In this program, you’ll build knowledge of employment law and human capital management, as well as how to navigate the local, state and federal laws that regulate labor markets. This knowledge becomes increasingly critical to support organizational operations as HR professionals advance to higher roles. Graduates will also acquire a deep understanding of U.S. law, legal structures and legal reasoning when making decisions about human resource problems.
In addition to learning about the metrics and measurements of HR, the role of HR in organizations and strategic HR, you’ll also gain valuable skills in areas such as:
- Compensation and benefits.
- Employee and labor relations.
- Job analysis and design.
- Performance management.
- Training and development.
- Workplace health, safety and security.
- Workplace planning and talent management.
Who’s a good candidate for this program?
This program offers non-lawyer human resources, recruitment and operations professionals opportunities to further their skills and credentials. Whether established or new to the field, ideal candidates are interested in employment law and seek advanced human resource management roles.
Additionally, this program is an excellent step toward becoming SHRM certified. The Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM), a premier HR professional organization, has recognized ASU Law as the first law school fully aligned with the SHRM curriculum guidelines. This paves the way for students who enroll in this program to apply for the SHRM Certification Professional (SHRM-CP) exam. This certification is a distinction that many employers recognize when hiring and promoting HR and employment law professionals. Those who already have SHRM certification can receive continuing education credit for completing courses.
Are you interested in gaining expertise in the legal and regulatory aspects of recruitment, hiring, maintenance, promotion and termination? Earn a Master of Human Resources and Employment Law from Arizona State University to learn how to identify and solve the employment-related challenges that face organizations across all sectors.
This program consists of six core courses, three electives and a capstone. In your core courses, you’ll delve into employment law and other HR topics such as workplace rights and obligations, employment discrimination and human resources fundamentals. Elective courses cover employment-law adjacent topics ranging from dispute resolution and contract law to conflict theory and immigration law. To culminate the program, you’ll apply your knowledge of how the law interacts with and impacts the human resources profession through a capstone course.
The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law faculty has more than 300 combined years of experience. Hailing from across the country, they’re nationally recognized for their wealth of knowledge. Our world-class faculty provides comprehensive legal education in popular focus areas and addresses legal challenges on a global scale.
The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at ASU is one of the top schools in the nation, providing personalized and practical legal education. Offering more than 250 unique courses, students can tailor their educational experiences to meet their unique interests. Our bar passage achievements and peer-reviewed U.S. News & World Report rankings highlight our dedication to preparing students for success.
in Arizona for bar passage
specialty law programs ranked amongst the top 35 in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report
best public law schools, according to U.S. News & World Report
best law schools, according to U.S. News & World Report
Applicants who have received a bachelor’s degree from an institution in the United States can apply through our FastApp process, which streamlines the application process and may allow for an offer of conditional admission to the MHREL program while the applicant continues to submit any additional requested documentation. Foreign-educated applicants must submit a full application.
Possible outcomes from FastApp submission may include:
- Conditional admission.
- A request for supplementary documents.
- A request to complete the full MHREL application with accompanying documents.
- Denial.
For the FastApp application to be considered complete, it must include:
- The complete MHREL FastApp application form and the following uploaded documents:
- An Unofficial Transcript from all undergraduate institutions attended.
- A resume that doesn’t exceed three typed pages.
If a decision cannot be made from a FastApp, our admission team may request additional information from an applicant, including any or all of the following:
- Personal statement.
- Writing sample.
- Explanations to affirmative answers to any conduct questions.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Transcripts from all institutions attended, including the transcript showing a bachelor's degree was conferred.
A minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of an applicant’s bachelor's program is preferred. Prospective students may earn admission with a cumulative GPA below 3.00 if the other assets included in the application package are strong, such as but not limited to:
- A personal statement that addresses a low GPA or inconsistent academic performance.
- Improved academic performance in subsequent degrees.
- Significant work history since completing a bachelor’s degree.
All applicants must submit:
- Graduate admission application.
- Official* transcripts.
- CV or resume.
*Transcripts can be unofficial through the FastApp process. Official transcripts reflecting degree conferral(s) will be required if an applicant is admitted.
Students are strongly encouraged to first submit the MHREL Fast App. This allows students to submit a much shorter application and the unit will ask for more information or materials as needed. The information below contains guidelines for items students might be asked to submit after completing the Fast App.
Applicants with degrees from foreign institutions must submit transcripts to Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. (ACEI) and meet the Graduate College and Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law English proficiency requirements.
- Does the application require letters of recommendation? Maybe, upon request from the admissions committee.
- Is a personal statement required? If so, what are the parameters?
- Maybe, a statement of interest may be requested by the admission committee.
- A writing sample — may be requested by the admissions committee.
- A document, a personal, academic, or professional writing or report, produced by you (academic or professional paper is preferred). No less than two pages, no more than 10 pages, double-spaced and 12-point font.
- The writing sample is different from the personal statement.
- The name of the uploaded file must contain the phrase ‘writing sample’.
- It’s preferred that an applicant submits a sample that cites other sources.
- Graduate school entrance exams (e.g., GRE, GMTA and LSAT) aren’t required for admission.
ASU's academic programs that prepare you for professional licensure or certification are designed to meet Arizona's requirements. Completing an ASU program may not fulfill educational requirements for licensure or certification in other states. For additional information, visit the professional licensure webpage.
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”