University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best programs for an associates in human resources.
Overview of an Associates in Human Resources
An online associate degree in human resources offers a fast and flexible path to entering the workforce or gaining essential HR skills. Typically taking just two years to complete, this program provides foundational knowledge in general education subjects like math, English, and introductory human resources courses. While an associate degree in human resources can prepare you for entry-level positions, advancing to a bachelor's degree and obtaining certifications can significantly enhance your career prospects and help you secure higher-paying, more challenging roles in HR. Explore the best online associate degrees in human resources to kickstart your career today.
An associate degree in human resources can be a solid entry point into the field, offering the opportunity to gain valuable experience in entry-level HR roles. However, for long-term career growth and higher-paying positions, most human resources jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree. While it may be challenging to break into HR management or administration without a four-year degree, an associate degree serves as a good foundation. Many online human resources associate degree programs include courses in key subjects such as employee relations, recruitment, and HR best practices, setting the stage for further educational advancement in HR.
- Employee Compensation and Benefits
- Employee Training and Development
- Human Resource Management
- Employment Law
- Employee Communication / Business Communication
- How to Maintain Employee Satisfaction
- Administrative Skills
- Technology Skills
- And More
Featured Online Human Resources Programs
PROS
The skills you'll learn in an associate degree program in human resources or human resources management will prepare human resources graduates for entry-level work in the HR or business field and similar administrative roles. You may find yourself working as a human resource specialist, payroll manager, etc. Pursuing this degree might be a good move for prospective students who want to quickly learn some transferable administration skills that they can use to find work in the near term. After earning their two-year degree by completing their human resources or human resources management program, human resources graduates can choose to earn work experience while earning their bachelor's degree or spend time working in the field as a professional in human resources or a similar business career.
CONS
An associate degree in human resources may not lead to a stable career, as few HR jobs are available to those with only a high school diploma or an associate degree. This can make it difficult to secure a desirable position or earn more than about $16 per hour in the field. While an associate degree can help you land an entry-level job, most HR and business positions require a bachelor's degree, and many careers also need a master's or additional certifications.
There are few associate degree programs in human resources or management, especially traditional on-campus ones. Online HR degrees may be more accessible. A better option could be pursuing an associate in a related field like business management, which qualifies you for similar roles, such as payroll manager.
Top 25 Online Associate in Human Resources Management Programs
Saint Francis University
Score: 75.1
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $41,720
- Out-of-State:$41,720
- Net Price: $27,459
- Acceptance Rate: 73%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 2,857
- Undergrad Students: 2,461
- Graduate Students: 396
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Concordia University-Wisconsin
Score: 74.3
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $34,250
- Out-of-State:$34,250
- Net Price: $24,485
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 66%
- Total Enrollment: 4,988
- Undergrad Students: 2,817
- Graduate Students: 2,171
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
American Public University System
Score: 73.32
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,400
- Out-of-State:$8,400
- Net Price: $11,172
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 48,668
- Undergrad Students: 39,206
- Graduate Students: 9,462
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
Penn State World Campus
Score: 70.94
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,204
- Out-of-State:$15,204
- Net Price: $19,551
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 36%
- Total Enrollment: 13,979
- Undergrad Students: 8,210
- Graduate Students: 5,769
- Grads Salary: $94,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Score: 70.01
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,640
- Out-of-State:$22,752
- Net Price: $9,450
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 39%
- Total Enrollment: 6,607
- Undergrad Students: 5,636
- Graduate Students: 971
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Cambridge College
Score: 65.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $18,072
- Out-of-State:$18,072
- Net Price: $21,178
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 2,135
- Undergrad Students: 840
- Graduate Students: 1,295
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
Davenport University
Score: 62.07
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $23,324
- Out-of-State:$23,324
- Net Price: $18,350
- Acceptance Rate: 99%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 5,073
- Undergrad Students: 4,069
- Graduate Students: 1,004
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Rasmussen University-Wisconsin
Score: 58.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,982
- Out-of-State:$11,982
- Net Price: $19,657
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 43%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 480
- Undergrad Students: 424
- Graduate Students: 56
- Grads Salary: $58,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
Northwood Technical College
Score: 58.66
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,524
- Out-of-State:$6,583
- Net Price: $9,800
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 2,677
- Undergrad Students: 2,677
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $34,900
- Student-to-faculty: 5:1
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Score: 57.46
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,156
- Out-of-State:$11,017
- Net Price: $9,694
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 3,150
- Undergrad Students: 3,150
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Montana State University Billings
Score: 57.21
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,706
- Out-of-State:$21,347
- Net Price: $12,487
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 29%
- Total Enrollment: 4,057
- Undergrad Students: 3,665
- Graduate Students: 392
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Score: 56.71
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,904
- Out-of-State:$7,097
- Net Price: $9,574
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 10,661
- Undergrad Students: 10,661
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $41,600
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Lakeshore Technical College
Score: 56.17
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,649
- Out-of-State:$6,842
- Net Price: $9,327
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 48%
- Total Enrollment: 3,154
- Undergrad Students: 3,154
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $42,900
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
South Texas College
Score: 54.88
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,220
- Out-of-State:$7,500
- Net Price: $1,692
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 26%
