Overall employment in human resources is growing faster than the average for all industries in the U.S.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a human resources specialist is $62,290.
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.
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 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.
Here are some questions to ask when researching masters HR programs:
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.