Explore online human resource degree programs. Compare schools and see what you could be doing after graduation.
With an online human resources degree, you’ll be poised to help organizations make the most of their talent pool.
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As a professional in this area, you may influence hiring, training, compensation, dispute resolution, and employee satisfaction. You can help improve workplaces with your HR expertise and potentially earn an average of $41,000-$122,000 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics) depending on your position.
Courses for an Online Human Resources Degree
A school’s human resources program is typically contained within the business department. To earn your degree, you’ll most likely need to take core college classes, foundational business classes, and courses that are specific to the human resources department.
Your human resources curriculum may include classes like the ones below.
- Business and Employment Law: In this course, you may learn about some of the laws and regulations that govern business transactions. These courses typically focus on the rules and legal issues surrounding pay, benefits, dispute resolutions, and employment contracts.
- Change Management: Your time in this class can equip you with skills to lead organizations and employees through times of transition. You can learn to create buy-in, communicate with the public, and deal with unexpected circumstances.
- Compensation and Benefits Administration: These studies cover the factors that attract potential employees and entice them to stay with an organization. An attractive salary package may include regular pay, bonuses, insurance plans, and retirement contributions. You may also explore less tangible benefits like flexible office hours, vacation time, and workplace environment.
- Employee Development: You can explore motivation and learning theories in this class. Then you can learn to apply those concepts to create effective employee training initiatives.
- Introduction to Management: This course can help you become a better manager and team leader. Those skills can be useful not only in HR departments but also in other business settings. Specific topics may include project management and team dynamics.
- Recruiting and Retention: Important topics in this class include catching the attention of top talent, choosing the best employees, carrying out the hiring process, and how to keep good employees satisfied with their jobs.
Your program may end with a capstone course that involves doing an internship or completing a major project to synthesize your learning.
Human Resources Degree Salary
Human resources professionals often work in the HR department of a company. Some specialize in a particular aspect of this field, such as benefits or labor relations.
Corporations, nonprofits, hospitals, schools, and other groups rely on the skills of these professionals. Consider putting your HR knowledge to work for a group whose mission you’d like to help further.
Many categories of HR jobs are experiencing growth. For example, positions for training and development managers are expected to increase by 7% through the next ten years. Jobs for labor relations specialists are the exception; those positions are expected to decrease by 7%.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some careers in the human resources field include:
| Career | Responsibilities | Median Annual Salary |
| Compensation and Benefits Manager | Oversee payroll processes and benefits packages | $122,270 |
| Human Resources Manager | Oversee talent management, benefits coordination, and dispute mediation | $116,720 |
| Training and Development Manager | Head up methods and programs for improving employees’ skills and knowledge | $113,350 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | Serve as an intermediary between companies and unions | $69,020 |
| Human Resources Specialist | Serve as a point of contact between an organization and its employees or candidates | $61,920 |
| Training and Development Specialist | Run programs or initiatives for improving employee performance | $61,210 |
| Human Resources Assistant | Perform entry-level work in an HR department | $41,430 |
Besides your degree, your location, industry, and years of experience are the biggest factors that affect your salary. One of the best ways to increase your salary is to advance your education by pursuing either an online MBA in human resources, online master’s in human resources, or even an online PhD in human resources.
Professional Organizations for those with an Accounting Degree
Learning should be a lifelong endeavor. You can keep gaining new HR knowledge and ideas by joining a professional organization.
Members may network with one another, read the latest industry research, share ideas, benefit from professional resources, and get together at monthly or yearly meetings.
- Academy of Human Resource Development: AHRD advocates for the academic advancement of the HR field. Each year, the group puts on worldwide conferences, such as the International Research Conference in the Americas, and publishes four different scholarly journals. Mentoring programs are available, and you may want to join one of the various Special Interest Groups.
- HR Certification Institute: HCRI focuses on issuing certifications and other credentials that set HR professionals apart. The group also runs a job board, holds regional conferences, and maintains a list of HR professionals who hold HCRI certifications.
