Human resources (HR) serves as a link between management and employees, focusing on recruiting, managing, and developing employees within organizations. HR specialists perform many roles, such as interviewing potential employees, managing workplace policies, mediating employee conflict, and organizing company benefit policies. At all levels, HR employees need strong communication, organization, and decision-making skills to understand and address employee needs and craft effective organizational policy.
A master’s in human resources builds the advanced skills necessary for leadership and management positions in the HR field. These positions boast strong job growth and high salary potential. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that human resource managers earn a median annual salary of $116,720.
This page offers a guide to online HR master’s degrees, including top schools, typical courses, and common careers for graduates. It also includes information on financial aid options for graduate students.
Accredited Online College Programs
Best Accredited Online Master’s in Human Resources Programs in 2021
Thomas Edison State University
Trenton, NJ
School Type
Public
Tuition
$7,182
Avg. GPA
3.15
Thomas Edison State University specializes in creating online degree programs for adults looking to balance higher education with their daily responsibilities. Core coursework for its 36-credit online master's in human resources covers the legal and ethical environment of human resources, strategic recruitment and selection, lifestyle benefits and compensation in the new millennium, and the effectiveness of a market-connected culture. Average tuition cost: $24,455
Graduation rate: N/A
Estimated years of completion: Two years
Admissions requirements: 3.0 GPA
Program website: https://www.tesu.edu/business/mshrm/index
FIU offers a master's in human resources through the Alvah H. Chapman Jr. Graduate School of Business. The 38-credit MS degree takes 12 months to complete and runs fully online. A new cohort begins every fall and spring semester. Cohorts follow a block schedule, with two eight-week classes making up each block.
Applicants must submit GRE or GMAT scores. They must demonstrate a strong academic background with at least a 3.0 GPA in upper-division coursework. The program gives preference to applicants with five years of professional experience, at least three years of which must be in the human resources field.
The curriculum aligns with Society for Human Resource Management guidelines. Enrollees study subjects such as employment law and human resource management, performance and talent management, staffing organizations, and labor issues and conflict management.
The program hosts an annual residency for online and on-campus students featuring networking events and professional development workshops. The optional residency lasts 2-3 days.
Florida International University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
TSU's College of Public Service offers a master of professional service degree with a concentration in human resources leadership, strategic leadership, and training and development. The 33-credit program runs fully online. Students enroll in nine credits each of core courses and electives and 12 concentration credits. A three-credit professional project course completes the credit requirements.
Regardless of concentration, all students enroll in three core courses: issues and ethics in a professional environment, globalization and the professions, and research methods. Coursework for the human resources leadership concentration includes statistical analysis, employment and human resources law, diversity in the workplace, and human resources management.
The professional project course is the program's culminating activity. Although students enroll in the professional project course during the final semester, they begin preparatory consultation and research as soon as they gain acceptance to the MS program.
Tennessee State University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The 36-credit online master's in human resources at BU features a curriculum aligned with Society for Human Resource Management guidelines. The program follows a cohort model of education. Students enroll in one course at a time.
Courses for the MS degree focus on data-driven decision-making and strategic management. Students enroll in courses on human capital management and development; organizational behavior; human resource metrics, evaluation, and action planning; and strategic business partnerships.
The program requires all candidates to complete a capstone project as the culminating activity. Students demonstrate mastery of the field by developing a comprehensive human resources plan for a real organization that incorporates relevant functional areas and in-depth research.
Bellevue University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
UHCL's College of Business offers an online master's in human resources consisting of 36 credits. The college is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and the MA program's curriculum aligns with Society for Human Resource Management guidelines. These credentials attest to the program's quality and rigor.
Students who enroll in three courses per semester (including summer terms) can earn the degree in 16 months. The curriculum includes coursework in employee planning, staffing, and selection; compensation and benefits; human resource information systems; and HR metrics and performance management.
The program offers elective courses across a broad spectrum of the human resources arena that allows students to enroll in classes that support their career objectives. Elective courses cover subjects such as project management, global sustainability, labor relations, and international management.
The University of Houston - Clear Lake is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
ISU's master's in human resources comprises 33-36 credits that full-time students can complete online in 1.5 years. Learners can pursue the degree part time, but must complete the program within seven years. The MS degree focuses on human resource development for higher education and industry and is an affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management.
