The Master of Human Resources and Employment Law (MHREL) is a SHRM-aligned, specialized HR master’s degree offered fully online or on campus for professionals in human resources, recruitment and operations fields.
Next start date: May 18, 2026
Total credit hours: 30
Duration: 1+ years
Delivery: part-time or full-time; on-campus or online
The Master of Human Resources and Employment Law (MHREL) is a specialized master’s degree for HR professionals at Arizona State University's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. This HR master’s degree caters to professionals in human resources, recruitment and operations fields who want legal expertise and skills without a traditional JD. Offered online or in person with flexible full-time and part-time pathways, this degree program helps non-lawyers better understand the legal and regulatory structure that governs the work they do. HR practitioners learn how to manage the complex employment law and regulatory structure that applies when working with employees. Students in the program can find and analyze the legal issues facing human resources professionals daily in order to offer solutions.
Not requiring an entrance exam allows for a lower barrier to entry, so you can get the education you want, the way you want it. Our FastApp process fast-tracks your application and only takes 10 minutes. A traditional LSAT exam is not required, and the program features world-renowned faculty and innovative courses to hone your skills. ASU Law also offers concurrent degrees with W.P. Carey School of Business (six programs), Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications, and the School of Sustainability.
The Master of Human Resources and Employment Law (MHREL) degree develops graduates who identify and analyze legal issues in order to solve critical human resources problems facing organizations. Human resources and employment management has historically emerged from a business administration curriculum. However, a significant aspect of any human resources job involves employment law, and organizations have come to recognize the importance of legally-trained professionals that can navigate the local, state and federal laws that regulate labor markets. This degree focuses on the legal aspects of human resource management and employment. Students who graduate will demonstrate an understanding of U.S. law, legal structures and legal reasoning when making informed decisions regarding complex human resource problems.
Law school isn’t just for lawyers anymore. Here at ASU Law, our MHREL program offers graduate level education, with unique opportunities to advance your career. We have graduates in nearly every career field imaginable, in all walks of industry.
This program is fully aligned with SHRM Guidelines - The Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM). a premier HR professional organization with 300,000+ members nationwide and globally, has recognized ASU Law as the first law school that is fully aligned with the SHRM Curriculum Guidelines. This alignment provides students enrolled with an emphasis in HR and Employment Law the opportunity to apply for the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) exam. Achieving this certification is an important distinction that many employers recognize in hiring and promoting HR and employment law professionals.
Current and future students who complete this degree may be eligible for the SHRM certification exams. Students who already have SHRM certification will receive Continuing Education credit for the courses they have completed or will complete.
Explore how professional certifications can help advance your career.
The MHREL is a unique masters degree for law professionals that focuses specifically on employment and administrative law applications in business settings. This graduate program builds valuable skills in legal analysis, regulatory compliance and policy interpretation, empowering you to make informed, ethical decisions at work.
At ASU Law, the MHREL also aligns with respected professional certifications like CCB, HCCA, SCCE and SHRM, giving graduates a competitive edge in the HR field. Ultimately, the MHREL equips you to navigate complex regulations, mitigate risk and lead with confidence in an increasingly regulated world.
There are several key differences between a legal master's and traditional Juris Doctor:
ASU Law is a highly ranked and respected public law school dedicated to educating the next generation of legal professionals. In honor of its namesake, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, public service is at its core, and is committed to advancing justice in the communities it serves. Learning from some of the nation’s foremost scholars and innovative legal instructors, ASU Law graduates are educated to become skilled and compassionate advocates and difference-makers.
– U.S. News and World Report, 2026
– Center for World University Rankings, 2024
Small class sizes and accessible faculty enhance classroom discussions and encourage the sharing of diverse perspectives.
Whether through public interest and service or engagement in the clinical program, ASU Law offers real-world opportunities that empower students to develop specialized legal skills and become leaders in their industries.
In addition to the completion of the seven (7) required core courses, students in the Master of Human Resources and Employment Law program can select from varied elective courses (at least nine credits) that will count toward their degree. These courses focus on employment-law-adjacent subject areas like privacy rights, dispute resolution, and contracts.
Students are also able to choose elective courses that present an opportunity to explore other legal areas that may interest them or be pertinent to their chosen career path. The degree culminates in a three-credit capstone course that focuses on the practical application of knowledge and skills gained during the degree. During the capstone course, students will evaluate the impact of various statutory and regulatory laws that affect the day-to-day operations of a human resources professional, learn how to successfully navigate the challenges these laws present, and manage relationships with varying employee groups at all organizational levels.
Earn a master’s degree from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law on your own time from anywhere in the world. Gain access to the same highly-credentialed faculty and coursework you would gain in person, but tailored to you and your needs. Online students have support from student services and a world-class digital education program to lean on to ensure success in and out of the classroom.
"During my time at ASU, I had many amazing professors who taught me how to continuously improve professionally and personally. By emphasizing the importance of thinking creatively and asking questions, professors helped us develop new skills that will be important when solving complex problems in the future. In addition, they emphasized the importance of perseverance by reminding students not to become discouraged when they reach topics they struggle to understand."
"Because I work full-time in a field directly related to this degree program, I can say with confidence that the education I received in this program has expanded the scope of my knowledge, skills and abilities within my field. I can use this degree to qualify for promotion within my current career track and to be a more competitive candidate if I choose to apply for other positions in my field. Most importantly, this degree has helped me feel more confident and capable in myself as a person and professional."
