30 Best Online Master’s Degrees in Human Resources

Georgetown University offers a Master's of Professional Studies in Human Resources Management. Designed for working professionals, the professionally-oriented degree program can be completed entirely or partially online. The curriculum consists of 11 courses for a total of 33 credits. It includes two core courses: Workplace Ethics and a capstone course. It also contains three foundation courses: Human Capital Analytics, Foundations of Human Resources, and Research Process and Methodology. Students can choose from five focus areas, including Diversity & Inclusion Management and Strategic Human Capital Development. Students can complete the degree on a full-time or part-time basis in two to five years.

Despite its religious heritage and affiliation, Georgetown is not governed by the church, and the majority of its students are not Catholic. The school is home to the largest student-run business and the largest student-run financial institution in the United States. U.S. News & World Report ranks Georgetown No. 5 nationally in Best Online Graduate Business Programs.

The West Chester University of Pennsylvania offers a Master of Science in Human Resource Management. The degree program is designed for working professionals and can be completed entirely online. The curriculum consists of 10 courses for a total of 30 credits. Each session spans seven weeks. Courses cover areas of HR such as compensation and benefits, ethics, global HR, labor relations, leadership and change management, and workforce planning. The degree can be completed on a part-time basis within two years or in less than one year of full-time study.

WCUPA is a public university in Chester County, PA, about 25 miles from Philadelphia. It was established in 1871 in a teacher-training school. Today, it is the largest and most competitive of the 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university's online MS in Human Resource Management aligns with the Society for Human Resource Management guidelines. In their final year of study, students in the program may be eligible to sit for the SHRM Certified Professional exam. U.S. News & World Report ranks WCUPA No. 69 for best value and No. 17 among public schools in the northern United States.

Concordia University offers a Master of Art in Human Resource Management. The degree program is designed for busy, working adults and can be completed entirely or partially online. The curriculum consists of 36 credit hours, with each course spanning seven weeks. The program is structured in a set course sequence. Courses include Finance for Human Resources Leaders, Human Resources Action Research at Work, and Legal Environment for Human Resource Leaders. Students also have the option to complete a study abroad experience.

Concordia is a private, liberal arts university in Saint Paul, MI. It also operates an online campus with several online program offerings. The university was founded in 1893. It is affiliated with the nine-member Concordia University System, which is operated by the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Concordia's online MA in Human Resource Management aligns with the guidelines set by the Society for Human Resource Management. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university No. 94 in the Midwest and No. 108 in Best Online Graduate Business Programs.

Boston University awards a Master of Science in Human Resources Management. The online degree program requires five years of professional experience or a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist certification. The advanced curriculum consists of 12 courses totaling 48 credits. Core courses include E-Commerce; International Business, Economics, and Cultures; and Market and Economic Research and Analysis. Specialization courses include Enterprise Risk Planning and Compliance and The Innovative Process: Developing New Products and Services.

BU was chartered in 1869 by members of the United Methodist Church, though it is a nonsectarian institution. The Carnegie Foundation classifies BU as a doctoral university with a very high level of research. The school is a member of the Association of American Universities, an organization of the nation's foremost research universities. Notably, BU professor Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in a university lab. U.S. News & World Report ranks BU No. 11 in Best Online Graduate Business Programs.

Tarleton State University offers a Master of Science in Human Resources Management. The degree program can be completed entirely online. It is designed to build skills in areas such as compensation and benefits administration, labor relations, recruiting, risk management, and training and development. Course examples include Business Research Methods, International Human Resources, and Law and Regulations in Human Resources. The curriculum culminates in a comprehensive exam. The program also offers opportunities for hands-on experience through organizations such as the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization and the Society for Human Resource Management.

Tarleton State University is a public state university in the small town of Stephenville, Texas. It was founded in 1899 as a private agricultural school and liberal arts college. Today, it is a member institution of the Texas A&M University System and is one of the fastest-growing institutions in the state. U.S. News & World Report ranks Tarleton State No. 91 in the western United States and No. 35 among public higher education institutions.

Troy University awards a Master of Science in Human Resource Management. The degree program is designed for working professionals, and it features a fully-online curriculum. Students who enter the program without an undergraduate business degree must take one prerequisite course in Survey of Business Concepts. Core MS courses include Compensation and Benefits, Ethical Leadership and Management in a Global Economy, and Workplace Planning and Staffing. The curriculum culminates in a Strategic Human Resource Management capstone course. The degree requires 30 to 33 semester credit hours of study.

