The rise of assembly-line work in the industrial era made it fashionable among business executives to view labor as a commodity. Workers could be plugged in, swapped out, exchanged between positions, just like gears and belts in the machines they operated – all according to strict principles of scientific management.
But when the digital era hit, that attitude came to a screeching halt. Programmers, designers, analysts… it turned out they weren’t all created equal. Some were better than others; none appreciated being treated like a cog in a machine.
It’s been a long time coming, but corporations are finally recognizing that human capital is every bit as valuable as financial capital. And that fact has brought HR to the forefront again as one of the best things you can with your MBA.
Since they’ve come to that realization, corporations are scrambling to find candidates for their executive ranks who have the unique combination of skills, knowledge, and empathy to foster and manage that human capital. Advanced careers in human resources rely on HR pros with an intimate knowledge of how business gets done, but who also have the soft skills to manage people and the hardcore legal and regulatory chops to make sure it’s done the right way.
That’s where advanced degrees such as the MBA with an HR concentration or even the conventional master’s in human resources can come into play. Taking a solid core of accounting, finance, strategy, and marketing education and wrapping it in a fuzzy blanket of communication and leadership skills, an HR-focused MBA gives you the tools to not only understand the engine that drives business, but also the skills and knowledge to fuel the staff that run it.
How to Find The Best MBA Programs With HR Concentrations
You know HR-qualified executives are a hot commodity, but how do you get to be one of them? Well, that’s why you’re here… finding the right MBA program with an HR concentration just became your life’s mission, and we’re here to help.
For starters, you probably already know you need a degree from an accredited university. Any institute of higher education in the U.S. that hasn’t been blessed by one of the major regional or national accrediting bodies recognized by the CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation) or USDE (U.S. Department of Education) isn’t even worth looking at.
What you might not know, though, is that organizations like CHEA and even the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) also certify several specialty accrediting agencies, ones that focus specifically on business schools, or even individual business degrees. Those agencies have more institutional knowledge of business schools specifically, higher standards, and more specific criteria than regional accrediting bodies that offer university-level accreditation.
In the field of business, there are three different agencies that offer those accreditations:
- AACSB – Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (accredits entire schools of business) (ISO-certified)
- IACBE – International Accreditation Council for Business Education (accredits specific programs, including MBAs) (CHEA-recognized)
- ACBSP – Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (accredits specific programs, including MBAs) (CHEA-recognized)
They look at curriculum, instructors, administrative procedures, admissions and grading, and dozens of other factors, all with a very specific consideration: do those qualities exemplify the standards the American business community demands in job candidates?
When the answer is yes, the program gets accredited.
And since you want to meet those standards, you know you need to pick one of these programs.
How We Drilled Down to the Very Best Accredited HR MBAs
Accreditation isn’t the end of the road. It’s just the first filter. A school that passes that bar gets a second look, but you’re going to want to make it a close look. You want to know about other factors, things like:
- Entrance exam requirements
- Class delivery formats
- Philosophy of teaching
- Reputation in the community
- Clubs or centers for networking and support
We started with a list of all accredited MBAs with HR concentrations and went through them one by one looking at all of those elements and more.
Accessibility and Opportunities to Engage with Classmates and Faculty
First, we culled the ones that didn’t offer at least some of their courses online or partially online… in this day and age, you deserve the kind of flexibility in your studies that only modern technology can offer.
Then we started looking at the little extras. The programs that had professors with years of experience and mad skills in particular aspects of HR. The learning management systems that were easy-to-use, dynamic, and yet still offered complete and seamless connection to fellow students and faculty.
MBA Core
We eyeballed the core courses in the MBA sequence. You want a full education in human resources management, but you don’t want to neglect your studies in plain old management, either. We made sure the instruction in marketing, accounting, business strategy, planning, and the like were all up to par with the best business programs in the country.