- International Public Management Association for Human Resources: IPMA-HR brings together human resources professionals who work in the public sector. The organization puts on conferences and maintains certification programs. As a member, you’ll have access to job boards, educational webinars, research reports, and online communities.
- National Human Resources Association: NHRA equips HR professionals with tools and techniques that they can use to advance their organizations. The group offers online training sessions, an HR hotline, a job board, and professional discounts. If there is an affiliate group in your area, you may be able to attend local meetings, seminars, and other events.
- Society for Human Resource Management: SHRM advocates for public policies that benefit employees and workplace advancement. The group also administers certification programs and offers strategies for professional development. Joining the group will grant you access to discounts, publications, downloadable resources, and networking forums. You’ll also be able to consult experts about HR issues that arise in your organization.
During your college years, you may be able to sign up for an association at a reduced rate with a student membership.
Certification and Licensure Following a Human Resources Degree
Having a college degree shows employers that you’ve studied human resources. To further distinguish yourself as a top candidate for open positions, consider earning industry certifications. These can show that you’ve gone the extra mile to become an HR expert.
The following certification programs are administered by HRCI.
- GPHR Certification: The Global Professional in Human Resources program is useful for those who conduct HR activities in international settings or multinational corporations. To qualify, you must have experience in global HR. The exam covers topics like risk management, global talent mobility, and organizational leadership.
- PHR Certification: Studying talent acquisition, employee development, benefits packages, and labor relations can prepare you to take the Professional in Human Resources examination. The more HR education you’ve acquired, the less professional experience you must have before sitting for this exam. For example, with a bachelor’s degree, only two years of experience are required.
- SPHR Certification: If you want to take a leadership role in the HR field, then consider pursuing Senior Professional in Human Resources status. You’ll need to study topics like leadership, employee engagement, and compensation packages, and a significant amount of professional experience is required.
After receiving your credentials, you may need to earn continuing education credits to maintain your status.
Is a Human Resources Degree Online Regionally Accredited?
Regional accreditation is a certification given to colleges and universities that can be counted on to provide high-quality education.
This designation is bestowed by a regional accrediting agency with the approval of the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. There are six approved regional accreditors in the U.S.
Choosing a regionally accredited school is essential. Employers will look more favorably on your degree. So, too, will other colleges, and that will be important if you want to transfer elsewhere or go to grad school. Plus, federal financial aid can only be used at accredited schools.
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Fortunately, accreditation isn’t a barrier to earning your degree online. Just like traditional programs, online programs can receive regional accreditation.
If you enroll in an accredited school, you can count on getting an online education that is comparable to what you’d learn in an on-campus program.
Financial Aid for a Human Resources Major
Financial aid helps make a college program more affordable. With the right mix of assistance, a degree can be within your reach. Some types of financial aid won’t need to be paid back. These include grants from the federal or state government.
Scholarships are another example. You might earn scholarships from an industry organization, a national competition, or a local nonprofit group. Some scholarships are given to the applicants with the greatest need, and others go to those who submit standout applications.
If you’re already employed in the business world, your company may be willing to cover part of your tuition costs.
Other types of assistance can reduce your current costs but will need to be repaid later. For example, you could apply for a loan. Government loans usually have the lowest interest rates, but private loans are an option as well. You may also be able to arrange a payment plan with your university.
To learn more about your financial aid options, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can also consult your school’s financial aid department.
Questions Related to Earning an Online HR Degree
Here are our answers to a few more questions you might have.
Can You Get an HR Degree Online?
Yes, you can get an HR degree online. Human resources is a common option for online bachelor’s degrees. As a student in an online HR program, you can study hiring, compensation, training, retention, dispute resolution, and team leadership.
You can learn how to cultivate a workplace culture that appeals to talented workers and discuss how to operate within the employment parameters set by the law.
During your studies, you may examine case studies from real-world companies to get a better feel for what works in human resources and what doesn’t.
What Kind of Degree Do You Need for Human Resources?
Human resources jobs can be competitive, but earning a college degree can make you more likely to land an appealing position.