Troy University is a public university with the main campus in the small college town of Troy, AL. It was founded in 1887 as a teacher-training school. The university now operates three satellite campuses across Alabama, in Dothan, Montgomery, and Phenix City. The university's online MS in Human Resource Management aligns with the guidelines set by the Society for Human Resource Management. U.S. News & World Report ranks Troy No. 94 nationally in Best Online Graduate Business Programs and No. 19 in innovation.

Drexel University awards a Master of Science in Human Resource Development. The online degree program incorporates the fields of business, education, and psychology. The curriculum covers employee-focused areas of HR, such as career development, employee retention, and mentoring. Human Resource Development courses include Coaching and Mentoring for Sustainable Learning, Development of Human Resources, and Leading and Evaluating Change. The curriculum also consists of a capstone research component in the form of a thesis, lesson study course, or practitioner course. The program is structured into four 10-week quarters per year.

Drexel is a private research university in Philadelphia. It was founded in 1891 by financier and philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel. The university is noted for its cooperative education program, which allows students to gain work experience relevant to their fields of study while enrolled. Drexel also offers award-winning online education programs. The Academy of Human Resource Development recognizes the university's online MS in Human Resource Development program as a Program of Excellence. U.S. News & World Report ranks Drexel No. 84 in Best Business Schools at the graduate level and No. 13 nationally in innovation.

The University of Denver offers a Master of Science in Strategic Human Resources with a concentration in HR Management and Development. The curriculum consists of 12 courses for a total of 48 credit hours. Core courses include Finance for HR Professionals, Human Resources Across Organizations, and Research Practices and Applications. Students can choose from four concentration course options, such as Consulting and Human Resource Applications and HR Change Management. The curriculum culminates in a capstone project or seminar. The degree can be completed entirely online in as few as 18 months.

DU is a private, nonsectarian research university in Denver. Established in 1864 as a Methodist seminary, it is the oldest independent private university in the Rocky Mountain Region. Its research institutes include the Conflict Resolution Institute, the Institute for Public Policy Studies, and the Pardee Center for International Futures. The university's Daniels College of Business is the eighth-oldest business school in the United States. DU alumni have gone on to serve as CEOs for companies including Best Buy, MGM, Radio Shack, and Visa. U.S. News & World Report ranks DU No. 60 in Best Online Graduate Business Programs.

The University of Louisville awards a Master of Science in Human Resources and Organization Development. Students may choose a concentration in either Health Professions Education, which can be completed partially online, or Human Resource Leadership, which can be completed entirely online. The Health Professions Education concentration includes courses in Instructional Strategies and Teaching as well as Learning in Health Professions Education. The Human Resource Leadership concentration includes courses in Organizational Change and Consulting and Strategic Human Resources. Each program requires 33 to 36 hours of study. Students may culminate either program with a research thesis or integrative capstone portfolio. Students can complete the program on a full-time or part-time basis in one and a half to three years.

The University of Louisville is a public state university in Louisville, KY. The Kentucky General Assembly mandates the university to be a "preeminent metropolitan research university." The university has three campuses in the Louisville area, several satellite facilities, and an international campus in Panama City, Panama. The university is particularly noted for its developments in medicine, including the nation's first emergency department and the world's first self-contained artificial heart transplant. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Louisville College of Business No. 87 nationally at the graduate level.

Utah State University offers an online program leading to a Master's of Human Resources. Students entering the program without a business undergraduate degree must complete four prerequisite courses. The skills-based degree program is designed for working professionals and can be completed online. Utah residents may choose to complete the degree at a location local to them within the state. Courses are broadcasted through live video and interactive online technologies. Required courses include Employment Law, Managing Individuals and Groups, and Talent Acquisition and Retention. Students may choose to participate in an international study experience. The curriculum consists of 36 credits of study. Students can complete the degree in one to two years.

Utah State is a public land-grant and space-grant research university. It was founded in 1888 as an agriculture college. Located in Logan, Utah, the university has the largest public residential campus in the state. It also operates 31 additional learning locations throughout Utah. The university houses the Shingo Institute, an executive education outreach program for organization leaders worldwide. U.S. News & World Report ranks USU the No. 112 public institution of higher education in the nation.