SHRM-Aligned Curriculum
Though there is no accrediting agency in place that looks exclusively at HR graduate-level curriculum, there is something even better. Business schools have the option of aligning their HR management programs with SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) curriculum guidelines, and this includes MBA programs with an HR focus. Programs with SHRM-aligned curriculum are widely recognized as meeting the gold standard in quality when it comes to preparing graduates with the skills modern businesses demand. It’s purely voluntary, and isn’t technically a form of accreditation, but it is the furthest an HR program can go to meet the highest industry standards, so you better believe it was something we gave weight to when putting this list together.
Contemporary and Innovative Teaching Philosophy
Finally, we dug into the concentration courses and support. Schools that had innovative approaches to teaching modern HR principles went right to the top of the list. Those that offered experiential learning opportunities, where you could put theory into practice through internships or consulting projects in HR, also got gold stars. If they went into some unique angle, a hot topic like international HR, where multiculturalism and the effects of a global workforce on the field were explored, it was another big plus.
The Best Accredited Online MBAs with a Focus in Human Resources
In the end, we feel strongly that this is the list you should work from in your search for the best of the best in business education with an HR focus. Not all these programs are the same, but they are all of the highest quality, and each of them offers a unique value in your quest to earn a career-boosting degree that combines business administration and HR.
This list features programs that our editorial staff hand selected to present as top recommendations. We believe the many aspects of a program that come together to create an exceptional student experience can’t be reduced to numbers alone, so no formula was used to attempt to score or rank these programs. Instead, they represent our top picks based on a thoughtful review of the things we know mean the most to students. Each one of these programs offers something unique, and all come equally highly recommended. We stand behind the principal of editorial integrity and make these recommendations independently and without compensation.
Alabama
College of Business
Florence, Alabama
Website
MBA with Human Resource Management Concentration
Other Available Concentrations:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Health Care Management
- Information Systems
- Sales and New Business Development
- Global Business
- Project Management
- ERP Systems Using SAP
Related Programs:
Executive MBA
- Accreditation: AACSB
- Delivery: Online, on campus, or hybrid
- Entrance Exam Requirement: GMAT or GRE
- HR Concentration recently launched in 2015
- Numerous innovation and entrepreneurial events such as Shoals Idea Audition and the 3 Day Startup program
- MBA Ranked #3 nationally by Best College Reviews
- Twelve different student organizations offer networking and career opportunities
- Faculty composed of experienced national leaders in their fields.
- SHRM-aligned HR curriculum.
Human resource management is a highly specialized field today with enormous implications for how businesses run and succeed. Perhaps equally importantly, mis-steps in HR can result in enormous liabilities, both on the legal and the public relations levels. That’s why it’s important to keep up to date with the most current best practices in the field, and that’s why the fact that the UNA HR concentration prepares students for successfully earning their HR Assurance of Learning Certificate from the Society for Human Resource Management is the sign of a great program. You know that the concentration curriculum is closely aligned with the SHRM model curriculum, reflecting current input from leaders in the field today. That means you’re learning the professional skills and knowledge to succeed as an executive in the field of HR management.
Arizona
John Massey School of Business
Phoenix, Arizona
Website
Online MBA with an Emphasis in Human Resources
Other Available Concentrations:
- Accounting
- Aerospace Logistics
- Finance
- Hospitality Management
- Management
- Native American Leadership
- Strategic Communication
- Entrepreneurship
- Healthcare Information Systems
- Marketing
- Safety
- Accreditation: AACSB
- Delivery: Online
- Entrance Exam Requirement: None
You’ll learn to lead HR functions in complete confidence with the skills and knowledge you gain at the SOSU MBA program. The Massey school MBA emphasizes management and leadership functions, so you will not only get a strong education in the fundamentals of recruiting, compensation, and negotiation, but also training how to lead teams of professionals in performing those functions. With a strong core business education in accounting, marketing, and finance, you’ll also get all the skills you need to sit at the table with other management-level executives and fill a role as an important strategic leader in any organization.
