Online Master's Degree in Human Resources Management - Best of 2024

Get Matched With Human Resources Programs

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.

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.

Compare Popular Online Human Resources Programs

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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.

Human Resources Coursework

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: $87,700

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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.

Best Online Masters in Human Resources Degrees for 2024