Online Human Resources Bachelor’s Degree
At the heart of nearly every company, you will find hard-working employees and a human resource department that supports its staff. Among other tasks, human resources professionals recruit employees, help staff access benefits, and file complaints. As employment laws continue to change, every company needs qualified human resources professionals.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that positions for human resources managers will grow by 9% between 2016 and 2026, offering competitive median annual salaries of $110,120. This guide features everything you need to know about the skills you can gain by earning an accredited human resources degree online, as well as the careers available to graduates.
Why Earn an Online Degree in Human Resources?
An online human resources degree benefits people who cannot attend traditional classes because they work full time or have a family. The convenience, flexibility, and affordability of a human resources online degree often appeal to students with more responsibilities than traditional college students.
An online human resources degree allows students to study conveniently from any place where they have access to a computer and internet connection. Students may also choose from different online human resource degree formats, including full-time, part-time, and accelerated options. Furthermore, students can pick a program that offers synchronous classes, which meet at set times every week, or asynchronous classes, which do not follow a set schedule.
Best of all, online classes tend to be more affordable because students do not have to pay for costs typically associated with commuting to school such as parking, gas, and room and board.
What Can I Do with an Online Human Resources Bachelor's Degree?
An online human resources degree offers a broad education that prepares graduates to work in human resources and other fields. Students learn every aspect of the internal operations of a successful company. They take courses in business topics such as law, public affairs, budgeting, and finance. The core skills students learn can translate to many careers, including staff training and management. Keep reading to learn about the specific skills students learn by earning a human resource degree online.
Skills & Knowledge Gained
Not every online human resources degree offers the same core courses and electives to students. However, for the most part, every accredited college provides students enrolled in a human resource management online degree with similar learning outcomes.
Five core concepts include employment law, recruitment, problem-solving, budgeting, and financing. These skills prepare students for different jobs within human resources and outside of the industry. For example, a student who takes an employment law class theoretically possesses the skills to work as labor relations manager. Additionally, a student who completes a course in recruitment learns the basics necessary to work as a training and development manager.
Students pursuing an a human resources bachelor's degree online also take classes in oral communication and in social sciences (e.g., sociology, anthropology, political science). Many programs also require students to complete internships or experiential learning courses, which offer real-world work experience. Classes such as management and learning organizations, leadership and ethics, and employee recruitment also give students the tools to land jobs in management. Unlike individuals who only have an associate degree, students with an online human resources degree possess the skills to acquire management positions such as human resources manager.
Careers & Salary Potential
The field of human resources offers graduates a variety of occupations that may suit their work habits, strengths, and personalities. One online human resources degree graduate may prefer working in recruiting, while another may enjoy handling payroll. Below, you can view five potential careers open to graduates with an online human resources degree. You will also find each position's annual media salary and a brief description of the occupation.
Human Resources Specialist
Annual Median Salary: $60,350
Human resources specialists serve as point persons for companies. They recruit and interview new employees. Once employees have been hired, human resources specialists help staff members go through the onboarding experience. They also answer questions about payroll and compensation benefits, and work with employers to identify employment needs.
Human Resources Manager
Annual Median Salary: $110,120
Human resources managers need a bachelor's degree, and sometimes a master's degree. Human resources managers oversee the operations of a human resource department in an organization, including managing the benefits program. They meet with top executives to form recruitment plans. When issues arise, human resource managers handle any employee and employer disputes.
Training and Development Specialist
Annual Median Salary: $60,360
To become a training and development specialist, candidates need a bachelor's degree and significant work experience. Training and development specialists organize and run training programs for employees, and create training manuals for organizations. They mostly work in professional, scientific, and technical services, but you'll also find them in healthcare, finance, and insurance. An online human resources degree can help prepare candidates for this job by covering topics such as motivation and reward.
Training and Development Manager
Annual Median Salary: $108,250
A training and development manager needs a bachelor's degree, and sometimes a master's degree. Most training and development managers work in professional, scientific, and technical services; some also work for management companies. They manage the training and development of employees. They also teach instructors how to administer training programs.
Compensation and Benefits Manager
Annual Median Salary: $119,120
Compensation and benefits managers work in various settings, including management companies and the government. They manage the compensation and benefits programs within organizations. Compensation and benefits managers also work with benefits vendors and insurance companies. Additionally, these managers monitor compensation plans to ensure they reflect industry trends. A bachelor's degree in human resources can help candidates identify industry best practices and minimum standards for employee compensation.
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