Arkansas
College of Business
Little Rock, Arkansas
Website
MBA with a Concentration in Human Resources
Other Available Concentrations:
- Organizational Communication
Related Programs:
PharmD / MBA
JD / MBA
- Accreditation: AACSB
- Delivery: On campus or hybrid
- Entrance Exam Requirement: GMAT, GRE, or waiver
- The only MBA program in Little Rock.
- Have your questions answered in a one-on-one Skype chat session with the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies before enrolling!
If there is any particular business degree concentration that requires an extra helping of leadership skills, it is surely in Human Resources Management. Getting large groups to perform at their highest levels while adhering to organizational principles require motivational skills and integrity. That’s why the HR concentration at UALR is a great option for anyone seeking a career as an HR executive. The core MBA program includes a Leadership Skills Development program that is woven seamlessly into all the course work. You’ll be assessed and given feedback on your own development process as a leader as you study the management of human capital, managerial economics, and applied problem solving among other core courses. By the time you graduate, you’ll be able to take on any HR challenge with confidence and fully equipped with the skills to succeed.
California
Graduate School of Business and Management
Los Angeles, California
Website
MBA in Human Resource Management
Other Available Concentrations:
- Organizational Leadership
- Public Health
- Accreditation: ACBSP
- Delivery: Online
- Entrance exam requirement: None
- Fourteen to one student to instructor ratio provides plenty of individualized attention
- Supports one of the largest communities of graduate students in the nation for support and networking potential
Argosy’s motto is “Care. Learn. Live.” It’s a sign you’re heading in the right direction if you are angling for a career as a human resources professional. Instructors and staff that are focused on your needs and progress are the perfect role model for a healthy HR-focused senior manager. Argosy believes that HR is integral to contributing to a company’s bottom line, so you are taught the business strategy, organization building, and leadership skills that are necessary to support any mission in any company in the world. The nine available concentration courses also zoom in on practicality, emphasizing real-world approaches for performance management, team-building, and developing key personnel. It’s a solid, well-rounded approach to building up future HR professionals.
Colorado
Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business
Greeley, Colorado
Website
MBA with an Emphasis in Human Resource Management Online
Other Available Concentrations:
- Healthcare Administration
- Accreditation: AACSB
- Delivery: Online
- Entrance Exam Requirement: GMAT or waiver
- First and only business program to receive the Malcom Baldridge National Quality Award from the Office of the President of the United States
- The Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative promotes the teaching of principle-based ethics in the university business school curriculum
- Study abroad options available in Europe, North America, and Asia.
- Graduate in as little as 12 months with a self-paced, accelerated program structure
Ethical leadership has a strong emphasis in the UNC MBA program, anchored on the school’s Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative that starts by promoting principle-based curriculum in business courses. That’s a big advantage for students in the HRM concentration, because ethics is a core foundation for practical and successful human resources practices. With those essential values threaded into the course curriculum, you’ll have a stable and effective framework for learning about organizational change and employee engagement, for managing compensation and assessment programs, and for understanding the legal framework that outlines recruiting and discipline administration. It all sets you up for an in-depth study of leadership as a human resources professional, while the strategic perspective on finance, accounting, marketing, and other traditional business skills teaches you how to integrate HR considerations into the fabric of business operations in a way that leads to a better, happier, more effective organization.
