Edited By Julian Palacio
Review & Contribution By Sophia Martinez
Transform your HR expertise with an Online Master’s in Human Resources Degree Program. Advance your career remotely, mastering strategic management and fostering organizational excellence from anywhere.
Human Resources takes a strategic approach toward employees’ growth, support, and advancement and ensures they work in a positive environment. Due to the increasing demand for human resource professionals today, graduate programs in the field are provided by many institutions. The master’s in human resources online aims to provide students with the knowledge and practical application in human resource management, ensuring that the most capable and efficient employees are selected and retained in today’s changing business environment. Those who graduated from the online master’s in human resources program can be employed in the various fields of employment services, government, manufacturing, healthcare, social assistance, professional, technical, and scientific services, employment services, and more.
Table Of Contents
Featured Online Programs
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Southern New Hampshire University
PROGRAM: MS Human Resource Management
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 3,000 on campus students, over 170,000 online students, making it one of the fastest growing universities in the nation. Founded in 1932, we’ve been relentlessly reinventing higher education ever since and have gained national recognition for our dedication to helping students transform their lives and the lives of those around them.
We’re proud to provide affordable, accessible education that students can pursue on our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH, or via our innovative online platform.
SNHU has earned the GetEducated.com Best Buy and Best of Business – Best Online Degree awards and is consistently ranked as a top Military Friendly® School by G.I Jobs®.
www.findbestdegrees.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
National University
PROGRAM: Master of Business Administration – Human Resource Management
National University, headquartered in San Diego, California, was founded in 1971 to provide educational opportunities for adult learners and working professionals. It offers over 190 degree programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, with flexible online and on-campus courses. Serving around 40,000 students and over 240,000 alumni, the university is recognized for its support of U.S. military members. Accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), National University is committed to accessible and transformative higher education.
Find the Best Online Master’s in Human Resources Programs
Students need to evaluate many factors, such as accreditation, quality of faculty, courses, concentration and resources, laboratory facilities, and much more, to make an informed choice about colleges. A good graduate education makes a difference in professional and academic career choices. FBD teams have evaluated different institutions and human resources programs from all over the U.S. Using a unique ranking approach, they have prepared a list of colleges offering the best master’s in human resources online degrees.
| Univ | Address | Tuition | Grad Rate |
| Liberty University | 1971 University Blvd, Lynchburg, Virginia 24515 | $7,740 | 66% |
Universities and programs are ranked by various factors, such as affordability, curriculum and coursework, reputation and availability, program length, statistics, the potential of employment, and return on investment for the students. For a more in-depth analysis, please read about our rankings methodology page.
What to Expect from an Online Master’s in Human Resources Degree Program
An online master’s in human resources provides students with unique knowledge of human resources and its practical applications, ensuring they are prepared for advanced roles in the domain, allowing them to further their education and explore new career opportunities. The program ranges from an average of 27-48 credit hours and that can be taken up in online, offline, and hybrid modes of education. Most institutions provide professional internship experiences in the local areas and encourage other professional development activities like networking events, professional internships, and more. Graduate education in human resources is designed for those seeking a career that deals with policy, organizational behavior, compensation employment law, and change management. Graduates can get promising careers in different industries, from multinational corporations to non-profit organizations.
Curriculum and Coursework
The master’s human resources online program focuses on a theoretical and practical human resources approach. Most degrees are individualized to the students and orient them toward careers in human resources. Candidates with no human resources background should finish prerequisite courses to enroll in the program.
The coursework allows HR professional to increase their understanding of human resource services, human capital management, and delivery in public, non-profit, and profit organizations. The curriculum also integrates communication, contemporary issues, and interpersonal relations relevant to various HR professions.
The program includes advanced-level courses in human resources and related subjects, some of which include performance management, leadership, statistics, and more. Specific courses offered can differ from school to school. However, some of the standard courses students can find across different curricula include:
Compensation and Benefits
This course helps students learn about exceptional offers developed to gain and retain the most talented employees. It allows them to relate components like industry norms, local competition, the standard of living, federal and local laws, compensation fairness, and more to providing different kinds of compensation and benefits. They understand the monetary and non-monetary returns paid to employees for the work they complete.
Workplace Ethics
This course enhances the understanding of work ethics, which represent a set of ethical behaviors and attitudes regulating employees’ behavior at work. Some schools teach this topic through ethics dilemma discussions, wherein individuals can practically work through various ethical dilemmas.
Labor Management Relations
In this course, students explore various labor topics, such as labor welfare, management, and more. They also explore conceptual, practical, and theoretical challenges concerning labor, organization, and work dynamics and functioning.
