Masters Degree in Human Resources Online

Masters Degree in Human Resources Online - Earning a Master's degree in Human Resources online can be a convenient and cost-effective way to advance your career. Whether you have a busy family life or work full-time, there are flexible options available to help you obtain your degree.

Online programs offer the opportunity to work at your own pace from the comfort of your own home. If you are pursuing a Master's degree in Human Resources, you likely have a Bachelor's degree in the same field or a related area. You may already be working in HR or looking to make a career change.

To be successful in Human Resources, it's important to enjoy working with people and have excellent communication skills. As a beginning to mid-level HR employee, you may have a range of responsibilities, including recruiting and training new employees, researching compensation trends, and mediating workplace disputes.

If you are pursuing a Master's degree in Human Resources, you may be looking to move into a management or supervisory position. These positions come with added responsibilities, such as overseeing the HR department or team, designing and implementing training programs, and acquiring global talent.

Graduate-level HR programs are designed with these new job duties in mind. Online programs offer a curriculum that covers advanced topics and prepares you for the demands of HR management roles. Whether you're looking to advance your current career or start a new one, an online Master's degree in Human Resources can help you reach your goals.

Human Resource Development (M.S.)

Human Resource Development (HRD) is a field of study and practice focused on developing and improving human capital in organizations. An M.S. degree in HRD typically provides students with a solid understanding of the principles and theories of HRD, as well as practical skills for designing, implementing, and evaluating training and development programs.

Some of the core topics that are typically covered in an M.S. in HRD program include:

• Organizational Development: Understanding how organizations function, and how to diagnose problems and implement solutions to improve their effectiveness.
• Learning and Development: Designing and delivering effective training and development programs that meet the needs of both individuals and organizations.
• Talent Management: Developing strategies for attracting, retaining, and developing talent, including recruitment, selection, and performance management.
• Leadership and Management: Developing the skills and knowledge needed to lead and manage people effectively, including team building, conflict resolution, and communication.
• Human Performance Improvement: Applying a systematic approach to improving individual and organizational performance, including performance analysis, intervention design, and evaluation.

Graduates of an M.S. in HRD program can pursue a variety of careers in human resources, organizational development, training and development, and other related fields. Some common job titles include HR manager, training and development specialist, organizational development consultant, and talent management specialist.

Careers

Professionals in human resource development play a crucial role in helping organizations achieve success and productivity by providing training and education in various areas such as technical skills, supervisory skills, motivation, diversification, and orientation. These specialists are responsible for conducting, planning, and managing human resource development activities, including education and training programs.

Graduates in human resource development can find employment in various roles related to training and development, organization development, career development, performance management systems, union/labor relations, work-life initiatives, and other general human resources functions. These positions require individuals to be skilled in managing and delivering training programs, developing career paths for employees, managing performance evaluation systems, and maintaining healthy relationships with labor unions. Overall, human resource development specialists are essential in helping organizations thrive in today's fast-paced and ever-changing business environment.

Accreditation

Accreditation is an important consideration for those pursuing a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Human Resource Development (HRD). Accreditation provides assurance that the HRD program meets recognized quality standards and is operating in a manner consistent with ethical and professional standards.

The main accrediting body for HRD programs is the Association for Talent Development (ATD), which offers a Certification Institute (CI) accreditation for HRD programs. This accreditation process evaluates HRD programs based on a set of industry-standard criteria, including program design, curriculum, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes. Programs that receive CI accreditation demonstrate a commitment to excellence in HRD education and are recognized as meeting the highest quality standards in the field.

In addition to ATD's CI accreditation, HRD programs may also be accredited by regional or national accrediting bodies such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). These accrediting bodies evaluate HRD programs based on their educational quality, resources, and outcomes, among other criteria.

Attending an accredited HRD program can have several benefits. Accreditation ensures that the program meets recognized quality standards and prepares students for success in the field. Accreditation may also be required for professional certifications or licensure in some states or industries. Graduates of accredited HRD programs may have access to better job opportunities, higher salaries, and more career advancement opportunities than those who attend non-accredited programs.

In summary, accreditation is an important consideration when choosing an HRD program. Prospective students should research accreditation options, including ATD's CI accreditation and regional or national accreditation, to ensure they are attending a program that meets recognized quality standards and prepares them for success in the field.

