Online Human Resources Degree
Nikita Nath
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WebsiteNikita is a psychologist working primarily with children using a child rights-based approach. She also writes content for various websites and blogs on diverse topics, focusing primarily on academia. Her hobbies include traveling, reading, and discovering different coffee-making techniques.
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Bachelors in English, Journalism, and Psychology; Masters in psychology with clinical specialization
nikitanath8@gmail.com
Areas of Expertise & Credentials
- 2 years of experience working as a content writer with various start-ups
- 1 year of experience working as a child psychologist with Insight
- Working on various projects of inclusion for neurodivergent children
- 2+ years of experience teaching psychology online
Edited By Julian Palacio
Review & Contribution By Sophia Martinez
Earn your Online Human Resources Degree: Navigate modern workplace dynamics, foster collaboration, resolve conflicts, and cultivate thriving organizational environments. Adapt, lead, succeed.
The online human resources degree is designed to help professionals in this field enhance their professional and personal knowledge and gain crucial skills in HR. The program will ensure they can connect with employees, manage policies, and retain the workforce. It provides business understanding is enhanced and individuals learn how to problem solve, shape the company culture, and set policies that help organizations thrive. With a human resources degree online, students get specialized skills in areas like training and development, compensation and benefits, and workforce planning. There are many openings for various jobs, as human resource specialists projected each year over the decade. Some employment opportunities are recruitment specialist, HR Manager, HR generalist, compensation and benefits analyst, director of HR, HR specialist, talent acquisition manager, and more.
Table Of Contents
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Southern New Hampshire University
PROGRAM: BS Human Resources Management
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 3,000 on campus students, over 170,000 online students, making it one of the fastest growing universities in the nation. Founded in 1932, we’ve been relentlessly reinventing higher education ever since and have gained national recognition for our dedication to helping students transform their lives and the lives of those around them.
We’re proud to provide affordable, accessible education that students can pursue on our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH, or via our innovative online platform.
SNHU has earned the GetEducated.com Best Buy and Best of Business – Best Online Degree awards and is consistently ranked as a top Military Friendly® School by G.I Jobs®.
Find the Best Online Human Resources Degree Programs
When selecting the best program, many factors must be evaluated, like accreditation, quality of faculty, specializations offered, courses provided, and much more. A good undergraduate education can provide a basis for further advanced studies or professional practice. Based on several critical components and proprietary methodology, the teams at FBD have evaluated many schools and degrees and selected the best online human resources degrees to help students make informed decisions.
| Univ | Address | Tuition | Grad Rate |
| Florida International University | 11200 S. W. 8 Street, Miami, Florida 33199 | $6,565 | 69% |
Universities and programs are ranked by various factors, such as affordability, curriculum and coursework, reputation and availability, program length, statistics, the potential of employment, and return on investment for the students. For a more in-depth analysis, please read about our rankings methodology page.
What to Expect from an Online Human Resources Degree Programs
An online degree human resources program provides the academic foundation necessary to work as a professional in human resources. Through the multidisciplinary curriculum, students learn a range of human resources and related topics from psychology, sociology, business, economics, and more. It is a four-year program that can range from an average of 120 credits. Schools provide this program in online, offline, and hybrid learning modes. The degree is readily available online with both asynchronous and synchronous curriculum formats. The program helps students qualify for a range of positions in HR, including working in the domains of recruiting, compensation, employee relations, and training. Some career options after graduation from an undergraduate program include human resources manager, training and development manager, compensation and benefits manager, labor relations specialist, etc.
Curriculum and Coursework
The bachelor’s in human resources program comprises many comprehensive courses. Students who have completed these classes can be exempted from retaking them because of their previous college experience. However, students must take many general education courses, like Introduction to Sociology, Applied Statistics and Probability, Critical Thinking and Logic, Applied Algebra, English Composition, and Introduction to Humanities.
Some coursework includes internships, which can help students gain real-world work experience and determine career goals. HR students must also complete a capstone project that integrates competencies from their program and demonstrates their ability to contribute and participate in their professional domain. Many institutions require developing a business plan with specific strategic actions, financial statements, and market analysis relevant to the chosen organization.
