Masters in Human Resources

Human Resource and related issues often make way into the popular culture. You’d know if you’ve seen the movie ‘Office Space’ where an employee’s concern with a stapler ends in a big office fire. That is where the role of Human Resource professionals comes in; they manage and deal with any issues that involve employees. Employees are after all the most valuable resource that any company has. The modern Human Resource specialists no longer deal with just administrative tasks.  In fact they play an integral role in assisting senior management with strategic planning. If you’re considering taking up a masters degree in HR, there are various questions that you may have in mind. Let’s look at each of them.




What is the Master of Human Resources?

If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a management or social sciences related field, and wish to advance your career and improve future prospects, the Master of Human Resources degree can potentially be a suitable option. This graduate degree provides knowledge and training in personnel management techniques, recruitment methods, employee relations, labor law, on-job-training and organizational management. Students then complete a thesis based research project under the supervision of their professors before they graduate.

What will a Master’s Degree Teach You?

The program objectives may slightly vary from one institute to another but you’ll typically learn to:
  • Explore how employers, employees, unions, and government affect the employment relationship
  • Analyze the business, ethical, legal, and organizational factors that affect Human Resource matters
  • Understand how human resource issues play a role in the success of an organization
  • Oversee labor and human resource systems within the organization

What Courses will you Study?

Every university offers a different set of programs. However you may find courses such as:
  • Labor and Employment Law
  • International and Comparative Employment Relations
  • Organizations in the Workplace
  • Labor Market Analysis
  • Employee Benefits
  • Workplace Safety and Health: Principles and Practices
  • Diversity in the Workplace
  • The Law of Labor Management Relations

You’ll usually be required to take up a combination of compulsory and elective courses in order to fulfill the credit hours requirement. At the end of the program, you may have to complete a research project that’ll let you apply knowledge of HR to a specialized area that fits in well with your interests.

What are the Admissions Requirements?

Every university may have a different set of requirements for students. However you’ll typically be required to:
  • Complete a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institute
  • Meet the minimum GPA requirement
  • Some universities may require you to have relevant work experience
  • Provide official transcripts, statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation

Why Enroll in a Masters in Human Resources Online?

Thanks to the increasing trend of online education you’ll be able to enroll in a master’s degree in HR even if you’re unable to attend traditional campus-based classes. Online education will offer you several benefits such as:

  • Save money on accommodation and travel expenses
  • The freedom to study according to your own schedule
  • Taking classes from virtually any location
  • Completing the program in a shorter or longer duration by taking up accelerated coursework or enrolling in a self-paced program.
  • Equally rigorous program curriculum

What are the Future Prospects?

The master of human resources degree can be applied in virtually any industry, and help you address the eligibility criteria for managerial positions or set up your own HR consultancy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities in this field will vary according to the field you decide to  join.

Human Resources Specialists

It has been identified as a ‘Bright Outlook Career’ by O*Net Online.

Job Responsibilities

The tasks that human resource specialists perform varies depending on the organization they work for. However HR specialists usually perform the following functions:
  • Maintain employment records
  • Evaluate and explain HR policies, practices, standards and regulations to employees and the concerned departments.
  • Conduct interviews and assessments
  • Make selection and recruitment decisions
  • Deal with employee relations issues such as conflicts, harassments, and other related matters
  • Keep up with latest developments and changing labor laws and regulations such as Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Collaborate with senior management while setting HR policies


Median Salary (2014): $57,420 per year
Average Growth Rate: 8% to 14%

Potential Workplaces: The top two industries that employ human resource specialists include Administrative and Support Services and the Government.

How Long Does It Take to Complete a Master’s Degree in Human Resources?

A master’s degree in Human Resource Management (HRM) is for those who wish to pursue a career as HR professionals in organizations. Purdue University, Stanford University, Northwestern University, The University of Chicago and Texas A&M University are among the universities in the U.S. that offer a master’s degree in HRM. These institutions offer either a 2-year full time on campus degree, or a 3 to 4-year part time on campus degrees. There are various other institutions that offer an online master’s degree in HRM for students who cannot attend on campus degrees.

What Are the Requirements to Complete a Master’s Degree in Human Resources?

To complete a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management, students are required to take a certain number of credit hours in the form of lectures, assignments, projects, comprehensive exams, viva voce and an internship or a practical project or a thesis.

How Much Can I Make after Completing A Master’s Degree in Human Resources?

Human resource managers play a key role in seamless operations of an organization. In accordance with the 2018 data on the website of the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), the annual mean salary of a human resource manager was $126,700, whereas, the median annual income of human resources specialists was $60,880 per year.

Frequently Asked Question(s)

Q:What is the prerequisite to the Masters of Human Resources degree?