The core curriculum consists of six classes (18 credits) and covers topics such as international and cross-cultural teaching, developing a performance-based occupational curriculum, HR leadership, and systematic design of human resource development programs. Students can opt to write a thesis or complete an integrative capstone project as the program's culminating activity. Learners who write a thesis enroll in nine elective credits that support their thesis research and topic. Enrollees who opt to complete a capstone project enroll in 12 elective credits.
Indiana State University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
OU offers a master's in human resources program that gives students ample flexibility to enroll in online or on-campus courses. Designed specifically for working adults, the MA program allows enrollees to earn credits for relevant work or life experience, military service, professional training, or through credit by exam, such as the College Level Examination Program. The program follows a liberal transfer credit policy.
Students can concentrate in healthcare management or leadership and management. The healthcare management concentration allows students to explore the legal, ethical, and political aspects of healthcare delivery systems. Degree-seekers who pursue the leadership and management concentration enroll in classes in conflict resolution, project management, and organizational management.
Ottawa University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Troy offers a master's in human resources through the Sorrell College of Business. The MS program fully aligns with Society for Human Resource Management guidelines. Sorrell College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Students accepted to the MS program earn a top-tier degree with industry-wide acceptance.
Applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from an AACSB-accredited institution within the past eight years. Those who do not meet this requirement may earn acceptance on a conditional basis.
The program comprises 30-33 credits, depending on a student's academic background. Learners can complete the degree entirely online. The core curriculum includes courses in ethical leadership and management in a global economy; workforce planning and staffing; employee relations, health, and safety; and international human resource management.
The culminating capstone course focuses on strategic human resource management. In this course, candidates formulate and apply HR theories and concepts to develop solutions that address real-world challenges.
Troy University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Tarleton's College of Business offers a 30-credit online master's in human resources that learners can complete in 12 months. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) recognizes the MS curriculum as meeting its standards for HR education. The college is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
The program accepts applicants who hold a non-business undergraduate degree. However, they may need to take up to nine hours of leveling coursework. Credits for leveling courses do not count toward the MS degree. Students take core courses in recruitment and selection, labor relations, compensation and benefits, and organizational effectiveness.
Toward the end of the program, students enroll in a capstone course that prepares them to sit for the Professional for Human Resources exam or the SHRM Certified Professional exam. The program gives students who plan to pursue a doctorate the option of writing a thesis to help prepare them for doctoral studies.
Tarleton State University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The College of Health and Behavioral Sciences at FHSU offers a master of professional studies (MPS) with a concentration in human resources management (HRM). The college offers all classes for the HRM concentration online. The MPS program requires enrollees to have a minimum 2.5 GPA. However, applicants who wish to pursue the HRM concentration must show a minimum 3.0 GPA during the last 60 hours of their undergraduate program.
The 30-credit MPS curriculum includes core coursework in statistics, research, and a concentration-specific introductory course. The HRM concentration consists of five courses: labor relations and collective bargaining; recruitment, selection, and retention; training and development; total compensation; and principles of organizational leadership. HRM students can enroll in an optional internship course with their program director's approval. The HRM concentration requires students to complete a capstone project as the program's culminating activity.
Fort Hays State University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
UT Tyler offers an online master's in human resources through the Soules College of Business. Most enrollees complete the 36-credit MS degree within two years. The curriculum includes six foundation credits, 24 credits of core coursework, and six elective credits. The core curriculum consists of classes in leadership and ethics in human resource development, conflict resolution, strategic human resources management, and performance consulting.
Applicants must submit GMAT scores or, in exceptional instances, GRE scores. Applicants with a 3.25 GPA in the last 60 credits of their undergraduate program can request for a waiver of the GMAT/GRE requirement. Applicants with extensive managerial experience can also request a GMAT/GRE waiver.
The MS program allows learners to transfer up to nine graduate-level credits from another accredited school. No course for which a student received a grade of C or below can count toward the degree.
The University of Texas at Tyler is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
WSC offers a master's in organizational management with a focus on human resources through the School of Business and Technology. The online MS degree comprises 36 credits. Students enroll in 18 credits of organizational management coursework, 12 human resources credits, and a six-credit culminating activity.