Many positions require only a relevant bachelor’s degree; applicable fields of study include human resources, industrial-organizational psychology, and business.
If you want to advance your human resources career, it’s also a good idea to pursue industry certifications, such as the Professional in Human Resources credential from HRCI. Earning a master’s degree in human resources can help as well.
What Is a BA in Human Resources?
This degree is a Bachelor of Arts in Human resources. The BA designation implies that you’ll take a wide variety of foundational classes in subjects like mathematics, composition, science, foreign language, psychology, and history in addition to your human resources courses.
Some schools offer a BS in Human Resources instead of a BA program. This degree covers similar topics but may focus more on business and human resources and less on other disciplines.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Human Resources Degree Online?
In general, bachelor’s degrees are considered four-year programs. If you stick to a traditional school schedule with two semesters each year, it will probably take you eight semesters — or four years — to meet the graduation requirements.
Online human resources schools often rely on alternative schedules, though. Colleges with accelerated calendars may offer classes year-round. Some fast-track programs even have courses that last only eight or 10 weeks each.
If you choose such a program, you may finish your bachelor’s studies in just 18 months to three years.
What Are the Best Colleges for Human Resources Bachelor Degree?
To find the best college for your online human resources degree, you’ll need to identify the factors that are most important to you.
Are you interested in schools with accelerated schedules, world-renowned faculty members, or internship programs? Do you want a diverse curriculum or the option to study a particular aspect of HR?
Once you answer those questions, you can narrow down the selection to schools that meet your educational goals. Just remember that the best schools always hold regional accreditation.
Are There Any Online Human Resources Certificate Programs?
Yes, you can take online classes to earn a certificate in human resources. You may opt to earn a certificate before you get a full college degree.
Another option is to get an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree first and then add to your education with an online certificate program.
A certificate program might allow you to focus on a specific aspect of HR. For example, you could earn a certificate in Talent Acquisition, Employee Development, or Conflict Management.
List of Schools Offering Online Human Resources Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Athens State University was established in 1822 under the name – Athens Female Academy. The Methodist Church became the administrators of the school in 1842. Today, it’s an autonomous university. Current student enrollment is about 3,500.
Athens State University offers Human Resource Management (HRM) for students interested in future careers in managing a company’s most important asset – its employees.
- BS in Human Resource Management
Athens State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Bellevue University was established in 1966 as the Bellevue College. Right from the beginning, it focused on adult learning as well as their advocacy of educational outreach. Currently, the enrollment figures total about 10,000 students.
It offers the Bachelor of Science in Management of Human Resources, the perfect launchpad for those who want to become human resource professionals.
- BS in Management of Human Resources
Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Charter Oak State College was established in 1973 by virtue of the Connecticut Legislature. It was named after the famous tree – Charter Oak. Current enrollment figures total around 2,300.
It offers a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources. This is an ideal program to better prepare students for a future in people management in organizations.
- BBA in Human Resources
Charter Oak State College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Colorado State University was established in 1870 as Colorado Agricultural College under a land grant. Current enrollment numbers reach about 34,000 in total.
It offers a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, which focuses on creating graduates who are prepared to become effective leaders in human resource management who are capable of working in a variety of industries.
- BS in Human Resource Management
Colorado State University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Dickinson State University was established in 1918 in North Dakota under the name Dickinson State Normal. In 1987, it officially became a university. Current figures on enrollment have the total number of students at about 1,400.
It offers the Bachelor of Business Administration with Major in Human Resource Management, a degree that combines business and human resource management.
- BBA in Human Resource Management
Dickinson State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Florida International University was established in Miami in 1965. Current enrollment figures have the total number of students at about 60,000.
It offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource. This degree fits the educational requirements of anyone who desires to enter the workforce as a human resource manager for organizations.
- BBA in Human Resource Management
Florida International University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Florida Institute of Technology or Florida Tech was established in Melbourne, Florida in 1958 to produce graduates fit for NASA. Current figures on enrollment are about 6,400 students.
It offers a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management through a multidisciplinary approach that combines Psychology and Business to produce effective HR managers. The program is 100% conducted online.
