Although many human resource positions are open to job applicants with a bachelor’s degree, earning a master’s degree in this rapidly growing field can open the door to higher-level positions and six-figure salaries. If you are in the field of human resources or have recently obtained a bachelor’s degree in business or HR, pursuing an advanced degree could prove to be a valuable investment.
But what about the time commitment? Master’s degrees can take three years or longer, especially if you attend classes part-time. An accelerated master’s degree in human resources online may be the right option. Accelerated programs allow you to earn a master’s degree in as little as one year. Taking classes online has benefits, too, and is an excellent choice if you are working in the field or have other significant commitments.
In this article, we’ll look at how accelerated master’s programs in HR work and what you need to do to find the right one for your needs.
Although accelerated master’s programs can help you earn your degree in less time, they are not the right choice for everyone. In most cases, they mean attending school full-time. This is hard to accomplish if you work full-time or have significant family commitments, such as caring for young children.
Accelerated programs often involve a substantial amount of work. To succeed, you need to be motivated, organized, and able to manage your workload effectively. Otherwise, it can be challenging to keep up with the demands of your courses. Remember that for every hour you spend attending a class online, it is estimated that you will need to do another three or four hours of studying, reading, and writing to complete the course successfully.
One way that accelerated programs help you earn your master’s degree faster is by starting you on your way while you are still an undergraduate. These programs allow you to “double count” select graduate-level courses toward both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, reducing the time and cost required to earn your master’s once you move on to your graduate program.
How To Get Into an Accelerated Master’s in Human Resources Program
Accelerated programs are usually reserved for high-performing students with excellent grade point averages, often 3.5 or above. In addition to meeting the GPA requirement, there are other standard items you must submit when applying for your program. These vary somewhat from college to college but are likely to include some of the following:
- An application, which can often be found on the institution’s website.
- Letters of recommendation. These should be from former teachers, mentors, or others who can speak to your ability to succeed in the program.
- A personal essay that discusses why you are interested in this field and why you think you will excel in your studies.
- A college transcript, which should include proof that you have successfully completed any prerequisite courses.
- If you are an international student, you will need to submit TOEFL scores to show that you are fluent in English.
- A resume or CV.
- FAFSA application. This is not mandatory, but the free application for federal student aid can lead to funding assistance, and most colleges highly recommend that you submit one.
Please note that there are deadlines for submitting materials. It is important to adhere to these deadlines, as late submissions may result in losing your place in the program. If you have any inquiries regarding your program or admission, speaking with an admissions counselor at your preferred school would be helpful. They can provide you with the necessary assistance and information.
Other Ways To Earn Your Degree Faster
If an accelerated program isn’t right for you, or you want additional ways to earn your degree faster, you have some options.
First, you can consider taking a course overload. Most colleges using the semester system consider 12-15 credit hours full-time. However, it is possible to take as many as 18 credits a semester with your academic advisor’s permission.
Remember that you will be taking on a heavy workload. It would be almost impossible to complete 18 credits while also working full-time or undertaking other responsibilities. If you decide to take this route, your best bet is to scale back work hours to a part-time schedule. If you have family members to care for, consider hiring temporary help to free up time for studying.
An easier way to shorten your degree program is by taking courses during holidays and in the summer. Most colleges and universities offer a full slate of courses throughout the summer months, sometimes in a condensed format that takes less than the usual 16 weeks. Other institutions offer brief courses that generally take three weeks during the holidays. In this case, you would take one course at a time that meets for an extended period each day of the three-week cycle.
You may also consider earning credits through competency exams, such as those given by College-Level Examination Preparation (CLEP) or DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST). This may be especially appealing if you already have experience in human resources since it’s likely that you’ve learned material that would otherwise require you to take part in a course. There is usually a fee involved, but it will be much less than the cost of a class. Check with your school first to ensure that they accept the exams you’ll be taking.
Finally, if you have earned certifications in the past as part of your professional responsibilities, these may be accepted by your institution for credit. Certifications are given by a range of organizations, from Microsoft and Google to the Society for Human Resource Management. Again, check with your school to see what their policy is on this.
Our Research
This list features some of the country’s best online accelerated Master’s in Human Resources programs. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution, either public or private, with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation. 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 the best online accelerated Master’s in Human Resources programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications, such as U.S. News & World Report, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
The 50 Best Online Accelerated Master’s Degree In Human Resources Programs