Master of Human Resources and Employment Law (MHREL) graduates go on to start their own companies or move up in their existing careers. In every case, knowledge of the legal field enhances their professional life and shapes their way of thinking.
Career Services at ASU Law can help students identify goals, find employment opportunities and help students pursue their passions. The Career Services team offers hands-on interview preparation, resume reviews and the guidance job seekers need as they enter the workforce. That resource is available to students the moment they start their ASU Law journey and lasts long after graduation.
Professor Jennifer Ward teaches U.S. Law and Legal Analysis and the MHREL Capstone, which she designed and created. She joined ASU Law following a fifteen year career in legal practice, with a primary focus on employment law. During her time in practice, Professor Ward trained thousands of HR professionals, employees and managers on all aspects of employment law and HR management, including harassment prevention, best practices in performance management, and employee benefit administration.
In addition to maintaining her license to practice law in Arizona, Professor Ward holds both the SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications. She was selected by the graduating class of 2023 as MLS/MHREL Faculty Member of the Year.
Generally speaking, most jurisdictions require a three-year Juris Doctor (JD) degree and passage of a state bar exam for eligibility to practice law in the United States. Graduates of the MHREL will be well-equipped to navigate the legal issues in their chosen career fields, but will not be eligible to practice law.
There have been MHREL graduates who decided they wanted to practice law and went on to pursue a JD degree. Unfortunately, there are many requirements in place to gain entry into a JD program that are different from the requirements to get into our master’s programs – e.g., LSAT scores, ABA restrictions, etc. For these reasons, MHREL credits will not be accepted for transfer if and when you decide to pursue a Juris Doctor program. If you wish to discuss both options, please contact us at [email protected].
Credits earned through a MHREL program cannot be transferred to a Juris Doctor (JD) program. Only JD credits can be transferred to a JD program.
Online master’s students should refer to the ASU Academic Calendar for their official start dates. Once you are registered, you can also view the start and end dates of your classes under My Classes in MyASU.
On-campus master’s students should refer to the ASU Law Academic Calendar for their official start dates. ASU Law’s fall semester schedule does not align with the ASU Academic Calendar. Once you are registered, you can also view the start and end dates of your classes under My Classes in MyASU.
Online master’s students should refer to the ASU Academic Calendar for registration dates. On-campus students should refer to the ASU Law Academic Calendar. The academic advising team will contact students when the class schedule and registration dates become available.
Students may pursue another degree or certificate program concurrently with the MHREL. The College of Law allows students to share up to six credit hours towards another degree program. Interested students should speak with the College of Law’s director of academic advising, Annie Stone, for more information at [email protected].
All program modality changes must be approved by the College of Law. If approved, changes are granted on a one-time basis.
All program modality changes must be approved by the College of Law. If approved, changes are granted on a one-time basis.
You can explore full application details on the MHREL admissions page.
To be admitted to the MHREL program, an applicant must have both:
Selection will be based on a variety of factors, including academic background and potential, diversity of experience and background, career experience and ambitions, space and resource limitations in the law school, and any other factors.
International educated applicants must submit a Full Application, meet University and College English Proficiency requirements, and have their transcripts evaluated by an ASU-approved transcript evaluation service. Explore more information about how foreign-educated applicants can apply.
Graduate entrance exams are not required for admission.
The majority of applicants apply through the Fast App for its convenience and simplicity. The Full App is recommended for applicants who would like to provide a more comprehensive graduate application to the Admissions Committee. The Full App requires a personal statement, along with other materials. The personal statement is an opportunity for the applicant to highlight their professional and academic achievements, career goals, and address any challenges they have overcome. The choice between Fast App and Full App depends on how thoroughly you wish to represent your experiences and qualifications.
International educated applicants must submit a Full Application, meet University and College English Proficiency requirements, and have their transcripts evaluated by an ASU-approved transcript evaluation service. Explore more information about how foreign-educated applicants can apply.
Applicants may submit only one application per semester.
The statement written by you should be no longer than 1250 words on double-spaced, typed pages. Your statement should include information about your distinctive qualities, talents, successes, achievements, interests and life experiences as well as an explanation of your professional aspirations as they relate to the program.
Explore how to write a strong personal statement for law school.
A community college transcript is only required if the college awarded a bachelor's degree or if transfer credits are not reflected on the transcript from the institution that conferred the bachelor's degree.
An undergraduate transcript that includes the degree awarded and the conferral date is required for application review. If you are currently completing your degree, we can accept an in-progress transcript, but it must show the courses in which you are currently enrolled.
Yes, if applicable to you, please include all graduate transcripts where credit was earned.
Yes, if applicable to you, please include your JD transcripts where academic credit was earned.
Please request that your official transcripts be sent directly from your institution to [email protected]. Official transcripts must be sent by the institution – not by the student – or they will be considered unofficial. The transcript must include your degree information and graduation date.
You can request your official transcript to be mailed to Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at 111 E. Taylor Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004. Official transcripts must be sealed in the original envelope provided by the issuing institution.
We do not offer an application status checker. The general timeline for an applicant to receive an update from the college is 1-2 weeks. If your application falls over this period, you can email us at [email protected] for further information.
You will receive follow-up emails within 1-3 days of accepting your offer of admission. These emails will include the information you will need to register for classes and your academic advisor’s contact information.
Students may defer their admission to a future term, up to one year from their original start date. To begin the deferral process, please submit the deferral form.
The cost of this program can be found on the tuition and fees page. For more information about the program and tuition fees, please reach out to Eric Border at [email protected].