Michigan State University School of Human Resources and Labor Relations

What Michigan State University School of Human Resources and Labor Relations does

The School of Human Resources and Labor Relations is an academic department within Michigan State University's College of Social Science, headquartered in South Kedzie Hall at 368 Farm Lane, East Lansing, Michigan. It delivers three degree programs — a Bachelor of Human Resources & Labor Relations (formerly Human Capital and Society, renamed Fall 2024), a SHRM-aligned Master of Human Resources & Labor Relations (MHRLR) capped at 50-60 students per cohort, and a fully funded (up to 5 years) doctoral program. It supplements these with five professional certifications (CHRS, CWCP, CLRP, CLRL, CFMLS), a $25,000 CHRO Leadership Academy for current and aspiring CHROs, free microlearning modules, and customized corporate training delivered virtually, in person, or hybrid to clients including Chevron, Asahi Kasei, and the Panama Canal Authority.

The school's business model rests on four revenue streams: academic tuition and fees routed through MSU's university structure, professional development fees (certification recertifications at $95 per program, executive program tuition), labor education training services for union leaders and stewards since 1956, and charitable contributions to discretionary, faculty research, scholarship, and career development funds. Distribution is primarily direct-to-student on campus in East Lansing and direct-to-organization customized contracts; a Career Development and Placement Office connects students with 30-50 recruiting companies annually, including Ford, GM, Amazon, Boeing, BP, PepsiCo, Johnson & Johnson, and Lockheed Martin. Marketing is hybrid: organic social (LinkedIn, Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube), a podcast ('HR and the World of Work with Peter Berg'), email newsletters, on-campus events (MSU SHRM Conference, Penn State Case Competition, Future of Work Convening), and chapter-based engagement (SHRM, LERA, GSA).

The school's research platform focuses on the future of work, with specific attention to AI, automation, cyber-physical systems, surveillance technologies, algorithmic management, remote work, and workforce aging. Major funded initiatives include the National Survey of Hotel Housekeepers (a joint project with UIUC and Columbia supported by NSF and Russell Sage Foundation grants) and a Hans Böckler Foundation–funded transnational study of worker voice at Amazon warehouses in Germany, Italy, and the US. The school has 18 full-time faculty, 95-100% placement rates, average starting salaries of $83,000 (undergraduate) and $86,000 (master's), and over one-third of alumni advancing to executive positions including CHRO, VP, SVP, partner, and president. Leadership transitioned in August 2024 with the appointment of Jason L. Huang as Director, succeeding Peter Berg.

Name

Michigan State University School of Human Resources and Labor Relations

Legal name

School of Human Resources and Labor Relations, Michigan State University

Website

https://hrlr.msu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Michigan State University's School of Human Resources and Labor Relations is an academic department offering undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees in HR and labor relations, plus five professional certifications, a $25,000 CHRO executive program, and labor training for unions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

East Lansing

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Academic Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degree programs through Michigan State University tuition structure. Master's program offers SHRM academically aligned curriculum.
2. Professional Development Programs: Revenue from professional development courses including certifications (CHRS, CWCP, CLRP, CLRL, CFMLS), executive education (CHRO Leadership Program at $25,000), and microlearning modules. Recertification fees generate ongoing revenue.
3. Labor Education Programs: Training and consulting services for union leaders, activists, and labor organizations including certificate programs, custom training, and ongoing education since 1956.
4. Donations and Endowments: The school receives charitable contributions through giving programs including discretionary giving, faculty research fund, scholarship and assistantship fund, and career development support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The School is an academic unit within Michigan State University that delivers degree programs (Bachelor of Science, Master of Human Resources & Labor Relations, and PhD) and a suite of professional certifications in human resources and labor relations. It also provides executive education (CHRO Leadership Academy), customized corporate and union training, microlearning modules, and applied research initiatives such as the Future of Work Initiative. The offerings are aimed at individual learners pursuing academic credentials and working professionals, as well as organizations seeking tailored workforce and labor education.

