The Top 10 Online Bachelors in Human Resources Degree Programs

Human resource managers are responsible for planning, directing and coordinating the necessary administrative functions of a business or organization. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median yearly salary for human resources managers was $99, 720 in 2012. Human resource management positions are available in most industries including businesses, manufacturing companies, government, health care, social assistance, professional, scientific and technical service industries. Candidates interested in the Human Resources field need at least a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or Business Administration. Candidates should have a strong skill set in decision making, interpersonal relations, leadership, and organization. Below is our top ten list of online Bachelor of Human Resource Degree Programs based on the following ranking methodology:

* Affordability- tuition is often the deciding factor for individuals seeking to pursue their education. Schools that are more affordable are listed higher up on the list.

* Accreditations- this is an important factor because accreditations require schools to meet certain standards which mean better education standards.

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* Course Length, Credit Hours Needed, and Flexibility- most of us are pretty busy and have other obligations to attend to, but that shouldn’t stop you from continuing your education. Degree plan credit hours and other time management information have been included to help you decide which program better suited for your lifestyle.

10. Western International University

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management

Program Overview: Students will study the principles of learning and cognition to human motivation, learning and memory to social and workplace situations, how to manage workplace operations of inventory management, project scheduling, quality assurance, human resource policies, procedures, fulfilling customer needs, health and safety in the workplace and how to develop a plan for assuring safety. Students will learn effective management practices that are consistent with federal and state requirements. Effective negotiation, mediation and bargaining skills that are consistent with fair employee treatment and relations will be developed.

Course Length: 181 weeks, 3.5 years, new course each month with no transfer credit – 120 credit hours

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

9. Athens University

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management

Program Overview:The purpose of the Human Resource Management program is to prepare students for a variety of employment opportunities in the human resource management sector and to provide a foundation for future studies. The curriculum consists of business courses, specialized management courses, and psychology related courses. Students attending the Human Resource Management program have access to the Society for Human Resource Management publication. It is a leading voice of the HR profession and provides immense information and provides opportunities to meet HR practitioners for networking.

Course Length: 124 total credit hours

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

8. Judson University

Degree: Bachelor degree in Human Resource Management

Program Overview: The Human Resources Management bachelor degree plan provides students with practical skills needed for management and specific practices. Classes are taught by experienced professionals. Students will not only be prepared for human resource management positions but will be prepared for Society of Human Resource Management certification. Students attending this program will be prepared for graduate level HRM studies or Juris Doctorate. The core 45 credit hours will cover communication, research methods, leadership, legal aspects, information systems and more.

Course Length: 45 credit hours.

Accreditation: American Association for Higher Education, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association, International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities

7. University of Maryland University College

Degree: Bachelor in Human Resource Management

Program Overview:The Human Resource Management bachelor degree is perfect for individuals with experience in HR, but do not hold a degree and those interested in transitioning into an HR career. Students gain a thorough understanding of human resource functions which include resource planning, recruitment, selection, placement, orientation of employees, training, career development, labor relations, performance appraisals, reward programs, development of personnel policies and procedures. The college recommends that students begin their studies with three courses. At least nine credits must be earned in upper-level classes.

Course Length: 120 total credit hours

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education, International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, European Foundation for Management Development–Technology-Enhanced Learning, Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs

6. LeTourneau University

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Human Resources Management concentration

Program Overview: The program was developed with input from HR professionals and courses are taught by instructors with industry experience. Courses include staffing, managing innovation and change, compensation and benefits and employment law. Students will be prepared to sit for the National Human Resources Certification Exam which is given every year by the Society for Human Resource Management. The program is fully aligned with Society for Human Resources Management curriculum guides.

Course Length: 128 total credit hours

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education

5. Northcentral University

Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources Management

Program Overview: The Human Resources Management specialization with Northcentral University helps students develop an in-depth understanding of issues and situations that may affect organizations most valuable resource- the employees. Graduates will be prepared to be human resource generalists or specialists who focus on different aspects of HR such as employee development, labor relations, compensation and rewards, recruitment and hiring and risk management.

Course Length: 120 total credit hours. Students may transfer a maximum of 90 hours.

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

4. Capella University

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Business- Human Resources Management

Program Overview: The Human Resources Management Bachelor program with Capella University provides students with specialized skills and a solid business acumen. Topics covered include compensation and benefits management, recruiting and retention, employee development, and labor relations. For an in-depth study, program concentrations are available. Students may be able to receive course credit from work experience, previous learning and industry certification by taking the prior learning assessment offered by the college.

Course Length: 180 total quarter credits. Each course is 5 or 10 weeks long. Degree completion depends on transfer credit and student pacing.

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, Society for Human Resource Management, Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs

3. Liberty University

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration — Human Resource Management

Program Overview: Students attending the Human Resource Management program with Liberty University will be prepared to meet the needs of today’s workplace by learning a variety of factors that affect an organization’s professional atmosphere. Topics include employee and labor relations, compensation management, workforce planning and employment and human resources development. The program is available online and on campus.

Course Length: 120 total hours

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs

2. Columbia Southern University

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management

Program Overview: The Human Resource Management program provides students with the skills needed to enter human resource department leadership roles, establish and advance organizational policies and guidelines, use tools and techniques to transform work environments. The human resource management degree plan follows the Society for Human Resource Management guidelines and templates.

Course Length: 120 credit hours

Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission, American Council on Education

Our number one choice is Fort Hays University, an accredited online institution that offers a Bachelor of Business Administration with Human Resources concentration that consists of 127 credit hours. Tuition is $194 per credit hour. Total program cost, not including books, fees and supplies is $24,638 making it one of the most affordable online programs available. Students are seeking admittance to the college, should submit an application form with official transcripts from previously attended schools. Students who are 21 years old or older do not need to submit ACT or SAT scores. To help students adjust to online learning, the virtual college provides a demo course during the first semester. This course provides a preview of the university experience, helps students gain an understanding of policies and procedures as well as allow students to familiarize with the school’s resources and services.

1. Fort Hays State University

Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration in Management with Human Resources Concentration

Program Overview:Fort Hays State University’s Human Resources program is structured to help students develop the skills and real world training needed to maximize the efficiency and effort of your human resources team. The degree consists of three parts: 27 credit hours of the business core curriculum, 18 hours of management core curriculum and 18 hours of HRM concentration curriculum. Graduates will be prepared to be recruiters, training, and development managers, human resource generalist, human resource manager, compensation, and benefits specialist and senior project manager.

Course Length: 63 credit hours

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools