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Find out what to expect from the human resources field, and start your search with our ranking of the best online human resources degrees.
Contributing Writer
As organizations expand and employment laws increase in complexity, the demand for trained human resources professionals grows.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the addition of more than 73,000 human resources specialists and nearly 15,000 human resources managers between 2020 and 2030. With that in mind, a human resources degree from one of the following top-ranked schools can help graduates access this growing field.
College
Program stats
How much?
Florida International University
Miami, FL
Per credit hour
$228.81 in-state
$345.87 out-of-state
Application fee: $30
Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids, IA
Per semester hour: $545
Application fee: Free
Roberts Wesleyan College
Rochester, NY
Per credit hour: $587
Application fee: Free
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
Per semester (full-time)
$10,572 in-state
$19,272 out-of-state
Application fee: $55
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA
Per credit hour: $605
Application fee: $50
To create the list of programs below, we collected publicly available information from the most reputable sources. Read about ZDnet’s ranking methodology to learn more about what school and program information we use to build our rankings. Unless otherwise indicated, data is drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, College Scorecard, and each program’s website.
About the program: FIU’s 120-credit online bachelor’s in human resources teaches students the field’s professional standards. Students also study training, development strategies, improving human resources functions, and employee retention.
About the program: This Catholic university’s online bachelor’s in human resources trains students in labor laws, employee compensation strategies, and performance metrics design and analysis.
About the program: Roberts’ online bachelor’s in business management degree completion program teaches in financial intelligence, project management, and organizational behavior. Students need at least 60 transferable credits from a regionally accredited university.
About the program: Temple’s 124-credit online bachelor’s in human resources degree trains in compensation and benefits, labor relations, and performance appraisals.
About the program: Jefferson’s 120-credit online bachelor’s in human resources degree features courses in staffing and recruitment, employment law, and training and development.
About the program: USM’s 120-credit online bachelor’s in management features an emphasis in human resources. The program offers training in organizational behavior and human resources management.
About the program: ISU’s online bachelor’s in human resources offers courses including work-life integration, labor relations, and occupational liability and safety.
About the program: WGU’s online bachelor’s in human resources prepares students for postgraduate human resources certifications. The training includes workforce planning, human resource management, and a focus in healthcare services.
About the program: CSP’s 120-credit online bachelor’s in human resources offers training in strategic compensation systems, organizational development, and employment law.
About the program: McK’s online bachelor’s in human resources emphasizes business principles, along with organizational development, employee relations, and personnel management and retention.
About the program: AU’s 120-credit online bachelor’s in human resources offers courses in employment and placement, training and development, and employee relations.
About the program: Saint Mary’s online bachelor’s in human resources features 36 core credits. Study areas include employee engagement, human resource development, and employee rewards and recognition systems.
About the program: Regis’ 120-credit online bachelor’s in human resources features courses in talent and performance management, employment law and compliance, and business policy and strategy.
About the program: GSW’s 120-credit online bachelor’s in human resources trains students in public and private-sector labor relations, performance management, and training and career development.
About the program: DSU’s 117-credit online bachelor’s in human resources features courses in advanced business law, staffing and workforce diversity, and compensation management.
About the program: Houghton College’s 124-credit online bachelor’s in human resources provides training in personnel policies, employee benefit management, and handling grievances.
About the program: CUW’s 120-credit online bachelor’s in human resources teaches about state and federal labor legislation, effective compensation plans, and organizational development.
About the program: CSU-Global’s 120-credit online bachelor’s in human resources features core courses in human resources in a global world, employment law, and business policy and strategy. Students can specialize in project management, emergency management, and healthcare management.
About the program: Geneva’s online bachelor’s in human resources offers courses in career and professional development, business and interpersonal communication, and policy and personnel management.
About the program: TESU’s 120-credit online bachelor’s in human resources offers courses and training in management development, employee selection, and industrial relations.
About the program: DeSales’ 120-credit online bachelor’s in human resources features courses in quantitative business analysis, the business legal environment, and compensation and benefits strategies.
About the program: WPU’s online bachelor’s in human resources degree offers courses in international business, strategic management, and strategic staffing.
About the program: Metropolitan State’s 120-credit online bachelor’s in human resources trains in staffing organizations, employee development and training, and employee benefits management.
