Undergraduate/Graduate Dual Enrollment Option

About the Program

The School of Human Resources & Labor Relations (HRLR) offers undergraduate students the option to apply early for admission into the School’s MHRLR graduate program. This option allows students to complete both their undergraduate and MHRLR graduate degrees in 5 and a half years (in some cases, 5 years).

The MHRLR graduate program is designed to prepare students for important work as practitioners in human resources management, labor-management relations, organizational behavior, compensation and benefits, employment and training program functions in the American economy and abroad.

 

Dual Enrollment Option - Program Admissions and Application Information

Students normally apply for the Master’s in Human Resources & Labor Relations during the end of their junior year of undergraduate studies with the expectation of starting the program during their senior year. To be admitted, students must do the following:

• Meet with undergraduate Academic Advisor, Matt Hahnenberg (hahnenb2@msu.edu) to see if the dual enrollment option will work with your degree and career plans.

• Review Application Materials

• Apply to the Program

  • Dual enrollment with the Masters in Human Resources & Labor Relations is open to current MSU undergraduates. Admission to MHRLR is competitive. Students should have strong academic backgrounds and have a clear desire to pursue a career in this field as well as satisfy all graduate admission requirements.

  • IMPORTANT: While applying to the program, you are required to inform the Graduate Program Coordinator, Cheryl Mollitor (mollitor@msu.edu), of your intent to be a dual enrolled student.

• If accepted, work with Graduate Program Coordinator to complete the dual enrollment form.

  • Please refer to MSU’s policy regarding dual-enrollment programs for undergraduate students.

 

Dual Enrollment FAQ

• When would I apply to start the Master’s in HRLR?

  • If you plan on graduating in the spring or summer term, you would be encouraged to apply in the spring of your junior year for a fall graduate program start term. Or, apply late summer/early fall for a spring admission start term. If accepted, you would enroll in up to a maximum of 3 graduate courses between your fall/spring/summer semesters of your senior year. The 1 to 3 graduate courses (3 to 9 graduate credits) would count only as electives towards your undergraduate degree. For example, you might take 1 graduate course along with 3 or 4 undergraduate courses in the fall of your senior year. In spring of your senior year, you would take 2 graduate courses along with 2 or 3 undergraduate courses (or whatever you would need) to complete your undergraduate degree requirements.

  • If you plan on graduating in the fall term, you are still encouraged to apply in the spring of that same year. If accepted, you would enroll in up to a maximum of 3 graduate courses in the fall/final semester of your undergraduate degree (or you may choose to only take 1 to 2 graduate courses during your final semester).

  Every situation is different. Please work with SHRLR Undergraduate Advisor, Matt Hahnenberg at hahnenb2@msu.edu with any questions you might have.
• I don’t have any electives remaining. Can I still apply early and dual-enroll?

  The dual enrollment option works best for students who have at least 9 elective credits remaining. If you do not have any elective credits remaining, perhaps it would be best to complete your undergraduate degree and then apply for traditional admission into the program. If you have questions about your situation, please reach out to SHRLR Undergraduate Advisor, Matt Hahnenberg at hahnenb2@msu.edu.

• Why is this beneficial to me?

  By dual enrolling, you will have completed up to 9 credits (of a 36 credit program) by the time you earn your bachelor’s degree. Additionally, since you are considered an undergraduate student while you dual enroll, you will be charged undergraduate tuition for any graduate courses you complete during your dual enrollment status.

• How are Graduate courses different than Undergraduate courses?

  Full-time status at the undergraduate level is considered a minimum of 12 credits/semester. Full-time status at the graduate level is a minimum of 9 credits/semester. Graduate courses are more academically rigorous than undergraduate courses. So keep this in mind as you plan your dual enrollment schedule. Regardless of how many graduate courses you take in any given semester; the university will view you as an undergraduate student during your dual enrollment year/semester. That is, if you only take 9 graduate credits during your final undergraduate semester, you will still be considered a part-time student because of your dual enrollment status. So keep that in mind for financial aid purposes.

 

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Want to learn more?

Talk to SHRLR Undergraduate Advisor, Matt Hahnenberg