An MBA in human resources leads to various high-paying and rewarding careers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), HR managers earn a median salary of $126,230 per year, and pay rates for professionals with a graduate degree could be even higher.
Some professionals may be interested in an MBA in HR but cannot fit the graduate degree around their busy schedules. Fortunately, many schools offer an MBA in human resources online, allowing busy students to earn their degree while continuing to work. This resource explores the best online MBA in HR programs, potential career outcomes, and what to expect when completing your MBA in HR online.
Students are interested in the best online MBA in human resources programs. We’ve compared numerous factors, including tuition rates, prestige, and online flexibility, to determine the best MBA programs for human resources.
<a href="https://www.onlinemasterscolleges.com/mba-human-resources-online/">MBA Human Resources Online</a>
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College Name & Address | Tuition | Graduation Rate |
---|---|---|
#1 Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA | $21,960 | 71% |
#2 DeSales University Center Valley, PA | $20,520 | 69% |
#3 Montclair State University 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, New Jersey 07043 | $10,770 | 67% |
#4 Concordia University Wisconsin 12800 N Lake Shore Drive Mequon, WI 53097 | $11,052 | 64% |
#5 Johnson & Wales University 115 Cedar St. Providence, RI 02903 | $13,734 | 65% |
#6 Central Michigan University 106 Warriner Hall, Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48859 | $16,700 | 61% |
#7 California State University One University Circle Turlock, California 95382 | $7,176 | 59% |
#8 Webster University St. Louis, Missouri 63119 | $13,500 | 58% |
#9 Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL | $19,665 | 58% |
#10 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA 24515 | $7,980 | 47% |
#11 University of West Florida Pensacola, FL | $7,088 | 46% |
#12 Averett University Danville, VA | $36,851 | 42% |
#13 Southeastern Oklahoma State University 425 W. University Blvd., Durant, OK 74701-3347 | $4,716 | 35% |
#14 University of Houston-Downtown One Main StreetHouston, TX 7700 | $7,578 | 29% |
#15 Southern New Hampshire University 2500 North River Road, Manchester, New Hampshire 03106 | $18,810 | 44% |
Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available
Online education typically comes with lower tuition rates, and professionals can earn a high-quality online MBA from a regionally accredited institution. These are the most affordable online MBA in human resources programs.
<a href="https://www.onlinemasterscolleges.com/mba-human-resources-online/">MBA Human Resources Online</a>
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College Name & Address | Tuition | Graduation Rate |
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#1 Fitchburg State University 160 Pearl St, Fitchburg, Massachusetts 01420 | $3,186 | 58% |
#2 Fort Hays State University 600 Park St, Hays, Kansas 67601 | $3,582 | 43% |
#3 Columbia Southern University 21982 University Lane, Orange Beach, Alabama 36561 | $3,780 | 22% |
#4 Southeastern Oklahoma State University 425 W University Blvd, Durant, Oklahoma 74701 | $4,716 | 35% |
#5 Northwest Missouri State University 800 University Drive, Maryville, Missouri 64468 | $6,004 | 52% |
#6 Park University 8700 NW River Park Dr, Parkville, Missouri 64152 | $6,012 | 62% |
#7 Saint Leo University 33701 State Road 52, Saint Leo, Florida 33574 | $7,296 | 49% |
#8 Liberty University 1971 University Blvd, Lynchburg, Virginia 24515 | $7,980 | 47% |
#9 University of Houston 212 E. Cullen Building, Houston, Texas 77204 | $8,370 | 61% |
#10 Touro University Worldwide 10601 Calle Lee #179, Los Alamitos, California 90720 | $9,000 | 100% |
An online MBA in human resources combines business courses with advanced human resources topics. Current business professionals looking to advance their careers tend to benefit most from an HR MBA program.
Many online MBA in HR programs allow students to select a specialization, and others offer specialized degrees like an MBA in human capital management or strategic human resource management. Each specialization could lead to different career outcomes, so students can prepare themselves for future positions with their specialization.
Area of Focus | Description | Careers This Concentration Prepares For |
---|---|---|
Human Capital Management | Best for those who plan on focusing on managing employees over other HR tasks, human capital management introduces the rules and regulations associated with HR and applies them to managerial styles. Topics include recruiting, training, and development talent. Students also learn to communicate with employees. | General manager Human resources manager Human resources specialist |
People Management | A more niche field than human capital management, people management deals with all things people, from talent acquisition to retention. This specialization also dives into the recruitment process, including employer branding, benefits packages, and administration. Students in this specialization may find more high-level careers after graduating. | Human resources manager Human resources partnerHuman resources director Manager of people operations |
Strategic Human Resource Management | Strategic human resource management prepares students for executive careers. Unlike a normal HR program, this specialization focuses on the overall HR strategy. Professionals tend to work closely with business leaders to develop strategies for staffing, compensation, and employee relations. This program also emphasizes all-around business fundamentals. | Human resources business partner Talent Management Organizational training development and management |
Returning students looking for a graduate degree in human resources have several options, including an MBA or a master of social work (MSW). While both options lead to high-paying careers in human resources, the two have different program structures and outcomes.
