10 Best Online Human Resources Masters Programs

Master of Professional Studies in Human Resources and Employment Relations

In the number one spot is our ranking of the best online HR masters programs is Penn State World Campus. With the option to choose from eight concentrations, students can customize their degree to fit within their career goals, providing a unique educational experience.  Concentration areas include:

• benefits and compensation
• labor and collective bargaining
• labor and employment law
• staffing, training, and development
• ethics and leadership
• international human resources and employment relations
• labor unions: organization and strategy
• HR analytics and artificial intelligence (AI)

Penn State offers a Master of Professional Studies in Human Resources and Employment Relations (HRER) online through its world campus. This program balances advanced theory with practical knowledge and prepares students to assist business executives in factoring human resources into their strategic plans. Upon completion, students will be able to:

• assess complex employee benefit plans
• stay up to date on new labor laws
• meet the challenges of employee rights

Each faculty member employed to instruct in this program has years of real-world experience working in the field of human resources. Students will also gain access to Alumni Ambassadors, a program allowing current graduate students to connect with former graduates of the program

Online Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management

With a Master of Human Resources from Colorado State University, students are prepared to enter the workforce in a variety of leadership roles in human resources.  Future HR professionals enhance their legal and ethical decision-making skills while learning effective strategies in performance management and strategic planning.

This best master’s degree aligns with the Society for Human Resources Management’s Curriculum and Guidebook Templates. The program is also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).  Colorado State University Global students receive a discount of almost 90% on SHRM training materials to prepare students for certification exams.

CSU also offers 13 specialization areas for this master’s degree that encompass a broad range of industries.  Some of the most popular specializations include:

• project management
• organizational leadership and change management
• applied business management
• finance

These specializations allow students to focus their degree on a specific industry, such as their current field or a field in which they are looking to advance. Even with the specialization options, the program can still be completed in 36 credit hours and comes at an incredibly affordable price.

Job possibilities include:

• HR Director
• Corporate Recruiter
• Employee Relations Manager

Human Resources Management MS

The Florida Institute of Technology offers a Master of Science in Human Resource Management. Courses in this program prepare students to understand the issues of:

• multicultural work environments
• alternative work styles
• changing political and economic conditions in the workplace

Upon completion of the 33-hour degree plan, students will be able to effectively able to carry out the responsibilities specific to an HR department.

Students enrolled in this top school for masters in human resources will experience various learning techniques and approaches with the traditional lecture and discussion.  They will also learn through individual and group work and case study analysis. Florida Tech also offers several non-traditional ways of learning such as actual case-study analysis and organizational consulting activities.

Students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience during the final year of the program as part of the capstone course. Students are assigned to a team and will provide human resource consulting to an organization that is partnered with the program. This unique opportunity to gain real-world experience in the field of human resources can give the Florida Techs graduates an upper hand over the competition in the job market.  This experience is one of the main reasons why it has gained the number three spot on our list.

Master’s in Educational Human Resource Development, emphasis in Human Resource Development

The online Master of Science in Educational Human Resource Development at Texas A&M University is a unique program focused on:

• lifelong learning
• training and development
• organizational development
• career development

Students within this program have a variety of professional development opportunities available including:

• international travel
• conducting professional presentations at conferences
• writing for publication

This top master’s in human resources degree is geared toward future HR professionals interested in becoming:

• corporate trainers
• directors
• faculty members
• primary, secondary and postsecondary curriculum designers
• administrators

At just around $8,000 per year in tuition cost, Texas A&M ranks as one of the most affordable schools offering an online master’s degree.  New students are admitted during the spring and fall semesters. 

Master of Science in Leadership and Human Resource Development

Next on our list of the best HR masters programs online is Louisiana State University.  The School of Leadership and Human Resource Development at LSU offers a Master of Science in Human Resource Education with a concentration in Human Resource and Leadership Development. This top human resources program prepares students to provide leadership development and change management skills to a variety of organizations including:

• education
• business
• healthcare
• information technology
• hospitality
• community development
• manufacturing

This master’s program is available in an accelerated format.  This means students can complete their degree in just one year if taking courses during the spring, summer, and fall semesters. With twelve courses to complete (thirty-six graduate hours total), a student will be in a new course every seven weeks.

The program is a great choice for a variety of different types of HR professionals including experienced professionals and those looking to transition into the field of organizational change and development.  Upon completion of this program, students will learn how to capitalize on human resource efforts to enhance the organizational effectiveness of business through:

• strategic goal planning
• consulting
• change initiatives

Louisiana State offers an advanced degree at a very affordable rate that also allows students to graduate and begin their careers at a faster pace.

Master of Education in Human Resources and Workforce Development Educatio

The University of Arkansas’ Global Campus features one of the best online human resources masters programs with their Master of Education in Human Resources and Workforce Development.  The program offers small class sizes and a low student-to-faculty ratio for a personalized learning experience. University of Arkansas successfully offering this completely online master’s program which prepares students to:

• implement integrated training
• organizational development
• management
• career planning

Students also gain skills that help them evaluate programs to improve individual and overall organizational effectiveness.

