Best Online Doctorate in Human Resources
Human Resources Departments are Crucial to the Success of Companies
These departments attract talent and ensure employees receive proper training and are satisfied in their roles. They handle payroll and benefits, mediate issues between employees and management, and ensure organizations comply with regulations and laws. Companies need human resources professionals who are well-versed in the field.
A doctorate in human resource management provides knowledge and skills necessary to secure high-paying positions in the field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), top executives — including chief human resources officers — can earn median salaries exceeding $103,000. Earning a Ph.D. in human resources online is a convenient way for current professionals in the field to hone their skills or transition into academia.
The Best Online Doctorate in Human Resources Programs
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$7,176
- In-State$10,710
- Out-of-state$10,710
- Retention Rate51%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled13,059
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment96%
- AccreditationYes
Liberty University
- Lynchburg, VA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$14,791
- Out-of-state$14,791
- In-State$7,935
- Out-of-state$7,935
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate50%
- Students Enrolled93,349
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment93%
- AccreditationYes
National University
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$11,064
- Out-of-state$11,064
- In-State$16,983
- Out-of-state$16,983
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled12,471
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
Regent University
- Virginia Beach, VA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$17,220
- Out-of-state$17,220
- In-State$15,552
- Out-of-state$15,552
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate50%
- Students Enrolled10,483
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment93%
- AccreditationYes
University of Arkansas Fort Smith
- Fort Smith, AR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,104
- Out-of-state$11,376
- In-State$7,092
- Out-of-state$11,394
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled5,887
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment83%
- AccreditationYes
Best Online Doctorate
Human Resources
2023
Online Doctorate in Human Resources Programs Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
Rankings MethodologyWhat Else can I Expect from an Online Doctorate in Human Resources Program?
Earning an online Ph.D. in human resources prepares students to fill HR management roles. While coursework varies by program, classes typically cover the laws and regulations that govern employment issues, unions, employee recruitment and retainment, and compensation and benefits. Most programs require students to complete a dissertation, which involves extensive research into a human resources topic or issue.
Curriculum for an Online Doctorate in Human Resources
- Labor Relations: Students learn about unions, including their history, politics, processes, and relationships with businesses. Learners explore how unions affect the attitudes and behaviors of management and employees. This class prepares students for HR positions within unionized organizations.
- Attracting and Retaining Talent: One of the most important duties of an HR leader is recruiting top employees and keeping them satisfied. This class discusses how diversity, succession planning, and competition for talent help create an appealing work environment.
- Laws, Ethics, and Culture: Companies must adhere to laws and regulations to ensure the welfare of employees; HR managers are responsible for understanding these rules. This course examines the regulatory environment in which human resource professionals operate, their role in communications, and how to manage diversity and inclusion within an organization.
- Organizational Performance and Behavior: This class discusses the principles and practices of improving employee performance. Students learn how to establish organizational performance requirements, create performance improvement proposals, and assess the results of performance improvement interventions.
- Compensation Management: HR managers must know how to create, implement, and manage a compensation and benefits program. This class reviews the components of compensation systems, bases for pay, and legally required and discretionary employee benefits.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Doctorate Degree in Human Resources?
Most full-time students take at least four years to earn a Ph.D. in human resources online. Programs typically require about 60 credits and a dissertation. Along with program requirements, factors such as enrollment status and program structure affect degree completion time. Students with personal or professional responsibilities may complete fewer credits per term, increasing the time necessary to graduate. Schools generally require students to complete their Ph.D. within ten years.
Some programs use a cohort model in which students complete coursework in a prescribed sequence with a small group of peers. Individually paced programs allow students to move through the curriculum at their own speed, providing learners the opportunity to graduate more quickly. Before pursuing a Ph.D. in human resources online, you should determine your ideal learning style. Students who thrive in a community-based environment may benefit more from a cohort structure, whereas those who require scheduling flexibility generally opt for individually paced programs.