Product overview

The School of Human Resources and Labor Relations at Michigan State University offers a comprehensive educational portfolio comprising three degree programs (Undergraduate BA, Master's MHRLR, and Doctoral PhD), professional certification programs (CHRS, CWCP, CLRP, CLRL, CFMLS), executive education through the CHRO Leadership Academy, and specialized labor education programs for union leaders. The institution operates as a multi-product educational platform with a core academic degree structure supplemented by continuing education modules, microlearning offerings, and customized corporate training services. The undergraduate degree and master's programs serve as the primary entry points, while professional certifications and the CHRO Leadership Academy ($25,000 executive program) represent premium add-on offerings for working professionals seeking career advancement in human resources and labor relations fields.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor of Science in Human Resources and Labor Relations Undergraduate degree program covering the dynamics of work, employment, and the management of human resources, with concentrations available in Human Resource Management, Labor Relations, and Labor and Employment Law.
• Minor in Leadership of Organizations Undergraduate minor open to students across the university covering leadership theory and organizational behavior foundations.
• Master of Human Resources & Labor Relations (MHRLR) Master's degree designed to prepare HR professionals and labor relations specialists through advanced coursework and applied learning.
• Doctoral Program in Human Resources and Labor Relations PhD program developing researchers and scholars in human resources, labor relations, and employment policy.
• Certified Human Resources Specialist (CHRS) Foundational professional certification for HR practitioners covering core HR functional knowledge.
• Certified Workers' Compensation Professional (CWCP) Professional certification focused on workers' compensation program design and administration.
• Certified Labor Relations Professional (CLRP) Professional certification covering collective bargaining, grievance procedures, and labor law fundamentals.
• Certified Labor Relations Leader (CLRL) Advanced professional certification for senior labor relations leaders and strategists.
• Certified Family Medical Leave Specialist (CFMLS) Specialist certification focused on federal and state family and medical leave compliance and administration.
• CHRO Leadership Academy Premium executive education program for current and aspiring Chief Human Resources Officers, delivered in a cohort format at $25,000 with partnership with the National Academy of Human Resources.
• Microlearning Modules Short-form, on-demand learning modules covering targeted HR and labor topics for working professionals.
• Customized Professional Development Programs Tailored training programs designed and delivered to corporate clients on HR and labor topics.
• Union Skills Certificate Programs Certificate offerings that equip union members and stewards with practical workplace representation skills.
• Training for Union Leaders and Activists Education and skill-building programs delivered to union leaders and activists, including public sector labor topics.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95-100% student placement rate in summer internships and full-time careers at or before graduation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - School of Labor and Employment RelationscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025Collaborative partnership on the National Survey of Hotel Housekeepers, the first national survey examining guest room attendants' work and algorithmic management experiences. Co-led by Prof. Hye Jin Rho at MSU and Prof. Christine Riordan at UIUC, with collaboration from Columbia University.
• Labor Movement OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLabor Education Programs have been working with the labor movement since 1956, providing training, consulting services, and research that help build effective unions and workplaces. Services include steward training, collective bargaining education, and diversity programming.
• Asahi KaseiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPast partner for customized professional development training programs. Organization received training on various HR and labor relations topics.
• ChevronminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPast partner for customized professional development training programs.
• Lansing Board of Water and LightminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPast partner for customized professional development training programs for municipal utility workforce.
• LERN Center for ExcellenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPast partner for labor relations professional development and certification programs.
• Martin MariettaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPast partner for advanced labor relations and negotiations strategies training programs.
• Michigan Judicial InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPast partner for customized professional development programs for court system personnel.
• Panama Canal AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPast partner for customized professional development programs for international organization workforce.
• University of MichiganminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPast partner for customized professional development programs for university workforce.
• MSU College of Social SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school is part of the College of Social Science at Michigan State University. Receives support through College of Social Science Small Grants Program for faculty research initiatives.
• Michigan Department of Labor and Economic OpportunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on workplace mental health initiatives including LEADS program and Building Respectful and Inclusive Organizations training series. Faculty contribute expertise to state-wide employer education programs.
• National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine - Board on Human-Systems IntegrationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Tara Behrend nominated as incoming Chair for BOHSI, which brings together experts to improve understanding of how people and organizational systems interact with technology.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management): SHRM is the dominant HR professional association that sets the curriculum standards (SHRM-aligned) referenced throughout MSU HRLR's programs. It competes indirectly via its own SHRM-CP/SCP certifications and learning offerings.
• WorldatWork: WorldatWork offers widely recognized compensation, benefits, and total rewards certifications (CCP, GRP) that compete with the school's CHRS/CWCP/CLRP stack. It is an adjacent credentialing ecosystem rather than a degree peer.
• HR Certification Institute (HRCI): HRCI is a leading HR credentialing body offering PHR, SPHR, and aPHR certifications. It competes with the school's CHRS and other professional certifications for working professional learners seeking HR credentials.

Broad incumbents

• Stanford Graduate School of Business: Stanford GSB and its executive education programs target the same CHRO and senior HR executive buyers as the school's CHRO Leadership Academy, with broader brand recognition and significantly higher price points.
• MIT Sloan School of Management: MIT Sloan offers MBA-level management education that overlaps with HR leadership content and competes for the same senior executive learners as the $25K CHRO Leadership Academy, but as part of a broader management portfolio.

Direct peers

• Penn State School of Labor and Employment Relations: Penn State LER is one of the leading HR/labor relations schools and the partner in MSU's annual case competition. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and competes head-to-head with MSU HRLR for SHRM-aligned curriculum recognition and recruiter attention.
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Labor & Employment Relations: UIUC LER is a direct peer and existing research partner on the National Survey of Hotel Housekeepers. It offers comparable HR/LR degrees and competes for faculty talent, research grants, and recognition as a top program.
• University of Minnesota Industrial Relations Center: UMN's Industrial Relations Center offers HR/labor relations education and research with a strong workforce focus. It competes for students, executive education clients, and grant funding in the HR/LR domain.
• Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations: Rutgers SMLR is another top-tier HR/labor relations program offering undergraduate and graduate degrees and custom training. It competes with MSU HRLR for graduate applicants, research funding, and corporate training clients in the Northeast.
• Cornell University ILR School: Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations is the most direct academic peer, offering undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs in HR, labor relations, and employment policy. Both schools compete for the same global pool of HR/LR students and faculty talent.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/msushrlr
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCFSV3ml4hTqzOcy8yUTbo8A
• Facebookfacebook.com/hrlr.msu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/school-of-human-resources-&-labor-relations-shrlr-at-michigan-state-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/msuhrlr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Michigan State University School of Human Resources and Labor Relations