Integral to a company’s growth and success, modern human resource professionals must navigate increasingly complex work environments. Those at the helm of an organization’s human resource department are responsible for helping shape a company’s corporate culture, mitigating risk, and managing people and employee dynamics at all levels of the organization. An average of 4.7 million businesses are started each year, and as demand for qualified employees currently outweighs the supply of individuals to fill key positions, it is essential that those working within human resources have the skills to retain top talent and recruit high-demand applicants.
Employment rates among human resource professionals is expected to grow six percent between 2023-2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov), which is notably faster than the average for the occupations surveyed by the BLS. As most industry sectors require human resource professionals, individuals with experience and expertise in human resource management may find leadership roles within government institutions as well as local, national, and global public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Potential positions include Human Resource Analyst, Human Resource Director, Employee Relations Manager, HR Consultant, and more.
Earning an online Master’s in Human Resource Management (MHRM) degree gives professionals the opportunity to master high-level organizational leadership and communication skills. A typical MHRM curriculum is designed to enhance critical thinking, problem-solving, and interpersonal communication skills, and students are expected to gain an enhanced understanding of how to best align employee strengths with organizational objectives and initiatives. Additional topics that are typically covered in an MHRM program include talent acquisition; employee onboarding, training and professional development; corporate policy development; ethical leadership and employment laws; benefits management; strategic management; how to manage cross-disciplinary teams; and more.
Curriculum Details for Online Master’s in Human Resource Management Programs
Online MHRM programs explore the critical role that human resource professionals play within an organization. Programs are designed to teach students how to optimize employee performance and motivate teams, how to create recruitment and retainment strategies, and how to navigate the complexities of an increasingly global and diverse workplace. Offering a mix of practical and theoretical instruction, the MHRM curriculum typically focuses on enhancing the critical thinking, strategic decision-making, communication, and collaborative skills necessary to lead an organization through periods of stability and transition. Coursework often concentrates on staff training and employee development, financial accounting, compensation and benefits, organizational behavior, conflict resolution, risk management, labor market analysis, managerial economics, and designing effective business strategies that align with organizational directives.
Most MHRM programs require students complete a core curriculum before allowing them to select elective courses that align with their occupational goals. However, some programs may have a more fixed curriculum where all students complete the same courses. Therefore, prospective students should review core and elective courses before applying to an online MHRM program to ensure the program they choose will provide the training they need to advance in their career. MHRM programs typically include real-world case studies and hands-on projects so that students can gain practical experience during their degree program. Select programs may also bring in industry speakers to supplement course content.
Prospective students interested in pursuing an online MHRM should explore universities that offer one of the following programs:
- Master in Human Resource Management (MHRM)
- Master of Science in Management, Strategy & Leadership (MS-MSL)
- Master of Science in Human Resource Management (MSHRM)
- Master of Science in Human Resource Development (HRD)
- Master of Science in Human Resource Strategy
- Master of Science in Strategic Human Resource Management and Analytics
- Master of Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM)
MHRM programs vary in length, though most require the fulfillment of 30-40 graduate credit hours. Students enrolled full-time can frequently earn their degree in 12-16 months. Working professionals may enroll part-time thereby extending the time needed to earn a degree to 20-36 months. For students with less than one year of relevant professional experience, some MHRM programs may require the completion of an additional professional internship. Some online programs also include one or more weekend or week-long immersive sessions, bringing cohorts together in person for intensive study and networking. Most MHRM programs conclude with a master’s capstone or thesis project.
Examples of Core Courses in Online MHRM Programs
A typical online MHRM program requires the completion of ten to 12 courses. Initial core courses are designed to enhance a student’s existing human relations skill set, while electives may be curated to align with specific career goals or professional aspirations. As specific course offerings vary depending on the school and the program, the courses outlined below are provided for example purposes only.
- Human Resource Strategy: This foundational, introductory course focuses on human resource strategy at the executive level. Students examine the myriad of ways in which human resource professionals support organizational goals.
- Staffing, Training, and Development: This course focuses on developing hiring plans that fulfill organizational needs and drive corporate growth as well as talent management. Students examine best practices for attracting, retaining, and developing talent, selecting optimal candidates, onboarding new hires, as well as voluntary and involuntary separation and downsizing strategies.
- Law, Ethics, and Politics in Human Resources: This course examines the relationship between legal governance, ethical practice, and political influence as they pertain to human relations management. Students study employment law, human resource ethics, corporate social responsibility, and workplace health and safety.
- Human Resource Analytics: This course examines the strategies utilized to increase employee engagement and improve organizational effectiveness. Students learn to use data such as turnover and safety metrics to drive change and improve HR processes.
- Organization Design: This course focuses on designing employee infrastructures and processes that increase performance and organizational effectiveness. Students learn to assess an organization’s strengths and weaknesses as well as how to develop, implement, and lead a re-design process.
The table below outlines a sample degree plan for a full-time student enrolled in an online MHRM program. Academic calendars, specific courses and curriculum vary by institution.
