Apply for the Professional MHR

We are delighted you are interested in our program. The application steps and requirements are listed below. Please reach out to our office with any additional questions you might have

Application Deadlines

dec

January Start Date

Apply by December 1st to start in January

apr

May Start Date

Apply by April 1st to start in May

aug

August Start Date

Apply by August 1st to start in August

Start Application

Application Process

Meet the Application Requirements

Self-check to make sure you meet the minimum application requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree
3.25 or higher GPA on your last 60 semester (or 90 quarter) credits

Complete Online Application

Applicants should complete the online application at https://gradschool.usu.edu/apply/. A non‐refundable $55 application fee is paid to the School of Graduate Studies Office. The payment is submitted online at the conclusion of your application.

Letters of Recommendation

MHR applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation. The names and email addresses of the recommenders are entered directly into the application. Once the application is submitted, the School of Graduate Studies will notify your recommenders and ask them to fill out a recommendation survey. Recommendation letters will not be reviewed unless they are submitted this way.

Additional Guidelines

Your recommenders must submit their letters of recommendation through the online application, which will be sent to their email.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that letters of recommendations are received. This process is managed through the online application system.
If you have graduated within the last 2 years, at least 2 of the letters must come from faculty who are familiar with you and can make an authoritative assessment of your recent academic progress and success.
- Recommendations will not be accepted from family members or religious leaders

Prepare Transcripts

Applicants are required to submit official transcripts for each college or university attended.

Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree (or its equivalent) from an accredited college or university.
Please have the transcripts sent to the USU School of Graduate Studies Office:
- Email: graduateschool@usu.edu
- Mailing Address: School of Graduate Studies, 0900 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322‐0900
Applicants who have graduated from USU do not need to submit a transcript.

Build or Update Your Résumé

Applicants are required to submit a professional résumé. The résumé is submitted as a supplemental item after the application has been submitted.

Additional Guidelines

Include employment history and educational accomplishments.
Highlight Human Resources, managerial and leadership experience.
Meet professional business résumé standards.

Draft a Statement of Purpose

In one or two paragraphs, describe why you would be a good candidate for the Utah State MHR program and how the MHR program will help you achieve your career goals. The essay is submitted as a supplemental item after the application has been submitted.

Cognitive Ability Assessment

A cognitive ability assessment will be required in lieu of a traditional entrance exam (i.e MAT, GRE, GMAT). In addition to measuring cognitive ability, this assessment predicts how quickly and thoroughly a student can understand instructions, learn new material and handle the mental demands of school. Cognitive ability is widely accepted as being the single best predictor of academic success.

Information regarding completing the cognitive ability assessment will be sent to you from the program once your application is submitted.

The cognitive ability assessment can be waived if the applicant meets one of the following qualifications:

1. Applicants who are currently working in an HR area (Recruiting, Total Rewards, HR Business Partner, Learning and Development, etc.) and have a minimum of 3 years of exempt-level HR experience at a Sr. Manager level or above, or have a minimum of 5 years pertinent, exempt-level business experience, are eligible to have the entrance exam waived. Pertinent experience includes hiring, training, large staff leadership, compensation, career development, or performance evaluation or annual reviews.

2. Human Resource, military, and professional certifications such as a CPA, RN, OTS, OCS, IT programming language certifications, PHR, SPHR, CCP, SCP, or similar certifications are considered suitable replacements for the entrance exam.

3. Applicants who have previously completed a Master’s

Obtain English Language Proficiency (International Applicants)

International applicants who have not obtained a university degree in an English‐speaking country are required to take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Test System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic).

English Language Scores (only one required)
- TOEFL: 213 Computer / 79 Internet
- IELTS: 6.0 (and a minimum score of 5 on each subscale)
- PTE: Academic score of 53
For more details on the English language proficiency requirement, please visit the USU School of Graduate Studies.

Complete an Interview

When you have compeleted your application, the MHR staff will contact you by email to set up an interview.

Prep Courses (Once Admitted)

In order to enhance the probability of student success in the Huntsman MHR program, all candidates must demonstrate proficiency in the four topics below. Once admitted into the program, students will need to take the MyEducator course if they did not pass an equivalent course during their undergrad with a C- or higher. Links for those courses are below.

No‐cost Challenge Exam Links:
- Accounting
- Excel
- Finance
- Marketing
If a student fails to pass the challenge exam in a given topic, they will then need to take the MyEducator course. Links for those courses are below.
- Accounting
- Excel
- Finance
- Marketing
MyEducator Information:
- Each course includes material, exercises, and assessments.
- Courses are available online, on-demand, and are a cost-effective option.
- The MHR program requires that you pass the Post Test of each course with a score of 80% or higher. You are welcome to skip right to the final assessments, but you will only have three opportunities to take each assessment.
- You will have lifetime access to each course, the material, and the assessments for a one-time fee of $69.99 per course.
- For any technical difficulties that you may experience, please contact MyEducator (support@myeducator.com).
Prep courses must be completed before a student begins the MHR courses.

Application FAQ

How Do I Check My Application Status?

Applicants can check their application status after the application is submitted and the $55 fee is paid. It usually takes two to four business days for the School of Graduate Studies to process an application online before it is sent to the MHR office for review.

How Do I Send My Transcripts?

An official transcript must be ordered from each previously attended college and/or university (except USU) and must be sent directly from each institution to USU's School of Graduate Studies (0900 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-0900). Transcripts must be submitted for all courses above the high school level and for all prior degrees.

Transcripts accumulated on one record are not acceptable. Transcripts submitted as application credentials become the property of the School of Graduate Studies and will not be returned to the applicant.

How Do I Pay The $55 Application Fee?

After the application is completed, you'll go to a secure page where you are required to pay the $55 application fee. You can pay with a VISA, MasterCard, or Discover card. Your application will not be submitted until this fee is paid.

If your question was not answered, please contact us at huntsman.mhr@usu.edu.