Does the thought of being in a people-centric business leadership role sound like your dream job? Do you want to learn how to create HR policies that attract and keep top-tier talent, promote a diverse workforce, and maximize employee happiness and productivity?
Pursuing an online master’s in human resources provides the supervisory skills needed to accomplish this and compete for senior-level HR positions. The following list ranks today’s best online master’s degrees in human resources, with sharp focus on cost, online program availability, and schools and program-specific accreditation. See which schools have the top HR master’s programs online for 2024.
Best Online Master’s in Human Resources for 2024
Advancing your education in human resources through an online master’s program is a strategic move in your HR career. It can also qualify you for certifications like the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP. As you gear up to navigate the complexities of talent management, employee relations, and organizational strategy, you’ll want to choose the right program. To help you, we’ve ranked this year’s top HR master’s programs offered online.
Students seeking a master’s degree from Webster University’s Human Resources Management (MA) program are required to take nine courses, including Managing Human Resources, Basic Finance for Managers, and Employment Law, among others. Additionally, students can choose electives within their major or from another area of study offered at the university’s George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology. The school offers a dual degree program in which students earn both their MA and their MBA. This program requires 51 to 54 credit hours to complete, including the 33 credit hours required for the MBA.
Program Highlights:
Human Resources Management (MA)
- Credits: 36
- Length: One to two years
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: ACBSP
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
The Master of Human Resource Development program at Clemson University offers tracks in comprehensive human resource development, athletic leadership, and in learning leadership. The program helps prepare students to identify performance gaps and intervene to improve the workplace. Students also learn to lead change in organizations, design workplace learning, and develop organizational strategies, among other skills. Classes are offered asynchronously, giving students the flexibility to access their studies anytime. Although it’s preferred, prior experience or coursework in the field isn’t required. Applicants also are not required to submit GRE scores. Terms run for eight weeks.
Program Highlights:
Master of Human Resource Development
- Credits: 30
- Length: Five semesters
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
Students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Human Resources program at Ottawa University learn about employment and staffing challenges; the complexities of compensation and benefits; legal methods by which to hire, retain, or terminate employees; ethical parameters that protect the rights of workers and the interests of a company; and the policies and programs within a business or organization. The program offers two concentrations: leadership development and population health/healthcare management. Courses are accelerated and can be completed online or on campus. Students must complete a capstone project. The program prepares students to become Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professionals.
Program Highlights:
Master of Arts in Human Resources
- Credits: 36
- Length: 18 months
- Mode: Fully online, in-person
- Accreditation: ACBSP, HLC
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NECHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NEASC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NECHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NECHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | WSCUC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NECHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
College Spotlights: Inside 3 HR Master’s Programs
Sometimes, the best way to know if a degree path is right for you is to look inside a program. To get details on what you’ll study, what you’ll learn, and how that will help you land a job and build a career. Take a closer look at three more online master’s programs in human resources, with details supplied by our research team.
Western Carolina University
Designed to prepare future leaders in the human resources field, the Western Carolina University (WCU) online M.S. in human resources focuses on building skills in relational, strategic, and socially responsible HR leadership. The 36 credits comprising this program are taught by seasoned HR professionals and usually take about two years to complete.
Designed for working adults, WCU’s program covers topics like employee and labor relations, performance management, and HR diversity. In addition to traditional coursework, plan to complete a field experience in human resources. This supervised work experience allows you to apply skills learned throughout the degree in a professional environment.
To enroll, you must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution and a 3.0 GPA. You’ll also need to submit academic transcripts, GRE/GMAT scores, and three letters of recommendation. Some applicants may be granted conditional admission if they do not meet formal requirements.
University of Southern California
The prestigious University of Southern California (USC) offers a 100% online M.S. in human resource management degree. Specifically designed for working professionals, this program focuses on the essential role human resources professionals play in the success of businesses and organizations. Offered through USC’s Bovard College, you can finish this degree in 12 months.
Through a curriculum designed by HR leaders, you’ll gain both essential human resource core knowledge while covering a wide range of topics. These include employee motivation, HR analytics, and organizational culture. USC’s program also emphasizes diversity and inclusion training and corporate social responsibility.
USC reviews each application comprehensively. While you’ll need an undergraduate degree, all of your relevant academic, personal, and professional information will be factored in, too. Required application materials include a professional resume, a statement of purpose, and two or three letters of recommendation.
Villanova University
Located just outside Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, Villanova University offers an online master’s in human resource development. Dedicated to developing global leaders and growing inclusive organizations, this online master’s program leans on experienced HR professionals and data-based methods to train the next generation of HR leaders.