The curriculum for a bachelor in human resources degree online includes some standard courses like:
Introduction to Human Resource Management
This course provides a foundation for human resource management, direction for people who work in the organization, and function within an organization, focusing on recruitment and management. Students learn about training and development, employee and labor relations, compensation and benefits, strategic workforce employment and planning, safety, security, and occupational health.
Compensation and benefits
This course helps develop and implement benefits systems and compensation in an organization. It teaches that the total rewards perspective is integrated into tangible rewards (bonus), employee benefits (retirement plan, health insurance), and intangible rewards(work environment, location). It also teaches about different rewards that can improve job satisfaction.
Workforce Recruitment
In this course, students learn about screening, hiring, finding, and eventually, training and onboarding qualified candidates for the job. They also learn why employee recruitment is important and help businesses find suitable candidates for vacant positions.
Employment law
The course teaches the basic regulatory and legal framework regarding employment, including termination, discrimination, and recruitment laws. These topics included in this course are ADA, OSHA, EEO, and other workplace laws. It also covers how to scrutinize current trends and challenges in employment laws. It also deals with applying this knowledge and understanding how to manage risk in employment relationships.
Training and development
This course explores the development of human capital by putting learning theories and practices for the development and training of employees into use. It develops essential skills that empower and improve the organizations through development processes and higher caliber training.
Some of the other standard classes that students may be required to take include:
- Fundamentals in Business
- Business Ethics
- Managing Global Business
- Introduction to Internet Technology Fundamentals
- Survey of United States History
- Effective Interpersonal Relations
- Managing Employee Benefits
- Survey of Economics
- Human Resource Management
- Business Ethics and Values
- Business communication
Read the guide to bachelor’s programs to understand more about bachelor programs.
Learning Outcomes and Skills Gained
The bachelor’s of human resource degree helps students learn how to foster company cultures, develop different human resource goals, develop talent acquisition strategies, grow and retain talent, implement risk mitigation policies, collect and analyze data, and more.
On graduating from the program, students will have skills that help them make a workplace more inclusive for all employees. Some of these skills include the ability to
- demonstrate an understanding of different theories, concepts, and practices within the domains of human resources;
- identify the different ethical issues in the domain of human resources and find ways to provide appropriate strategies to meet those challenges;
- demonstrate competence in problem-solving and development in different domains of employee management;
- demonstrate innovative solutions to problems in achieving employee efficiency in an organization;
- critically examine existing principles and develop qualitative and quantitative research to contribute to human resource theories;
- communicate well with other professionals and employees, and bridge the gaps in communication between different stakeholders
- use well-reasoned arguments that are supported by facts during oral and work presentations;
- demonstrate efficiency in the work chain by monitoring and regulating the tasks of both individuals and groups of employees.
Types of Degrees Human Resource Students Can Obtain
The different human resources programs help students prepare to lead and manage employees at various organizations. To achieve the skills needed to become efficient human resource professionals, they can pursue two common types of HR degree online—a bachelor of science (BS) and a bachelor of arts (BA) in human resources.
Bachelor of Arts or BA in Human Resources
A Bachelor of Arts or BA in human resources helps students learn different talent management principles, recruiting, training, HR metrics, compensation, employee benefits, learning development, and more. This four-year program provides a broad understanding of business systems in America and teaches foundational business principles and basic skills essential for large or small businesses.
Bachelor of Science or BS in Human Resources
A Bachelor of Science or BS in human resources is a right fit for those who want to work with employees or people in general and have a knack for focusing on details. It helps students learn to manage people in organizations and prepare for job roles in different human resource departments. They also develop the knowledge and skills needed for training, workforce planning, compensation and benefits, and employment laws.