Upon completion, students will be able to pursue careers in a variety of areas including:

• training
• customer service
• management development
• total quality management

While many master’s degree programs require students to complete a thesis, students enrolled at the University of Arkansas can choose between a master’s thesis or complete a final comprehensive exam which is built into a capstone course presented during the final year of study.

The University of Arkansas is the state’s flagship University. Also, according to the Carnegie Classification, the University of Arkansas is classified as a Research I university, dedicating a high priority to research and research education. No GRE is required for this master’s in human resources.

Master’s in Human Resource (HR) Management Online

Saint Mary’s University has a vast array of online programs, including a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management. Students enrolled in this program will learn how to approach organizational issues from a strategic viewpoint, along with analyzing and making the best decisions for the organization and employees. Saint Mary’s master’s degree focuses on people and multi-department cross-training, and the development of each area’s employees.

The program curriculum is aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management and prepares students for PHR/SPHR certification. Within this 36-credit hour program, students will gain the skills needed to relate to every department and bring forth a positive change. Coursework is focused on real-world scenarios and interactive exercises.  Students learn the skills needed to sit for the Professional in Human Resources and Senior Professional in Human Resources certification exams.  Students can customize their degree with a graduate certificate in an area like:

• finance
• organizational change leadership
• international human resource management
• nonprofit management
• project management

Saint Mary’s emphasizes the importance of staying up to date with the latest technology, including in the workplace.  SMU prides itself on the utilization of the latest technology and mobile platforms in the classroom. Each student enrolled in the MA in Human Resource Management program will receive an iPad loaded with a mobile program so students can take their coursework with them anywhere. This accreditation and technology come with a higher price tag.  On average, students graduate from Saint Mary’s with a master’s degree in 24 months.  Graduates are prepared to work as HR professionals in a myriad of roles including:

• Labor relations manager
• Chief learning officer
• Human resource manager

Executive Master of Human Resource Management (EMHRM)

Human resource professionals seeking to advance their career in HR can obtain an Executive Master in Human Resource Management (EMHRM) from the esteemed Cornell University. This program is ideal for those with eight or more years of working experience in the field of human resources and who are seeking to move into senior HR roles.

The program is fifteen months long and includes three, one-week sessions of on-campus instruction. Though students will have to attend campus for three weeks, most of the coursework is completed online.  Course offerings cover areas like:

• Strategic Talent Analytics
• Labor Relations Strategy
• Human Resources Leadership
• Managing and Developing Talent

Courses are taught by Cornell ILR School faculty and senior HR professionals.  The faculty within this program are results-driven and take a hands-on approach to educating students, sculpting them into becoming elite professionals within their organization.

Though this accelerated human resources program comes with a much higher price tag, Cornell is a highly respected university with faculty who are regarded as experts in their field. The program is very exclusive, limiting admission to fewer than fifty high-potential candidates. This program is not for the graduate student who is looking to break into the field of human resources.

It is designed for those seasoned HR professionals who are aiming to claim the top executive spot of their corporation. This degree can provide the education and skills needed to advance one’s career. Due to the advantages that this degree can have for a student’s career, we believe it deserves a spot on our list.

Online Master of Science in Management in Human Resource Management

The University of Maryland Global Campus offers a Master of Science in Management with a Human Resources Specialization. The degree aligns with the Society for Human Resource Management. Students can prepare for the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certifications. The program curriculum overs specialized courses in areas like:

• Current Perspectives in Training and Development
• Job Analysis, Assessment, and Compensation
• Recruitment and Selection
• Employee and Labor Relations

Students will gain practical experience with a skill set that is in demand within the industry.  All students complete a strategic management capstone course to complete their degree.

The ideal student is one who is already working as an entry-level human resources business professional or is familiar with the field of human resources and wants to advance their career. Students of this top online master’s in human resources degree program will learn the knowledge and skills required to properly manage employees within an organization. Through the human resource specialization courses, future HR professionals gain an understanding of theory, research, and HR procedures.  Graduates are well prepared for a variety of HR roles including:

• Human Resources Executive
• HR Generalist
• HR Specialist Roles

Human Resource Development Master of Science

Number 10 is the University of Texas at Tyler. The University of Texas at Tyler allows students to complete an online Master’s of Human Resource Development at their own pace. With a fully involved faculty, students can interact with instructors via online chat or Skype. For this master’s program, a thesis is not required.  An attractive feature of this degree plan as it allows for more flexibility within a student’s schedule, especially full-time working professionals. Students complete the requirements through online coursework and research-based projects.

The HR core curriculum focuses on areas like:

• Performance Consulting
• Conflict Resolution
• Strategic Human Resources Management
• Organization Development

Graduates with their Master’s in Human Resource Development will be able to connect the functions of human resource development to organizational and business strategies. Students graduate with skills needed to be successful HR professionals working in a variety of roles including:

• human resources generalist
• corporate trainer
• consultant