OHRM Minor

The Organizations and Human Resource Management (OHRM) minor is ideal for students who want to take leadership or people-focused roles in any type of organization. Whether your future is at a global firm, a nonprofit, a government agency or a start-up, this minor prepares you with the foundational theories and real-world practices necessary for organizational success. A wide menu of classes from ILR’s Human Resource Studies and Organizational Behavior departments will help prepare students in guiding, leading and empowering people and organizations into the future.

The OHRM minor is open to all Cornell undergraduate students, including ILR students. More information, including an interest form, will be available here starting in fall 2026.

Foundation Course

ILRHR 2600 Managing Talent - 3 credits (Fall only)

Elective Courses

Students must completed at least 12 credits hours from courses with an ILRHR or ILROB prefix. Non-ILR students may also enroll in ILRID 1700 and count it towards the minor. Students can view currently active ILRHR and ILROB courses in the catalog.

Note: Students do not have to enroll in the ILROB/ILRHR prefix of a cross-listed course for it to count towards the minor (Ex. ILROB 2220 is cross-listed with SOC 2220. Students will receive credit towards the minor for either ILROB 2220 or SOC 2220).

• All classes must be taken for a letter grade.
• A maximum of 3 credits may double count with other major or minor requirements. To avoid double counting, ILR students must use 12 of their general elective credits, rather than those electives needed to complete the ILR major.
• Up to 3 credits of pre-matriculation transfer coursework may be applied to the minor, provided the course is deemed equivalent to an existing ILRHR or ILROB course at Cornell. Pre-matriculation transfer coursework will be evaluated in accordance with the transfer credit policy.
• The following will not be accepted towards the minor:
  • Transfer credit completed after entering Cornell
  • Study abroad coursework*
• ILR credit internship, ILR honors’ thesis, directed studies and independent study credits related to the minor are encouraged but cannot count toward the 15 credits required to complete the minor.
• Students cannot petition for any exceptions to these requirements. 

*When repeat credit policy prevents enrollment in ILRHR 2600 at Cornell, a study abroad course approved as equivalent may be used to satisfy the foundation requirement, but the credits will not count toward the total credits for the minor. Students in this situation are not required to take ILRHR 2600 at Cornell but must still complete 15 credits of coursework with an ILRHR or ILROB prefix, excluding the study abroad course.

• Gain an understanding of foundational theories in organizational behavior and human resources
• Learn important principles for motivating employees, shaping workplace decisions, navigating conflict and managing group dynamics
• Recognize how leadership behaviors and HR practices impact business outcomes
• Be able to identify best-in-class people management practices, such as recruitment, selection, performance management, training and development, total rewards and supporting equity and inclusion efforts
• Know how to analyze quantitative and qualitative data to identify and design effective leadership practices and HR interventions

Staff Advising

ILR students should meet with an OSS/Registrar advisor for questions about eligibility, requirements, course counting, or their timeline for completing the minor. Non-ILR students may email ilr_oss@cornell.edu with questions.

Faculty Advising

Students can connect with the ILRHR and ILROB department chairs to consider how the minor connects to their studies and future endeavors. Rebecca Kehoe (ILRHR) may be reached at kehoe@cornell.edu and Vanessa Bohns (ILROB) can be reached at vkb28@cornell.edu.

Career Exploration

Students interested in HR/Human Capital Careers can subscribe and follow: Human Resources and Human Capital Career Path