Areas of Specialization for Human Resources Students
Many areas of specialization are available for students pursuing an online degree human resources. They can focus on one area and gain expertise in it. Specializations make students more efficient in a specific area and help in seeking better employment options. Some areas of concentration they can consider are:
| Area of Specialization | Description | Career Options |
|---|---|---|
| Organizational Management | Through this concentration, a student learns how to make decisions and resolve challenges in management through effective and beneficial solutions. | Various roles as payroll executive, organizational development specialist, management information system, and more. |
| Labor Relations | This specialization focuses on labor relations, providing in-depth knowledge and skills to manage employer-employee interactions effectively. Students learn negotiation, conflict resolution, and labor law, preparing them for roles mediating between workers and management in diverse organizational settings. | Various roles as employee relations partner, employee engagement role, head of human resources, labor relations specialist, human resource generalist, and more. |
| Talent Acquisition | This concentration includes knowledge of developing, evaluating, and implementing programs leading to the organization’s recruitment, hiring, sourcing, and orientation. | Various roles as a talent acquisition manager, onboarding analyst, and more. |
| Recruitment | This concentration is a vital part of the human resource program. It involves learning about hiring, screening, onboarding, and more. Students understand the importance of recruitment and the challenges at each stage. | Various roles as a recruiter at different organizational hiring levels. |
| Compensation and Benefits | In this specialization, students learn about the consistent compensation practices that comply with the current legislation. They learn about the principles of fair, competitive, and equitable compensation and benefits packages. | Roles as a Compensation and benefits manager at different levels. |
Full-Time and Part-Time Programs
It could take about four years to complete an online bachelor’s in human resources. The time to complete the program will also be influenced by factors like online, offline, and hybrid modes, including online and offline classes. Students prefer online classes because they can complete the program at their own pace and focus on different priorities like work, personal chores, and more. Applicants take less time to complete the program if it is completed in an accelerated form. The duration of the program also depends on how many credits are completed in a semester. Here is a quick summary of the duration of the bachelor’s in human resources online:
- Time to complete part-time human resources bachelor’s degree: 4 to 6 years
- Time to complete full-time human resources bachelor’s degree: 4 years
Accelerated Human Resources Programs
An accelerated degree helps individuals fast-track their studies and lessen the number of years it would take them to complete the program. Students can complete their entire coursework in a condensed period. They will have the same course load as a traditional degree; however, they might have fewer and shorter holidays available to complete the program more quickly. The programs cost less as well. Schools like Lewis University[1] and Thomas Jefferson University[2] provide some accelerated human resources online degree programs.
Requirements for Getting into an Online Human Resource Degree Program
The human resources field requires creativity, problem-solving, and logic and reasoning skills; to develop these skills, students are expected to have prerequisites in math, science, and English at the high school level. The bachelor’s degree admission requirements might differ according to the faculty, program, and major of study the student takes up. Usually, a bachelor’s in human resources requires no minimum grade point average or standardized test scores. However, a student who has a good academic standing will be preferred for admission. Some of the online human resources degree admission requirements that are common for all universities across the United States are:
- Completed application form with fee
- High school degree or equivalent GED score
- Official and unofficial transcripts from all previous institutions attended
- ACT and SAT (optional in some colleges)
- Official high school transcripts
- Personal statement (should be written well as it highlights the writing ability of the student)
- Letters of recommendation
How to Ensure an Online Human Resources Degree Program Is Accredited
The accreditation process ensures that colleges provide students with a high-quality education that meets top standards. Accrediting bodies also ensure that organizations offering human resources degrees online adhere to professional, high-quality program delivery.
Whichever colleges students aim to do their human resources programs from, their credentials could be checked under the Database of Postsecondary Institutions and Programs[3]. The U.S. Department of Education regulates this database, recognizing eligible accrediting and state-approved agencies.
Students must also check if the colleges they are interested in follow the Council for Higher Education Accreditation[4] guidelines.
Apart from national accreditation, programs also receive state-specific accreditations. Some regional bodies for accreditation are listed below:
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
To understand more about accreditation, read the Guide to College Accreditation.