Labor Law and Procedure
The course helps to explore how different labor laws work in the organization and their importance in helping employees at the workplace. This course aims to help students learn about the usage of laws in organizations and their practical implications. It also imparts a basic understanding of the labor law system in the United States.
Organizational Leadership
This course leads students to explore leaders’ roles in running departments, organizations, and divisions. They understand leadership skills like team building, ethics, communication, and other complex skills like human resource knowledge and data analysis.
Some of the other standard courses students can find across institutions are
- Staffing
- Interpersonal Relations
- Training
- Dispute Resolution for Managers
- Performance Management and Development
- Leading Teams
- Organizations and Human Capital
- Human Resource Development
- Strategic business planning for HR
- Diversity and inclusion
- Managerial communication skills
- Integrative HR Capstone
Most schools require students to complete an internship or capstone course. The capstone course could include work on research projects focusing on different challenges of human resources domains. To understand graduate education requirements, read the guide to master’s programs.
Learning Outcomes and Skills Gained
The online human resource master’s program emphasizes advanced practical skills and theory in human resources, training graduates for leadership, management, and other roles and increasing their earning potential. It also introduces the students to positions in different industries by encouraging them to participate in professional development activities, including networking events, to help expand their professional connections.
The graduate program in human resources provides individuals with the necessary skills to work in both the public and private sectors. These skills could include the ability of a graduate to
- demonstrate good communication and capability to interact with different individuals and groups;
- assess relevant characteristics of individuals during the hiring and selection process;
- demonstrate understanding of content and task analysis techniques;
- design and implement performance and training support programs for individuals or groups of employees;
- manage different projects and programs leading to human resource development;
- plan, implement, and develop different techniques to enhance the performance of an organization;
- examine different dynamics of education, development, and training of employees within organizations;
- demonstrate professional human resource knowledge and its practical applications, ensuring employees’ adjustment in an ever-changing workplace environment.
- demonstrate understanding of employment laws, including procedures and regulations, to ensure fair and ethical treatment of employees across the organizations.
Types of Master’s Degrees Human Resources Students Can Obtain
The online human resources master’s program is an excellent opportunity for those who want to advance their careers and seek further education in human resources. Through this program, students experience a high-quality education in a learning environment promoting teamwork and critical and analytic thinking. Some types of master’s degrees in human resources that students can take up include a Master of Arts in Human Resources, a Master of Science in Human Resources, a Master of Human Resource Management, and a professional master in human resource management.
Master of Arts in Human Resources
The Master of Arts or MA in human resources is a two-year full-time graduate degree suitable for employment in banking and finance institutions, corporate houses in public and private sectors, and other organizations. It helps students deal with different challenges with management wherein employees work and get specific skills to work with human resources.
Master of Science in Human Resources
The Master of Science or M.Sc. in Human Resources is designed to prepare individuals to advance their careers in human resources. It can provide students with the skills and competencies to meet the challenges of today’s digital environment and help organizations develop their valuable human assets.
Master of Human Resource Management
This program takes a coherent and strategic approach to efficiently managing employees in an organization, helping them gain a competitive advantage over others. Most of these programs aim to help professionals with a few years of work experience get advanced roles.
Areas of Specialization for Human Resources Students
When taking up specializations, students focus on a specific aspect of a subject. The fields available in human resources programs are usually related to jobs, skills, products, or tasks. Individuals greatly benefit from taking up such specializations, making learning more efficient. Some of the fields available for master’s degree in human resources online applicants are:
| Area of Specialization | Description | Career Options |
|---|---|---|
| Organizational Management | This concentration helps students understand the roles and responsibilities of different employees within an organization. They also learn about making optimum use of workplace resources through meticulous planning. | Various roles as payroll executive, organizational development specialist, management information system, and more. |
| Labor Relations | In this specialization, students examine labor and employee relations. The topics could involve analyzing challenges in work situations and understanding ways to resolve them. | Various roles as employee relations partner, employee engagement role, head of human resources, labor relations specialist, human resource generalist, and more. |
| Talent Acquisition | This concentration involves learning to monitor the phase before onboarding and handling steps after recruitment and hiring have ended. It involves understanding various elements to find talent and recruit the right people. | Various roles as a talent acquisition manager, onboarding analyst, and more. |
| Recruitment | In this specialization, students learn about competitive hiring, employee retention, recruitment strategies, and minimizing risks while hiring the right people for the right roles. Some schools also explore different recruitment strategies to help students understand elements of competition, the organization’s attractiveness, labor laws, etc. | Various roles as a recruiter at different organizational hiring levels. |
| Compensation and Benefits | Through this concentration, students develop an understanding of compensation philosophies that enhance skills, including technical knowledge, communication, data analysis, decision-making, legal policies, and more. | Roles as a Compensation and benefits manager at different levels. |
Full-Time and Part-Time Programs
Most online human resources masters take about two years to complete if a student finishes their course in the full-time mode of learning. If they opt for a master’s in part-time mode, they will take longer to finish their curriculum- it could take them more than two years to complete it at the least. The duration to complete the program would also depend on the electives chosen and the number of credits completed in a particular semester. The area of concentration and synchronous and asynchronous modes of learning affect the duration of the program. Here is a summary of how long it would take for students to complete the program:
- Time to complete a part-time online human resource: more than two years
- Time to complete a full-time master’s in human resources: two years or less
Accelerated Human Resources Programs
Accelerated programs help fast-track the degree and complete the curriculum in a shorter duration than the one stipulated in a traditional degree. Through fast-tracking of degrees, students can graduate soon and start their careers sooner. They will also be able to save money on tuition fees and other costs like accommodation, resources, and more. Some find it hectic to complete their program in an accelerated manner. The entry requirement for accelerated programs differs from university to university. Some programs offer accelerated online masters in human resources across the United States, including the University of South Carolina[1] and the University of Houston[2].
