The Most Affordable Online Master’s in Human Resources Degree Programs

Earning an online master’s degree in human resources opens important professional doors, allowing graduates to take on managerial and leadership positions unavailable to those holding associate or bachelor’s degrees. Associate degree graduates qualify for support positions only, while those with advanced degrees can work as decision-makers, change agents, and leading industry voices. They also hold senior-level titles and make substantial salaries.

Some degree-seekers continue pursuing education beyond a master’s degree. Completing a doctorate in human resources is a great option for individuals interested in working as researchers, industry leaders, or higher education professors. If you’re interested in learning more about salary outcomes, commonly held job titles, and typical responsibilities, continue to the next section.

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Graduates of an online master’s in human resources can select from several potential professional paths after earning their credentials. Businesses across all industries require human relations specialists to manage administrative and staffing functions, so individuals interested in topics spanning the arts, business, engineering, the sciences, and real estate can find roles supporting their passions. Most individuals in these careers work during standard business hours and enjoy interacting with others to solve problems as they arise.

Source: PayScale

Picking the right online master’s degree in human resources takes time, lots of research, and ample consideration. With so many of these programs available through distance learning, you can afford to wait until you find the right one. Consider several factors when choosing a school. For some students, cost reigns as the most important aspect, while others need flexible programs that can take them from matriculation to graduation as quickly as possible.

Consider your top priorities when assessing the list below, and make your choice accordingly.

Accreditation may not be the most exciting topic to discuss when finding a top online master’s degree in human resources, but it is a critical component to success — both in the classroom and long after graduating. Institutional and programmatic accreditation both serve specific functions. Institutional accreditation, available as regional or national accreditation, assesses entire schools to ensure they provide qualified faculty, adequate support services, and career tools to help graduates succeed.

Regional accreditation is the more rigorous option, and it typically applies to four-year institutions. National accreditation, conversely, usually applies to vocational schools and community colleges. Search the U.S. Department of Education’s database of accredited postsecondary institutions and programs to ensure any school you select has successfully earned accreditation.

The second type of accreditation, programmatic, takes a more granular look at individual degree paths or academic departments. Programmatic accreditation ensures the curriculum meets discipline standards and students are prepared to pursue jobs in the field after graduation. In the world of human resources, the Society for Human Resource Management provides accreditation to bachelor’s and master’s programs. The society maintains a program directory, which you can search to find a school that matches your goals. Students may also seek business-focused programmatic accreditation from organizations such as the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Because online master’s degrees in human resources lead to so many careers, many of these programs allow learners to concentrate their knowledge in a specialty area of the discipline. The concentrations highlighted herein represent just a sample of your options, so conduct additional research to find the right one for you.

Before enrolling in an online master’s degree in human resources, it’s natural to wonder how long you should plan to be in school. No two programs are the same, but most require between 45 and 60 credits, or two to three years of full-time study. Factors affecting these timelines include credit numbers, thesis/culminating project requirements, and mandatory internships.

Some students can handle a full-time schedule, while others need a part-time learning path to balance personal and professional responsibilities. These usually require three to four years to complete, depending on how many credits learners take each term. Conversely, some learners want to graduate as quickly as possible, in which case accelerated programs may prove more appealing. These degrees can take as few as 18 months to complete.

Credits should cost the same for any type of program, but part-time degree seekers end up paying more in semester-based fees because they stay in school longer than their peers.

• Lifestyle Benefits in the 21st Century
  As workforces continue to evolve and younger workers enter the professional arena, HR managers look for ways to appeal to new professionals. This course examines benefits that speak to the new generation, including flexible work days, the ability to work from home, and communal activities that bring employees together.
• Human Resources Management
  Typically taken in the first semester, this class looks at the role HR professionals play in the companies they oversee. The course emphasizes topics such as improving the recruitment process, appraising employee outcomes, developing retention policies, introducing diversity training, setting policies around workplace behavior, and responding to labor relations issues.
• Legal and Ethical Considerations
  This course familiarizes learners with landmark legal requirements, including the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities act, Equal Employment Opportunity regulation, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Students also consider questions around handling employee claims, creating equitable and ethical work environments, and responding to unlawful acts in the workplace.

• Leading Change
  Students in this class learn to act as agents of change within human resources management. They consider methodologies and theories around leadership, study management techniques and strategies, and discover how organizational culture can help or harm a company when evolving.
• Negotiations
  Human resources professionals spend much of their time negotiating. They may negotiate salaries for new employees; contracts for outside vendors, consultants, and freelancers; and benefits and services for existing employees. This course reviews common negotiation strategies and gives students the tools to assume these roles effectively.

Students pursuing an online master’s degree in human resources can explore a variety of ways to pay for their education. All students should complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their federal student aid eligibility. The FAFSA helps learners explore types of financial aid and how much aid they can receive, including in the form of loans and grants. While learners do not need to repay grants, they are responsible for paying loans back after graduation. Other opportunities degree-seekers can explore that they do not need to pay back include scholarships and fellowships.

Barbara Sanchez Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Available to outstanding human resources professionals working full time in broadcasting or media, the Barbara Sanchez Scholarship requires applicants to pursue a degree in human resources at an accredited college or university. Awards are granted based on financial need, volunteer experience, career plans, work experience, and letters of recommendation.

Amount: $1,500

Drew Young Student Scholarship

Who Can Apply: The Dallas HR Association features the Drew Young Student Scholarship for undergraduate and graduate students planning on pursuing a human resource management career. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited college or university full time and meet a 3.0 minimum GPA requirement. The scholarship program selects recipients based on involvement with HR-related organizations, internship experience, and academic achievements.

Amount: $2,000

Garden State Council SHRM Leadership Scholarship

Who Can Apply: The Garden State Council Society for Human Resources Management Leadership Scholarship supports both aspiring and current human resources professionals studying at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Applicants must live in New Jersey, meet a 3.0 minimum GPA requirement, and complete at least 60 college credits from an accredited institution.

Amount: $1,000

HR Leadership Scholarship Awards

Who Can Apply: A scholarship program sponsored by the HR Leadership Awards of Greater Washington, the HR Leadership Scholarship Awards serve undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a career in human resources. Applicants must attend an accredited college or university and meet a 3.0 minimum GPA requirement.

Amount: $3,000 annually

IPMA-HR Graduate Study Fellowship

Who Can Apply: Administered through the International Public Management Association for Human Resources, the IPMA-HR Graduate Study Fellowship serves master’s students pursuing a degree in human resources, public administration, or business administration. Applicants need a 3.0 minimum GPA and must have at least five years of work experience in the public sector of human resources.

Amount: $2,000