Why This Matters

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

Best Online Associate in Human Resources Programs Badge
01
Intelligent Pick
Colorado Christian University
01
Best in the Midwest
Minnesota State Community And Technical College
01
Most Flexible
Lakeshore Technical College
01
Most Multi-State Campuses
Rasmussen University
01
Best HR Generalist Program
Bryant & Stratton College
01
Best Online Learning Tools
Penn Foster College
01
Most Affordable
Ashworth College
01
Best in the South
South Texas College
01
Best for Adults
Chippewa Valley Technical College
01
Best Industry Partnerships
Concordia University Wisconsin
01
Most Flexible
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
01
Most Innovative
Western Iowa Tech Community College
01
Best for Illinois Transfer Students
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges
01
Best Business Training
Wake Technical Community College
01
Best Public Institution
Herkimer College
01
Best Diversity
Georgia Piedmont Technical College
01
Best for Transfer Students
Northcentral Technical College
01
Best Certificate Program
Dakota County Technical College
01
Best Dual Enrollment
Lehigh Carbon Community College
01
Best for Double Major
James A Rhodes State College
01
Best HR Concentration
Fayetteville Technical Community College
01
Best for Veterans
Montana State University Billings
01
Fastest Completion Time
San Joaquin Valley College
01
Best HRM Program
Mitchell Community College
01
Best Practicum Experience
Butler County Community College
01
Best Student Services
Saint Paul College
01
Best Financial Aid for First Responders
Amridge University
01
Best Bachelors Pathway
Normandale Community College
01
Best for Labor Relations Focus
Pennsylvania State University
01
Best Liberal Arts College
Waldorf University

Discover More Options

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.