Requirements for Getting into an Online Master’s in Human Resources Program
Admission requirements for master’s in human resources programs vary among colleges. Some may request academic writing samples, volunteering or supervised internship experiences, and other criteria. Although specific requirements may differ, fundamental prerequisites such as transcripts and bachelor’s degrees are generally consistent nationwide in the United States. Some of the common admission requirements for master’s in human resources online are mentioned below:
- Application form with the required fee
- All previous academic transcripts
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Grade point average of 3.0 or more (some institutions accept a lower score)
- Statement of purpose highlighting the reason for applying to the program
- 2-3 reference letters, out of which at least one should be an academic reference
- ACT and SAT (optional in some colleges)
- Resume
- Graduate record examination or GRE scores (sometimes waived off by the colleges)
No GRE Online Master’s in Human Resources Programs
A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score is commonly required for admission into master’s programs across the United States. However, numerous universities waive this requirement, particularly for students with a high undergraduate GPA. Certain accelerated master’s programs do not require a GRE admission score. Some colleges offering online human resources master’s degrees include Northeastern Illinois University[3] and the New York University School[4] of Professional Studies
How to Ensure an Online Master’s in Human Resources Program Is Accredited
Accreditation is a quality assessment process that helps regulate the quality of education, student resources, infrastructure, etc., institutions provide. Each specific program or degree could have its own programmatic and institutional accreditation. For human resources programs, there is generally no specific programmatic accreditation.
To understand if the master’s in human resources online program they are interested in is accredited, students could check if it follows the Council for Higher Education Accreditation guidelines [5]. They could also check if the institute they want to study the program from is listed under the Database of Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, which the U.S. Department of Education[6] regulates.
Along with national accreditations, some regional bodies provide accreditation to institutions and programs. Some of these are mentioned below:
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
To understand more about accreditation, read the Guide to College Accreditation.
Where to Find Free Online Courses for Human Resources Master’s Students
Many free human resources courses are available online. Students can explore the different domains of human resources and their practical implications in the field. They can also evaluate the needs and challenges professionals face in this domain. Some such free courses are:
| Course | Provided by | Description |
|---|---|---|
Human Resource Management: HR for People Managers Specialization[7] | Coursera | This course helps students understand alternative approaches to managing various human resources, appreciate the factors of diversity that motivate employees, and avoid critical mistakes in human resource management. |
Interviewing Techniques[8] | This course helps students understand that successful hiring requires interviewing and finding the proper techniques to attract the best talents to organizations. The study also highlights practical strategies for conducting and planning job interviews. | |
Certification Prep: Professional in Human Resources[9] | This intermediate-level course distinguishes individuals from others in the field. Completing it and passing the subsequent PHR exam demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of technical and operational aspects of human resources. |
Ways to Pay for an Online Master’s in Human Resources Degree
While pursuing a degree, students would be burdened by the program’s cost. The average tuition price for a master’s in human resource degree could range around $35,000 in the United States. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the various options to pay for college. Many different kinds of Financial Aid are available. Financial aid can be in grants, scholarships, or federal or private loans. Some of these financial aid options are mentioned below for prospective online human resources master’s applicants:
Federal Direct Loans
These are low-interest loans for which students pursuing their master’s degree can apply. Applicants will not need to prove any financial need for such loans. They can pay the interest on these loans since the disbursement of the loans.
Federal Work-Study
This is an option for students to work part-time while still in school. Both full-time and part-time graduates can avail of it. It is also managed by colleges that are part of the program of Federal Work Study.