Regis University awards a Master of Science in Human Resource Management. It is an intensive, accelerated program that prepares graduates for strategic leadership positions in human resources. The curriculum incorporates ethical and legal standards, performance metrics, socially responsible leadership, and stakeholder communication. It includes three core courses: Business Intelligence and Analytics, Leading in a New Era, and Logical and Critical Analysis. Classes are offered in an eight-week accelerated format. The curriculum culminates in a capstone course in Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility.

Regis is a private Roman Catholic university that emphasizes values-based experiential learning and Jesuit principles. It was founded in 1877 by a group of exiled Italian Jesuits in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Now located in Denver, Regis is a member of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university's notable facilities include the Institute on the Common Good community dialogue space and the Center for Service Learning, which facilitates student volunteering. U.S. News & World Report ranks Regis No. 32 in Best Value Schools and No. 26 in Regional Universities West.

American University offers a Master of Science in Human Resource Analytics and Management. The online degree program is designed to build current HR professionals' contemporary leadership skills. It is rooted in technology and the science of decision-making, preparing graduates to use data analytics to solve HR problems and enhance the efficacy of organizations. The curriculum consists of 10 courses for a total of 30 credits. It includes three core courses: Data-Driven Decision Making, Innovation Through New Technologies, and Intercultural Communication for Professionals. Elective offerings include Strategic Management of Sports Organizations and Standards & Systems in U.S. Healthcare. The curriculum culminates in a strategic HR capstone project.

American University is a private space-grant research university in the Spring Valley neighborhood of Washington. Chartered in 1893 by an Act of Congress, the university's establishment was due in part to the efforts of a local Methodist bishop. In 2018, The Princeton Review ranked AU the No. 1 on its list of colleges and universities with the most politically active students. U.S. News & World Report lists the university No. 78 nationally, No. 64 for best value, and No. 39 in Best Online Graduate Business Programs.

Rochester Institute of Technology offers a Master of Science in Human Resource Development. The degree program is completed entirely online. It is suitable for students seeking entry into the human resources field and for current HR professionals seeking advancement. The program has a global focus and builds students' skills in areas such as corporate strategy, talent development, employee retention. Required courses include Performance Analysis and Development, Principles of Research Communications, and Training for Global Organizations. Students may choose to concentrate in Workplace Learning and Instruction. Elective offerings include Diversity in the Global Workplace, Information Systems in HRD, and Leading Change. Students can decide to culminate their program of study through a comprehensive exam or research thesis.

RIT is a private university in suburban Henrietta, a town in the Rochester, NY metropolitan area. The university began in 1891 as a result of a merger between a literary society and a technical training institute. It has since grown into one of the largest private universities in the nation in terms of full-time student enrollment. The university is noted for its cooperative education program, which gives students opportunities for professional experience concerning their academic studies. It is the world's most extensive and fourth-oldest co-op program. U.S. News & World Report ranks RIT No. 43 nationally for best value.

Florida Institute of Technology awards a Master of Science in Human Resource Management. It is designed to prepare graduates for leadership positions in human resources. While each applicant must have a bachelor's degree, prior bachelor's can be in any field. The master's degree requires 33 credit hours of coursework. Required courses include Business Law, Employee Relations, and Interpersonal Relations and Conflict Resolution. The curriculum culminates in a team-based consulting capstone project for an external organization. The project requirements include a written report and presentation.

Florida Tech is a private, non-profit, space-grant research university in Melbourne, FL. Its initial purpose was to train space industry professionals for the Kennedy Space Center on the state's Space Coast. It was founded in 1958 as an engineering college, and the majority of its students today are enrolled in engineering and science programs. The university's research facilities include the Human-Centered Design Institute and the National Center for Small Business Information. U.S. News & World Report ranks Florida Tech No. 73 in Best Online Graduate Business Programs.

Bellevue University awards a Master of Science in Human Resource Strategic Management. It is provided in a cohort format with a fixed course sequence, which allows groups of peers to move through the material together. The curriculum incorporates data analysis, diversity, and ethics in its study of strategic HR management. Major course requirements include Contemporary Issues, Global HR Management, and Human Resource Law. The curriculum culminates in a strategic capstone project. The degree requires 36 total credits of study.

Bellevue is a private, non-profit university in suburban Bellevue, NE. It was established in 1966 with a focus on adult education, and it continues to serve a primarily adult student population. The university's online MS in Human Resource Strategic Management program aligns with the standards set by the Society for Human Resource Management.

