Frequently Asked Questions

This program is for part-time students. Our average time to degree is 2 years.

Students who take two courses a term can expect to complete the degree within 18 months. 

Students who take one course each full term will finish in three years (75% finish in three).

We offer a condensed winter term for those who want to speed up their progress.

Need to take a term off? It's fine. While you want to maintain momentum, you technically have five years to complete the degree.

Work experience in human resources is not required prior to being accepted into the program.  However, most students have between 2 to 5 years of experience, and some have much more.

We also have new graduates and professionals who are transitioning into the field. 

If you have no experience in HR, you should consider completing an internship or finding HR work experience as you progress through the program to become more marketable.

Yes! Most of our students are working professionals pursuing degrees while continuing to work full-time. Our flexible asynchronous online course format enables you to balance your work and family commitments.

All of our courses take place within Brightspace, our online learning platform. The course format is asynchronous, meaning that the interaction doesn't happen in real time (like in a Zoom meeting). Instead, you have the flexibility to choose the times that work best for your schedule to complete your coursework.

Our courses run for 10-weeks (except for the 3-week Winter Session). Each week covers a different unit and typically starts on Monday and ends on Sunday. During the course of the week, you will engage with the course material, participate in threaded discussions with your professor and classmates and hand in any assignments. 

All your professors will be available to help if you run into problems while taking their class. In addition, the SPD staff is here to support you throughout your program. And if you have a technical issue, SBU's Division of Information Technology (DoIt) can provide solutions.

No, you do not need to have a particular degree in business or human resources to be accepted into the program. Our courses will expose you to the essential business concepts you need to know to succeed as an HR business partner.

No. We don’t believe that one’s ability to do well on a standardized test is a good predictor of success in the program – or on the job. 

You’ll need to submit a personal statement and a resume to let us know why you think this program helps you achieve your personal and professional goals. You will also need to arrange to have your official undergraduate transcript sent to us showing you have earned a bachelor's degree. You will need to ask at least two people to submit letters of recommendation. 

Recommendations can come from a variety of sources, such as a current or past supervisor or someone who is currently working in the field. These would be appropriate people to ask if you cannot contact a professor. 

You can transfer a maximum of 12 graduate credits toward an SPD master's degree.  All requests must be reviewed and approved by the faculty director. More information about transfer credit policies can be found in the Graduate Catalog

SBU’s program costs are the second-lowest among public research universities in the Northeast. *

Tuition is determined by your residency status. As of Fall 2025, the costs are as follows:

• Part-time New York State residents pay $1,875 for a three-credit course, or $18,750 for the complete 10-course program).
• Out-of-state Online students pay $2,088 for a three-credit course, or $22,881 for the complete 10-course program. (See if you're eligible for this rate.)

The costs do not include the cost of learning materials and the tuition and fees are subject to change by the State University of New York without notice.

View Cost & Aid Details

*Source: SBU Office of Student Financial Services and IPEDs  

Our students finance their degrees through loans (federal and private),  awards, scholarships, employer reimbursement programs, student employment, veteran’s programs, and time-option payment plans offered through the University.

While the program does not offer scholarships, the Financial Aid website explains which options are available and their staff of experts can help you identify which options would work best for you. 

We've collected some useful financial links for part-time graduate students at the website below.

View Cost & Aid Details

Stony Brook University has an award-winning Career Center that supports students and alumni through their job search journey.  They love to keep in touch with alumni as well as students currently enrolled in a program.

Approach each course as an opportunity to network by making yourself known to your professor and connect with your fellow classmates.

If you aren't already a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, take advantage of the student discount to join. SHRM has a wide range of online resources for job-seekers and each regional chapter offers networking events. 

Yes. By being enrolled in an HR master's degree, you meet the eligibility requirements to prepare for your SHRM credential. 

If you already hold a SHRM credential, you must earn 60 professional development credits (PDCs) within the 3-year recertification cycle.

As an accredited university, courses taken for college credit are eligible for PDCs.  One credit hour = 15 PDCs, so our 3-credit graduate courses carry 45 PDCs each.

Please note that if the course is graded, you must earn a grade of C or better to receive recertification credit.  

SHRM Credentialing Resources:

• Certification
• Recertification