When it comes to choosing an academic program, it can be challenging to find the best school and program for you. There are many factors to consider, including the usefulness of the degree in furthering your career, your level of interest in the subject and ease of access to your school and course materials.
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree provides you with a working knowledge and actionable skills to apply in a managerial position. An MBA with a concentration in human resources is a specialized degree that prepares you to manage the human resources (HR) department of a company.
HR departments are responsible for managing business functions including hiring, succession planning, payroll, employee complaints, training, labor laws and regulations, benefits and dismissal. If employees are the engine of an organization, then the HR department is the mechanic. If you like the idea of helping an organization run smoothly by taking care of its employees, an MBA in HR may be right choice for you.
What Types of Courses Will I Take in an HR MBA Program?
When you earn an MBA in human resources, you can expect a well-rounded business degree supplemented with specialized studies in HR practices, processes and management. At the University of Southern Indiana (USI), the fully online MBA with a concentration in Human Resources program gives you the flexibility to study anytime, anywhere you have internet access. During your online MBA program, you will complete 30 credit hours — 21 core credit hours and nine credit hours in the human resources concentration.
Understanding business operations and management is a crucial part of successful HR management. USI’s online MBA program incorporates interactive and experiential learning to maximize understanding. Courses such as Leadership Skills and Innovation, Managerial Economics and Strategic and International Management prepare you for the operational and decision-making responsibilities of being in management. Other courses such as Information Systems and Technology, Financial Management and Financial Markets, Marketing Strategies and Accounting for Decision-Making and Control provide you with the skills needed to help an organization turn a profit and run efficiently.
Your human resources courses include Legal and Social Environment of Business, Managing Human Capital and Data Driven Decision Making. These courses are designed to give you a thorough understanding of the legal aspects, processes, best practices and current issues involved with HR management. You will examine training and professional development, compensation and reward systems, performance management, organizational behavior, communications and the effective implementation of HR policies.
The combination of advanced HR concentration courses and MBA business core courses can give you a powerful edge when entering the human resources management occupation.
What Can I Do With an MBA in Human Resources?
With an MBA in human resources, you will have plenty of room for upward movement. The degree qualifies graduates for numerous positions such as payroll director, affirmative action officer and human resources manager.
Within the field of HR management, HR roles and managerial hierarchies can vary greatly, depending on the size of the organization and the HR department structure. For example, many companies employ HR generalists, HR specialists, an HR manager and a VP of HR. Depending on your years of experience, you also have the potential to work independently as a human resources consultant, helping companies improve their HR operations.
What Will I Get Out of an MBA in Human Resources?
The field of human resources management is growing consistently. Between 2021 and 2031, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of human resources managers to grow 7%, with about 16,300 job openings for highly educated and qualified candidates each year. Beyond the stable job outlook, human resources managers also enjoy substantial salaries. In 2021, the median annual salary for human resources managers was $126,230. When you earn an MBA in HR, you make an investment that you can expect to see returned many times over.
Knowledge is power. With the appropriate education, you can surely achieve your goals. If you aspire to work in the growing and lucrative field of HR, it is time to empower yourself with an MBA in human resources.
Learn more about the University of Southern Indiana online MBA with a concentration in Human Resources program.