Grants
They are monetary awards that are given to students to be able to pay for their cost of education. Unlike scholarships, students receive grants based on different requirements.
Private Student Loans
Private student loans, offered by financial institutions and banks, provide funding for education. They typically carry higher interest rates compared to federal loans. Students may seek assistance from donors and grants to alleviate loan repayment burdens. Exploring various options can help manage educational expenses effectively.
This financial aid could be merit-based or need-based. It could come from different sources like colleges and universities, non-profit organizations, community groups, etc. Students do not have to pay back the money received for the aid.
FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is an application that applicants and their parents fill out to determine what type of federal aid the student will qualify for. This includes information like investments, income, savings, and more.
Scholarships for Online Master’s in Human Resources Degree Students
Many scholarships are available to students pursuing an online master’s in human resources scholarships. They can avail of these scholarships to fulfill their academic obligations without being burdened by the program’s cost. Generally, funding is provided on a merit-based basis; however, some scholarships are also given on a need basis. Some of these scholarships include:
| Scholarship | Description | Award/Amount | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
CXR Foundation Scholarship[10] | CXR Foundation awards one scholarship to a resident of the U.S. who is in some form working in the talent industry in roles like human resources, talent acquisition, talent management, corporate recruiting, and more. This profession should attend or be willing to participate in an accredited U.S. school. | $10,000 | Varies |
Jim Roberts Scholarship Fund[11] | The Jim Roberts Scholarship, offered by HRACC, awards Connecticut-resident students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in HR-related fields. Named after HRACC’s former Executive Director, applicants must demonstrate a commitment to HR. Recipients are selected based on established criteria, ensuring fair and impartial selection. | $2,000 | Varies |
Career Opportunities and Salaries After Graduating from an Online Master’s in Human Resources Program
The human resources field is highly diverse, with employees playing a pivotal role in creating and sustaining successful organizations. As an integral component of any company, human resources necessitates skilled professionals possessing the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Companies actively seek talented individuals capable of fulfilling these responsibilities effectively. Some of the domains where a graduate of an online master’s in human resources can find employment as a human resource manager or specialist include:
- IT Recruitment
- Corporate Houses
- Financial Institutions
- Training and Management
- Startups
- Banking
- Government Sectors
- Strategic Decisions
- Job Consultancies
- Public Sector Units
Some of the specific job roles that students can expect to be employed in include:
| Occupation | Skills Required | Median Annual Salary | Job Growth (up to 2031) | Job Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Resource Information System Manager[12] | Communication skills, decision-making skills, detail-oriented, interpersonal skills, proficiency in HRIS software and hardware management. | $136,000 | No Data Available | The Human Resource Information System Manager oversees implementing and maintaining HRIS software and hardware to meet changing business needs. They train end users, manage database files, and develop custom reports to support company management and staff, ensuring efficient information management and compliance with HR policies. |
| Compensation and Benefits Managers[13] | Analytical skills, communication skills, business skills, decision-making skills, leadership skills | $131,280 | 2% (as fast as average) | The compensation and benefits manager oversees the distribution of benefits, pays information to the organization’s employees and ensures that these benefits comply with current state and federal regulations. They can also be required to prepare a program budget and operate within the boundaries of that budget. |
| Human Resources Managers[14] | Communication skills, decision-making skills, leadership skills, organizational skills, and interpersonal skills | $130,000 | 5% (faster than average) | Human resource managers attract, motivate, and retain qualified employees and analyze the best job that suits them. They accomplish this goal by directing different human resource departments’ administrative functions, overseeing employee relations, and administering employee-related services like training, benefits, and payroll. |
| Training and Development Managers[15] | Business skills, collaboration skills, communication skills, critical thinking skills, decision-making skills, instructional skills, and leadership skills | $120,000 | 6% (faster than average) | Training and development managers develop and implement training programs, create and manage the training budget, and align their training with the organization’s goals. They also teach different training methods to the specialists and evaluate the effectiveness of such training programs and instructors. |
| Human Resources Director[16] | Analytical skills, communication skills, detail-oriented, leadership skills | $180,947 | No Data Available | The Human Resources Director directs all HR functions, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and compliance with employment laws. They oversee talent acquisition, compensation, training, and employee relations to engage the workforce positively. With expertise in federal and state laws, they provide strategic HR solutions to meet evolving organizational needs and objectives. |
Certifications and Licensing for Online Master’s in Human Resources Graduates
Certifications in the field of human resources demonstrate their understanding of rules and regulations, experiences and competency in the area, and credibility as a professional. To help students who graduated with human resources master’s degrees online understand what they can expect by getting certified, here are some basic certifications readily available.
