Management and Human Resources Major, MS

Option Available

Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams Option

Campus Code

Knoxville Campus

Admissions Standards/Procedures

Applications are accepted for fall semester only. The application deadline for fall semester is February 1. Applications by United States citizens and permanent residents received after February 1 will be considered as space allows.

To be considered for admission, the applicant’s file must be complete

• The online application submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions
• Transcripts of prior college work
• An MS Management and HR program application
• Applicant resume
• Personal Statement
• Two completed applicant recommendation forms (professional and/or academic references only)
• Optional: Either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score report or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score report
• Additional information, including the TOEFL score (Test of English as a Foreign Language), may be required by the Office of Graduate Admissions for international candidates.

For admission to the Management and Human Resources Master of Science degree program, consideration is given to

• Applicant’s academic record with particular attention to the last two years of undergraduate work and previous graduate studies (where applicable)
• Quality of work experience and other activities that demonstrate potential for leadership
• Scores on the GMAT or GRE (if provided) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for those whose native language is not English.
• Fit of career goals and intentions with program content
• Recommendations from professors and/or work supervisors
• The admission decision is based on all factors that make up the total application; therefore, there is no automatic cut-off for either grade point averages or GMAT/GRE scores. However, admission preference is given to applicants with full-time work experience after obtaining the undergraduate degree.

Applicants to the Management and Human Resources Master of Science degree program are encouraged, but not required, to submit valid GRE or GMAT scores as part of the application process, especially for those who wish to be considered for merit-based Graduate Research or Teaching Assistantships. Additionally, the program admissions committee reserves the right to request that the applicant take the GRE or GMAT, if more information about academic potential is needed after the admissions file is reviewed.

There are no specific course prerequisites for admission; however, it is recommended that non-business undergraduates take an introductory course in accounting, finance, Excel, and statistics prior to entry.

Academic Standards

• Courses may not be repeated.

Credit Hours Required

30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• Human Resources Core (12 credit hours)

• HRM 521 - Foundations of Strategic HRM (3 credit hours)
• HRM 535 - Strategic Performance Management (3 credit hours)
• HRM 540 - Strategic Talent Management (3 credit hours)
• HRM 545 - Strategic Compensation and Benefits Management (3 credit hours)

• Business & Management Core (12 credit hours)

• MGT 553 - Legal and Ethical Issues in Management (3 credit hours)
• MGT 555 - Leadership and Organizational Behavior (3 credit hours)
• MGT 558 - Business Strategy and Financial Management (3 credit hours)
• MGT 562 - Data-Driven Decision Making (3 credit hours)

• Strategic Human Resource Management Capstone (3 credit hours)

• MGT 556 - Strategic Human Resource Leadership Capstone (3 credit hours)

• Choose 3 elective credit hours from:

• MGT 580 - Project Management (3 credit hours)
• MGT 595 - Selected Topics in Current Management Issues (Total of 3 credit hours)

Additional Course Requirements

• As part of MGT 556: Strategic Management Capstone Experience, students must complete an integrative Capstone experience, consisting of case studies and/or other activities requiring synthesis and application of knowledge from all areas of the program curriculum and demonstration of strategic leadership skills.
• As determined by the program director for the Management and Human Resources Master of Science program, students may be eligible to complete up to 6 graduate credit hours of MGT 598 Leadership Practicum/Project as substitute for MGT 555 and MGT 556. Students who completed the accredited Tennessee Certified Public Manager (CPM) program (or an accredited CPM from another state) no more than three years prior to their admission to the Management and Human Resources Master of Science degree program are eligible for MGT 598.