Briefly introduce this section, then fill in the below to help readers understand the difference of pursuing an MBA in HR vs MSW in HR. Look into main differences, what type of person/profession might consider each, pros/cons, etc.
MBA in HR | MSW in HR |
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Includes foundational business courses Covers topics like HR planning, strategy, and management Prepares students for careers in business Professionals often find careers working with white-collar employees | Includes foundational courses in social sciences and research Covers the methods of social work, including working with groups Prepares students for careers in communities Professionals often find careers working with unions |
Every school sets its own requirements for admission, though most online MBA in HR programs set similar admissions requirements. Potential requirements for admission include:
All graduate-level programs, including an MBA in HR programs, require applicants to submit all previous college transcripts. Some schools also set GPA requirements.
Most online MBA in HR programs cater to current professionals, so schools require two or more years of professional experience. This guarantees the student’s readiness for the coursework.
The GMAT, a standardized test used specifically for MBA programs, helps schools evaluate applicants. A high score could also waive other admission requirements.
Colleges and universities often require applicants to submit 2-3 letters of recommendation, at least one of which must come from a current or former employer.
Personal Essay: Personal essays give the applicant a chance to explain why they want to enroll in an MBA in HR program. A strong essay could outweigh other admission factors.
Some schools, such as Southern New Hampshire University and Texas Woman’s University, do not require GMAT scores during admissions. Applying to online MBA in human resources with no GMAT programs saves applicants time and money by avoiding the standardized test. Here are few more universities that offer Online MBA Human Resources No GMAT programs:
Online MBA in human resources degrees combine general business courses with HR specialty curriculum. Specific courses vary by program and choosing a specialization could further alter curriculum expectations. However, most programs require courses similar to these.
The best online MBA in HR programs receive accreditation. Accreditation verifies the academic quality of a program and proves that the HR degree aptly prepares graduate students for a career in HR. When comparing online MBA in HR programs, look for programmatic accreditation by either the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs or the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Part-time online MBA in human resources learners might complete the program in 2-3 years, but some students prefer to accelerate their education. One-year online MBA programs allow students to complete a quick, intensive program in under 12 months, shortening the time until they advance their current career. Some one-year online MBA in HR programs to consider include the following.
Online MBA in human resources programs teach the same employable skills as their on-campus counterparts. All accredited online MBA programs should help students develop the following skills.
Human resources professionals perform an array of tasks across nearly all industries. So, states set no licensure requirements for HR professionals. However, professionals in specific fields may need to earn a license, though employers communicate these requirements before hiring HR workers.
While not required, HR professionals should still consider earning a certification. Professional certifications demonstrate that individuals mastered skills beyond what’s included in an MBA program. Potential certifications to consider include the Professional in Human Resources and the Society for Human Resource Management certifications.
MBA in human resources students find different ways to help pay for their degrees. Aside from scholarships, popular ways to cover some of your graduate school costs include grants, employer assistance, and fellowships.
Similar to scholarships, grants provide what is essentially free money to MBA students. Human resources students earn grants for different reasons, including financial need and academic excellence.
Some employers want to strengthen their workforce and are willing to cover some, or all, of an employee’s MBA costs. Note that not all employers or schools accept employer assistance.
A fellowship works like an internship, having students work in return for both pay and experience. Some schools might also award credits to students who complete a fellowship.
Many graduate students, including MBA students, help pay for their degree with scholarships. There are hundreds of scholarships available, some of which only apply to MBA and human resources students.
Human resources is a broad field, and professionals end up working in various positions and industries. Common career titles include human resources manager, training and development manager, and compensation and benefits manager.
Regardless of the position an online MBA in HR graduate earns, most individuals end up working for businesses, corporations, or the government. While no amount of education guarantees any specific career title, salary, or position, an MBA in HR can lead to many positions, including the following.
Occupation | Median Annual Salary | Job Growth (2019-2029) | Job Description |
---|---|---|---|
Human Resources Manager | $116,720 | 6% | Human resources managers perform all types of administrative functions for businesses and organizations, including recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new employees. These professionals also oversee benefits, staffing, and internal problems. |
Human Resources Specialist | $61,920 | 7% | A human resources specialist performs many of the tasks of an HR manager, only with fewer responsibilities. Tasks including conducting internal research to determine new employment needs, performing background checks on applicants, and taking part in interviews. |
Training and Development Managers | $113,350 | 7% | Instead of hiring new talent, training and development managers train current employees to align skills with the business’ goals. Other tasks include creating training programs, managing a training budget, and updating programs to remain relevant. |
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $64,560 | 8% | Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists compare different compensation plans, compare benefits and drawbacks, then recommend packages to other HR professionals. Daily tasks also include conducting surveys, creating job descriptions, and figuring out insurance. |
Compensation and Benefits Managers | $122,270 | 3% | A compensation and benefits manager oversees specialists to determine the compensation and benefits packages extended to employees. These professionals must create a program budget, compare different plans, and oversee the distribution of benefits to employees. |
(Source: BLS)
Current MBA in human resources students and seasons HR professionals benefit from professional organizations. These organizations connect HR students and professionals with anything they need, including certification, scholarships, and job networking.
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