All core classes last eight weeks and include topics such as foundations of strategic human resources, HR analytics, and organization development. Throughout the required 36 credits, you’ll cover topics such as strategic talent management, employment law, and financial and human capital. Graduate certificates in analytics, leadership, and organization development are also available.
Villanova’s online program has rolling admissions and accepts applicants year-round. Plan to submit a completed application along with academic transcripts, resume, and three letters of recommendation. While not required, the school encourages applicants to submit a short essay outlining work experience and career goals.
Benefits of Earning a Master’s in HR Online
Online master’s in human resources programs are flexible and provide the tools you need to advance your career—and your salary. Some of the key advantages of pursuing an online master’s in HR include:
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Flexibility
If you’re already working in HR, it doesn’t make sense to leave your job to pursue your master’s. Instead, you can learn while on the job. Online master’s in human resources programs allow you to tackle rigorous academic work while managing personal and professional obligations. Many programs are offered 100% online, with asynchronous classes that allow you to work at your own pace. Many online programs mirror the interactive nature of in-class courses, engaging students through message boards and conferencing apps.
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Career Advancement
While a master’s degree isn’t required to enter the field of human resources, top earners often hold advanced degrees. Employment law is always changing, so being up-to-date is crucial for your professional advancement. Human resources leaders also utilize forward-thinking management ideas—many stemming from their academic studies. An advanced degree will set you apart from the competition when looking for your next job.
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Compensation
Human resources managers, compensation managers, and training managers all earned median salaries of more than $100,000 in 2019, with the top 10% earning around $200,000. Experienced managers often hold advanced degrees such as an online master’s degree in human resources and have specialized expertise that sets them apart from their competition. While the human resources field as a whole pays relatively well, management roles pay the most and a master’s degree can help make that happen.
What You’ll Learn in an Online Master’s in Human Resources Program
Courses offered through an online master’s in human resources vary from program to program, but most have a core group of classes that form a foundation. Topics include human resources strategy, organizational leadership, talent management, and employee relations.
Often designed by leaders in the field, human resources curricula pull from theoretical and practical sources, often challenging you to solve real-world HR dilemmas. Most programs include a degree-culminating project, and some offer the chance to do an internship as part of graduation requirements. Keep reading to learn more about courses common to online master’s in human resources programs.
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Human Resource Strategy
This online course explores the essential role HR professionals play in unlocking the human and social capital of employees. In addition to linking organizational resources to performance outcomes, you’ll learn to create an effective framework for developing and evaluating human resource activities. Students also analyze how HR management functions in an international context and how HR decisions affect employee performance.
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Leadership in Human Resources
Leadership skills are essential if you’re looking for a managerial role in HR. This course focuses on developing the essential social intelligence skills used by effective leaders. The course looks at those skills and behaviors while offering insight into how to encourage change in the face of pushback. The course also exposes you to a variety of communication skills and highlights how to produce strategic plans through assessments and simulations.
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Talent Management
Through both data-driven HR decision-making and practical management processes, this course examines how an effective talent pipeline can affect an organization’s bottom line. It covers topics such as workforce planning and hiring, ways of building a succession pipeline, and performance review methods. You’ll also learn about developing effective coaching methods to improve employee performance.
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Employee Relations
Designed to provide the practical tools necessary for building positive employee relationships, this course examines common problems faced by HR professionals and explores the complex affiliations between bosses, workers, and labor unions. Through data-driven approaches to improve management practices, students in an online master’s degree in human resources program learn to coach and counsel to change employee behavior.
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Management of Diverse Human Resources
Through an analysis of diversity issues within the HR field, this course demonstrates how diversity and inclusion initiatives benefit an organization’s financial future. Assignments help you look closely at gender, race, and LGBTQ+ issues and explore the complex implications of unconscious bias and cultural competence.
Accreditation for Online Master’s Degrees in Human Resources
As you’re considering various online master’s in human resource programs, you’ll see lots of similarities and differences between programs. No matter what, there’s one aspect that must stand out above the rest: accreditation. When looking at prospective schools, you’ll want to be sure they hold proper accreditation.
At the institutional level, any school you consider should hold regional accreditation. With this seal of approval, you can feel comfortable that the program meets certain standards in academics, admissions, and finances.
In addition to school accreditation, programmatic accreditation also plays an important role. The Society for Human Resource Management offers its stamp of approval to online master’s in human resources programs that meet academic and professional standards. This professional organization also offers career services and scholarship opportunities. If in doubt about a school’s accreditation, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s searchable Database of Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.
