University of Michigan

What you'll study

The curriculum combines core business and social-science perspectives with practical human-resources competencies. You will study organisational behaviour and human dynamics, the legal and ethical context of employment, and the data skills needed to make evidence-based HR decisions. Teaching methods include lectures, case studies, project work and workplace placements.

• Foundations: introduction to management, microeconomics, statistics or quantitative reasoning, and organisational behaviour.
• Core HR topics: recruitment and selection, training and development, performance management, compensation and benefits, and labour/industrial relations.
• Strategy and development: strategic human resource management, organisational development, change management and leadership.
• People analytics and technology: HR analytics, workforce planning, HR information systems and data visualisation for people decisions.
• Legal, ethical and diversity issues: employment law fundamentals, ethics in HR, diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.
• Capstone and experiential learning: team projects with real employers, internships or practicum placements, and a final integrative project linking HR strategy to business outcomes.

Typical structure

Students take a mix of general education requirements and programme-specific courses across the degree. Early years emphasise quantitative and organisational foundations; later years focus on specialised HR modules, electives in related areas (such as organisational psychology, labour economics or business analytics) and a practical capstone or internship.

Entry requirements

Admissions are based on a competitive academic record and evidence of potential for leadership and teamwork. Applicants should demonstrate strong performance in secondary school subjects, especially English and quantitative subjects. Admissions processes at the University of Michigan also consider extracurricular engagement, personal statements and references. For applicants to business pathways, evidence of analytical ability and communication skills is important.

International applicants are expected to meet equivalent academic standards and to demonstrate English language proficiency where required. Transfer applicants should show college-level coursework in relevant areas and details of prior academic performance.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles across private, public and non-profit sectors. The degree provides the practical skills and theoretical grounding employers seek in people-focused roles.

• HR generalist and HR business partner roles, supporting teams on recruitment, performance and employee relations.
• Talent acquisition and recruitment specialist positions in corporate HR and recruitment agencies.
• Learning and development or training specialist roles designing employee learning programmes and career pathways.
• Compensation and benefits analyst, and total rewards roles managing pay structures and benefits programmes.
• People/HR analytics positions using data to inform workforce planning and decision-making.
• Organisational development or change management roles advising on redesign, culture change and leadership development.
• Consultancy roles in HR advisory firms and opportunities to progress to postgraduate study (MBA, specialised MSc programmes) or professional certifications (for example, SHRM or equivalent regional qualifications).

Why study at University of Michigan

The University of Michigan offers an interdisciplinary approach that combines rigorous business education with social-science insight into people and organisations. Students benefit from action-based learning opportunities, employer-facing projects and an extensive alumni network across industries.

Key advantages include access to research centres and faculty expertise in organisational behaviour and human capital, strong career services and recruiting relationships with major employers, and a campus environment that supports extracurricular leadership and professional development. The programme’s mix of practical placements and analytical training prepares graduates to make immediate contributions to workplace strategy and employee experience.