Online Human Resources Curriculum & Courses

As you embark on your master's degree in human resources, you will find that the core classes you take are more advanced than those at the undergraduate level. These courses are designed to provide you with in-depth knowledge of various aspects of human resources. Some of the core classes you can expect to take in a master's program include:

1. Human Resources Management: This advanced course focuses on the role and responsibilities of human resources managers.
2. Strategic Recruitment and Selection: This class delves into designing effective recruitment plans that align with industry trends.
3. Managing Human Resources Enterprises: This course teaches leadership skills and how to lead by example.
4. Legality and Ethics of Human Resources: This class covers employment laws, OSHA regulations, and other legal aspects of human resources.
5. Organizational Research: This class provides techniques for gathering information and conducting research to keep your organization competitive.
6. Global Management: This course focuses on management strategies and challenges around the world.
7. Contemporary Issues in Leadership: This class addresses common management problems and helps students develop strategies to solve them.
8. Marketing Management: While not directly related to HR, this class can provide valuable knowledge of marketing.
9. Principles of Forensic Accounting: This class covers forensic accounting techniques.
10. Management Capstone: This final course or exam usually involves conducting an original research project on a topic approved by your advisor and presenting it to a panel of HR professionals.

While some elective courses may vary, these are among the most commonly taken core classes in human resources master's programs.

Human Resources Concentrations and Specialties

When pursuing a human resources master's degree, you may have the option to specialize in a specific concentration to enhance your skills and knowledge in a particular area. Here are some of the most common concentrations:

• Project Management: This concentration focuses on teaching you how to manage teams and projects, from small to large-scale. It equips you with skills to meet deadlines, stay within budget, handle paperwork, and communicate with stakeholders. Graduates of this concentration can pursue careers as senior project managers, program managers, operations directors, HR managers, or technology managers.
• Human Resources Management: This concentration focuses on developing your skills to manage and lead a team of HR professionals. It covers topics like employment law, compensation, benefits, and employee relations. Graduates of this concentration can pursue careers as HR managers, directors, or team leaders.
• Labor and Collective Bargaining: This concentration focuses on preparing you for a career as an employee and labor relations specialist or employee compensation director. It emphasizes the role of the HR department in negotiating fair salaries, benefits, and other forms of compensation.
• HR Leadership and Ethics: This concentration provides you with comprehensive training in ethical and legal considerations that impact the HR department and the workplace. It covers topics like developing an organization's code of ethics, creating company policies, and complying with federal, state, and local laws.
• Recruiting and Staffing: This concentration focuses on effective recruitment and interview techniques, advertising strategies for open positions, and global talent recruitment. Graduates of this concentration can pursue careers as PR specialists, HR specialists, HR coordinators, or recruitment coordinators.

By specializing in one of these concentrations, you can develop the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue specialized careers and upper-management positions in the field of human resources.

Is a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Worth It?

Yes, For many professionals, obtaining a master's degree in human resources is a worthwhile investment. The HR management field, which encompasses many human resources careers, is expected to grow by 9% over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Human resources careers can include job analysis specialists, employee and labor relations specialists, training and development managers, human resources managers, and compensation and benefits managers.

If you're looking to advance your human resources career, a master's degree in the field may be the key. With a master's degree, you can become eligible for certifications and licenses that were previously unavailable to you. This could open up a wider range of careers within the profession, and higher positions typically come with higher pay.

Therefore, for many students, pursuing a master's degree in human resources is a worthwhile investment.

What Is the Best Master’s Degree for Human Resources?

There are several excellent master's degree programs for Human Resources (HR) professionals, each with its own unique focus and benefits. The best master's degree program for HR depends on your career goals and interests. Here are some of the top options:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in HR: An MBA program with an HR concentration provides a broad business education while also focusing on HR-specific topics such as compensation and benefits, employee relations, and talent management. This degree is ideal for HR professionals who want to take on more leadership roles in their organizations.
• Master of Human Resources Management (MHRM): This degree program offers a more focused and specialized curriculum in HR, covering topics such as labor relations, organizational behavior, and HR analytics. It is ideal for those who want to specialize in HR and become experts in the field.
• Master of Industrial and Labor Relations (MILR): This degree program is focused on labor relations and is ideal for HR professionals interested in working in labor unions, collective bargaining, and other related fields.
• Master of Science (MS) in HR Analytics: This program focuses on data analysis and statistics as applied to HR. It is ideal for HR professionals who want to specialize in HR analytics and use data to make strategic HR decisions.