The program accepts applications from bachelor's degree-holders with a minimum undergraduate 2.75 GPA. Applicants with transferrable graduate-level credits with a 3.0 GPA or higher can also apply.
Three schools jointly administer the MS in organizational management program: WSC, Chadron State College, and Peru State College. Students can enroll in courses from any of these institutions. The core human resources curriculum includes coursework in workforce planning and employment, total compensation, employment law and labor relations, and human resources development. Students can choose to write a thesis, develop a scholarly project, or complete an internship experience as the program's culminating activity.
Wayne State College is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
NU's College of Professional Studies offers an online master's in human resources that consists of 54 quarter units (36 semester credits). The curriculum aligns with the guidelines developed by the Society for Human Resource Management for HR education. The MA program offers a concentration in organizational leadership.
The core curriculum includes coursework in workforce planning, development, and outsourcing; compensation and benefits; employee relations; and legal, ethical, and safety issues in human resources. Classes follow four-week delivery schedules with students enrolling in only one class each month. Students can transfer a maximum of 13.5 quarter units (nine semester credits) from another accredited graduate program as long as they did not use the credits to satisfy another degree's requirements.
Enrollees who pursue the organizational leadership concentration must enroll in the following classes: leadership in the 21st century, developing groups and teams, conflict and power dynamics, and leading change and adaptation. Students can either complete a capstone project or write a thesis as the program's culminating activity.
National University is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
UMGC offers an online master's in human resources through the master of science in management program. Comprising 36 credits, the curriculum aligns with the guidelines for HR education developed by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Students enroll in 12 foundation courses, 21 HR credits, and a three-credit capstone course.
The MS program accepts a maximum of six graduate-level credits (earned within five years) from another accredited institution. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the program. Students must satisfy all degree requirements within five years of initial enrollment.
The HR courses cover subject areas such as employee and labor relations; job analysis, assessment, and compensation; organizational development and change; and current perspectives in training and development. The HR specialization prepares students for a variety of industry certification tests, including the SHRM-Certified Professional exam and the SHRM-Senior Certified Professional exam.
University of Maryland Global Campus is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
PSU's online master's in human resources consists of 31-34 credits and aligns with the guidelines for HR education established by the Society for Human Resource Management. The MS degree offers an emphasis in leadership and organization development and in learning and development.
Courses follow asynchronous delivery schedules. Students can enroll in as many as 12 courses each semester to finish the program in three semesters (including a summer term) or just one year. However, most students enroll in 6-7 credits per semester, earning the degree in a little over two years.
All MS candidates enroll in five core human resource development (HRD) courses: behavior analysis for HRD professionals, organizational development and change, HRD foundations and applications, strategies in the development of human resources, and planning and implementing a human resources development program. Students can choose to complete a research project or write a thesis as the program's culminating activity.
Pittsburg State University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Mercy's School of Business offers a 36-credit master's in human resources that students can complete online. The MS program requires applicants with a GPA lower than 2.5 to submit a resume and GMAT results. Applicants with a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 complete an interview with the program director. Applicants with a 3.0 GPA or higher are exempt from the interview and GMAT requirement.
The curriculum includes coursework in accounting and finance, employment law, human resources in a changing workplace environment, and technology and tools for human resources management. Students may choose either a research project or a thesis as the culminating activity.
Degree-seekers must complete all courses with a 3.0 or higher to qualify for the degree. The school gives enrollees a maximum of five years from the time of their initial enrollment to graduate.
Mercy College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
NLU offers a 36-credit online master's in human resources through the College of Professional Studies and Advancement. The MS program prepares graduates to sit for certification exams administered by the HR Certification Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management.
The core curriculum comprises 21 credits and includes courses in performance analysis and measurement, employment law, and regulations. Students can complete the MS in human resources management and development as part of a dual-degree concurrent enrollment program with the MS in industrial and organizational psychology.
Students with an industry certification or license can request to apply their certificate or license as credit toward the MS degree. The program allows a maximum transfer of six credits. Degree-seekers complete a capstone research project as the program's culminating activity.
National Louis University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
UW-Stout's online master's in human resources consists of 30 credits, which includes 24 professional core credits and six research preparation credits. The MS program allows students to enroll in five additional credits of electives. The core curriculum covers systematic training measurement and evaluation, learning technologies, organizational development, and psychology of the adult learner.