- BA in Human Resources Management
Florida Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Fort Hays State University was established in 1902 in Kansas as a branch school of the Kansas State Normal School. There are currently about 16,000 students.
It offers a Bachelor’s in Business Administration in Management Concentration in Human Resource Management for students who want a career with a wide range of future employment prospects as a human resource manager.
- BBA in Management – Human Resource Management
FHSU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Geneva College was established in 1848 in Ohio but is currently in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. It is religiously associated with the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America. There are currently more than 1,400 students.
It offers the Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management to prepare students for professional careers in this vastly growing field.
- BSBA in Human Resource Management
Geneva College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Golden Gate University was established in 1901 in San Francisco as the YMCA Evening College. Today, it maintains its non-sectarian status. There are about 5,300 students enrolled here.
It offers a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership & Human Skills Development, which is perfect for students to learn how to manage workplace conflicts and build teams.
- BA in Management – Human Resources Management
- BS in Business – Human Resources
Golden Gate University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Granite State College was established in 1972 and is currently present at 7 suburban campuses in Concord, New Hampshire. It has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the top university in New Hampshire that offers online bachelor’s and graduate degrees.
It offers a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Administration that perfectly combines business with employee management.
- BS in Human Resource Administration
Granite State College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Hampton University was established by the former American Missionary Association in 1868 as a black university for freedmen located in Hampton, Virginia. Today, there are more than 4,600 students enrolled.
It offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Organization and Management (Human Resource Management) to equip graduates with the tools necessary to excel in human resource management.
- BS in Systems Organization and Management – Human Resources Management
Hampton University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Indiana State University was established in 1865 in Terre Haute, Indiana as the Indiana State Normal School. There are currently about 12,500 students enrolled here.
It offers a Bachelor of Science in Online Human Resource Development degree to help students prepare for a future working in an organization in a capacity as a human resource manager.
- BS in Human Resource Development
Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Liberty University was established in 1971 in Lynchburg, Virginia by the Evangelical Christian denomination. It’s considered one of the largest Christian schools worldwide. Currently, there are more than 100,000 students enrolled.
It offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Human Resource Management for students who want to become valuable managers for their employers in the future.
- BSBA – Human Resource Management
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
McKendree University was established in 1828 in Lebanon, Illinois as the Lebanon Seminary. It’s affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Today, there are about 2,500 students enrolled.
It offers an Online Human Resource Management degree that is ideal for students to establish successful careers in the future as human resource managers.
- BA in Human Resource Management
McKendree University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Mississippi University for Women is currently a coeducational institution contrary to its name. It was established in 1884 in Columbus, Mississippi.
It offers the BAS in Business Administration – Human Resource Management and BBA in Human Resource Management, both ideal courses for students who prefer to work in an organization as the workforce managers.
- BAS in Business Administration – Human Resource Management
- BBA in Human Resource Management
MUW is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Montana State University Billings was established in 1927 in Billings, Montana and is now the third-largest in the state. There are about 4,300 students enrolled here.
It offers the BAS in Human Resource Management and BSLS in Human Resource Management to better prepare their students for a bright future working for employers as excellent human resource managers.
- BAS in Human Resource Management
- BSLS in Human Resource Management
Montana State University Billings is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Rasmussen College was established in 1900 in Minnesota but currently operates multiple campuses. There are currently more than 15,000 students enrolled here.
It offers the Bachelor’s in Human Resources and Organizational Leadership degree for students who want to set themselves apart as a top-level human resource manager with a set of specific skills to be valuable to organizations.
- Bachelor’s in Human Resources and Organizational Leadership
Rasmussen College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Regent University was established in 1977 under its original name, the Christian Broadcasting Network University. It’s currently affiliated with the Interdenominational Evangelical faith. There are more than 8,600 students enrolled here today.
It offers the Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management that imparts essential knowledge and skills to students to be excellent and ethical human resource managers.
- BS in Human Resource Management
Regent University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Regis University was established in 1877 in Denver, Colorado by the Jesuits, and as such, it remains to be affiliated with the Roman Catholic faith.
