Master of Business Administration in Human Resources

Why an MBA in Human Resources?

An MBA in Human Resources can put you in a great position for career growth in one of today’s fastest growing fields. Overall employment in human resources, training, and labor relations occupations is projected to grow by 22% by 2018. Legislation and court rulings revising standards in occupational safety and health, equal employment opportunity, wages, healthcare, retirement plans, and family leave, among others, will increase demand for all professionals with a bachelor’s degree. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a master’s degree or MBA is highly recommended for those seeking general and top management jobs.

Careers

Upon completion of your MBA in Human Resources, you’ll be fully prepared to handle a wide range of well-paid positions. Sample career titles include:

• Human Resources Manager
• Compensation and Benefits Manager
• Training and Development Specialist
• Employment, Recruitment, and Placement Specialist
• Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialist

According to a May 2009 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, annual earnings for human resources professionals are as follows:

1. Human Resources Managers
   • Lowest 25% – $74,480
   • Median – $96,550
   • Highest 25% – 127,270
   • Highest 10% – $164,270
2. Compensation and Benefits Managers
   • Lowest 25% – $66,510
   • Median – $88,050
   • Highest 25% – 115,180
   • Highest 10% – $148,390
3. Training and Development Specialists
   • Lowest 25% – $39,280
   • Median – $52,120
   • Highest 25% – $68,300
   • Highest 10% – $85,860
4. Employment, Recruitment, and Placement Specialists
   • Lowest 25% – $35,430
   • Median – $46,200
   • Highest 25% – 64,380
   • Highest 10% – $87,060
5. Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists
   • Lowest 25% – $43,340
   • Median – $55,620
   • Highest 25% – $70,130
   • Highest 10% – $86,540

Certification

Many professional associations that specialize in human resources offer certification programs

• The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans confers a designation in three distinct areas of specialization — group benefit, retirement, and compensation — to persons who complete a series of college-level courses and pass exams. Candidates can earn a designation in each of the specialty tracks and simultaneously receive credit toward becoming a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS).
• The American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) Certification Institute offers professional certification in the learning and performance field as well as short-term certificate and workshop programs covering a broad range of professional training and development topics.
• The Society for Human Resource Management offers two levels of certification, including the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Additionally, the organization offers the Global Professional in Human Resources certification for those with international and cross-border responsibilities and the California Certification in Human Resources for those who plan to work in that state and become familiar with California's labor and human resources laws.
• The WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals offers four distinct designations in the areas of compensation, benefits, work-life, and global remuneration that comprise the total rewards management practice. Candidates obtain the designation of Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), Certified Benefits Professional (CBP), Global Remuneration Professional (GRP), and Work-Life Certified Professional (WLCP).

Curriculum

A minimum of 42 or 45 semester credit hours is required for graduation, depending on whether the student is exempt from taking MBA 500 Business Fundamentals.
MBA Courses and Descriptions
REQUIRED MBA COURSES
All courses, 30 semester credit hours, are required. (If the student is not exempt from the prerequisite course, MBA 500, it must be completed before any 600 level courses are taken.)
Course Number	Course Name	Prerequisite	Credit Hours
MBA 500	Business Fundamentals*	None	3.0
MBA 600	Leadership and Organizational Behavior	MBA 500	3.0
MBA 606	Research and Decision Making	MBA 500	3.0
MBA 615	Marketing	MBA 500	3.0
MBA 620	Accounting for Managers	MBA 500	3.0
MBA 626	Information Systems and Technology	MBA 500	3.0
MBA 631	Operations and Project Management	MBA 500	3.0
MBA 641	Business and Labor Law	MBA 500	3.0
MBA 345	Finance	MBA 500	3.0
MBA 690	Strategic Planning	MBA 500	3.0
MBA 691	Graduate Capstone Project **	Final course	3.0
REQUIRED COURSES IN HUMAN RESOURCES
The following courses, 12 semester credit hours, are required.
Course Number	Course Name	Prerequisite	Credit Hours
MBA 610	Human Resource Management	MBA 500	3.0
MBA 636	Training and Development in Organizations	MBA 500	3.0
MBA 637	Designing Organizational Change	MBA 500	3.0
MBA 638	Managing Organizational Performance	MBA 500	3.0
Notes: * MBA 500 is an overview course that covers business practices across a number of disciplines. Students who have earned an undergraduate degree with a major or minor in business may petition for exemption from this course. **MBA 691 is taken in the last term and may be continued for a second term for 3.0 additional credits if the student’s final project warrants.

MBA - Student Information

Program Data
Program	On Time Completion Rate	Available Graduate Employment Rate	Median Loan Debt of Graduates	Estimated Program Cost	Average Hourly Salary of Graduates	O*Net Link
Master of Business Administration in Human Resources	No Data	No Data	No Data	$28,125.00	No Data	Link 1 Link 2 Link 3

Disclosure Methodology

Students who prefer a shorter program may wish to consider the 33-credit Master of Business Administration online degree.