Applicants need an accredited bachelor's degree in a business or technical field or an area of study related to training and development. They also need a minimum undergraduate 3.0 GPA and a professional background in organizational leadership and training systems. Applicants who do not meet the admission requirements may be admitted on a probationary basis. Probationary students enroll in prerequisite courses prior to beginning the MS program. Candidates must maintain an overall 3.0 GPA throughout the program.
University of Wisconsin Stout is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Stony Brook offers a master's in human resources through the School of Professional Development. Students can complete the 30-credit program entirely online. The curriculum aligns with the educational standards developed by the Society for Human Resources Management.
Applicants need a bachelor's degree, which can be in a field outside human resources. Stony Brook does not require GRE scores. The MS program accepts full-time and part-time enrollees who typically earn the degree in one year and approximately 20 months, respectively. Students may transfer a maximum of 12 graduate-level credits from another accredited institution at the discretion of the program director.
Coursework covers subjects such as organizational development and change management, human relations and workforce planning, employment law and policy, and diversity and global issues in the workplace. Students can choose to complete a one-credit internship experience (45 hours). Candidates must complete a master's project to graduate.
Stony Brook University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
WCU's College of Education and Allied Professions offers a 36-credit master's in human resources that students can complete entirely online. Enrollees with full-time jobs taking two classes per semester (including summers) usually graduate in two years.
The MS program welcomes applicants holding a bachelor's degree with a minimum undergraduate 3.0 GPA. Applicants must submit their most recent GRE scores. The program accepts a maximum of six graduate-level credits for transfer from an accredited school. Applicants must not have used them to satisfy another degree's requirements.
The curriculum includes core coursework in human resources research and evaluation methods, organization acumen for HR leaders, principles and practice in human resources, and advanced HR consulting. The MS program does not require a thesis or a comprehensive exam. Instead, candidates complete a capstone project prior to graduation.
Western Carolina University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The 36-credit online master's in human resources at CSU-Global follows a curriculum that aligns with the standards established by the Society for Human Resource Management. Students can select a specialization from several areas, including organizational management and change leadership, finance, applied business management, and organizational learning and performance. Each specialization requires 12 credits.
Applicants need a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum undergraduate 3.0 GPA. The MS program sometimes admits applicants with a lower GPA, but it requires them to enroll in an additional course in fundamental research and writing.
The curriculum includes courses in strategic labor relations, maximizing human capital, legal and human resource dimensions of business management, and staffing and talent development. The program requires students to undergo an internship prior to graduation. Candidates must also complete a comprehensive capstone project demonstrating their ability to apply advanced human resources theories to real-world challenges.
Colorado State University Global Campus is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
UA offers a 33-credit master's in human resources through the College of Education and Health Professions. The program runs entirely online and takes most students two years to complete.
Applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credits of their undergraduate program. They do not need to submit GRE scores. Accepted applicants must pass a master's-level statistics course prior to beginning their program. The course does not count toward the degree.
Coursework covers subjects such as organizational analysis, facilitating learning in the workplace, career transitions, and strategic human resource and workforce development education. Students may transfer up to six graduate-level credits, but the program will not include the grades for these classes in the student's final GPA. Candidates must pass a capstone course to graduate.
The University of Arkansas is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The School of Labor and Employment Relations at Illinois offers a 48-credit online master's in human resources. The program follows a cohort model of education with courses delivered synchronously and asynchronously throughout each semester. Each four-credit class lasts eight weeks.
Applicants must submit their most recent GRE or GMAT scores. The program waives this requirement for applicants with at least three years of professional experience in the human resources field. Applicants with five years of managerial background in a related field may also request a GRE/GMAT waiver.
The curriculum distributes courses across four subject areas: human resource management and organizational behavior, labor markets and employment, international human resource management, and union management and labor relations policy. The program requires the satisfactory completion of an undergraduate course in statistics before students can enroll in the graduate-level statistics class.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Tennessee Tech's online master of professional studies (MPS) comprises 33 credits and offers a concentration in human resources leadership. Students enroll in nine credits of core requirements, 12 human resources credits, and nine elective credits. A three-credit professional project course completes the degree requirements.