The certification helps candidates develop broader skills, including lean management, business administration, organizational design, and understanding different HR operation models. They can complete this certification self-paced and develop skills to help them make decisions for the entire organization ad drive an efficient HR strategy.
Senior Professional in Human Resources[18]
This certification helps candidates gain a strategic and policy-making background, understand various principles of department goals, execute and plan business strategies and techniques, and understand the organization’s overall HR needs. They also become skilled in leadership and design, talent planning and acquisition, learning and development, and employee relations and engagement.
SHRM Certified Professional[19]
The Society for Human Resources Management offers this competency-based HR certification program that understands an individual’s core knowledge and competency in HR. It helps them analyze their career goals through the course and exam to focus on leadership and organizational strategy success.
Certified Human Resources Professional[20]
The CHRP credential demonstrates a good knowledge of human resources, workplace readiness, and commitment to the career. The coursework consists of nine subject areas, and at the end of the coursework, candidates need to take the certification exam to assess their knowledge of HR.
Professional licensures mean any permit, certificate, registration, qualification, temporary license, etc., that qualifies a person to practice as a licensed individual professionally. Human resource professionals can obtain licensure to start working in different roles.
Additional Resources for Online Master’s in Human Resources Graduates
Those pursuing a master’s degree in human resources online can look up additional resources that can help them stay updated with the information in the field of human resources. Joining organizations in this domain can help graduates access legitimate resources. Some of these organizations include:
HR.com
HR.com is a leading online platform offering comprehensive resources, tools, and networking opportunities for HR professionals worldwide. With a vast library of articles, webinars, certifications, and community forums, HR.com facilitates continuous learning, collaboration, and career advancement in the dynamic field of human resources, serving as a valuable industry hub.
HR Morning
HR Morning is a trusted online resource that provides daily insights, news, and best practices for HR professionals. Focusing on practical guidance and industry updates, HR Morning offers articles, webinars, and tools to help HR practitioners stay informed and effectively navigate the evolving landscape of human resources management.
North East HR Association (NEHRA)
The North East HR Association, NEHRA, is a premier professional organization dedicated to advancing human resources practices in the Northeastern United States. Focusing on networking, education, and advocacy, NEHRA provides valuable resources and support to HR professionals and fosters excellence in the field.
Human Capital Institute
HCI, part of Simplify Compliance, is a leading resource for HR professionals dedicated to driving business success through strategic human capital practices. Founded in 2004, HCI believes aligning HR strategy with business goals accelerates organizational success. They empower HR professionals with the skills and mindset to achieve this alignment effectively.
FAQs About Online Master’s in Human Resources Programs
Why should you do a master’s in human resources degree online?
A master of human resources degree online allows you to complete the program’s requirements in a flexible manner from any geographic location. It provides the same outcomes as a traditional human resource program and costs less than an on-campus degree.
What can you do with a master’s in human resources online degree?
Is an online master’s in human resource degree worth it?
How long does it take to complete an online master’s in human resources?
Do you need professional experience to apply to a Human Resource program?
Is it necessary to complete a thesis in graduate human resources degree?
Citations:
Northeastern Illinois University
Council for Higher Education Accreditation
Human Resource Management: HR for People Managers Specialization- Coursera
Interviewing Techniques -Linkedin
Certification Prep: Professional in Human Resources- LinkedIn
Salary.com- Human Resource Information System Manager
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook for Compensation and Benefits Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook for Human Resources Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook for Training and Development Managers
Salary.com- Human Resources Director
Disclaimer:
The average tuition (based on degree type for in-state students), average graduation rates, and rankings are based on data from various sources, including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), and are variable over time. All rankings and statistics are subject to change. The rankings are solely the opinion of Find Best Degrees (FBD) and are based on our proprietary methodology. They do not represent the views of the institutions or organizations mentioned, nor do they represent any official government census or survey. Furthermore, any views or opinions expressed on this page are of FBD’s researchers and teams. Unless otherwise specified, they do not represent the thoughts and opinions of the individuals, institutions, or organizations mentioned. This page’s content is provided solely for informational purposes, with data drawn from various sources, including IPEDS. FBD and its employees make no guarantees regarding the accuracy or completeness of any information found on this page or by following any link. FBD will not be held liable for any errors or omissions in this material nor any losses, injuries, or damages resulting from the exposure or use of this information. Although the information on this page is/was correct at the time of publication, readers should exercise caution because some or all of the provided information may have changed over time, potentially resulting in inaccuracies. For more information, please read our Terms of Service. Trademarks and logos are the property of their registered owners.