- Total Enrollment: 27,894
- Undergrad Students: 27,894
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $52,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Chippewa Valley Technical College
Score: 54.75
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,724
- Out-of-State:$6,917
- Net Price: $10,302
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Total Enrollment: 8,364
- Undergrad Students: 8,364
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $43,600
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Rasmussen University-Florida
Score: 54.27
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,117
- Out-of-State:$15,117
- Net Price: $17,890
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 50%
- Graduation Rate: 43%
- Total Enrollment: 8,166
- Undergrad Students: 7,937
- Graduate Students: 229
- Grads Salary: $58,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Waubonsee Community College
Score: 51.97
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,369
- Out-of-State:$12,330
- Net Price: $5,028
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 7,491
- Undergrad Students: 7,491
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $41,900
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Dakota College at Bottineau
Score: 51.07
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,347
- Out-of-State:$7,613
- Net Price: $9,946
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 59%
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 1,080
- Undergrad Students: 1,080
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $45,300
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Wake Technical Community College
Score: 50.98
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,336
- Out-of-State:$7,582
- Net Price: $3,914
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 31%
- Total Enrollment: 21,551
- Undergrad Students: 21,551
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $39,200
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Albany Technical College
Score: 50.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,196
- Out-of-State:$5,596
- Net Price: $5,159
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 52%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 2,577
- Undergrad Students: 2,577
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $30,800
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Score: 50.79
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,900
- Out-of-State:$5,900
- Net Price: $10,596
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 42%
- Total Enrollment: 5,282
- Undergrad Students: 5,282
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $40,100
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Beal University
Score: 50.46
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $42,305
- Out-of-State:$42,305
- Net Price: $25,132
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 38%
- Graduation Rate: 42%
- Total Enrollment: 400
- Undergrad Students: 399
- Graduate Students: 1
- Grads Salary: $64,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Western Iowa Tech Community College
Score: 49.71
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,042
- Out-of-State:$5,186
- Net Price: $7,458
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 57%
- Graduation Rate: 42%
- Total Enrollment: 5,150
- Undergrad Students: 5,150
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $32,900
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Marion Technical College
Score: 49.14
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,475
- Out-of-State:$11,065
- Net Price: $6,748
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 56%
- Graduation Rate: 30%
- Total Enrollment: 2,767
- Undergrad Students: 2,767
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $40,600
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Triton College
Score: 49.07
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,790
- Out-of-State:$14,880
- Net Price: $5,936
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 35%
- Total Enrollment: 8,616
- Undergrad Students: 8,616
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $36,800
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Certificate vs. Associates
Certificate programs, like online associate degrees, are shorter and focused on building workplace skills. Often supplemental to an online bachelor's in HR management, they help students advance their careers or switch fields. Many schools offer extension programs where students take HR-focused courses similar to those in a bachelor's degree, but without general education and electives. These certificates can enhance your HR expertise, complementing your educational background.
An online associate degree essentially makes up the first two years of a bachelor's program. Meaning, you'll take your general education classes as well as classes that fall within your chosen major. An online certificate program will likely teach you more advanced skills than you'd get in an online associate program, but the online associate program will count as college credit that can then be used later toward an online bachelor's degree.
That said, whether you choose a certificate versus an associate in HR depends on your education level and your goals. A certificate program is best suited for someone who has an online bachelor's degree and wants to increase their skill set to advance their pay or help them move up in their career. In some cases, you might look toward an online certificate program to help you prepare for a master's degree if you're hoping to earn your degree in a field different from your online bachelor's degree major. First-time college students, however, should consider starting with an online associate degree and advancing from there.
What Degrees are Available Online?
There aren't many human resources associate degrees available in general. Students considering a career in HR may be better off pursuing a business Associate of Arts (AA) before specializing further during the next phase in their education.
- AA in Human Resource Management:
An AA in Human Resource Management is one of the few HR-specific associate degrees we've come across, though you typically won't find them in a traditional campus setting. We've come across several online human resources programs, and most teach students a combination of general business skills and practical knowledge you'd use in an HR role. - Associate in Business Administration:
Many community colleges offer general business programs that provide a foundation for future pursuits in HR, accounting, management, and other professions that fall under the broader, business umbrella. In this type of program, you may be able to seek out electives that teach human resources best practices and prepare you for an entry-level role in this field or replace the first two years of an online bachelor's degree program that offers more advanced coursework within the HR field.
Admission Requirements
Most associate programs require a high school diploma or GED for admittance. At this level, students do not need to submit ACT or SAT scores as part of the application process.
How long does it take to earn these degrees?
Most online human resources associate programs take about two years to complete when you attend full-time. Some online human resources programs offer 18-month accelerated programs designed for working students who want to level up their career quickly.
Find Online Human Resource Management Programs
Potential Careers in Human Resources with an Associates
- HR Assistant
HR assistants work in a support role and are often charged with completing administrative paperwork regarding wages, new hires, and more. We should mention that in many organizations, you might need a bachelor's degree to qualify. However, other companies may choose to hire assistants with an AA and sufficient work experience.
