Top Online Master’s in Human Resources

Human resources (HR) leaders oversee all aspects of employee relations, including recruitment, onboarding, training, policymaking, coaching, and termination. Although the field of human resources came into existence in the early 20th century as part of the Industrial Revolution, the industry’s role and scope have changed dramatically in the recent past.

Post-COVID, HR has assumed a prominent role in corporate leadership. Work-from-home policies, hybrid workers, and accessible data dashboards are all expanding, and HR is often the team developing and managing policies around these changes. In addition, HR leaders typically help shape and nurture corporate culture, including fast-growing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Earning a master’s in human resources can be your ticket to a rewarding and influential career in this field. Explore the guide below to learn more about top online HR degrees, what you can do with a master’s in this area, and how to get started as a graduate student.

A master’s in human resources can provide advanced training that people management professionals can use to improve their companies and boost their careers. A graduate degree can lead entry-level professionals into leadership roles at top-performing companies.

On average, people with graduate degrees earn higher salaries than people with bachelor’s degrees. Payscale reports that professionals with a master’s in human resources earned an average of $73,000 annually as of October 2023. The average bachelor’s-degree-holder brought in $68,000.

Students can choose a traditional master’s in human resources that focuses exclusively on designing, developing, and evaluating the elements of an HR department, or they can pursue an MBA in human resources, which features a business leadership core and an HR concentration.

HR Technology and People Analytics: Students explore human resources information systems and applications that capture and analyze employee data. This course also introduces learners to techniques for pulling and using data for compelling storytelling, decision-making, and people analytics.

Talent Acquisition and Development: This course helps students answer the question: How do we attract, retain, and develop qualified talent? Learners discover how to assess talent needs, onboard new hires, and ensure employee excellence through development and coaching.

Managing in a Global Economy: This class explores globalization’s transformational impact on the workplace and the workforce. The course introduces students to the tools and techniques they need to manage team members across ethnolinguistic, geo-political borders.

Foundations of Coaching and Coaching Theory: This interdisciplinary course draws from behavioral science, systems thinking, and change management to help students understand coaching frameworks. Students explore neuro-linguistics, adult learning theory, and cognitive behavioral therapy to develop non-clinical approaches to problem-solving.

Quantitative Methods and Metrics for Decision Making: Students learn the quantitative methodologies they need to know to analyze critical business decisions. This course explores real-world scenarios and presents students with the tools and techniques for making effective decisions and analyzing their outcomes.

Each school sets its own admissions requirements, which can vary by different types of programs within a single school. In general, however, applicants should be prepared to submit the following:

What Can I Do With an Online Master’s in Human Resources Degree?

In 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected that human resources manager jobs would grow by 5% between 2022 and 2032. The BLS also projected that other HR-related roles would grow at similar rates — slightly faster than the national average.

For aspiring human resources leaders, that’s good news. Professionals with strong problem-solving skills, an affinity for empathetic listening, and a solid set of business skills can thrive as HR professionals.

While a bachelor’s degree can lead to many career opportunities, a master’s in human resources can advance your career into a leadership position. With enough education and experience, you may even serve on the executive leadership team.

Vice President of Human Resources: In a senior-level position, the VP of human resources develops and implements the people and policies portion of a corporate strategic plan. In some companies, this role may occupy an executive suite office under the title of chief human resources officer.

Recruitment Manager: Recruitment managers oversee a company’s hiring processes. These professionals may be responsible for developing recruiting procedures, managing the recruitment team, and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and policies.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director: Tasked with building a supporting and inclusive workplace culture, DEI directors measure and monitor diversity within the workplace. They may develop equity resources or address specific issues for employees.

Learning and Development Manager: Learning and development managers create, implement, and evaluate programs that train and track employee growth and learning. They may design courses, manage vendor relationships, and assess corporate training needs.

Director of People and Culture: A director of people and culture generally helps design HR policies, communicates between management and team members, and coaches and supports employees. These professionals may report to the human resources VP or directly to the executive team.

Employment Law Specialist: Practicing attorneys may pursue a master’s in human resources to become specialists in employment law. These attorneys address employment discrimination issues in court and mediation.