Master’s in Human Resources (HR) Management Programs Online

What Is Human Resources?

At its core, work in the human resources field is about effectively managing an organization’s most valuable resource—people—to help individuals and their employers thrive. Human resources management (HRM) blends human psychology and organizational behaviors to recruit and retain talent and to promote ethical cultures.

For most enterprises, human resources management is an essential function. Public and private companies, government agencies and nonprofit groups across all industries rely on their HR departments for a wide range of needs, from routine matters like disbursing paychecks and reviewing insurance benefits to implementing visionary goals such as building a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

Human resources workers also navigate legal issues including contract negotiations and workplace bias complaints.

What Can You Do With a Master’s Degree in Human Resources?

An advanced degree in HRM could qualify you for a broader range of high-paying positions. It could also open a path for you to specialize in a particular area of human resources.

For example, you could focus on compensation and benefits. Courses within this focus area will provide guidance on how to design benefit packages that are competitive enough to attract the best job applicants but are also cost effective for a company.

Alternatively, you could work as an HR generalist but in a more strategic capacity or even in a leadership role. A master’s degree could make you a more competitive candidate for those positions.

Your possible career paths include:

• Human resources manager
• Human resources specialist
• Training and development manager
• Training and development specialist
• Compensation and benefits manager
• Compensation and benefits specialist

The Society for Human Resource Management is a useful job site to find even more roles within the field or become a member for exclusive access to educational programs, events, newly released research and more.

Human Resource Managers

These supervisory human resources workers plan and direct the human resources functions for an organization. Human resources managers also coordinate the administrative functions of an organization. They work in every industry and for companies of all sizes. The human resources manager role is the most common managerial position in human resources and typically requires 5 or more years of experience. In 2024, more than 215,520 jobs people in the U.S. were employed as HR managers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That number is expected to grow by 17,900 jobs from 2024 to 2034.

The median annual salary for HR managers in 2024 was $140,030, according to the BLS.

Human Resources Specialists

These are HR generalists with a wide portfolio of tasks: screening job candidates, conducting employee training, and handling compensation and benefits matters, among other things. Most human resources specialist jobs are entry-level and require a bachelor’s degree. Some positions may include regular travel to job fairs and college campuses.

In 2024, the BLS recorded 917,460 Americans working as human resources specialists. Employment of human resources specialists is projected to grow by 5% between 2024 and 2034, faster than the overall job market. Most of the new jobs for HR specialists will likely come from technical, scientific, or professional service companies. Currently, the highest concentrations of these jobs are found in economically strong areas, including the District of Columbia, Nebraska, Colorado, Virginia, Washington, and Georgia.

The 2024 median salary for HR specialists was $72,910, or $67.32 an hour. That’s well above the national median wage of $58,260.

Training and Development Managers

Training and development managers do exactly what their job titles denote—they design and implement training and education for their workforce. The goal is to equip employees with the skills they need to succeed on the job.

BLS data reveal that the United States is expected to add about 2,700 training and development manager jobs by 2034. That is a growth rate of 6%, which is faster than the national average. The same BLS data shows that the median salary for this position was $127,090 in 2024. Training and development manager jobs usually require a bachelor’s degree and five or more years of work experience.

Training and Development Specialists

Training and development specialists play a key role in human resources, often leading employee training sessions, delivering presentations, and facilitating workshops and discussion groups.

The United States is expected to gain nearly 38,700 more training and development specialist jobs from 2024 through 2034, according to the BLS. That 11% growth is faster than what is expected for the rest of the economy. Increasingly, employers will be looking for candidates who know how to develop online and mobile training programs.

Training and development specialists earned a median annual income of $65,850 in 2024, according to the BLS.

Compensation and Benefits Managers

These niche professionals help and guide companies with their compensation policies. They may design pay-for-performance programs, process payroll and insurance claims, and draft health and wellness plans. Compensation and benefits managers are well paid, with a 2024 median salary of $140,360, according to the BLS.

Some employers are turning to outside consulting firms and automated call centers to handle employee questions in a bid to cut administrative expenses. The number of compensation and benefits managers is projected to grow by only 1,500 people between 2024 and 2034.

Candidates with the best chance of landing these jobs are likely those with a master’s degree, certifications, and deep experience in compensation and benefits administration.

Compensation and Benefits Specialists

Employers continue to rely on compensation and benefits specialists to update their benefits packages, pay plans and other employee incentive programs. The BLS has reported that the 2024 median annual salary for compensation, benefits and job analysis specialists was $77,020. Even though some companies are turning to outside vendors to handle compensation and benefits matters, the country is projected to add 5,600 more compensation, benefits and job analysis specialists jobs between 2024 and 2034. That’s a 5% increase, which is faster than the average for all other occupations.

Your job prospects may be better with more experience.

How to Choose a Master’s in HR to Set You Up for Success

Pursuing an advanced degree is a significant investment of time and money. So, you may want to take several factors into account before you choose a master’s program in human resources management.

A graduate degree should equip you with the best knowledge and practices in human resources management as well as signal to potential employers that you’re a highly qualified candidate.

Here are some key factors and questions to consider and answer before you select a school or program:

• Look for accreditation
• Find the right curriculum and concentrations
• Would an online or an in-person program be best for you?
• Are classes small or large?
• Are the lectures and discussions live?
• Will you receive help with internship placement?
• Enrollment and admissions options
• Tuition and financial aid

Look for accreditation

Accreditation is an indication that a school meets established standards for educational quality. For human resources programs housed in business schools, one of the most widely recognized accreditors is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). You also can look for master’s programs that align with guidance from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). That kind of alignment can suggest the curriculum covers core HR competencies and may help students prepare for professional certification, though it does not guarantee exam success.