Connecticut
Tagliatela School of Business & Leadership
New Haven, Connecticut
Website
MBA in Human Resource Management
Other Available Concentrations:
- General Management
- Healthcare Management
- Accounting
- Leadership
- Project Management
Related Programs:
MBA (on-campus, FLEX)
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Delivery: Online, on-campus, FLEX program
- Entrance exam requirement: none
- Program features accelerated, eight-week courses and five start dates per year for the best in convenience and flexibility
- FLEX program allows you to choose between online and on-campus courses throughout the program
- Program boasts superb faculty support and communication and a low, 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio
Albertus Magnus College’s MBA in Human Resource Management is part of the institution’s new Online & Flex programs, which allows adult learners like you earn an MBA while continuing to meet your professional responsibilities. Whether you’re looking for a fully online program or a flexible one that allows you to choose between online and on-campus courses, Albertus Magnus’ MBA in Human Resource Management is for you! Whichever delivery method you choose, you’ll benefit from: the accelerated, eight-week classes that allow you to earn 30 credits in just a year…personalized faculty attention and a low, student-to-faculty ratio of just 14:1…outstanding support and guidance from the program’s directors, department chairs, and dedicated academic advisors….and access to valuable internships and experiential learning opportunities. Whether you want to prepare for the SHRM exam or are looking to add credentials to your resume to advance your career, the MBA in Human Resource Management has you covered, thanks to a comprehensive HR curriculum that includes study in HR law, HR recruiting and selection, strategic management, and more.
Florida
Donald R. Tapia School of Business
Saint Leo, Florida
Website
MBA in Human Resource Management
Other Available Concentrations:
- Accounting
- Cybersecurity
- Data Analytics
- Health Care Management
- Marketing
- Project Management
- Social Media Marketing
- Sport Business Specialization
- Supply Chain Global Integration Management
Related Programs:
MBA (on-campus)
MBA One-Year International & Experiential (online)
Doctor of Business Administration
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Delivery: Online
- Entrance exam requirement: none; applicants with an undergraduate GPA of less than 3.0 may use the GMAT to strengthen their application
- Program is designed for business professionals with at least two years of professional work experience
- Up to two specializations may be chosen
- Outstanding professional development opportunities available, including completing an internship and preparing a research paper and presenting it at a national conference
With a focus on flexibility and convenience for adult learners like you, Saint Leo University offers the MBA in Human Resource Management, a fully online graduate course of study that’s designed to meet the needs of busy, working professionals. Designed to fast forward your career in the field of human resources, the MBA in Human Resource Management provides you with in-depth study in employment laws, ethics, and strategic support. You’ll dive deep into the field through courses in HR Strategic Training and Development, Total Compensation, Administrative and Personnel Law, and more! Interested in taking your MBA in Human Resource Management to the next level? Consider adding another specialization to your degree. You’ll also have the opportunity to: prepare a research paper under the guidance of a faculty member and presenting it at a national conference…complete an internship….and participate in the local chapter of the American Management Association or Sigma Beta Delta, the international honor society in business, management, and administration.
Warrington College of Business
Gainesville, Florida
Website
MBA with Concentration in Human Capital
Other Available Concentrations:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Marketing
- Strategy
- Supply Chain
- Real Estate
- Accreditation: AACSB
- Delivery: Online, on campus, or hybrid
- Entrance Exam Requirement: GMAT or GRE
- Ranked #4 Online MBA Program in the United States by the Financial Times
- Listed in the Top 20 MBA Programs by U.S. News & World Report
The Hough Graduate School of Business places a lot of effort on finding and focus your inspiration into an informed, equipped, and fully capable realization in practical terms of your goals and aspirations for a career in business. Since that’s a lot of what working in human resources involves generally, it’s only natural that the MBA concentration in human capital at UFL turns out to be one of the best HR-related concentration programs in the country. Teamwork and collaboration are core concepts in the Hough MBA. You are held to high expectations by both faculty and your fellow students, but you are also equipped to meet and exceed those expectations with their support. The truly immersive experience expands your peer network and offers internship options to put you in the thick of actual business practices.