Where to Find Free Courses for Online Human Resources Degree Students
There are many free courses that students pursuing online human resources could pursue. They can take such courses to understand different topics in the field of human resources and explore several components and their real-world application. Such courses can be used for personal and professional growth for an individual. Some free human resources courses students can explore include:
| Course | Description | Provided by |
|---|---|---|
| This course comprehensively overviews HR’s critical functions, responsibilities, and objectives. Essential for aspiring HR professionals, it provides a solid foundation for a successful career in this vital field, indispensable for organizational success. The course is Ideal for those seeking guidance to kickstart their HR career journey. | Alison | |
| This course gives students a factual and conceptual basis for developing specific and critical human resource management skills. It helps them understand the process behind managing performance, hiring employees, and rewarding them. | Coursera | |
| Diploma in Human Resources (HR)[7] | This course equips learners with essential skills to efficiently recruit, train, and inspire personnel. HR departments foster productive employee-organization relationships crucial for success. Effective HR management is vital, underscoring the significance of HR managers in maximizing employee potential and organizational achievements. | Alison |
Ways to Pay for an Online Human
Resources Degree
When students are accepted into the online human resources degree, one of the common worries amongst students is How to Pay for College. A human resource degree in the United States would cost an average of $43,000-$64,000. Managing the program’s finances, like tuition fees, traveling costs, and other program-related costs, could be difficult for students. Financial Aid is college money that will not come from the family, personal savings, or salary to cover college expenses. Some of these financial aids are expanded below:
Federal Work-Study
Federal Work-Study is an option given to financially needy undergraduate students. It allows them to work part-time, helping them to fund their education.
Private Student Loans
Any student could avail of these loans. Financial institutions and banks offer private student loans. These are designed for applicants who will not qualify for any other federal aid.
Federal Direct Loans
These low-interest loans are funded by the federal government. Students who are pursuing undergraduate degrees can enroll for these loans. They will not need to worry about repaying these debts until they are employed or graduate from their programs.
Grants
A grant is financial aid given to students based on their merit or capabilities in a particular field of study. It can come from both government and private sources.
Scholarships
These are financial aids, essentially monetary awards, which students do not need to repay unless they fail to meet the terms and agreements of receiving the award. They usually come from community groups, individuals, and state governments. Students can also research about how to find scholarships.
FAFSA
FAFSA Student Aid, or free application for federal student aid, is a form that will help applicants understand what aid they are eligible for.
Scholarships for Online Human Resources Degree Students
Scholarships are excellent opportunities for students who want to make a career in the field of human resources. Such scholarships could be provided to those with a meritorious background in human resources or those from lower economic backgrounds with a need-based requirement. Applicants pursuing this program can refer to online human resources degree scholarships.
| Scholarship | Description | Award/Amount | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Roberts Scholarship Fund[8] | The Jim Roberts Scholarship Fund has been set up by the Human Resource Association of Central Connecticut. It provides full-time sophomores, seniors, and juniors pursuing a bachelor’s degree in human resources and maintaining a GPA of 3.0 and above a scholarship. Other criteria like financial need, academic record, etc, may also be evaluated. | $2,000 | Varies |
| J.C. Cote Scholarship[9] | The J C Cote scholarship is awarded to students of junior standing or higher pursuing a major or concentration in Human Resources or related fields like business or management. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and complete at least six credit hours of human resource management coursework. | $1000 | September |
Career Opportunities and Salaries After Graduating
Human resources consist of individuals who make the workforce of a business sector, economy, industry, and organization. Depending on what hierarchy the individual is working at, there are many job titles available for those with a human resources degree online, including:
- HR Manager
- Payroll Manager
- Talent Acquisition Manager
- Benefits Manager
- Sourcing Manager
- Strategic Sourcing Manager
- Executive Compensation Manager
- Industrial Relations Manager
- People Analytics Project Manager
After a bachelor’s degree, students usually get entry-level positions in different domains of human development. Some of the roles that they can expect to work in after graduation include:
| Occupation | Job Description | Skills Required | Median Annual Salary | Job Growth (up to 2032) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialists[10] | Human resource specialists screen, interview, and recruit job candidates and place newly hired employees in jobs. They consult with employers to identify different needs for hiring, check applicants’ backgrounds and references, and hire or refer qualified candidates. | Communication, decision-making, detail-oriented, and interpersonal skills | $64,240 | 6% (faster than the average) |
| Compensation and Benefits Managers[11] | Compensation and benefits managers typically coordinate and supervise work staff activities and set the organization’s pay and benefits structure. They are also entrusted with monitoring competitive wage rates and developing or modifying compensation accordingly. | Analytical, communication, business, decision-making, and leadership skills. | $131,280 | 2% (as fast as average) |