About the program: HU’s online bachelor’s in human resources degree‘s courses include organizational culture and behavior, employment and training law, and staffing and recruitment.
About the program: SMWC’s 120-credit online bachelor’s in human resources degree includes 48 major credits. Required courses include legal issues in human resources, racial and cultural minorities, and organizational behavior.
A bachelor’s in human resources provides learners with business and human resources fundamentals. Students learn about labor laws and business operations, along with training and development strategies, compensation and benefit programs, and organizational behavior.
The programs often include theoretical and practical training plus individual and group assignments.
Human resources students learn how to manage people, resolve conflicts, and improve performances and operations. In addition to having communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, online human resources learners need self-motivation and dedication to complete the rigorous training.
HR degrees may include concentrations such as healthcare management or project management.
Courses commonly offered during a human resources degree include:
Labor law
This course provides information on collective bargaining agreements and state and federal employment laws. It may delve into occupational health and workplace safety issues.
Organizational behavior
In this course, students learn how organizational culture and behavior can impact performance. Learners may examine methods and strategies for improving employee morale, motivating staff, and shifting culture to improve outcomes.
Compensation and benefit strategies
This course explores the most effective strategies for developing a compensation and benefit system. Students look at the processes involved and the impacts these systems can have on employee performances and morale.
Training and development
In this course, students learn how to create and run training and development programs. Learners explore methods for identifying inefficiencies in organizations, along with the motivational techniques and leadership strategies.
Each subsequent HR degree level provides more in-depth and specialized training and may qualify graduates for more advanced careers.
Prospective students should identify their area of interest and pursue the degree level that best satisfies that goal.
Length: Less than one year
Cost: Varies
Post-grad careers: Customer service representatives, administrative assistants, and human resources specialists
A human resources certificate includes condensed and focused training. The programs typically emphasize practical training for career-minded students.
Learners may pursue an introductory certificate for quick entry into the human resources or business career fields, or they may tackle a graduate certificate in HR to complement previous training and upskill.
Certificates may be offered in-person or online.
Length: Two years
Cost: $11,389 per year in 2018-19
Post-grad careers: Human resources assistants, customer service representatives, and labor relations specialists
Associate human resources degrees cover business and human resources principles and fundamentals. Learners may develop an understanding of labor laws, management strategies, and basic compensation programs. The training aims to develop a solid foundation of applicable skills and knowledge for students to build on through experience and further training.
Graduates can pursue various entry-level careers or continue into a more advanced bachelor’s program. Associate degrees may feature internships, but most practical training comes from hands-on assignments.
Length: Four years
Cost: $28,123 per year in 2018-19
Post-grad careers: Human resources specialists, compensation and benefits specialists, and training and development specialists
A bachelor’s in human resources degree features comprehensive training that develops well-rounded professionals. Learners gain intermediate and advanced business and human resources skills and knowledge. They learn about compensation and benefits programs, training and development strategies, and management and motivational tactics.
Bachelor’s programs often include practicums and internships to help students develop practical skills. Graduates can pursue many business and human resources careers, though additional training and experience may be required.
Length: One to two years
Cost: $19,792 per year in 2019-20
Post-grad careers: Human resources managers, compensation and benefits managers, and training and development managers
A human resources master’s degree tackles advanced and specialized human resources topics. Learners develop a research concentration that may help them establish a career path. Graduates qualify for most human resources management careers, along with leadership positions in many business-related fields.
Master’s degrees typically focus on management training, including risk, innovation, and human capital management. Students also learn how to analyze and improve organizational talent and behavior. Master’s programs combine in-depth research with theoretical and practical training.
Learners may pursue a master’s or an MBA in human resources.
Length: 4-6 years
Cost: $19,792 per year in 2019-20
Post-grad careers: Postsecondary teachers, top executives, and instructional coordinators
A doctorate in human resources equips learners to teach future human resources professionals and impact policy and laws at the ground level. Students in these programs develop a research specialization and aim to advance scholarship.
While many graduates teach at the postsecondary level, they may also access many human resources and business positions. They might work with the government and labor organizations developing new and improved workplace programs and initiatives.
Human resources degrees include comprehensive and widely applicable training in business, labor law, and employee management strategies.
Prospective undergraduate learners can start their program search here with the top-ranked human resources degrees in the country.
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