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 a masters in human resources.
An online master's in human resources or even an online MBA with a concentration in human resource management will build on the knowledge of experienced human resource professionals, further developing their skills as they relate to the following:
- Leadership and Human Resource Management
- Organizational Change and Organizational Behavior
- Recruitment and Talent Development
- Employment Law
- Employee and Industrial Relations, Employee and Labor Relations, and Dispute Resolution
- Training and Professional Development
- Strategic Human Resource Management - Strategic Planning
- Human Resource Analytics
- Performance Management
At the master's level, you'll become a strategic asset to any company, learning to attract and retain the people that will make an organization profitable and efficient.
Completing an online master's in human resources program is a good bet for professionals who wish to advance and work as human resource managers in a growing profession that spans just about every industry on the planet. Human resource professionals typically need a bachelor's degree to get started in their career but may find their options limited if they don't pursue an advanced degree beyond the bachelor's degree level, which they can easily do through online master's degree programs and other learning opportunities. They may have trouble finding positions as HR managers, for instance, or in other business management leadership positions. Earning a master's online or through another flexible format can help you stand out in the competitive human resources industry and access higher-level positions in HR than you might otherwise. Still, completing even an online graduate degree program is a significant investment, and many jobs don't necessarily require a master's in human resources to qualify, though it may help you get on the fast track and spend less time working in an entry-level position, especially if you can find an accelerated course that lets you learn online while still working.
Featured Online Programs
PROS
While there aren’t a huge number of higher-level jobs that require a master's in human resources degree, the one that do exist are top tier positions that you cannot get into without either a graduate degree or many, many years spent working in the field. A Master of Science in Human Resource Managament will allow human resources students to fine-tune their HR skills, such as those in labor relations and employment law, and further develop their leadership and strategic thinking abilities.
CONS
Prospective students should understad that completing a master's program in human resources is similar to earning a Master of Science in a program like marketing. Meaning, the knowledge you gather as you earn this degree will serve you well, but it doesn't necessarily open up a wealth of opportunities. It might, but gaining work experience, keeping up with certifications, or simply demonstrating competency in a particular area (such as SHRM certification or gaining experience in labor relations) may have the same impact for HR specialists.
Top 25 Online Masters in Human Resources Management Programs
University of Southern California
Score: 83.36
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $66,640
- Out-of-State: $66,640
- Net Price: $36,808
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
- Total Enrollment: 48,945
- Undergrad Students: 20,699
- Graduate Students: 28,246
- Grads Salary: $92,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Score: 83.15
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,545
- Out-of-State: $30,348
- Net Price: $14,544
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 56,916
- Undergrad Students: 35,120
- Graduate Students: 21,796
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
Purdue University
Score: 82.94
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,718
- Out-of-State: $28,520
- Net Price: $12,576
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 51,528
- Undergrad Students: 38,593
- Graduate Students: 12,935
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
New York University
Score: 82.71
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $38,826
- Out-of-State: $38,826
- Net Price: $29,499
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 87%
- Total Enrollment: 59,144
- Undergrad Students: 29,401
- Graduate Students: 29,743
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
Georgetown University
Score: 82.68
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $58,848
- Out-of-State: $58,848
- Net Price: $35,566
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 96%
- Total Enrollment: 20,984
- Undergrad Students: 7,900
- Graduate Students: 13,084
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Villanova University
Score: 82.61
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $21,261
- Out-of-State: $21,261
- Net Price: $34,837
- Acceptance Rate: 23%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 91%
- Total Enrollment: 10,383
- Undergrad Students: 6,989
- Graduate Students: 3,394
- Grads Salary: $91,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Boston University
Score: 82.54
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $63,798
- Out-of-State: $63,798
- Net Price: $27,829
- Acceptance Rate: 14%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
- Total Enrollment: 36,714
- Undergrad Students: 18,459
- Graduate Students: 18,255
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Stony Brook University
Score: 80.6
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,310
- Out-of-State: $24,490
- Net Price: $17,213
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 25,710
- Undergrad Students: 17,509
- Graduate Students: 8,201
- Grads Salary: $86,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Score: 79.92
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $19,824
- Out-of-State: $33,720
- Net Price: $17,535
- Acceptance Rate: 66%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 50,637
- Undergrad Students: 36,344
- Graduate Students: 14,293
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Clemson University
Score: 76.77
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,220
- Out-of-State: $23,372
- Net Price: $24,577
- Acceptance Rate: 43%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 28,466
- Undergrad Students: 22,566
- Graduate Students: 5,900
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
University of St. Francis
Score: 75.92
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,382
- Out-of-State: $14,382
- Net Price: $18,560
- Acceptance Rate: 58%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 3,297
- Undergrad Students: 1,414
- Graduate Students: 1,883
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Florida International University
Score: 73.98