Average Pay: $48,800 - Training and Development Managers
Training coordinators are responsible for training and implementing programs for new employees, as well as current ones. Some training coordinators are responsible for designing an organization's training process from start to finish, while others work in a team setting and are responsible for one step in the training process. This person should enjoy teaching and must keep up with changing workplace demands and how to best prepare the workforce to use new technology/equipment.
Average Pay: $125,040 - Benefits Specialist
The benefits assistant works in a clerical role within a company's human resources department. This person interacts with employees and provides them with information about benefits packages, retirement programs, paid time off, and other types of employee programs and benefits. Candidates must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to protect sensitive information, maintain accurate records, and possess basic clerical skills.
Average Pay: $74,530 - Compliance Specialist
Compliance specialists may work in a healthcare or legal setting or within the human resources department of a company. This person is responsible for making sure that relevant documents comply with industry standards, as well as legal and regulatory guidelines. This person must be highly organized and a skilled communicator.
Average Pay: $74,530 - Payroll Clerk
Payroll assistants process payments for employees within an organization. This role requires a keen eye for detail, and the ability to check payroll calculations, process employee paperwork, and carry out basic accounting tasks. It's also worth pointing out that a payroll assistant must be discreet—as you're handling sensitive information regularly.
Average Pay: $54,690 - Administrative Assistant
While this role isn't necessarily specific to HR, graduates of an AA program may be able to break into this field by earning office experience in an administrative assistant role, which may have some overlap with HR duties. Administrative assistants offer support by way of answering phones, scheduling appointments, and updating calendars. They are typically responsible for tasks like bookkeeping, filing, and maintaining databases.
Average Pay: $45,490
Salary by Occupation
Occupation | Entry-Level | Mid-Career | Late Career |
---|---|---|---|
HR Specialist | $44,900 | $54,500 | $61,000 |
HR Manager | $51,300 | $68,500 | $75,100 |
Compensation or Benefit Analyst | $56,300 | $72,600 | $65,000 |
HR Information Systems Analyst | $45,800 | $59,400 | $78,700 |
Options to Advance
In most cases, you'll need an online bachelor's degree at minimum to work in an office setting, so those human resources professionals with an online associate degree only will likely have trouble advancing into roles outside of support roles. That said, earning an online associate in HR is a great way to enter the workforce, in the capacity of an assistant or associate, so you can gain some work experience and learn whether HR is right for you before completing your online bachelor's degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some responsibilities you might have in these roles?
There are plenty of responsibilities and tasks that you might have when you take on the role of a human resource manager. The number of responsibilities you have may depend on the size of your employer or how much experience you have. Here are just some things you might need to do. In smaller companies, you may run payroll. Some larger companies have specialists that maintain payroll accounts, but even there you are likely to need to keep an eye on these accounts and make sure that everything is applied correctly week to week. If you are fully in charge of payroll, you will have to make sure that deductions are applied appropriately; if you have employees that live in separate cities then you may need to apply different taxation standards; and if you offer multiple benefits plans then you will need to track those deductions as well. And, speaking of benefits packages, you will be responsible for considering the plans available, perhaps even negotiating for a better plan to cover a larger workforce, and ensuring that the agreement is in place in time to allow employees to choose the new plan before the net year starts. You will also likely write job descriptions when the company is looking for new employees, and you may write new company policies. At the very least, you will provide facts about whether or not new policies are needed and give suggestions when they are being written.
Will I have to fire people if I work in HR management?
If you find yourself working in the human resource management role, you may very well be in the position where it will be your responsibility to fire employees who are underperforming, breaking the rules of the company, or even being laid off because their job no longer exists. This can be a stressful part of this role, so it’s important to consider whether or not you will be comfortable doing this before you end up in the position where you have to.
What is the course work like for earning an associate degree in this field?
A human resources associate degree is an excellent choice for those interested in developing their career in the field of human resources. The course work for a human resources degree involves a blend of both theoretical and practical learning, allowing students to gain knowledge and skills that can help them excel in their future careers.
The core curriculum for a human resource associate degree typically includes topics like business management, employee relations, payroll administration, legal responsibilities, labor relations and laws and regulations, safety management as well as recruitment and selection processes. Students will also learn about the various aspects of organizational behavior such as motivation, communication styles and conflict resolution strategies. Along with these courses, students may be required to take courses related to accounting or finance depending on the college they are attending. Moreover, some colleges may even offer elective courses that allow students to specialize in certain areas such as compensation systems or risk management methods.
Can I take online classes to earn my associate degree in HR?
Yes! Earning an human resources degree online is a great way to get ahead in the competitive job market. As employers increasingly look for qualified candidates with specialized skills, an human resources program can give you the knowledge and credentials you need to stand out from the competition. With online classes, earning your degree through an human resources program is easier than ever before.
Taking a human resources degree online provides flexibility and convenience that makes it easy to fit the human resources program into your already busy schedule. Online classes provide access to lectures, assignments, tests and other activities that mirror those found in traditional classrooms but allow students to attend virtually at any time of day or night. Additionally, many online programs are designed to be self-paced so that students can complete their studies at the speed they feel comfortable with while still meeting course deadlines.
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