Ultimately, the best master's degree program for HR depends on your career goals and interests. It's important to research and consider different programs to find the one that aligns best with your career aspirations.

How Much Can You Make with a Masters in Human Resources?

Earning a master's degree in human resources can lead to higher-level positions, such as manager or director, which typically offer good compensation. Individuals who reach the highest levels of the field, such as chief or vice president of human resources, can potentially earn over $100,000 annually (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Since almost every business requires a reliable human resources department, regardless of the services, products, or goods it provides, organizations are often willing to invest significantly in retaining top human resources talent.

What Can I Do with a Master’s in Human Resources?

With a Master's degree in Human Resources, you can pursue a wide range of career paths in various industries. Here are some of the most popular careers you can pursue with a Master's in Human Resources:

1. Human Resources Manager: HR managers oversee the entire HR department and manage the recruiting, hiring, and training of new employees.
2. Compensation and Benefits Manager: This role involves managing the organization's compensation and benefits programs, including salaries, bonuses, and benefits packages.
3. Labor Relations Manager: Labor relations managers handle employee-employer relations, negotiate labor contracts, and resolve disputes.
4. Training and Development Manager: In this role, you'll develop and implement training programs for employees to improve their skills and job performance.
5. HR Consultant: HR consultants provide strategic guidance and advice to organizations on various HR-related matters such as compensation, employee engagement, and legal compliance.
6. Talent Acquisition Manager: This role involves overseeing the recruiting and hiring process to ensure the organization attracts top talent.
7. HR Analyst: HR analysts collect and analyze data to identify trends and patterns in employee behavior and recommend strategies to improve employee engagement and retention.
8. Diversity and Inclusion Manager: This role involves promoting diversity and inclusion within the organization and developing strategies to improve the hiring and retention of underrepresented groups.

These are just a few examples of the many careers available to those with a Master's in Human Resources. With this degree, you'll have a strong foundation in the field and be prepared to take on leadership roles in the HR profession.

How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online Master’s in Human Resources?

The time it takes to earn an online Master's in Human Resources degree can vary depending on several factors, including the program's structure, the student's pace, and any prior education or work experience they may have. Generally, completing an online Master's in Human Resources program can take anywhere from 18 months to three years of full-time study.

Some online programs may offer accelerated options, allowing students to complete the program in as little as one year, while others may offer part-time options, which can take longer to complete. Additionally, some programs may offer flexibility in terms of course scheduling, allowing students to take courses at their own pace.

It's also worth noting that some online Master's in Human Resources programs may have prerequisites or require students to complete certain courses before beginning the program, which can add additional time to the overall completion time.

How Much Does an Online Master’s in HR Cost?

The cost of a master's degree in human resources varies between schools, but on average, tuition fees amount to around $400 per credit hour. This is generally lower than the cost of other master's programs.

Earning a master's degree in human resources typically requires an additional 36 to 54 credit hours beyond a bachelor's degree. Therefore, the total tuition cost for a master's degree in human resources can range between $14,400 and $21,600, which is still comparatively lower than other programs.

What Is the Difference between a Masters vs. MBA in Human Resources?

A Master's in Human Resources and an MBA in Human Resources are both graduate-level degrees that can lead to careers in HR management, but there are some key differences between the two.

A Master's in Human Resources is typically a more focused program that delves deeper into the specific areas of human resources, such as talent management, compensation and benefits, and labor relations. It is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the theory and practice of HR, and prepares them for roles such as HR manager, benefits specialist, or training and development manager.

On the other hand, an MBA in Human Resources is a broader program that covers a range of business topics beyond HR, such as accounting, finance, marketing, and operations. It is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how businesses operate, and prepares them for roles such as HR director, chief human resources officer, or general manager.

Overall, a Master's in Human Resources may be a better fit for individuals who are specifically interested in HR and want to develop expertise in this field, while an MBA in Human Resources may be a better fit for individuals who want a broader education in business and are interested in leadership roles that require a strong understanding of HR.