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,119
- Out-of-State: $21,600
- Net Price: $9,881
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 55,609
- Undergrad Students: 45,688
- Graduate Students: 9,921
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
George Washington University
Score: 73.45
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,100
- Out-of-State: $35,100
- Net Price: $42,723
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 25,939
- Undergrad Students: 11,482
- Graduate Students: 14,457
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Regis University
Score: 73.42
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,573
- Out-of-State: $14,573
- Net Price: $26,377
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 4,668
- Undergrad Students: 2,398
- Graduate Students: 2,270
- Grads Salary: $89,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Webster University
Score: 72.96
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,140
- Out-of-State: $13,140
- Net Price: $23,069
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 6,396
- Undergrad Students: 2,197
- Graduate Students: 4,199
- Grads Salary: $86,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Temple University
Score: 71.52
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $21,042
- Out-of-State: $27,555
- Net Price: $23,935
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 33,196
- Undergrad Students: 24,106
- Graduate Students: 9,090
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Drexel University
Score: 70.77
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $36,234
- Out-of-State: $36,234
- Net Price: $39,267
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 22,344
- Undergrad Students: 14,021
- Graduate Students: 8,323
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Pepperdine University
Score: 70.59
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $41,400
- Out-of-State: $41,400
- Net Price: $47,804
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 10,030
- Undergrad Students: 3,662
- Graduate Students: 6,368
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Southern Wesleyan University
Score: 69.52
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,696
- Out-of-State: $12,696
- Net Price: $17,639
- Acceptance Rate: 51%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 1,175
- Undergrad Students: 896
- Graduate Students: 279
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Indiana Wesleyan University
Score: 69.16
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,970
- Out-of-State: $11,970
- Net Price: $21,755
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 2,603
- Undergrad Students: 2,236
- Graduate Students: 367
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Penn State World Campus
Score: 69.1
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $24,406
- Out-of-State: $24,406
- 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
American University
Score: 68.98
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $32,224
- Out-of-State: $32,224
- Net Price: $41,369
- Acceptance Rate: 41%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 79%
- Total Enrollment: 13,885
- Undergrad Students: 7,917
- Graduate Students: 5,968
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Score: 68.83
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,222
- Out-of-State: $12,222
- Net Price: $22,843
- Acceptance Rate: 97%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 4,133
- Undergrad Students: 1,100
- Graduate Students: 3,033
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Fitchburg State University
Score: 68.57
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,510
- Out-of-State: $3,510
- Net Price: $15,535
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 6,554
- Undergrad Students: 3,168
- Graduate Students: 3,386
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
North Park University
Score: 68.53
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,966
- Out-of-State: $15,966
- Net Price: $19,029
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 2,660
- Undergrad Students: 1,868
- Graduate Students: 792
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Is a Master's in Human Resources Right for You?
What Human Resources Master's Degrees are Available?
There are a few options for human resources professionals seeking an advanced degree in the field. While there's the standard question, "should I go for an MA or an MS," the real question should be whether it’s better to seek out an MBA with an HR specialization or non-MBA masters in HR.
- Master's in Human Resources
A Master of Human Resources program will help you further develop your knowledge of the HR field from recruiting to benefits management, collective bargaining, and settling sensitive workplace matters while remaining in compliance with state and federal laws. - MBA with HR Concentration
Many MBA programs offer students the option to specialize in an area such as finance, economics, marketing, or even HR. It's important to understand that pursuing an MBA will help you develop general business skills, while at the same time helping you level up your knowledge of HR practices. A master's program in HR is centered around HR activities, not necessarily organizational management. The advantage of earning an MBA in HR versus a master's degree in HR is the versatility and the likely potential for higher pay.
A graduate of any MBA program should be equipped with the skills needed to run a company, so you'll have some flexibility when it comes to future career moves.
Admission Requirements
As with any academic program, admission requirements vary based on the institution, though online learning will usually require the same admissions information and educational background that a traditional degree would. However, all master's programs, human resources or not, require applicants to have a bachelor's degree in human resources. Also, you'll likely need to submit transcripts and GRE scores. Should you choose to enter an online MBA program with an HR specialization, you may also need to have some work experience under your belt. Often, MBA programs prefer candidates who have worked in the real world, so they enter a program with some understanding of the field and can apply their experience to their studies.
How Long Does it Take to Earn this Graduate Degree?
Most online master's programs take two years to complete, though there is some variation between online and traditional programs. Some programs take about three years, while several online programs offer an accelerated path toward earning your degree; these options usually take about 18 months to complete. Then, of course, you'll need to consider whether you have the time to enroll full-time or it's more realistic to keep working while attending classes part-time, as mosts online learners do.
What Can You Do With a Master's in Human Resources?
