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 working knowledge and actionable skills to apply in a managerial position. The online MBA with a concentration in Human Resources program from the University of Southern Indiana (USI) is a specialized degree that prepares you to manage an organization’s human resources (HR) department.
HR departments are responsible for managing business functions including hiring, succession planning, payroll, employee complaints, training, labor laws and regulations, benefits, and dismissal processes. 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 the right choice for you.
Is an MBA in Human Resources Worth It?
For most professionals aiming for HR leadership roles, an MBA in Human Resources is worth the investment. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), 85% of MBA graduates report a positive return on investment, and 87% say the degree increased their employability.
The return is especially clear in HR, where pay climbs steeply with seniority and scope of responsibility. According to 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), human resources specialists earned a median annual wage of $72,910, while managers and executives who oversee HR strategy earned more. An MBA concentration adds the strategic business training — budgeting, workforce planning, executive communication — that separates HR generalists from candidates being considered for director- and C-suite-level roles.
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. USI’s fully online MBA with a concentration in Human Resources program gives you the flexibility to study anytime, anywhere you have internet access. You can complete the 30-credit-hour program in as few as 12 months.
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.
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 prepare you for leadership roles in the human resources management field.
What Can I Do With an MBA in Human Resources?
An MBA in human resources offers plenty of opportunities for long-term career growth. Graduates qualify for a range of roles including 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.
How Much Can You Earn With an MBA in Human Resources?
Earning potential in HR varies significantly by role and level of responsibility. An MBA concentration positions you to compete for the highest-paying management and executive tracks rather than staying in individual-contributor roles.
| Role | What the Role Involves | Typical Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Talent Acquisition Manager | Leads recruiting strategy, sourcing, and hiring processes to build and maintain a company’s talent pipeline. | $91,296 (avg); range $65,000–$128,000 |
| Compensation & Benefits Manager | Designs and manages pay structures, incentive programs, and employee benefits to keep offerings competitive and compliant. | $140,360 (median); range $81,660–$239,200 |
| HR Director | Oversees HR operations, policy, and staff across an organization, aligning people strategy with business goals. | $101,868 (avg); range $66,000–$153,000 |
| Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) | Sets overall HR strategy at the executive level, guiding culture, leadership development, and workforce planning company-wide. | $158,474 (avg); range $102,000–$248,000 |
According to PayScale, pay for HR leadership roles climbs steadily from director level up through the C-suite, and BLS reports a median annual wage of $140,360 for compensation and benefits managers specifically. USI’s online MBA with a concentration in Human Resources program prepares graduates for these higher-paying, strategic HR roles.
MBA in Human Resources vs. SHRM Certification: Which Is Right for You?
The right path depends on whether you want to lead HR as a strategic business function or deepen your expertise as a certified practitioner. An MBA in Human Resources pairs an accredited graduate business education — covering finance, strategy and data-driven decision-making — with a concentration in HR practices, positioning graduates for director- and executive-level roles.
SHRM’s certification programs, the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP, validate HR competency for operational and senior HR practitioners, but they don’t include the broader business curriculum or graduate degree that many employers require for management promotions. The two credentials aren’t mutually exclusive — many HR leaders hold both. But for professionals aiming to move beyond HR into executive management, the MBA provides the accredited academic credential that certification alone doesn’t.
What Will I Get Out of an MBA in Human Resources?
The field of human resources management is growing consistently. BLS projects employment of human resources managers will grow 6% between 2024 and 2034, with about 81,800 job openings expected each year. Beyond the stable job outlook, human resources managers also enjoy substantial salaries. In 2024, the median annual salary for human resources managers was $78,703, according to PayScale. When you earn an MBA in HR, you can expect a strong return on that investment.
Learn more about the University of Southern Indiana’s online MBA with a concentration in Human Resources program.
Frequently Asked Questions About the MBA in Human Resources
The questions below cover what prospective students ask most before applying. Each answer reflects the program’s current requirements and format.
What jobs can I get with an MBA in Human Resources?
Graduates commonly move into roles such as HR director, training and development manager, executive recruiter, HR consultant and labor relations specialist. Career paths often extend toward VP of HR and CHRO-level leadership as experience builds.
How long does it take to complete the program?
Students can complete the 30-credit-hour program in as few as 12 months through USI’s accelerated online format. The curriculum includes 21 core credit hours and nine HR concentration credit hours.
Do I need a GMAT to apply?
No. USI’s online MBA with a concentration in Human Resources does not require GMAT, GRE or GMAC ESA scores for admission. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