Accreditation for Online Doctorate in Human Resources Degrees
Students planning to earn a Ph.D in human resources online should only consider accredited programs. Accreditation ensures schools provide quality educational programs and gives students access to federal financial aid. Accrediting agencies are private entities that hold institutions to academic and professional standards.
The two main types of accreditation in the U.S. are regional and national. Regional accreditation is the most common and the most highly regarded. Many employers require job candidates to hold a degree from a regionally accredited institution, and credits earned from regionally accredited schools transfer easily. Trade, vocational, and online schools often hold national accreditation. Programs may also hold specialized accreditation from a field-specific agency. Some online human resources programs receive accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
Although the U.S. Department of Education (ED) does not accredit institutions, the department oversees the accreditation system and recognizes accrediting agencies. Federal financial aid is only available to students at institutions with accreditation from an ED-recognized agency. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is a nonprofit organization that recognizes accrediting agencies and works to ensure the quality of U.S. education. CHEA member institutions include 3,000 degree-granting colleges and universities. CHEA recognizes 60 institutional and programmatic accrediting organizations and maintains a searchable online database of institutions and programs accredited by recognized agencies.
Employment Outlook for Doctorate in Human Resources Graduates
Doctorate in Human Resources Careers
After earning a Ph.D. in human resources online, graduates often pursue managerial positions within HR departments or teaching careers at the college level. These high-level roles require leadership, communication, and critical-thinking skills, and HR professionals commonly work more than 40 hours per week.
Business postsecondary teachers specialize in a certain subject, such as human resources. They teach courses and sometimes conduct research. Business professors at four-year colleges and universities typically need a doctoral degree in their field. Community and technical colleges generally prefer applicants with a doctorate.
These top executives direct human resources departments. They manage the department’s operations, create and execute policies, and work closely with other leaders in the organization. Top executives typically hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration. Professionals often advance to this role after serving in lower-level management or supervisory positions. Chief executives generally have extensive managerial experience.
Human resource managers direct the administrative functions of human resources departments. They oversee recruitment, interviewing, and hiring processes. They also manage employee relations and ensure regulatory compliance. These managers may hold specific titles, such as labor relations director, payroll manager, or recruiting manager. These professionals need at least a bachelor’s degree, but some positions require a master’s degree in human resources, labor relations, or business administration.
These managers oversee an organization’s training programs, staff, and budgets. They supervise training and development specialists and consult with top executives and financial officers to ensure training priorities align with the company’s goals. Training and development managers typically need a bachelor’s degree in human resources or a related field, though some positions require a master’s degree.
Doctorate in Human Resources Degree Salary
Professionals who earned a Ph.D. in human resources online can earn increased salaries throughout their careers. The median salary for late-career training and development officers is about $20,000 higher than the median salary for entry-level officers. Similarly, human resources managers with more experience tend to earn higher salaries. The table below highlights median salaries for human resources professionals at various career stages.
| Job Title | Entry-Level Employees | Mid-Career Employees | Late-Career Employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Professor | $57,179 | $75,644 | $108,084 |
| Chief Human Resource Officer | $107,296 | $126,166 | $156,106 |
| Human Resources Manager | $55,701 | $76.530 | $80,912 |
| Training and Development Manager | $62,612 | $82,757 | $100,499 |
Paying for Your Online Doctorate in Human Resources
Students earning a doctorate in human resource management have a variety of options for saving money and financing their degree. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for federal grants, work-study programs, and loans. Students can complete the FAFSA for the upcoming academic year beginning October 1. The federal due date for the FAFSA is June 30, but schools often set their own deadlines.
Many schools and outside organizations, such as professional associations, award scholarships based on academic merit and financial need. Some schools, states, and employers also offer tuition assistance reimbursement programs to students who meet certain criteria. If you want to earn an online Ph.D. in human resources, contact your school’s admissions office for information about available scholarships.
