Human resources (HR) serves as a link between management and employees, focusing on recruiting, managing, and developing employees within organizations. HR specialists perform many roles, such as interviewing potential employees, managing workplace policies, mediating employee conflict, and organizing company benefit policies. At all levels, HR employees need strong communication, organization, and decision-making skills to understand and address employee needs and craft effective organizational policy.
A master's in human resources builds the advanced skills necessary for leadership and management positions in the HR field. These positions boast strong job growth and high salary potential. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that human resource managers earn a median annual salary of $116,720.
This page offers a guide to online HR master's degrees, including top schools, typical courses, and common careers for graduates. It also includes information on financial aid options for graduate students.
Explore these promoted online degree programs.
These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online graduate degree programs. Figuring out where to apply? Consider one of these online Master's or PhD programs.
Best Accredited Online Master's in Human Resources Programs in 2021
Frequently Asked Questions About Masters in Human Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is human resources? | Human resources refers to the organization, development, and management of employees in an organization. HR specialists take responsibility for managing a company's personnel. |
| Can I earn a master's degree in human resources online? | Many schools offer online HR master's degrees, enabling students to pursue graduate education while maintaining their current job. Some programs occur fully online, while others use a hybrid format. |
| How long does it take to earn a master's in human resources? | Completion times vary among programs, but most master's in human resources programs take 1-2 years to complete. |
| Do you need a master's degree to work in human resources? | A master's degree is not required to work in human resources. However, earning a master's can help HR specialists progress to advanced positions with higher salary levels. |
| How has the COVID pandemic impacted human resources? | Remote work especially has changed the way human resources managers take on everything from employee engagement to onboarding and recruiting. These professionals will have to keep up with the latest best practices and adapt to a changing work environment to guarantee a positive work culture and productivity. |
| How are companies improving diversity and inclusion efforts? | Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have become a priority for many organizations.Human resources professionals will have to show up with DEI training, ready to build a diversified staff and coach managers to incorporate inclusion. In fact, more employers are making DEI jobs available, proving that a different set of perspectives in the workplace is crucial for HR success. |
Online Master's in Human Resources Overview
[hen-ui-text variant="b4" data-ek="hen-ui-text:6"]Increasing your human resources knowledge with a masters degree is a great way to further your expertise and help advance your career. An online degree will be flexible enough to pursue while gaining essential on-the-job experience. You may even find some companies sponsor an additional degree if they can see the benefit of investing in your education.Some of the courses you may take in a human resources masters program include:Human resources management
The legal and ethical environment of human resources
Strategic recruitment and selection
The Effectiveness of a market connected culture
Why should I get a masters in human resources?
Pay increase
You're more likely to receive a higher salary if you have advanced education. Companies often value the additional training and specialized knowledge that a masters degree can offer. Similarly, you can leverage that degree for raises if you're already employed. Keep in mind, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the annual wage for human resource manager can vary depending on the industry one is working on.
Increase expertise
A master's degree in human resources can allow you to specialize in managing an industry. Some degree programs have concentrations like health care, finance, economics, or leadership. By increasing your expertise in this way, you can enter the workforce more prepared for real-life work scenarios and responsibilities.
Maximize management potential
An advanced degree can help fast-track your career and make promotion easier. You're more likely to be put in charge of managing teams and given more responsibility. You can also enter the workforce at a higher job level.
Career and Salary Outlook for Human Resources
Graduates of master's in human resources programs almost always pursue careers in HR, but the field encompasses a wide assortment of positions. Entry-level jobs, like human resources specialist, may lead to more advanced positions, like human resources manager. At the highest levels of the field, HR specialists can assume top executive roles, such as chief human resources officer.This table highlights some of the most popular high level human resources careers, along with annual salary data and projected job growth rates.
| Career | Median Annual Salary | States with Highest Employment Level |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialist | $61,920 | California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois |
| Human Resources Manager | $116,720 | California, New York, Illinois, Texas, Florida |
| Chief Executive | $184,460 | California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Tennessee |
What is the ROI for a human resources masters degree?
Tuition for a human resources masters degree can range from $11,000 to $24,000 depending on the program you choose. The average salary for an entry-level human resources specialist is about $62,000 per year. A career in the human resources field has the potential to help you advance to an executive position with an average salary of $184,000 per year. Your best bet for a great ROI will be internal promotion and work experience. Jobs in human resources are projected to grow 4-7% in the next ten years, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
Similar Industries
What are the admission requirements for human resources master programs?
Admission requirements will vary depending on the specific masters program. Generally, most of our favorite schools for human resources will require:
GPA minimum of 2.5 or 3.0.
You'll also need to have previously earned a bachelors degree, preferably in a field related to human resources or business administration.
A few letters of recommendation are also often required for your application.
Some schools also ask for GRE or GMAT scores, though many will make exceptions if you have relevant work experience.
Concentrations in Human Resources
Although it's more common for human resources to be a concentration within a business administration degree — some programs do offer concentrations[/hen-ui-link] that allow you to focus your human resources learning by industry.
Leadership and management
This concentration focuses on developing leadership skills like problem-solving, decision making, managing, and planning. Courses may include leadership of creativity and change, behavior in organizations, and project management.
Health care management
This concentration prepares students who wish to apply their human resource degree to the healthcare industry. It highlights healthcare-specific issues like public policies, ethical principles, and fiscal constraints. Courses can include planning and budgeting in health care, managing integration of health care systems, health care law and ethics, health care policy and regulations, and management of health care organizations.
Finance
A finance concentration will dedicate your studies to financial management and strategy. You'll be prepared to work in more accounting and finance-focused companies at a corporation and firm-level. Courses may include money and banking, investment finance, international finance, foundations of finance, and investment theory.
Data Science
A data science concentration will focus on using data to enforce HR responsibilities. You'll learn to use data to calculate use of company time, resource consumption, and benefit utilization. A data science concentration can also set you up with the skills to predict industry trends and solve high-level business problems. Courses may include analytics, HR analytics and issues, research design, data-driven decision making and innovation through new technologies.
Human Resources Certifications and Licenses
There are no specific licenses or certifications required to work in human resources. However, additional endorsements can help you obtain a competitive edge in the job market. A new certification can also increase your expertise if you're looking to continue growing in your profession and staying up to date on industry tools and standards.
If you're interested in furthering your credentials with a certification check out some top industry leaders in supplemental human resources education.
Scholarships, grants and financial aid for human resources students
Many companies and professional organizations offer scholarships for master's in human resources students. This list highlights scholarships available to students pursuing master's in human resources degrees.
Society for Human Resources Management Graduate Scholarships:SHRM members enrolled in a graduate program in HR or a closely related field can apply for a $5,000 scholarship. Applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA.
AfterCollege Business Student Scholarship:Students enrolled in a business graduate program, including human resources, may apply for a $500 scholarship. Applicants must hold a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate professionalism and a record of academic accomplishment.
Susan R. Meisinger Fellowship:SHRM members with at least three years' HR experience who are currently enrolled in or accepted to a graduate program in human resources may apply for the $50,000 award.
Timothy Sy Lam Education Scholarship:Graduate students enrolled in a hospitality human resources program may apply for a $2,000 scholarship. Applicants must submit a short essay and one reference letter.
Financial aid functions differently at the graduate level. Some funding options available to undergraduates (such as Pell Grants) do not serve graduate students. Graduate students should complete the FAFSA to determine their eligibility for federal aid, such as subsidized federal loans. Deadlines for state-specific aid can vary widely.
A more comprehensive evaluation of how each category is determined and scored is accessible through our Ranking Methodology page.
