Online and Distance Learning

A human resources management degree provides a good start to your career in the business world, and in government and non-government organizations.  

This page tells you more about these programs, where you can find them, what jobs are open to you after graduation, future prospects and more ... 

A human resources management program prepares you for the many varied tasks involving staff interactions in the workplace and offers the opportunity to build a "people oriented" career in the corporate world.  Depending on your qualifications, you can take: associates and bachelors human resources, masters of human resources management, MBA human resource management, and doctoral degrees.

Selected human resources management degree programs

The following is a list of selected schools offering human resources degree programs online. 

• Capella University - Online
  • BS - Human Resource Management
  • MBA - Human Resource Management
  • MS - Industrial/Organizational Psychology
  • MS - General Career Counseling
  • PhD - Human Resource Management
  • PhD - General Human Services

• Strayer University
  • Bachelor of Business Administration - Human Resource Management
  • MBA: Human Resource Management
  • MSHRM: Human Resource and Organizational Development
  • MSHRM: Human Resource Generalist

• University of Phoenix Online
  • MM/HRM - Master of Management/Human Resources Management program
  • MBA/HRM - Human Resource Management

• Kaplan University Online
  • Graduate Certificate in Human Resources
  • MBA - Human Resources
  • MS in Management - Human Resources

• American Intercontinental University (AIU)
  • MBA - Human Resource Management

• Colorado Technical University Online (including Masters)
  • Master of Business Administration - Human Resource Management

• Ashford University
  • Master of Business Administration - Human Resources Management

• Grand Canyon University
  
  • M.B.A. - Strategic Human Resource Management

• Tiffin University
  • MBA - Human Resource Management

• Villanova University
  • Master Certificate in Human Resources
  • Master Certificate in Contract Management

• The University of Liverpool
  • Master of Science in Global Human Resource Management

For schools in Canada

Click here for a page that links to campus universities and campus colleges in Canada. It also provides some advice on choosing a suitable campus.

Click here and then enter your Canadian postal code to search for Canadian college or university campuses.

Studying on campus

For those students who feel that online learning and distance education is not for them, the web site also has a section on campus programs. 

You can also search for programs or top HR schools near you.

What do you study in a human resources management program?

Human resources management has gained importance in recent years as employee recruitment and training for changing work practices for greater efficiency has become part of stategic planning.  Changes in workplace legislation has also made the role of the HR professional crucial.  A human resources management degree prepares you to become part of this new environment, for example mediating in harassment cases, ensuring equal opportunities regulations are followed, recruiting new personnel, and maintaining employee records.

The typical program at bachelors level might include: industrial psychology, organizational structure, information management, quantitative analysis, communication skills, health and safety rules, labor law, employee training, and compensations rights and benefits administration.

At masters level, programs that enrol graduates from other areas might include some of the content of the bachelors program, but at a more advanced level.   A typical program might include: planning and development, compensation rights, global management, health and safety rules, labor law, hiring protocols, disciplinary action, dispute resolution, benefits administration, employee training and development, and employee relations.

What are the prospects for graduates?

There are many jobs available to human resource management graduates.  But it would depend very much on the level of qualification. 

A human resources bachelor's degree will qualify you to apply for an entry-level human resources assistant job.  With some experience you can apply for a position as: manager of recruitment, labor relations manager, compensation manager, equal employment opportunity coordinator.

There has been "qualifications creep" as more people now take masters, hence reducing the value of an ordinary bachelors degree human resources.  Some masters graduates may be able to take up a position as an HR director, overseeing an HR department.  Other positions that masters graduates might apply for include HR generalist, training coordinator, and HR information systems specialist.  An HR generalist's job would include providing the programs and polices that govern an HR department.  A training coordinator would organise sessions to train employees.  An HR information systems specialist would develop computer applications and information systems to help manage and organize employee and potential recruits information.

A steady increase in the number of human resource vacancies is expected over the coming decade (US Bureau of Labor Statistics). In 2010, human resources jobs entry level salary is about $53,000 per annum for a human resource generalist.  But with a higher qualification and appropriate experience, an HR manager can earn around $83,500.

For more information

For information on human resources graduate programs go to the masters page.

If you don't find what you want on this page, you can try searching here: human resources management degree programs.

You can also search here for online health schools and programs

Remember to compare the admission requirements and course content of several schools before you choose a program.