The Top Human Resource Management MBA
Online Programs

The importance of human resources (HR) cannot be overstated. Good human resources practices can make an organization more efficient and profitable, while bad ones can hinder progress and even cause financial ruin. A top online Master of Business Administration in human resource management program can teach graduates effective HR practices and prepare them for successful careers as HR professionals, whether in the business world or in nonprofit and public institutions.

Students of the best online human resource management MBA schools, as determined by online human resource management MBA rankings, can expect to receive a solid foundation in business, management and financial concepts as they would in most accredited AACSB online MBA programs. However, a human resource management MBA online program is more focused on the human aspect of business and teaches students specialized concepts such as employment law, training and development, labor relations and compensation management.

How can I tell if an online MBA human resource management degree is right for me?

Students who are particularly skilled in workplace communication and interested in management, labor relations and employment practices in organizations should consider earning an online Master of Business Administration in human resource management.

Many online MBA human resource management students additionally have the following traits:

• A capability for resolving conflicts and negotiating with others
• A desire for establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships
• A capability for communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• An aptitude for getting information
• A capacity for organizing, planning, and prioritizing work

How long does it take to earn an MBA online human resource management degree?

A human resource management MBA degree online takes approximately the same time to complete as any other similar degree. Two years of full time study is typically required to complete this degree. But, some schools offer part-time or accelerated programs that give students the ability to earn the MBA at their own pace.

What are the prerequisites and admission requirements for MBA human resource management schools online?

Accredited online MBA human resource management programs generally require students to possess an undergraduate degree prior to gaining admission in the MBA program. A bachelor’s degree in related fields including business administration, management, human resources, and business management may be preferred by some schools that have an MBA human resource management online program.

The following criteria are also used by many online MBA in human resource management programs in making admissions decisions including:

• Graduate Management Admission Test scores (GMAT)
• Essays
• Personal interviews
• Academic transcripts

What courses will I take in human resource management MBA programs online?

Depending on the school, earning a human resource management MBA online degree can typically take one or two years, and most programs are divided into two sections. The first part of an MBA human resource management online program comprises core business courses such as management, marketing, accounting, organizational research and theory, business modeling and business law. The purpose of these courses is to give students a solid grounding in business practices that can be applied in both the corporate and public spheres.

In the second half of the program, most human resource management MBA schools online offer courses that center on a human resource management specialization. Students tackle such subjects as business communication, employee relations, employment law, negotiation, labor relations and talent management. During this part of an MBA online human resource management program, students learn how to effectively manage people in an organization so that employees and managers alike benefit and the entire organization is more productive.

Students enrolled in online human resource management MBA programs often complete internships in order to enhance their education. Internships are helpful. Through them, students not only make valuable business contacts, but they also get a chance to apply what they are learning in their classes.

What are the best online MBA in human resource management books I should consider reading?

For students interested in human resource management MBA careers, some insightful books include:

1. Human Resource Champions (David Ulrich) – Required reading for any HR student or professional, this book provides concrete examples and action plans for implementing better HR practices.

2. The Manager’s Guide to HR: Hiring, Firing, Performance Evaluations, Documentation, Benefits, and Everything Else You Need to Know (Max Muller) – This book is a great introductory text for students or managers who want to familiarize themselves with key HR concepts.

3. Unwritten HR Rules: 21 Secrets For Attaining Awesome Career Success in Human Resources (Alan Collins) – Perfect for recent graduates of online MBA human resource management programs, this book is written as a guide to help ambitious new HR managers or specialists quickly advance their careers.

4. The New HR Analytics: Predicting the Economic Value of Your Company’s Human Capital Investments (Dr. Jac Fitz-enz) – In his groundbreaking book, Dr. Fitz-enz presents ways for HR professionals to calculate and analyze the return on investment that an employee can make.

5. HR Transformation: Building Human Resources from the Outside In (Dave Ulrich, Justin Allen, Wayne Brockbank, Jon Younger and Mark Nyman) – This very practical book is filled with research and case studies on ways that businesses have transformed their HR practices and how current professionals can do the same.

What are my future job prospects if I pursue human resource management MBA jobs?

After completing an accredited online MBA in human resource management program, many graduates find rewarding careers as HR specialists or managers. Human resource managers  are in demand, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and will reach 81,000 jobs by 2020. The average annual human resource management MBA salary varies by location, industry and experience, but here are some examples:

• Human Resources Specialist – $52,690
• Human Resources Manager – $99,180
• Training and Development Manager – $89,170
• Compensation and Benefits Manager – $89,270

Jobs for human resources specialists and managers are projected to grow over the next decade, the former by 21% and the latter by 13%. This is likely due to the expected growth of 55% in the employment services industry, in which 17% of HR specialists are employed.

Many employers favor graduates who have studied from a program that has been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB accredited human resource management MBA programs are believed to provide students with a quality education.

What are the top online schools to pursue an online Human Resource Management MBA degree?

• Walden University
• Liberty University Online
• Ashworth College
• Saint Leo University Online
• University of Phoenix