Online Masters in Human Resources Management

programs teach how technology can impact the processes of many of the elements listed above.

Some of the technologies that have affected human resources include:

• Online recruiting
• e-learning
• Performance management systems
• HR service centers
• HR outsourcing

These types of technology, and the impact they are having on the workplace, are some of the reasons why it may be beneficial to earn your degree online. Also, if you choose to pursue your masters degree online, you may gain valuable experience and develop your online communication skills, which have become another important factor in the workplace.

Online Human Resources Management: Common Courses

Many human resources courses focus on an individual component of human resources and how that subject fits into the success of an organization. For instance, some courses may look at how to create, develop, implement, and evaluate training programs. Other courses may focus on the legal and ethical dilemmas that may surface in the workplace.

Plus, because many students who pursue their masters degree have full-time jobs, choosing to earn your degree online may provide you the freedom and flexibility to attend school while working around your personal and professional responsibilities. This can be an important factor for those with full-time jobs as you won't have to relocate and can perform coursework when it is convenient for you.

Some of the common courses in human resources include:

• Organizational Training
• Human Resources Metrics and Statistical Research
• Workforce Planning
• Leading Global and Diverse Cultures
• Human Resources Legal Challenges and Solutions
• Comprehensive Reward Systems
• Strategic Human Resources
• Corporate Communications
• Human Resource Information Systems
• Negotiations and Advocacy in the Workplace

Remember that every school has a unique design and curriculum. Therefore, specific courses, layouts, and titles may be different at each school. Check with a few of them to find the perfect match for you.

Concentrations in Human Resources Management

Some online masters in human resources programs allow you to choose a concentration. This may provide you a chance to tailor your course of study to one particular aspect of human resources. Typically, choosing a concentration requires you to take a number of courses on the different concepts and theories of that aspect of human resources.

Some of the concentrations you may choose from are:

• Benefits and Compensation
• Labor and Collective Bargaining
• Employment and Labor Law
• Staffing, Training, and Development
• Ethics and Leadership
• International Human Resources and Employment Relations

Some schools choose to offer additional concentrations and other schools don’t offer any at all. Check with a number of schools to find one that matches your goals, especially if you’re looking to become an expert in one part of human resources.

Definition of Human Resources Management

Human resource management (HRM) refers to the management of people inside an organization. Therefore, one of the most important parts of HRM is finding, securing, guiding, and developing employees whose talents and desires match with the goals of the organization.

Many components of successful human resources management include managing the career development of employees. This may include creating, maintaining, and evaluating the performance of training and development programs.

What Is Training and Development?

Training and development are the formal, ongoing efforts of organizations to improve the performance of their employees through a variety of educational programs. During recent years, training and development has been recognized as an integral element of a successful business strategy.

At times, it may be difficult to measure the success of these programs. Therefore, to determine the success of a training and development program, many companies take the following steps. 

They:

1. Identify Business Impact
2. Analyze Skill Gaps
3. Layer Training Methods
4. Evaluate Effectiveness and Sustain Gains

This is one of the most popular ways for companies to measure the success of their training and development programs. However, every company measures success in its own way.

Online Masters in Human Resources: Basics

Online masters in human resources teach how effective human resources management plans can have a positive impact on the success of company strategies. Therefore, many programs look at how HR can help develop long-term organizational goals and assemble the personnel needed to achieve those goals. As a result, many programs may ask that you have at least a basic understanding of important business principles.

Online programs offer a number of benefits to students. One of the most important is the ability to communicate with classmates and professors through email and chat rooms at hours that may not align with typical office hours.

Plus, communicating online may allow for more open and honest class discussions. This is because some students may feel more comfortable sharing their true opinions online, rather than if they had to share them in a face-to-face setting. This is especially true in regard to the more sensitive human resources subjects such as bullying and sexual harassment. 

Admissions Requirements for Online Masters Programs in Human Resources

Many schools ask that you have earned a bachelors degree from an accredited university with a 2.3 GPA or higher. Other schools may have additional admissions requirements, such as:

• Letters of Recommendation
• Resume
• Statement of Purpose
• Minimum GRE or GMAT scores

Some schools are stricter than others, which means some schools may ask for a higher GPA or higher GRE scores. Check out the requirements of a few different schools to find one that matches your goals.

Common Careers in Human Resources Management

As human resources continues to have more influence on overall corporate strategy, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects the number of human resources managers to increase 9% during the 10 years from 2014 to 2024.ⁱ This is one of the many positions you can pursue upon earning your online masters in human resources.

Some of the other positions include training and development managers, which the BLS expects to increase 7% during those same 10 years.ⁱⁱ Another is compensation and benefits managers, which the BLS expects to increase 6% during those 10 years.ⁱⁱⁱ

Typically, these positions only require a bachelors degree. However, many companies look for candidates who have earned a masters degree and have a number of years of experience.^iv Also, a growing number of organizations are also placing a greater emphasis on finding candidates with a background in information technology.^v

Additional Certifications in Human Resources Management

While there are no mandatory additional certifications for human resources professionals, many choose to earn them to show expertise in the field and to improve credibility. Each of the certifying boards have similar objectives, so you should research each of them to find which suits your goals.^vi

The most common human resources boards that offer certifications include those listed here.

• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
• International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
• WorldatWork
• HR Certification Institute^vi

There may be a number of other certifications available. Plus, some schools are designed to prepare you for certification while pursuing your masters degree, while other programs offer additional, specific courses for certification preparation. Check with a few schools to find one that matches your goals.

Take the Next Step

Are you interested in helping companies find, hire, train, and develop great employees? Are you looking to earn your masters degree in a format that provides the freedom and flexibility to perform coursework around your busy life? Then take the next step to earn your online masters in human resources management.

Click on any of the sponsored listings on this page. There, you can read program descriptions and see specific requirements. Best of all, you can even contact your favorites directly to request more information and apply today.

[i] bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm#tab-6 [ii] bls.gov/ooh/management/training-and-development-managers.htm#tab-6 [iii] bls.gov/ooh/management/compensation-and-benefits-managers.htm#tab-6 [iv] bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm#tab-4 [v] bls.gov/ooh/management/training-and-development-managers.htm#tab-4 [vi] bls.gov/ooh/management/compensation-and-benefits-managers.htm#tab-4