A:The prerequisite to the Masters of Human Resources degree is usually a Bachelors degree in a business subject, preferably Human Resources.

Q:How much time does it take to complete the Master in Human Resources degree program?

A:The Master in Human Resources is a two year degree program. However, the duration of E-MBA programs may vary. Also, many online universities listed on our website allow students to complete these programs at their own pace, which implies that students can complete these degrees much sooner or later than the actual time.

Q:I read about the College Algebra course in the Masters in Human Resources online degree program. What are the areas of study in this course?

A:The Masters in Human Resources Online degree program has a course on College Algebra. This course aims to teach some of the most basic lessons and concepts that may help you in the mathematical calculations in everyday business. This includes understanding of sets and numbers, emphasizing concepts in computer calculation and algebra topics of intermediate level.

Q:My search for prospects for human resources masters mentioned head hunting. What is it all about?

A:Head hunting would be mentioned when searching for prospects for human resources masters. It is a term used in the industry where professionals actively search out potential executives from other companies and offer them to work for them. A common practice in the industry, head hunting requires extensive research and exceptional negotiation skills. The individuals targeted are offered better compensation and attractive contracts in order to entice them.

Q:Will my employer recognize a masters in human resources online program?

A:Online programs have the same academic content as regular, classroom-based programs though they are slightly modified to allow them to be taught remotely and by distance learning. You, and your future employer, will not be able to tell the difference between the two kinds of program in all likelihood. Every employer will consider the use of such qualifications individually and may not put any emphasis on academic qualifications. You will need to speak to your employer.

Q:Can a masters degree in human resources be completed in less than two years?

A:Yes, a master's degree in human resources can be completed in less than two years if you opt for an accelerated program. Accelerated degree programs are specially designed for students who wish to join the professional field as soon as possible. A number of online and campus based business schools are offering accelerated programs in this field.

Q:Can you give me some information about a masters degree in human resource management?

A:Human resource management is one of the most fundamental areas in all business organizations. This section involves the study of human input and effective management policies. The program has a duration of two years and comprises of advanced courses relevant to human resources. Human capital planning, hiring policies, and productivity are among the subjects studies in this program.

Q:What is a HRM master degree focused on?

A:HRM master is a two year degree. It is an advanced degree that focuses on human resource management skills. The curriculum essentially includes subjects such as resource training, recruitment techniques, communication, employee relations, and organization management. After this degree you can get senior managerial jobs and get lucrative salary packages.

Q:Can you tell me about some of the introductory courses that I will have to study in an online masters in HR program?

A:A masters in HR degree is being offered by many renowned universities. If you plan to enroll in this program, you will most likely study subjects such as management principles, accounting and finance, human resource management, recruitment and selection process, and more. The exact curriculum for this degree may vary slightly from college to college. It is recommended that you get in touch with the university you plan to enroll in and find out more about the curriculum they are offering.

Q:Can one become a human resource manager after doing an online masters degree human resources?

A:Yes, after successfully completing an online master's degree in human resources, one can try to pursue a career in human resource as a human resource manager. Human resources managers usually need a bachelor's degree in human resources or business administration but a higher level degree like a master's degree increases the chances of job advancement and remuneration benefits.

Q:What kinds of skills are learned from online hr masters degree programs?

A:Master's degree programs in human resource equip an individual with a variety of skills. Individuals learn how to construct and implement an effective training program, design a compensation system that favorably motivates the employees, develop financial management and budgetary skills, construct benefit packages and analyze their success as well as effectively use data and statistics to make sound and informed business decisions.

Q:I want to pursue a human resources master's degree online and want to know about the duration of the degree and how soon I can finish it?

A:Master of Human Resources is generally a two year long graduate degree. However, if you opt for an accelerated program, you can earn this degree in less than two years. Accelerated degree programs are designed for those students who wish to enter the professional arena as soon as possible. Many accredited online schools offer both normal and accelerated programs and you should thoroughly look up all the specifications of the program you are interested in and see which ties in best with your future goals.

Q:How is an online masters in human resources different from a campus based masters degree?

A:In an online masters degree in human resource is different from a campus based degree in many ways. Students in an online program can study conveniently at any time of the day. The coursework and curriculum is the same as campus based programs. Students cover the program online, through classroom conferencing, online tutorials, presentations, and video conferencing.

Q:Can you tell me about admission requirements for Masters in Human Resources?

A:To enroll in a Master's in Human Resource program, you need to first select a school that offers the program. The admission requirements for each school may vary. Most schools will require you to submit a copy of your college transcripts, a personal statement, letters of recommendations and your GMAT or GRE score. Depending on what school you apply to, you usually require a minimum grade point average (GPA) to qualify for a Master's program.

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