What You Can Do with a Master’s in Human Resources
An online master’s in human resources provides the skills needed for a career in HR leadership. With generous salaries, management roles in human resources can pay well into the six figures. While the size of a company and the specific industry play a large role in determining earning potential, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that roles for HR managers will grow by 6% between 2019-2029.
In addition to master’s in human resources programs offering the academic and practical training for advanced roles in the field, many programs provide concentrations. Popular specializations include organizational development, employment law, and project management. These allow you to tailor your coursework to your career interests and hone specialized knowledge that can pay dividends. Keep reading to learn more about some of the best-paying HR careers—information that may factor into the specific courses you choose.
Human Resources Manager
Through a wide variety of responsibilities, human resources managers coordinate and supervise the administrative elements of an organization. From employee recruiting to strategic planning, these top earners serve as essential conduits between management and employees. They often supervise the supervisors and manage staffing issues.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
|
$68,300 |
$116,720 |
$205,720 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019
Training and Development Manager
Training and development managers oversee a wide variety of staff and management training programs. From the planning, implementation, and execution of an organization’s training operation, they are involved in each step. They also work with executives to hash out future training plans and employ HR data analytics to measure the efficacy of employee training.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
|
$64,720 |
$113,350 |
$196,070 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019
Compensation and Benefits Manager
Compensation and benefits managers develop and oversee an organization’s pay and benefits structure. Prepared with a sound knowledge of state and federal employment regulations, they ensure guidelines are met and closely monitor competitive wages. In addition to managing budgetary concerns, these professionals also work as liaisons between employees, managers, and third parties that administer benefits.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
|
$69,870 |
$122,270 |
$208,000 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019
Human Resources Specialist
Working on the frontlines of employee recruitment, human resources specialists screen, interview, and place new employees. They also handle critical tasks involving compensation, benefits, and training. Human resources specialist positions are expected to grow by 7% over the next decade and exist in organizations from local nonprofits to multinational corporations.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
|
$37,180 |
$61,920 |
$105,930 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019
Labor Relations Specialist
Working as a bridge between labor unions and company management, labor relations specialists work with both parties to negotiate labor contracts. They deal with human resources issues such as salaries, healthcare, and pensions. In addition to working closely with both union representatives and management, labor relations specialists investigate labor issues and train managers on labor relations.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
|
$19,230 |
$69,020 |
$124,380 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019
Costs and Financial Aid for Online Master’s Degrees in Human Resources
These days, degrees cost a lot of money. Before committing to an online master’s in HR, you need to understand what you’re signing up for and line up funding. Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is a great first step, as this qualifies you for loans, grants, and work-study opportunities.
You’ll also want to check with prospective schools to learn about program-specific scholarships, grants, fellowships, and assistantships. Lastly, start early with your search for scholarships provided by nonprofits, companies, and other organizations that offer awards. Creating a robust financial aid plan is key to ensuring you maximize all funding available to you.
What Your Online Master’s in Human Resources Could Cost
| School Name | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Total Tuition Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
33 |
$975 |
$32,175 |
|
|
38 |
$921 |
$35,000 |
|
|
30 |
$1,018.80 (resident); $1,068.80 (nonresident) |
$30,564 (resident); |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Human Resources Master’s Degrees
What are the admissions requirements for an online master’s in human resources?
Admission requirements for an HR online master’s vary by school. Some require an interview while others do not. You should always review the specific requirements of each school you apply to, but these are some of the most common application requirements:
- Completed application and application fee
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- 2.7 or higher GPA
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement/statement of goals
- Resume/CV
- Relevant work experience
- GRE/GMAT scores
- Interview
- TOEFL/IELTS scores for international students
How long will it take to finish my master’s in human resources online?
The short answer is that it depends on factors such as whether you enroll full-time or part-time, if you have any transferable credits, and if you plan to take summer classes. Most programs require 45-60 credit hours and take approximately two years to complete, as you’ll see with this online master’s degree in human resources from the University of Scranton. If attending full-time doesn’t work with your current stage of life, many programs allow up to five or six years to meet all requirements.
Can I earn a master’s in human resources 100% online or are campus visits required?
The vast majority of online master’s in human resources programs can be completed without ever visiting campus. That being said, some of the more immersive programs may require you to participate in several in-person weekend intensives to help you network and build relationships with peers and professors. If you’re attending a school far from your residence, make sure you understand these requirements and take travel costs into consideration before committing.
