Why This Matters
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27% OF HUMAN RESOURCE ASSISTANTS NEED AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE
O*NET shows that over a quarter of human resource assistants need to have at least an associate degree for their positions. Another 21% require a high school diploma.
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HUMAN RESOURCE JOBS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE BY 7%
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for human resource specialists should increase at an above-average rate through 2029. This increase is likely to be seen industry-wide for human resource assistants as well.
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EARN AN AVERAGE SALARY OF MORE THAN $44,000
According to the BLS, the mean salary for human resource assistants is around $44,000 per year. However, the salary potential is even higher, with the top 10% of workers in this field earning around $58,000 per year.
Our Research
All of the online associate in human resources programs on our list are delivered in an online format, although some have hybrid options where courses are partially delivered in person. Most of the programs award an Associate of Applied Science, but some award an Associate of Arts.
We made sure all the programs on our list are of the utmost quality, which means they are regionally or nationally accredited. Regional accreditors to look for include the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
- 77 hours to write this article
- 92 universities and colleges we assessed
- 146 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Online Associate in Human Resources Programs
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What You Should Know About This Degree
If you’re interested in going into the human resources field, you may also want to consider a management or business degree. Degrees that involve the psychology field can also be beneficial.
Accreditation indicates that the program is of high quality and will provide the education you need to succeed in a job after graduation. In general, regional accreditations are considered more favorable, but accrediting bodies like the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs are also acceptable.
Job growth expectations are very strong in the human resources field, and this trend is expected to continue.
There are several certifications you can get in the human resources field. The main one to consider after you get your online associate in human resources is a certification as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR). You may also need to get additional certifications in workplace harassment or HIPAA, depending on the companies you’re working with.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online associate in human resources programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? To be eligible for an associate in HR program, you’ll need to show proof of a high school diploma or GED. For competitive programs, you may need a certain GPA or SAT/ACT scores. You may also need to take a placement test for math, computer, and English classes.
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? Most of the programs on our list require around 60 credits to complete. If you’re planning to attend full-time, this would take about two years to finish. However, some schools let you work at an accelerated pace or attend part-time, which can decrease or increase the time commitment.
Paying for your degree is an important part of the process. To help with this, you can talk to the financial aid office about scholarship, grant, and loan opportunities. Make sure to keep track of deadlines for financial aid and application documents.