The program accepts applications from bachelor's degree-holders with an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher. The program typically requires applicants to submit their most recent GRE scores. However, applicants with at least five years of professional experience may submit a portfolio instead of GRE scores. The portfolio must include an essay (500-600 words) providing the reason for wanting to pursue the MPS, recommendation letters, and professional recognitions and awards.
The 12-credit human resources core includes the following: statistical analysis, human resources management, diversity in the workplace, and employment and human resources law. Students must enroll in at least one leadership elective course.
Tennessee Technological University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
CSU offers a 30-credit online master's in human resources through the College of Business. Students can earn the MS degree within 17-45 months, depending on their enrollment status and their academic and professional background. The curriculum aligns with Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) guidelines.
Applicants do not typically need to submit GMAT scores. However, the program director may request scores to make a final determination on an application under consideration. Applicants must submit an essay (300-500 words) describing their educational and career goals and how the degree can help them achieve both.
The curriculum includes coursework in human resource law and ethics, advanced organizational behavior, employee training and development, and business ethics from a Christian worldview. Students can complete an internship experience that counts as an elective course. The capstone course prepares students for SHRM certification.
Charleston Southern University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Grad School Hub compiles rankings based on public data released from educational, commercial, and government databases. Sources such as the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics play a significant role in how we source our educational data. After collecting insight for each institution, we organize information into five weighted categories.
Metric
Data Used
Percentage
Academic Quality
Full-time faculty percentage, student-to-faculty ratio, student retention and graduation rates
30%
Affordability
Tuition rates, median student debt, and financial aid
10%
Reputation
Admission and enrollment rates
30%
Program Offerings
Number of program options
20%
Online Enrollment Score
Portion of learners taking at least one online course
10%
A more comprehensive evaluation of how each category is determined and scored is accessible on our Ranking Methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Masters in Human Resources
Question
Answer
What is human resources?
Human resources refers to the organization, development, and management of employees in an organization. HR specialists take responsibility for managing a company’s personnel.
Can I earn a master’s degree in human resources online?
Many schools offer online HR master’s degrees, enabling students to pursue graduate education while maintaining their current job. Some programs occur fully online, while others use a hybrid format.
How long does it take to earn a master’s in human resources?
Completion times vary among programs, but most master’s in human resources programs take 1-2 years to complete.
Do you need a master’s degree to work in human resources?
A master’s degree is not required to work in human resources. However, earning a master’s can help HR specialists progress to advanced positions with higher salary levels.
How has the COVID pandemic impacted human resources?
Remote work especially has changed the way human resources managers take on everything from employee engagement to onboarding and recruiting. These professionals will have to keep up with the latest best practices and adapt to a changing work environment to guarantee a positive work culture and productivity.
How are companies improving diversity and inclusion efforts?
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have become a priority for many organizations.Human resources professionals will have to show up with DEI training, ready to build a diversified staff and coach managers to incorporate inclusion. In fact, more employers are making DEI jobs available, proving that a different set of perspectives in the workplace is crucial for HR success.
Online Master’s in Human Resources Overview
Increasing your human resources knowledge with a masters degree is a great way to further your expertise and help advance your career. An online degree will be flexible enough to pursue while gaining essential on-the-job experience. You may even find some companies sponsor an additional degree if they can see the benefit of investing in your education.
Some of the courses you may take in a human resources masters program include:
Human resources management
The legal and ethical environment of human resources
Strategic recruitment and selection
The Effectiveness of a market connected culture
Why should I get a masters in human resources?
Pay increase
You’re more likely to receive a higher salary if you have advanced education. Companies often value the additional training and specialized knowledge that a masters degree can offer. Similarly, you can leverage that degree for raises if you’re already employed. Keep in mind, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the annual wage for human resource manager can vary depending on the industry one is working on.
Increase expertise
A master’s degree in human resources can allow you to specialize in managing an industry. Some degree programs have concentrations like health care, finance, economics, or leadership. By increasing your expertise in this way, you can enter the workforce more prepared for real-life work scenarios and responsibilities.
Maximize management potential
An advanced degree can help fast-track your career and make promotion easier. You’re more likely to be put in charge of managing teams and given more responsibility. You can also enter the workforce at a higher job level.