Find the right curriculum and concentrations

The field of human resources management is constantly evolving to reflect shifts in our society and businesses. The growth of remote teleworking, contract employees and pay equity are all issues that have risen to the forefront of human resources management in recent years.

You could choose to focus your curriculum on specialized segments within HR. Some schools offer you a chance to pick a formal concentration for your master’s degree. You could even earn a related degree, such as an MBA or a master’s in management with a concentration in human resources.

Possible areas of specialization with a master’s in human resources management include:

• Labor relations and contract negotiations
• Training and development
• Organizational behavior
• Compensation and benefits
• Diversity and inclusion management
• Crisis management
• Executive coaching

Sample courses for your master’s in HR management might include:

• Organizational development and change
• Human capital analytics
• Workplace ethics
• Corporate communications
• Employment law

Would an online or an in-person program be best for you?

Studying may allow you to gain hands-on knowledge of human resources principles. For example, instead of learning about employee assessments, you could have a chance to actually conduct one. Plus, being in a room full of classmates who may also be HR professionals is a valuable networking opportunity.

But online master’s programs have advantages too. Flexibility is a top one. Geography is no barrier to enrolling in the best online master’s program for you. There are also opportunities to work toward your online degree part time. This may allow you to continue holding down your job full time. With discipline, you can set your pace for how quickly you finish your master’s online.

Are classes small or large?

The size of graduate classes in human resources vary from school to school. Some programs have classes with as few as a dozen students, and others average fewer than 20 people. Small classes may allow you to engage in more one-on-one interactions with your instructors and classmates.

Are the lectures and discussions live?

Some online master’s programs in HR management feature live lectures and discussions. One advantage of synchronous learning is that you can participate in class discussions in real time. However, if you have a scheduling conflict, you may have the option of catching up later by watching the recorded session.

Will you receive help with internship placement?

You may be able to earn academic credit for internships with some online master’s programs. Some online programs might allow you to complete an internship in lieu of taking an elective course.

You want to find a company that offers you the best chance of hands-on learning. Assistance from experienced professionals in the field, like your professors or mentors, can help you do that.

Enrollment and admissions options

Typically, you can enroll in an online master’s program at different points during the academic year. For example, you might submit your application for the spring semester a couple of months before it starts.

Admissions requirements vary from program to program. Most online master’s programs in human resources do not require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), but you’ll likely need at least a 3.0 GPA. Letters of recommendation are commonly required.

Tuition and financial aid

A master’s in HR management can be a big financial investment. Cost per credit hour can vary greatly from school to school. Credit requirements vary by program, so it is important to review each school’s curriculum and graduation requirements carefully. Research the programs thoroughly to ensure that you attend a school that is both affordable for you and will lead to a quality degree that will pay dividends for your career.

Many schools offer financial aid, and eligible students may also be able to access federal student loans, work-study, or school-based assistance. Some schools also offer scholarships, assistantships, or employer-friendly tuition support options, though availability and eligibility rules vary by institution. Federal aid eligibility depends on the type of aid and your school’s policies. In many cases, students must be enrolled at least half-time to qualify for federal loans, but enrollment requirements can vary by program and aid category.

Guide to Licensure and Certifications

Human resources professionals typically do not need a state license to work in the field, but many choose to pursue voluntary certifications to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and professional credibility. Depending on your work experience and education level, you can take the test for SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). SHRM eligibility rules have changed over time, so applicants should review the current requirements directly with SHRM before choosing an exam.

You can also receive specialized credentials through the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist Program, HR Certification Institute or Association for Talent Development.

Here are some of the specialty certifications available to you:

• Professional in Human Resources
• Global Professional in Human Resources
• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist
• Retirement Plans Associate
• Group Benefits Associate
• Change Management Certificate
• Coaching Certificate

Job Outlook and Salaries of HR Professionals

Human resources professionals remain in demand because they play an essential role in nearly every business and organization. In 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports strong nationwide employment across key HR occupations, including human resources managers, human resources specialists, training and development managers, training and development specialists, compensation and benefits managers, and compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists.

Human resources specialists, the largest group of HR workers, earned a median salary of almost $72,910 in 2024, according to BLS salary data. The lowest 10% earned less than $45,440, while the top 10% made more than $126,540. Among major industries, human resources specialist jobs in the information sector and in professional, scientific, and technical services tend to pay the most, while jobs in retail trade, administrative and support services, and health care and social assistance tend to pay less.

With job growth comes stiff competition, particularly for high-paying managerial roles. Candidates with the best job prospects will be those who have relevant work experience, top-tier degrees, the latest credentials and a strategic mindset.

Related Degrees

There are degrees other than a master’s in HR management that can be useful in your career in human resources. Foremost among them is a master’s in business administration (MBA). Some MBA programs allow for a concentration in human resources management.

Another alternative is a master’s in industrial and organizational psychology. That would be particularly relevant if you’re focused on employee training and development.

Other related degrees include graduate studies in labor or industrial relations, a master’s in management and leadership with an HR focus, and a master’s in business analytics.

These basic questions can help you determine whether you’re ready to pursue a master’s in human resources management.