Saint Francis University offers an online program leading to a Master's of Human Resource Management. The degree program is designed to prepare working professionals for leadership roles in human resources. It features a practical, skills-based curriculum with underpinnings in ethics and Catholic values. It consists of 10 courses for a total of 30 credits. All classes are taught asynchronously to allow students to learn anytime, anywhere. Core courses include Benefits, Compensation, Employment Law, and Performance Management. Elective offerings include Alternative Dispute Resolution, Collective Bargaining, and Leadership. Full-time students can complete the program in as few as two years. The program can be completed on a part-time basis at each student's own pace, but all requirements must be met within five years.

SFU is a private Roman Catholic liberal arts university. Founded in 1847 by Franciscan Friars, it was the first Franciscan college and one of the first Catholic universities in the United States. The campus is located in the farmlands and forests of rural Loretto, PA. U.S. News & World Report ranks SFU No. 28 in Regional Universities of the North.

Brandman University offers a Master of Science in Human Resources. The degree program can be completed either fully or partially online. The curriculum integrates the principles of globalization, multiculturalism, and multi-generational practices in organizations. Core course requirements include Globalization and Diversity, Leading Organizational Change, and Workforce Planning. Students may choose electives in areas such as accounting, computer science, economics, and marketing. The curriculum culminates in a Strategic Management of Human Resources capstone course.

Brandman is a private, non-profit institution that primarily serves working adults. The university was established by Chapman University in 1958 in Orange, CA. Its original purpose was to provide education to the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. The university is now a part of the Chapman University system, and it is headquartered in Irvine, CA. It operates 28 campuses throughout California and Washington state, as well as an online school. U.S. News & World Report ranks Brandman No. 6 in Most Innovative Schools in the West.

The University of Texas at Tyler award a Master of Science in Human Resource Development. The degree program is designed to be completed entirely online in a self-paced format. It incorporates online chat and Skype to facilitate interaction among faculty and peers. Designed for working professionals, the curriculum includes research-based projects that can be completed in students' own organizations. Practical courses explore foundational HR topics such as needs assessments, organizational development, and training program design and evaluation. Core courses include Adult Learning, Conflict Resolution, Performance Consulting, and Total Quality Management.

UT Tyler is a comprehensive public state university and a component of The University of Texas System. The university was founded in 1971 as a state college. Today, it consists of five professional colleges and a college of arts and sciences. It occupies a suburban, park-like campus in Tyler, Texas. U.S. News & World Report ranks UTT No. 81 in the West and No. 27 among public schools.

Pennsylvania State University offers a Master's of Professional Studies in Human Resources and Employment Relations. Offered through the university's World Campus, the degree program is designed to be completed entirely online. The program balances theory and practical knowledge to prepare graduates for upper-level positions in human resources and labor relations. Students can choose from courses in seven concentration areas, including benefits and compensation, ethics and leadership, and labor unions: organization and strategy. In lieu of a thesis or comprehensive exam, students are required to culminate their studies through a capstone course and action research project in their workplace. Students complete the program in an average of two and a half years.

Penn State is a state-related, multi-campus research university. It was founded in 1855 as the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania. In addition to its flagship campus in University Park, PA, the university operates additional locations throughout the state, plus an online World Campus. The university's online MPS in Human Resources and Employment Relations aligns with the Society for Human Resource Management guidelines. The program has also been granted Approved Provider status by the HR Certification Institute. Penn State has been counted among the nation's "Public Ivies," meaning its academic standards are comparable to those of the private Ivy League schools.

Pittsburg State University provides a Master of Science in Human Resource Development. The online degree program is designed to build students' skills in employee training, human resources, performance improvement, and organizational development. The 34-credit program is competency-based and rooted in applied knowledge of practical skills. Students are expected to move through the online course sequence by taking two courses at a time. Core course requirements include Organizational Development and Change, and Planning and Implementing a Human Resource Development Program. Students may choose an emphasis in Management and Consulting or Program Development and Delivery. They can culminate their studies through a research thesis or applied research project. Students also have the option to earn become a certified DISC Communication Consultant.

Pitt State is a comprehensive public university in Pittsburg, KS. It was founded in 1903 as a teacher-training school. Notable alumni in the business field include former Wal-Mart CEO H. Lee Scott and Inez Y. Kaiser, the first African-American woman to run a national public relations company. The university's MS in Human Resource Development aligns with certification requirements set by the Society for Human Resource Management. U.S. News & World Report ranks Pitt State No. 26 among public higher education institutions in the Midwest.