Online Human Resource Masters Degree Programs

People with online human resource masters degrees are the managers of personnel in the workplace. Human Resources managers come from human resource management and business backgrounds.

Organizations of all sizes acknowledge the role of dedicated personnel who select, recruit, train, and cater to the needs of employees. Human resource management personnel oversee hiring, training, payroll, disciplinary procedures, and employee recruitment. Human resource management masters programs combine MBA programs courses with specialized human resource management in areas like mediation, planning, recruitment and labor relations. Graduates of human resource management MBA programs are able to integrate HR strategies into organizations strategic plans. But aside from managing people and making sure that benefits are distributed and performing other clerical functions, they are increasingly called upon to help top executives choose the right people for certain jobs. Their understanding of the people under them can help a company succeed.

Search for Online Masters in Human Resources Programs

Find Universities with Human Resource Management Masters Degrees in your area

Selected Online Human Resource Masters Degree Programs

University of Phoenix

• M.B.A. - Human Resource Management
• Master of Mgmt/HR Mgmt

University of Liverpool

• Master of Science in Global Human Resource Management

Capella University

• MBA - Human Resource Management
• MS - General Human Resource Management
• MS - Industrial and Labor Relations

Walden University

• M.B.A. in Human Resources
• M.S. in Leadership - Human Resources Leadership
• M.S. in Management - Human Resource Management

American InterContinental University and American InterContinental University Online

• MBA - Human Resource Management

Strayer University - Campus and Strayer University Online

• MBA: Human Resource Management
• MSHRM: Human Resource and Organizational Development
• MSHRM: Human Resource Generalist

DeVry University

• Master's-Human Resource Management

Grand Canyon University

• M.B.A.: Strategic Human Resource Management

Northcentral University - Graduate

• Human Resources Management - MBA

Kaplan University

• MBA/Human Resources
• MS in Management/Human Resources

Colorado Technical University Online

• Master of Business Administration - Human Resource Management

Human Resources Management Education and Training

The masters degree in human resources is often studied by people who work in large companies, or who want to advance in the field. Associate's and bachelor's degrees are also available in the field, and are often sufficient for people working at smaller companies or those who do not desire advancement. Especially when combined with a certification, the masters degree offers wide employment opportunities.

While studying for masters degree in human resources, students will take courses in employee management, recruitment and training, as well as behavioral science classes and courses on employment laws and perhaps economics. Classes geared towards passing the certificate exam may be taken at the same time, or at a later date. These human resource masters degree courses focus on communication and negotiation skills.

Degrees in human resources are widely available online, and a bachelors degree is sufficient for entry into the field. This means that one of the ways that the human resource masters degree can make economic sense is to take a job after completing your bachelors, and then work on your masters online or at night. Some employers will even help fund this continuing education.

Beyond masters human resource management programs, HR certification allows students to put letters by their name, and shows potential employers their knowledge in the field. The requirements for experience in the field are less for students with advanced degrees-- one year of experience is required to take the PHR with a masters degree, as opposed to two years with a bachelors degree.

Human Resources Management Careers

People who work in HR may have many different titles and specific functions, but their major responsibilities might include working with company leaders and employees to make the company function at its best. Some titles that HR specialists may have include human resources specialists, payroll specialist, benefits manager or corporate recruiter. More advanced degrees are always desirable, but especially for some of these positions.

Because of their function, human resource specialists are always in demand. The job is relatively recession-proof, and people with experience in the field can expect to find work without trouble. Part of this is accounted for by the fact that HR specialists are not confined to one industry-- their experience translates fairly easily to almost any type of company.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

Most people working in HR make between $45,000 and $90,000 a year. But this includes those without masters degrees and even those without bachelors degrees. The average for those with masters degrees is just over $53,000. Management jobs pay much more, though, and a manager with an advanced degree can expect to make an average of $83,000 a year.

Jobs for those with human resource masters degrees are widely available. There is a projected growth in the field of 22% over the next eight years. Advanced degrees in the field allow access to higher-paying jobs, and are likely to be well worth the initial expense.