A 15-month hybrid master’s from Cornell for experienced HR professionals ready to expand their strategic and executive influence.

Designed for HR professionals with 8+ years of experience, EMHRM combines Cornell ILR’s world-class research with the real-world challenges facing today’s organizations. Continue your career while developing the knowledge, leadership capabilities, and strategic perspective to influence business decisions, lead workforce transformation, and shape human capital strategy.

Apply by December 15 for Early Consideration.*

*Students can anticipate tuition to be $58,000, net of any scholarships or fellowships.

Check your eligibility

Take Your HR Career From Expertise to Strategic Leadership

You know HR. Now build the capabilities to influence the business at the highest level.

The EMHRM is designed for experienced HR professionals who are ready to broaden their impact, from leading HR functions to helping shape organizational strategy.

Through a flexible combination of online learning and three immersive Cornell campus sessions, you’ll develop the skills to connect human capital strategy to organizational goals, navigate complex workplace challenges, and lead with greater influence.

EMHRM is designed for HR professionals who want to:

  • Influence enterprise strategy and business decisions
  • Develop and execute human capital strategy
  • Lead organizations through workforce transformation
  • Strengthen executive presence and leadership impact
  • Apply data, research, and business strategy to HR decisions
  • Build a network of experienced HR leaders

Built for Experienced HR Leaders

15-Month Hybrid Format
Continue your career while completing a flexible online master’s program with three immersive sessions on Cornell’s Ithaca campus.

8+ Years of HR Experience
Learn alongside accomplished HR professionals and executives who bring years of experience leading people, organizations, and transformation.

Cornell Faculty
Learn from Cornell University faculty whose research and teaching span human resources, work, employment, labor, and organizational leadership.

Executive Peer Network
Build relationships with experienced HR professionals and senior leaders from diverse industries and organizations.

Learn From the World’s Leading HR Faculty

Cornell ILR faculty are respected worldwide as thought leaders in human resources, work, labor, and employment. Their research informs public policy and organizational practice, while their expertise helps leaders understand the forces reshaping workplaces and the future of work.

At EMHRM, you’ll connect that research to the challenges you face as an HR leader and develop frameworks you can put to work immediately.

Learn From Leaders Who Have Been Where You Want to Go

EMHRM connects you with senior HR practitioners who bring firsthand experience leading organizations and navigating complex workforce challenges. Chief human resource officers and senior HR executives engage with EMHRM students as guest lecturers and executive advisors, sharing perspectives on leadership, strategy, and emerging issues in HR.

You’ll gain access to people who understand what it takes to move from HR expertise to enterprise-level influence.

Put Your Learning to Work

EMHRM is built around real challenges facing HR leaders today.

Business Strategy for HR Leaders
Develop the business perspective to connect HR priorities to organizational strategy and outcomes.

Strategic HR Management
Explore how human capital strategy can support organizational performance and long-term growth.

Strategic Talent Analytics
Use data and analytics to make stronger talent decisions and demonstrate the value of HR initiatives.

Managing and Developing Talent
Develop approaches for building talent, strengthening leadership, and preparing organizations for the future.

Negotiation and Influence
Build the skills to navigate complex relationships, influence stakeholders, and lead through competing priorities.

Organizational Behavior and Change
Understand how people and organizations respond to change and how leaders can help make transformation successful.

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The Case Project

Apply What You Learn to a Challenge That Matters

A critical component of EMHRM is the case project, where you apply the knowledge and skills developed throughout the program to a real challenge facing your organization.

The case project has four phases, each with its own deliverable:

Phase 1 – Identifying the Business Challenge
Phase 2 – Expanding the Business Case and Identifying HR Challenges
Phase 3 – Developing an HR Intervention and Change Plan
Phase 4 – Final Report and Presentation

The result is an opportunity to connect your graduate experience directly to the work you are already doing.

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EMHRM by the Numbers

25-30

Average Cohort Size

15

Months

3

On-Campus Sessions

8-20+

Years of Work Experience

265k

Cornell Alumni Network

Hear from EMHRM graduates

“The shared learning experience of your cohort and the network you build is the secret sauce of this program. Access to faculty and industry experts is incredible. It’s a great choice for working professionals to level up their careers.”
–
Nick Glenn
,
Head of Employee Partnership, AEA Enterprise Partners, AEA Investors
Nick Glenn, EMHRM '23
“The experience I gained allowed me to develop a strategic vision and deliver on the results for the various functions I have led since, which has opened doors for me and helped me establish my own brand within the organization. What I valued most were the insights gained from conversations with professors and industry experts on-site. The time spent on campus was invaluable for networking, participating in simulations and receiving guidance on our capstone projects.”
–
Meg Kulkarni
,
Director, Strategic Talent Enablement, Kennametal
Portrait of Meg Kulkarni, EMHRM ’22
“I’m honored that I was able to complete the program and call myself a graduate of the ILR School and the EMHRM program, in particular. After graduating, I believe I stepped up and contributed at a higher level, and my leadership recognized that with a promotion.

I have nothing but praise for Cornell, the ILR School and EMHRM.”

–
Drew Duncan
,
Global Human Resources Director, Biogen
Portrait of Drew Duncan

Check your eligibility for the EMHRM program

Ready to Take the Next Step?

See how your professional experience aligns with EMHRM and take the first step toward determining whether this program is right for you.

How did you hear about the ILR School EMHRM Program?

Program Schedule

May 2026 - August 2027

Summer 2026
May 8, 12:00 - 1:00pm - Online Kickoff Event
May 18 - July 24 - Online coursework
July 18 - July 24 - Residential Session I

Fall 2026
August 9 - November 24 - Online coursework and capstone work
November 25 - November 29 - Thanksgiving Break
November 30 - December 14 - Online coursework 

Spring 2027
January 4 - March 7 - Online coursework and capstone work
March 13 - March 19 - Residential Session II
March 20 - March 26 - Capstone work
March 27 - April 4 - Spring Break
April 5 - May 15 - Online coursework and capstone work

Summer 2027
May 31 - July 11 - Online coursework and capstone work
July 17 - July 23 - Residential Session III
July 24 - Commencement ceremony

 

Courses

  • Agile Project Management Approaches
  • Business Strategy for HR Leaders
  • Coaching Skills for Leaders
  • Diversity and Cross-Cultural Teams
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in Practice for HR
  • Executive Compensation Essentials
  • Global and Comparative Employment Relations
  • HR Leadership
  • HR Strategy Finance & Accounting Principles
  • Human Resource Leadership
  • Labor Relations Strategy and High-Performance Work Systems
  • Managing and Developing Talent
  • Managing and Leading Hybrid Teams
  • Navigating Power Relationships
  • Negotiation Skills
  • Negotiations
  • Organizational Behavior: Managing Change
  • Results Through Talent Management
  • Strategic Decision Making
  • Strategic Engagement
  • Strategic HR Management
  • Strategic Talent Analytics
  • Total Rewards Compensation
  • Using Design Thinking in HR
  • Valuing HR Initiatives
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