Human resources jobs are available in just about any organization across all industries, as any business with personnel needs an HR team to help them handle benefits programs, paid leave, and some of the tougher decisions regarding workplace policies such as how an organization handles harassment claims.
Here are a few of the jobs someone with a master's degree in HR might have after earning their degree:
-
Compensation and Benefits Managers
Compensation and benefits managers are HR professionals that specialize in the employee benefits packages. This person sets an organization's pay structure and compensation breakdown, selects and manages insurance brokers, benefits vendors, and makes recommendations to C suite executives regarding compensation, professional development programs, and budgeting for salaries and other benefits.
To be effective in this role, human resources managers must evaluate market conditions and have a deep understanding of wage structure and putting together a competitive benefits package. Compensation and benefits managers may also be responsible for putting together incentive programs, commission structures, and guidelines for performance-based bonuses.
Average Pay: $87,700Search Programs Offering Human Resources Majors
- Training and Development Managers
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, this job is growing 10% faster than average, based on rising demands on organizations to upskill workers to keep pace with advancing technologies. Training and development managers plan and coordinate skills training and professional development programs within an organization. This person might supervise a staff of training instructors and be responsible for creating and selecting course content based on an organization's needs.
Average salary: $76,900 - Organizational Development Consultants
Organizational development consultants operate on a slightly different wavelength than their human resources manager or director counterparts. This person is a third-party consultant that gets called in to help a company make changes to remain profitable. Typically, this person has significant experience in a managerial role and helps companies through a process involving an organizational assessment, problem-solving, and change management. They might also help personnel design meetings and organize presentation materials, manage projects more effectively, etc.
Average Pay: $86,100 -
Human Resources Director
Human resources directors occupy a range of roles across all kinds of organizations. A director at a smaller company, for example, might have a more general role, whereas, in a large organization, you might have directors with specialist roles such as a director of benefits and compensation or recruitment.
HR directors plan and manage all HR initiatives within an organization, including benefits, compensation, salary negotiation, training, team building, and leadership. They also work to ensure that policies and procedures are implemented correctly and in compliance with the law and professional standards. And, they oversee staff operations, budgeting efforts, and company culture initiatives. To work as an HR director, you'll typically need an online bachelor's degree at a minimum, though employers may prefer to hire those with a master's degree. Certification and demonstrable leadership, organization, and interpersonal skills also factor in finding success in this role.
Average Pay: $89,000 -
Recruiting Manager/Director
Recruiting managers often work on behalf of a large company filling available manager and supervisory positions and scouting new potential talent. Recruiting managers typically work in an office setting, spending their days communicating with potential candidates as well as administering proficiency assessments, conducting screening interviews, and following up with applicants.
Master's degree holders or managers with a bachelor's degree and significant experience may be qualified to become recruiting directors, a more strategic leadership role that involves coming up with recruiting strategies and working with HR staff and upper management to develop a more effective approach to attracting and retaining talent.
Average Pay: $92,300
Options to Advance
After gaining an online master's degree in human resources, you may be able to increase your salary or go after a promotion that requires more experience or an advanced degree. According to the bureau of labor statistics (BLS), typical careers for master's degree holders in this field often include management roles or specialization in a specific area like benefits or recruitment.
While a degree is a significant advantage for HR professionals climbing up the career ladder, it's important to note that work experience and certifications are enormous in this field. HR professionals and graduate students should expect to continue their education by earning certifications online through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and other professional organizations to keep pace with changing regulations and best practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I have a master’s degree before I try to earn SHRM certification?
There is no requirement that those who wish to earn SHRM certification need to have a master’s degree. For those looking to earn the SHRM-CP title, you don’t even need to have completed a bachelor’s degree, though you must be in the process of completing one, but you do need to have worked in the human resources field for at least six or seven years in the role, depending on whether or not you are completing an HR-focused degree or an unrelated degree. However, there is something else to consider before you decide to forgo a master’s degree in human resources and just earn the certification, and this is pass rates. The pass rate for the SHRM-CP exam is 70%, but the pass rate for the SHRM-SCP exam is only 50%. Thus, it might be a good idea to gain some more education before working toward earning these certifications. It won’t hurt your resume either.
What are the admission requirements for master’s HR programs?
Admission requirements are decided on a school by school, and sometimes program by program, basis. However, most of the time, admission requirements for these types of degrees include a bachelor’s degree (or possibly an associate’s) with an appropriate GPA. You may require a GRE test score, as well, but these are becoming less common across the country so you should be able to find a program that doesn’t require them. Other requirements might include professional references, a personal statement, and anywhere from two to five years of HR work experience. Again, these change between programs so, if you have a program with what feels like unfairly high requirements, keep looking. You might just find that the next program you look at is the right one for you.