Career and Salary Outlook for Human Resources
Graduates of master’s in human resources programs almost always pursue careers in HR, but the field encompasses a wide assortment of positions
. Entry-level jobs, like human resources specialist, may lead to more advanced positions, like human resources manager. At the highest levels of the field, HR specialists can assume top executive roles, such as chief human resources officer.
This table highlights some of the most popular high level human resources careers, along with annual salary data and projected job growth rates.
California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Tennessee
What is the ROI for a human resources masters degree?
Tuition for a human resources masters degree can range from $11,000 to $24,000 depending on the program you choose. The average salary for an entry-level human resources specialist is about $62,000 per year. A career in the human resources field has the potential to help you advance to an executive position with an average salary of $184,000 per year. Your best bet for a great ROI will be internal promotion and work experience. Jobs in human resources are projected to grow 4-7% in the next ten years, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
What are the admission requirements for human resources master programs?
Admission requirements will vary depending on the specific masters program. Generally, most of our favorite schools for human resources will require:
GPA minimum of 2.5 or 3.0.
You’ll also need to have previously earned a bachelors degree, preferably in a field related to human resources or business administration.
A few letters of recommendation are also often required for your application.
Some schools also ask for GRE or GMAT scores, though many will make exceptions if you have relevant work experience.
Concentrations in Human Resources
Although it’s more common for human resources to be a concentration within a business administration degree — some programs do offer concentrations that allow you to focus your human resources learning by industry.
Leadership and management
This concentration focuses on developing leadership skills like problem-solving, decision making, managing, and planning. Courses may include leadership of creativity and change, behavior in organizations, and project management.
Health care management
This concentration prepares students who wish to apply their human resource degree to the healthcare industry. It highlights healthcare-specific issues like public policies, ethical principles, and fiscal constraints. Courses can include planning and budgeting in health care, managing integration of health care systems, health care law and ethics, health care policy and regulations, and management of health care organizations.
Finance
A finance concentration will dedicate your studies to financial management and strategy. You’ll be prepared to work in more accounting and finance-focused companies at a corporation and firm-level. Courses may include money and banking, investment finance, international finance, foundations of finance, and investment theory.
Data Science
A data science concentration will focus on using data to enforce HR responsibilities. You’ll learn to use data to calculate use of company time, resource consumption, and benefit utilization. A data science concentration can also set you up with the skills to predict industry trends and solve high-level business problems. Courses may include analytics, HR analytics and issues, research design, data-driven decision making and innovation through new technologies.
Human Resources Certifications and Licenses
There are no specific licenses or certifications required to work in human resources. However, additional endorsements can help you obtain a competitive edge in the job market. A new certification can also increase your expertise if you’re looking to continue growing in your profession and staying up to date on industry tools and standards.
If you’re interested in furthering your credentials with a certification check out some top industry leaders in supplemental human resources education.
Scholarships, grants and financial aid for human resources students
Many companies and professional organizations offer scholarships for master’s in human resources students. This list highlights scholarships available to students pursuing master’s in human resources degrees.
AfterCollege Business Student Scholarship:Students enrolled in a business graduate program, including human resources, may apply for a $500 scholarship. Applicants must hold a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate professionalism and a record of academic accomplishment.
Susan R. Meisinger Fellowship:SHRM members with at least three years’ HR experience who are currently enrolled in or accepted to a graduate program in human resources may apply for the $50,000 award.
Timothy Sy Lam Education Scholarship:Graduate students enrolled in a hospitality human resources program may apply for a $2,000 scholarship. Applicants must submit a short essay and one reference letter.
Financial aid functions differently at the graduate level. Some funding options available to undergraduates (such as Pell Grants) do not serve graduate students. Graduate students should complete the FAFSA to determine their eligibility for federal aid, such as subsidized federal loans. Deadlines for state-specific aid can vary widely.
A more comprehensive evaluation of how each category is determined and scored is accessible through our Ranking Methodology page.
Danika Miller
HIGHER EDUCATION REPORTER
Danika Miller is an education reporter at Grad School Hub who covers higher education news and trends, as well as paying for college. Her writing has also appeared in Best Value Schools, Affordable Colleges Online, and Her Campus, and her financial expertise has been featured in The Simple Dollar and CreditCards.com.
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