Successful applicants must provide the following application materials:
Contact our Graduate Admissions & Onboarding Coordinator for any admissions-related questions: ilrgradapplicant@cornell.edu.
1. Bachelor's Degree
You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, or an equivalent international degree. (See Cornell's list of International Degree Equivalencies)
2. Resume
Include work history and experience, skills and areas of expertise, personal achievements, and any information that is pertinent to your application.
3. Transcripts
Please submit unofficial transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended. If you are admitted into the program you will be required to submit official transcripts to the Cornell University Graduate School.
4. Letters of Recommendation
Submit two professional letters of recommendation. One must be from a direct supervisor who supports your enrollment, knows your abilities, can speak to your potential for advancement in HR, and confirms that you can obtain access and resources to complete your case project.
5. Academic Statement of Purpose
Please use the Academic Statement of Purpose to describe, within 1000 words: (1) your academic interests, (2) your academic background, preparation, and training, including any relevant professional experiences, (3) your reasons for pursuing graduate studies in this specific program, and (4) your professional goals.
6. Statement of Project
If admitted, you will be required to develop and implement an HR project in your organization. Describe the project you might implement, the likelihood of support for the project, and how you will gain support from your current management team to complete it.
We suggest that the case you develop for your project accomplishes the following:
- Is tied to a specific business issue or problem that your organization is facing.
- Has implications for the workforce and an HR function for which you can develop an HR intervention.
- Has sponsor(s) within the organization that can help you access the resources and leaders required for analysis and delivery of the case project.
It is critical that the case focuses on a strategic business challenge facing your organization. In that regard, HR's role in the case should be clearly linked to business issues. Please make sure that you define the core problem from a business--not solely an HR--perspective. Examples might include growth, globalization, innovation, total quality, tapping new markets, etc. (not simply how to address issues in the HR function alone).
7. Application Fee
Submit a non-refundable application fee of $105 with your application.
8. Online Video Interview
After submitting your application you will receive an email with detailed instructions on how to record your online video at your convenience.
9. TOEFL or IELTS Scores
Required for all international students, unless you meet the criteria for an exception.
Note: Standardized test scores (GRE, GMAT, etc.) are NOT required for admission to this program.
You may submit your online application with only Statement of Purpose; Statement of Project; Resume; Unofficial Transcripts; and Application Fee. You will be able to upload the remaining required materials to your application through your ApplyWeb account anytime prior to the application deadline.