Why This Matters

  • U.S. PROJECTS 58,800 JOB OPENINGS BY 2031

    Overall employment in human resources is growing faster than the average for all industries in the U.S.

  • EARN $60,000+ AS A HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a human resources specialist is $62,290.

  • EARN SIX FIGURES AS A HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER

    A master’s degree in this field will help you advance to the position of human resources manager, who make $126,230 per year on average.

Our Research

This list features some of the best online Master’s in Human Resources programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. Many of the schools on our list have been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which assesses the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of business-related programs.

We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.

Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online Master’s in Human Resources programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.

The Top 49 Online Master’s in Human Resources Programs

Best Master's in Human Resources Programs 2023
01
Intelligent Pick
Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies
01
Best Public Institution
FIU College of Business
01
Best Private Institution
University of Southern California
01
Best Scholarships
Villanova University
01
Best Executive Program
Cornell University
01
Most Start Times
Northcentral University
01
Best Student Services
Colorado State University Global
01
Best for Adult Learners
Boston University
01
Best for Veterans
UMass Global
01
Best Christian University
Pepperdine University
01

Golden Gate University
01

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
01

Webster University
01

Touro University Worldwide
01

Nova Southeastern University
01

Stony Brook University
01

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
01

Columbia University School of Professional Studies
01

Liberty University
01

Florida Institute of Technology
01

American University
01

Penn State World Campus
01

The George Washington University
01

Concordia University at St. Paul
01

Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations
01

Texas A&M Education & Human Development
01

National University
01

Louisiana State University
01

University of Arkansas
01

Temple University
01

Bellevue University
01

University of Maryland Global Campus
01

The University of Scranton
01

Dallas Baptist University
01

The University of Texas at Tyler
01

Excelsior College
01

University of Denver
01

Clemson University
01

University of Houston at Clear Lake
01

Western Carolina University
01

Eastern Michigan University

What You Should Know About This Degree

The human resources department often acts as a go-between for a company’s bureaucracy and its employees. Interacting with various constituencies within an organization is a key function of HR employees, so communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills are essential to success in human resources.

While most human resources positions are office-based, those focused on recruitment may require extensive travel for job fairs, college campuses, and off-site interviews. Consider if this is something you are willing or able to do, as it may affect your prospects once you enter the job market. Additionally, since more companies are now outsourcing HR tasks to outside firms, you may end up working with multiple companies as an outside consultant, rather than being housed within a specific organization.

Professional certifications are technically voluntary, but employers are increasingly looking to hire employees with certifications as proof of their education and expertise. Earning and maintaining certifications can mean an additional commitment of time, money, and energy throughout your career, so it’s important to be prepared for this aspect of your HR career.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching masters HR programs:

  • Does this program have work experience requirements? While most programs accept students from all educational backgrounds, some programs are seeking applicants who have a professional background in HR. If you are earning a master’s degree as a way to enter the HR field, make sure you are selecting a program that does not require prior HR work experience.
  • Does the program award credit for professional certifications? Conversely, if you already have HR work experience and certifications, some programs may waive required or elective courses for you. If this is the case, you may want to seek out programs where you can take advantage of this option.

Once you have narrowed down the list of programs that interest you, research their application, scholarship, and financial aid deadlines, processes, and requirements. This information is typically available on the program’s website. You can also contact the program directly if you have any questions.

Financing your graduate education is another important consideration. In addition to applying for scholarships and financial aid, check with your employer to see if they offer any kind of tuition remission or reimbursement for advancing your education.