special Assistant United States Attorney. He was on active duty with the U.S. Navy for eight years. He has provided representation in hundreds of proceedings before the Federal Labor Relations Authority, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Merit Systems Protection Board, arbitrators, and various courts.

  • Carol Cameron

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Organization and Management, Capella University
    • Degree
      MBA, Organizational Behavior, Westminster College

    Dr. Carol Cameron has been a corporate leadership and organization development consultant for more than 20 years, working with a range of organizations, from Fortune 500 companies to entrepreneurial start-ups in industries that include health care, financial services, high tech, and more. She transitioned to the academic arena in 2012, joining Harvard University as an internal consultant and executive coach to its deans and department administrators, and leading curriculum design and facilitation efforts for executive education in Harvard's Center for Workplace Development.

  • Jerry Carbo

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University
    • Degree
      J.D., Dickinson School of Law, Penn State

    Dr. Jerry Carbo, an associate professor of management at the Grove College of Business at Shippensburg University, teaches courses in business and society, labor relations, and employment law. Dr. Carbo has been an adjunct professor in the Master's in HRER program since 2009. His research interests include socially sustainable business systems, workplace bullying, and union revitalization, and he has published articles in several academic journals, including Journal of Strategic Information Systems, Journal of Workplace Rights, and WorkingUSA.

  • Jeanne Charles

    • Degree
      J.D., DePaul University School of Law
    • Degree
      B.S., Business, Northern Illinois University

    Jeanne Charles has a multi-state Alternative Dispute Resolution practice with offices in the Chicago and Fort Lauderdale areas. Her practice includes both arbitration and mediation services. She serves as a labor arbitrator on permanent panels for the State of Illinois and AFSCME Council 31; the State of Florida and AFSCME Council 79; the Miami Dade County and IAFF Local 1403; the National Treasury Employees Union and IRS; and the United States Postal Service. She has been admitted into the National Academy of Arbitrators.

  • Steve Greenblatt

    • Degree
      J.D., New York Law School
    • Degree
      Master's Degree in Labor Law, New York University School of Law
    • Degree
      B.A., Political Science, Brooklyn College

    Steve Greenblatt has spent than 30 years of practice in human resources. At Downstate Medical Center (SUNY) he served as director of labor relations and director of workforce training and development. He also served as ethics officer and acting affirmative action officer. Prior to working with SUNY, he served as assistant district attorney in Bronx County and deputy inspector general for the New York City Department of Sanitation. He also trained attorneys, investigators, and human resource professionals in investigative, arbitration, and trial techniques.

  • Michael Pepe

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Psychology and Education, Washington University in St. Louis
    • Degree
      M.A., Psychology and Education, Washington University in St. Louis
    • Degree
      B.S., Business and Marketing, Fairleigh Dickinson University

    Dr. Michael Pepe is a senior partner and an executive coach in Meaningful Growth Associates, Inc. Previously, he served in a variety of high-level roles in the areas of human resources, staffing, and development. Among other positions that he has held, Dr. Pepe was the chief human resources officer for Virtua, Inc., and vice president and executive director for the Yale New Haven Health System.

  • Timothy Shick

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Administrative and Leadership Studies
    • Degree
      M.A., Industrial and Labor Relations, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
    • Degree
      B.S., Human Resource Management, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

    Dr. Timothy Shick has been in the field of human resources for more than 16 years, working in health care, service, and manufacturing settings. He has experience in the private and public sectors, as well. Dr. Shick is a part-time consultant and a lecturer, and he has been a part-time faculty member at Penn State for many years. His major areas of interest are staffing, training, labor and employee relations, and policy.

  • Rex Simpson

    professional profile image of Rex Simpson

    Lead Faculty for the HRER Program, Professor of Practice

    Penn State School of Labor and Employment Relations

  • Banci Tewolde

    • Degree
      J.D., University of Maryland School of Law
    • Degree
      M.A., English, Old Dominion University
    • Degree
      B.A., English, Metropolitan State College of Denver

    Banci Tewolde is an associate director for the Department of Planning and Budget in Virginia. Before joining the Office of the Governor, she was an Assistant Attorney General, where she represented officials and state employees and agencies sued in state and federal courts for alleged constitutional violations in the course of their employment. Prior to returning to Virginia in 2005, she was the manager of the immigration unit at Penn State within the Department of Human Resources.

  • Maja Vidović

    • Degree
      Post Doc, School of Labor and Employment Relations, Penn State
    • Degree
      Ph.D., Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, Croatia
    • Degree
      M.S., Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, Croatia
    • Degree
      B.S., Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, Croatia

    Dr. Maja (read as Maya) Vidović is a professor, researcher, and enthusiast in the field of human resource management, with a specific focus on international HRM. She is a professor at RIT Croatia, in Zagreb, Croatia, and an adjunct faculty for the School of Labor and Employment Relations. Maja lived in State College on two separate occasions, adding up to two and a half years, both times while working for the School of Labor and Employment Relations, which made her a strong supporter of the school and the program. Maja is a passionate teacher, as recognized through receiving an Excellence in Teaching award from RIT Croatia, and the Kelley-Willits award for outstanding contribution to online programs at Penn State. She is the author of several book chapters and many scientific papers, predominantly focusing on human resource management.

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Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State master's degree?

Apply by April 1 to start May 13. How to Apply