It offers a BS in Business – Human Resource Management and a BS in Human Resource Management – both fine tracks for students who want a future working as well-trained human resource managers.
- BS in Business – Human Resource Management
- BS in Human Resource Management
Regis University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Saint Leo University was established in 1889 in St. Leo, Florida by the Benedictine Monks. The historical site was predominantly occupied by German-speaking inhabitants. There are currently about 12,000 students enrolled here.
It offers a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management for students who want to be experts in organizational human resource management.
- BA in Human Resource Management
Saint Leo University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Southern New Hampshire University was established in New Hampshire in 1932 as a non-sectarian school. Today, there are more than 90,000 students enrolled here. It has been named by Fast Company as the 12th Most Innovative Organization in the World.
It offers a Bachelor’s in Business Administration degree in Human Resources Management for future HR leaders in their organizations.
- BSBA in Human Resource Management
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
SUNY Empire State College was established in 1971 as part of the SUNY system and is located in Saratoga Springs, New York. There are currently more than 10,400 students enrolled here.
It offers a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management for students who want to pursue a thriving future career in human resource management for companies.
- BS in Human Resource Management
SUNY Empire State College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Thomas Edison State University was established in 1972 in Trenton, New Jersey to serve the adult learners in the state. There are currently about 11,000 students enrolled.
It offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Human Resources Management / Organizational Management degree that trains students in employee selection and training as well as employee management.
- BSBA in Human Resources Management/Organizational Management
Thomas Edison State University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The University of Alabama – Birmingham was established in 1936 as an extension learning center. Today, there are about 22,000 students enrolled.
It offers a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management that allows students to explore all the intricacies of the field in terms of business and psychology. Graduates are ready to take on leadership positions in human resources.
- BS in Human Resource Management
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Arkansas was established in 1871 as the Arkansas Industrial University, a land grant university in Fayetteville. There are about 28,000 students currently enrolled here.
It offers a Bachelor of Science in Education – Human Resource and Workforce Development for students who want a career as effective employee trainers and organizational workforce managers.
- BS in Education – Human Resource and Workforce Development
The University of Arkansas is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Maryland Global Campus was established in 1947 in Adelphi, Maryland as the College of Special and Continuation Studies. There are more than 60,500 students currently enrolled here.
It offers a Bachelors Degree in Human Resource Management for individuals who want to pursue a leadership position in the thriving field of a human resource career.
- Bachelors Degree in Human Resource Management
UMGC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The University of Wisconsin – Platteville was established in 1866 as the Platteville Normal School, which then merged with the Wisconsin State College in 1959. Today, there are more than 8,700 students enrolled here.
It offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Human Resource Management for future organizational leaders in human resources who protect and manage a company’s most valued assets.
- BSBA – Human Resource Management
UW-Platteville is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Wayne State College was established in 1910 in Wayne, Nebraska originally as the State Normal School. Today, there are more than 3,500 students enrolled here.
It offers both BA and BS in Business Administration – Human Resource Management degrees to students who want to begin a career being human resource managers who are effective in people management.
- BA in Business Administration – Human Resource Management
- BS in Business Administration – Human Resource Management
Wayne State College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Western Governors University was established in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1997 by the Western Governors Association. Currently, there are more than 110,000 students enrolled here who are all online.
It offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Online Human Resource Management degree for students who want to become vital employees to their organizations working as the workforce managers.
- BSBA – Human Resource Management
Western Governors University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Is a Human Resources Degree Worth It?
Yes, a human resources degree is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting 5% job growth in management occupations over the next 10 years. Common careers in this field include compensation and benefits manager, human resources manager, labor relations specialist, and training and development specialist.
With hard work, determination, and know-how, human resources professionals can play a dynamic role in an organization’s success. To gain the skills you’ll need for being a strong, influential HR leader, it’s important to earn a human resources degree.
During your online program, you can study benefits, employee relations, labor laws, and management — all skills that you’re likely to use on a regular basis in your HR position. To get started, submit applications to your top choices for online human resources schools.