| Human Resources Managers[12] | Human resource managers coordinate, direct, and plan the administrative functions of an organization. They are required to oversee interviewing, recruitment, and hiring of new staff. These professionals will also consult with the executive employees on how to strategically plan and manage the employees. | Communication, decision-making, leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills. | $130,000 | 5% (faster than average) |
| Labor Relations Specialists[13] | Labor relations specialists administer and interpret labor contracts that analyze issues like pensions, union and management practices, healthcare, wages, and salaries. They also advise the management about worker grievances, disciplinary procedures, and contracts. | Decision-making, interpersonal, listening, writing, and detail-oriented skills. | $82,010 | -1% (little or no change) |
| Administrative Services and Facilities Managers[14] | Administrative services and facilities managers direct, plan, and coordinate activities that help an organization’s efficiency. They have specific responsibilities, but managers generally supervise other’s activities and maintain their facilities. | Analytical, communication, detail-oriented, and leadership skills. | $101,870 | 5% (faster than average) |
Certifications and Licensing for Online Human Resources Degree Graduates
Employers do not mandate certifications in the field of human resources. However, it can convey the value an individual adds to their organization. By obtaining certifications, they distinguish themselves as an expert in the field and showcase their competence, dedication, credibility, and experiences in the field. Some of the certifications that online degree in human resources students can pursue are:
SHRM Certified Professional[15]
This certification tests the knowledge of professionals who want to work in human resources through multiple-choice questions that evaluate the understanding of factual information and scenario-based questions of a situational judge assessing a candidate’s decision-making and judgment skills. It helps them gain an overview of performing general and specific duties at work.
Certified Human Resources Professional[16]
This CHRP credential is a good fit for those pursuing human resources studies or who have completed their degree. It has some unique requirements to be eligible to earn this certification, become a member and participate in the course and exam schedule. It helps candidates become workforce-ready and supports their professional careers.
HRCI Certification, offered by the HR Certification Institute, validates HR professionals’ expertise in various domains, including HR operations, leadership, and strategy. Recognized globally, HRCI certifications such as Professional in Human Resources (PHR), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), and Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) demonstrate proficiency and commitment to excellence in human resource management, enhancing career prospects and credibility in the field.
In the field of human resources, there is no requirement to obtain federal or state licensure to start working as an HR professional.
Additional Resources for Online Human Resources Degree Graduates
After earning a bachelor’s degree, students must continue developing their knowledge. While the internet offers abundant information, discerning credible sources can be challenging. Joining reputable HR organizations provides access to reliable resources, networking opportunities, and professional development, which are essential for advancing careers in the field. Here are a few resources bachelor’s degree in human resources online graduates can tap into:
| Title/Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| North East HR Association (NEHRA) | The North East HR Association (NEHRA) is a premier professional organization dedicated to advancing human resources practices in the Northeastern United States. Focusing on networking, education, and advocacy, NEHRA provides valuable resources and support to HR professionals and fosters excellence in the field. |
| North American Human Resource Management Association (NAHRMA) | Established in 1997, NAHRMA represents over 350,000 HR professionals. NAHRMA aims to advance HR interests, enhance management quality, and promote HR knowledge across public and private sectors. |
| College and University Professional Association for Human Resources | CUPA is an organization that aims to serve those completing their higher education by providing them with resources, advocacy, knowledge, and connections to achieve workforce and organizational excellence. It monitors trends and research and promotes strategic discussions among various schools. |
| Human Capital Institute | HCI is an organization that helps HR professionals plan, engage, acquire, and develop the talent needed to support an organization’s business strategy and accelerate business results. It provides learners with portable insights, tools, and practices aimed at enabling professionals. |
FAQs About Online Human Resources Degree Programs
Can you get a human resources degree online?
Yes. Students can pursue a human resources degree online, as many universities provide accredited programs. However, they must be careful to scrutinize the accreditation of the degree and school. The program outlook and benefits, are similar to a traditional degree.
What can you do with an online bachelor’s in human resources?
How long does it take to complete an online bachelor’s in human resources?
What are the responsibilities of a human resource professional?
Is a degree in human resources worthwhile?
Is an online human resources bachelor’s enough to assume professional roles in this field?
Citations:
Database of Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
Council for Higher Education Accreditation
Fundamentals of Human Resources- Alison
Preparing to Manage Human Resources- Coursera
Diploma in Human Resources (HR)- Alison
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook for Human Resources Specialists
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook for Compensation and Benefits Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook for Human Resources Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook for Labor Relations Specialists