Programs for Students Interested in HR
People who enjoy interacting with others sometimes pursue careers in HR. Professionals who work in HR hire employees and retain talent. They screen job candidates and conduct initial interviews. HR professionals also oversee benefits packages and handle conflict resolution.
Online human resources programs can prepare learners for diverse roles in the field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), HR specialists need at least a bachelor's degree. Human resources managers sometimes need a master's degree.
This page highlights online human resources programs, including common courses.
View Our Rankings List HereFrequently Asked Questions About Human Resources
What can I do with a bachelor's in human resources?
Graduates can work as HR specialists and HR managers. Some degree-holders may pursue careers in financial management.
Does a degree in human resources pay well?
Yes. According to the BLS, human resources specialists earn an annual median pay of $63,490. HR managers earn a median of $121,220 per year. Salary varies depending on workers' experience, employer, and location.
Are human resources jobs in demand?
The BLS projects jobs for human resources specialists and managers to grow as fast as average from 2020-2030.
Why Get a Degree in Human Resources?
HR professionals perform many important tasks for organizations related to employee relations. They often enjoy job security and work traditional business hours.
Many careers in HR pay competitive salaries. HR specialists earn an average annual salary of $52,040, according to PayScale data from October 2021. HR managers earn an average of $68,820.
Online human resources programs provide a flexible path to a degree. Learners do not need to commute to campus or relocate to attend the most affordable program. Enrollees can continue their careers while earning a degree.
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Explore Online Bachelor's in Human Resources
Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.
How Much Does a Human Resources Degree Cost?
Online human resources programs vary in cost. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, students at public schools spent an average of $18,380 for tuition in 2018-19. Learners at private universities spent an average of $44,300.
On top of tuition, learners should budget for textbooks and technology fees. Online students may need to pay for online classroom management platforms.
How Much Do Human Resources Majors Make?
Careers in HR pay various salaries depending on several factors. The most experienced professionals earn the most money. According to PayScale data from October 2021, HR specialists with less than one year of experience earn an average of $46,000 annually. Those with more than 20 years of experience earn an average of $60,000.
Position also impacts pay. Entry-level human resources managers earn an average of $52,000 a year, according to October 2021 PayScale data. These professionals with more than 20 years of experience earn $76,000.
Employers located in areas with higher costs of living may also pay more. Additionally, nonprofits may pay less than for-profit corporations.
Courses in Human Resources
Online human resources programs teach students hard and soft skills. Enrollees practice active listening and organization. They also learn how to use employee management software. Coursework covers business language used in insurance and benefits policy.
Most online classes include lectures and class discussions. Students take multiple-choice tests, read case studies, and write essays. Some programs require an internship.
See below for three common courses in online human resources programs. Keep in mind that not all schools offer these courses.
Students learn best practices for resolving and preventing workplace conflicts. Learners study conflict resolution theories. They also discuss case studies on real-life workplace conflicts. Coursework covers negotiation practices. Students engage in mock negotiations with their peers through video calls.Conflict Resolution
Learners discover how to advertise for open positions. They practice screening resumes and conducting preliminary interviews. The first half of the semester focuses on recruitment. The second half explores retainment. Coursework covers competitive benefits packages, including time off and health insurance.Talent Recruitment and Retainment
Some online programs require an internship. Many businesses offer virtual internships. During an internship, students work under the supervision of an HR professional. They gain experience and a new line item for their resumes. Some internships pay a salary in addition to class credit.Internship in Human Resources
How to Become a Human Resources Specialist
Online HR programs train students for diverse careers. Students can prepare to enter the job market by building a professional network and resume. They can also complete internships and volunteer opportunities.
Careers in HR do not require certifications. However, earning a certification can help graduates stand out to employers. The HR Certification Institute provides certificates.
Working in HR requires on-the-job training. Companies select their own data management software that HR professionals use. Some employers allow specialists to advance to managers after gaining experience. Other employers require a master's degree for HR managers.
Human Resources Programs 2021
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Florida International UniversityLocation
Miami, FL
Tuition$9180
Graduation Rate58%
Based in Miami, FIU offers a bachelor of business administration with a concentration in human resource management. Students take courses in business, human resources-specific courses, and a variety of electives.
Students complete 60 credits of general education and elective requirements before moving on to upper-division courses. Notable courses include human resource information systems, managing diversity, happiness at work, and union management relations. Students receive a solid introduction to human resources principles and best practices. They also choose from a variety of business electives.
Students must complete 60 credits of general education core — either at FIU or through another associate degree program — with a minimum GPA of 2.5 to apply to the business school. Students must complete eight business pre-core courses as well.
FIU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
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Western Carolina UniversityLocation
Cullowhee, NC
Tuition$15021
Graduation Rate62%
Based in Cullowhee, North Carolina, WCU offers a master of science in human resources. Students complete 36 credits in professional core and topics in human resources online with flexible scheduling. Most students finish in two years or less.
The program begins with human resources research and evaluation methods, human resource development, employee and labor relations, and a field experience with supervision. Notable advanced courses include HR consulting, legal issues in human resources, and organization development. With seminars and training in leadership skills, students leave with an advanced grasp of human resources topics.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 GPA to qualify for admission. Students must also submit GRE scores (minimum 141 quantitative, 150 verbal) to begin the admissions process.
WCU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
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Clemson UniversityLocation
Clemson, SC
Tuition$19508
Graduation Rate83%
Located in Clemson, South Carolina, Clemson offers a master of human resource development. The fully online program allows students to complete 30 credits in convenient eight-week terms. Potential learning outcomes include jobs as human performance improvement consultants, HR generalists, training managers, and organizational development consultants.
Students begin with required courses such as research concepts and skills, concepts of human resource development, and instructional design. Students then choose from two concentrations: athletic leadership or comprehensive human resources development. Concentration course topics include ethical issues in collegiate athletic administration, intercultural workplace learning leadership, and applied research and development.
Students may apply for courses starting in spring, summer, or fall. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 to begin the application process. The school does not require standardized tests, but applicants may submit GRE, GMAT, or MAT scores to strengthen an application.
Clemson is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
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Stony Brook UniversityLocation
Stony Brook, NY
Tuition$14874
Graduation Rate74%
Based in Stony Brook, New York, Stony Brook offers a master of science in human resource management. Students complete 30 credits through ten courses during a year of full-time study or can take one course at a time to finish in just over two years.
All students begin with an introductory course: foundations of human resources. From there, students progress through the curriculum, with course options such as diversity and global issues in the workplace, organizational development and change management, employee relations and labor management, and human relations and workforce planning. Students must also complete a master's project at the end and may opt to take a 45-hour internship for hands-on experience and mentorship in the field.
Learners may apply for one of three start dates per year. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 to qualify for admission. Stony Brook is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
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Cornell UniversityLocation
Ithaca, NY
Graduation Rate95%
An Ivy League school based in Ithaca, New York, Cornell offers a master of industrial and labor relations with a concentration in human resource studies. Students complete 48 credits and choose a field advisor to help direct their course of study.
Students begin with required courses in the industrial and labor relations department. These courses include human resource management, labor relations, organizational behavior, and statistical methods for social science. Students then complete six courses specifically for their human resource studies concentration to complete the degree. Learners also take elective courses to handle the breadth of study.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. The school does not specify a minimum GPA requirement and does not require standardized test scores. Cornell is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.