If you enroll in a Human Resources MBA program, you will learn about important concepts and strategies surrounding issues, such as business coaching, compensation management, benefits analysis, and corporate headhunting. Generally speaking, you will have to complete advanced level reports, assignments, internships, presentations, and group projects. Human resources, regardless of how much technology starts to take over the world, are still the most important resources any business has. As such, this is a very interesting MBA concentration. Jump to 9+ Human Resource Online MBA Programs for 2017.
Why Earn a Human Resources MBA?
With a Human Resources MBA, you will be able to enhance and improve your interpersonal skills and business acumen, thus allowing you to advance your career within the world of human resources. With this gradate degree program, you will gain advanced skills and knowledge, allowing you to take on leadership positions in any organizations with a focus on making the workforce happier, healthier, and more productive.
It is a unique niche in the world of business with a focus on developing the most valuable asset of any type of organization: its personnel. The term “human resources” describes all the different functions of a business that relate to employees. These include recruitment, retention, benefits, succession planning, training, compensation, OSHA compliance, and so on. Once you gain your MBA degree, you will be able to play a vital role in the creation of an appropriate and strong company culture, creating a working environment that attracts and retains top talent. You can do this in any type of organization.
A key benefit of studying towards a Human Resources MBA degree is that there is a lot of flexibility available to you in terms of how you want to study. You can take a career break and dedicate yourself to your studies, or you can study part time, or even online, and work alongside your projects. During your degree, you will have the opportunity to network with others, collaborate on projects, and gain invaluable insights into the world of human resources.
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements for MBA programs, while varying in specifics between schools, tend to be very competitive. This is because there is an expectation in terms of skills from those who want to complete the degree. The requirements set by Nova Southeastern University are quite common across the board and include:
• A bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited institution
• A GPA of 3.0 minimum
• Transcripts
• GMAT/GRE
• TOEFL/IELTS or other assessment of English proficiency for non-native English speakers
Curriculum and Courses
The curriculum and courses you will follow in a Human Resources MBA program depend on the school. This is why school and program accreditation is so important, as it demonstrates that certain educational standards are met. The curriculum and courses offered at Averett University are quite representative of other schools. Their subjects include:
• Global economy
• Finance
• Marketing
• Employment and labor laws and regulations
• Managing conflict and negotiation
• Recruitment, hiring and training
• Compensation and benefits management
• Practical applications of HR concepts and theories
Career Outcomes and Job Titles
Once you complete your Human Resources MBA degree, you can take on a variety of functions, which will focus on staffing issues within the company you work for. This can link to overall human resources, or more specifically to one element, such as succession planning or employee engagement. Some of the common job titles are:
• Recruitment manager
• Training and development manager
• Human resource manager
• Payroll director
• Affirmative action officer
• Compensation and benefits specialist
• Labor relations specialist
• Staffing manager
Job Salary & Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported an average annual salary of $104,440 per year for human resources managers as of May 2015. However, this is the average salary at bachelor’s degree level and holding an MBA has been shown to increase average annual salaries by $15,000, meaning you could earn closer to $120,000 per year with this degree. The BLS has also projected a 9% growth in demand for these professionals from 2014 to 2024, which is faster than the national average.
Scholarships and Grants
• Dorothy Hendricks Endowment Scholarship, which allows students to apply for a variety of different scholarships. Those who apply in time may also be considered for the Early Bird Scholarship.
• Paul Hagelbarger Memorial Scholarship Fund, which focuses particularly on maintaining the professional standards of CPAs (Certified Public Accountants) in Alaska. This scholarship focuses on fostering professional relationships between CPAs. It is only available to those who take accountancy classes during their graduate degree level, but it could be for Human Resources MBA students if cross-organizational relationships are something that interests them. The minimum award of this scholarship is $2,000.
• ISNetworld Scholarship, which focus specifically on those who are interested in occupational safety, health, and the environment, which are all elements of particular interest to Human Resource professionals. Eligibility requirements include transcripts, an academic letter of recommendation, and a 3.5 graduate GPA minimum.
• Tribal Business Management Scholarship, which is offered by those who are part of the Native American community. The goal is to ensure top level positions become more accessible to those of Native American descent. One of the reasons for this is that educational standards among Native American communities is very poor, with only 17% attending college. Less than 1% attend Ivy League colleges. Catching the Dream works tirelessly to address this disparity and aims to provide scholarships to those who want to gain higher levels of education. The organization works together with other organizations that aim to improve the attainment of Native American communities. Some of these also provide scholarships, to which those applying for a Catching the Dream scholarship will be signposted. Selected students will be funded for the duration of their education. 85% of students who have received scholarships have completed their degree, and 85% now work in tribal communities in particular. This scholarship is of particular interest to those who study towards a Human Resources MBA, as they can work to increase employment opportunities across the board for those who are members of tribal communities.
Additional Resources
• World at Work
• National Human Resources Association
• Society for Human Resource Management
• International Association for Human Resource Information Management (IHRIM)
• Northeast Human Resource Association (NEHRA)