Two-Year Sample Curriculum Plan for an Online Master’s in Human Resource Management
| Year 1 | Core Courses:
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| Year 2 | Core Course:
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Instruction Methods for Online MHRM Programs
In addition to campus-based MHRM programs, several universities offer MHRM programs that can be completed fully online or with minimal in-person requirements. Online programs are designed to mirror on-campus programs and provide students with the same level of graduate instruction without having to commute to campus for lectures and discussion sections. Online students are able to access course materials, view lectures, submit assignments, and interact with classmates and faculty through a university’s learning management system. Online MHRM programs allow students who do not live near a college or university that offers an MHRM to maintain full-time employment while earning an advanced degree without having to relocate.
Depending on the online MHRM program, classes may be conducted using asynchronous instruction, where students access lectures and other course materials on their own schedule while adhering to specific deadlines set in course syllabi, or synchronous instruction, in which lectures take place in real-time using video conferencing technology. Programs that offer synchronous instruction often schedule classes in the early mornings, evenings, or on weekends to accommodate working individuals and varying time zones. Students should explore programs with instructional methods that align with their personal learning preferences and/or professional commitments.
OnlineMPAPrograms.com classifies a program as online if the program requires three or fewer in-person visits per year. It is important to note that some online MHRM programs require one or more in-person immersive sessions that require students to travel and that these sessions may be held on-campus or at a remote location, with some programs offering immersive opportunities abroad. Prospective applicants should research all degree requirements prior to applying and students with travel restrictions should explore programs that can be completed 100% online.
Admissions Requirements for MHRM Programs
Admissions requirements for individual online MHRM programs vary by school, however, certain criteria are universal. For instance, MHRM programs require applicants to have attained a minimum of a four-year bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited or internationally recognized school. Some programs may prefer applicants to hold an undergraduate degree or minor in business, but most accept students with various academic backgrounds. Applicants who have not completed undergraduate business courses in areas such as accounting, statistics, economics, marketing, and management may be advised or required to fulfill certain prerequisite courses prior to beginning their formal MHRM course of study.
Additional application requirements may include holding an undergraduate GPA between 2.5 and 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, multiple professional letters of recommendation, a resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV), and the submission of a personal statement discussing an applicant’s career goals, their interest in human resources, and the reasons they are pursuing an advanced degree in human resource management. Interviews may also be requested as part of the application process.
Prospective students should recognize that many online MHRM programs have a selective admissions process, and thereby meeting or even exceeding the minimum criteria for admission does not guarantee acceptance. Applicants who meet certain academic criteria or those with significant professional experience may be given preferential consideration for admission.
Accreditation for Online MHRM Programs
Accreditation status represents that a school or program has undergone an independent review process of their curriculum, faculty, and educational opportunities and meets certain academic quality standards. Prospective students interested in MHRM programs should research whether their programs of interest have attained regional accreditation from one of the six accrediting bodies that are recognized by either the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The DEAC accredits online universities that do not have physical campuses. All of the MHRM programs included on this page are offered by accredited schools.
MHRM programs often align their curriculum with the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates. While the SHRM does not accredit degree programs, the organization is the world’s largest professional HR association, and often sets the standards for modern human resource professionals. The guidelines set by the SHRM are reviewed every three to five years, and universities work directly with SHRM to review course content, faculty qualifications, and how their curriculum integrates business context and applied HR practice.
Human Resource Organizations
Students pursuing their MHRM degree online may find networking and educational opportunities outside of the classroom through organizations dedicated to the field of human resources. These niche groups often host virtual and in-person events, including seminars, conferences, mentoring programs, and meet-ups to connect students with other industry professionals. In addition to the national organizations found below, many universities host their own organizations dedicated to the field of human resources as an opportunity for students to connect with alumni, peers, and faculty.
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): SHRM is the largest HR organization, globally recognized with membership spanning 180 countries. At the forefront of research and advocacy, SHRM is also known for setting curriculum standards for MHRM programs. The SHRM student membership offers access to internships and scholarships, networking and mentorship opportunities, resume and interview support, as well as professional development tools including webinars and workshops.
National Human Resources Association (NHRA): NHRA is a community of human resource professionals that offers members networking, professional development services, and leadership opportunities to support their career growth. The organization offers resources to all levels of human resource professionals, from interns to career executives, including access to a career services database, mentoring programs, webinars, and discounts to WOBI-based masterclasses.
Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD): AHRD is a research-focused organization made up of academics and human resource practitioners. Centered around the study of human resource theories, processes, and practices, AHRD strives to make advancements within the human resource profession through ethical research and practice. The organization sponsors three annual conferences and publishes four journals.
Human Capital Institute (HCI): HCI focuses on data-driven HR strategy, connecting those in HR leadership positions with high-level research and analytics focused on achieving organizational growth, talent acquisition, and management. Members gain access to leadership development training through summits, networking opportunities, workshops, and on-demand courses.
Association for Talent Development (ATD): ATD offers courses, conferences, and webinars focused on employee development, training, and performance management. ATD also offers members access to research papers, videos, webinars, conference recordings, as well as downloadable templates, tools, and how-to guides. The organization also serves as a platform to connect with other industry professionals and professional development specialists.
Directory of Online Master’s in Human Resource Management Programs
The following schools offer online Master of Human Resource Management (MHRM) programs. Note: At this time, this list is not a comprehensive directory of schools that currently offer MHRM programs online. Students looking for additional program options may want to explore Online MPA Programs with a Specialization in Human Resource Management.