Georgia
Division of Business
Thomasville, Georgia
Website
MBA in Human Resources Management
Other Available Concentrations:
- Accounting
Related Programs:
MBA (hybrid, on-campus cohort)
- Accounting
MBA/MSN
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Delivery: Online, hybrid, on-campus cohort
- Entrance exam requirement: none
- University named among the top online colleges in Georgia by TheBestSchools.org
- Superb study abroad opportunities available in locales like Nicaragua, China, England, France, and more
- Outstanding online student support through an innovative learning platform, engaging course content, and ample group discussions and collaboration
- Online learning is supported by Dynamic Learning Environments, which offers workshops on the use of academic technologies and support for technical issues
Thomas University’s MBA in Human Resources Management is designed to provide adult learners like you with the fully online course of study you need to balance going back to school with your professional obligations. It also features the robust curriculum you need to achieve higher level roles in human resource management. With a comprehensive MBA core as the foundation, the MBA in Human Resources Management focuses on today’s relevant and contemporary topics in HR recruitment, orientation, training, benefits, retention and more. If you need additional undergraduate courses to get you up to speed with the MBA, you’ll have the option of completing the necessary prerequisites in convenient, eight-week, online workshops. You’ll also have the opportunity of adding a global component to your MBA through fantastic study abroad opportunities in locales like Nicaragua, China, England, France, and more. As an online student of Thomas University, you’ll always feel connected, thanks to Canvas, the innovative, online learning platform, engaging course content, online discussions and group collaboration, and support by the Dynamic Learning Environments, which offers workshops on the use of academic technologies and support for technical issues.
Illinois
Graham School of Management
Orland Park, Illinois
Website
MBA with Human Resource Management Concentration
Other Available Concentrations:
- Digital Marketing
- Finance
- Financial Fraud Examination and Management
- Health Administration
- Management
- Project Management
Related Programs:
JD / MBA
- Accreditation: AACSB
- Delivery: Online, on campus, or hybrid
- Entrance Exam Requirement: None
- Faculty have connections to J.P. Morgan and the CME Group among other top institutions to help in developing close professional relationships for students
- BEST Mentoring program pairs students with successful business executives to foster understanding and expand business knowledge
- Experiential Learning Center allows students to gain credit from internship experiences at companies such as Deloitte, Walt Disney, and the CME Group
Human resources are the base of any company and Saint Xavier offers strong management skills for dealing with them in the base MBA program even before you tack on the in-depth education that comes with their HRM concentration. Building on what you already take away from the core courses, you’ll get extra doses of perspective on diversity, leadership, change management, and strategic HR considerations in your concentration courses. Critical thinking skills and practical problem-solving education helps you get a handle on even the thorniest of human resources problems, and the strong emphasis the college puts on building networks with current business executives means you will always have professional mentors to turn to when you run into problems you could use extra input on.
Indiana
School of Business
Indianapolis, Indiana
Website
Online MBA in Human Resources
Other Available Concentrations:
- Finance
- Health Care Management
- Information Technology
- Marketing
- Project Management
- Accreditation: ACBSP
- Delivery: Online
- Entrance exam requirement: None
- Concentration is fully aligned with SHRM’s gold standard HR Curriculum Guidebook
- ExcelTrack option offers an accelerated, personalized, competency-based degree plan for active professionals
Purdue is a name that employers trust, so it’s one that you can trust when you’re looking for an online MBA program with traction in the business world. Any MBA degree from Purdue Global will get your resume promoted right to the top of the stack, but if you’re interested in a career in human resources management, the program is an even more attractive option. The concentration courses have been recognized by the Society for Human Resources Management as aligning with their HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates, a manual for curriculum guidance that has been actively developed and updated by HR professionals working in the field to reflect the most up-to-date practices in use today. This means you’re getting the gold standard in HR education with a Purdue MBA HR concentration, together with a set of skills that will allow you to step in to any HR executive role at any employer in the country and find success.
Iowa
College of Business
Davenport, Iowa
Website
MBA in Human Resource Management
Other Available Concentrations:
- General Business
- International Management
- Leadership
- Marketing Management
Other Available Programs:
MSW / MBA
- Accreditation: ACBSP
- Delivery: Online or on campus
- Entrance exam requirement: GMAT, GRE, or waiver
- Graduates have gone on to work at companies such as Allianz Energy, Cargill, UPS, and Deere & Company
- Faculty integrate current trends and real-world best practices into an adaptable curriculum plan
St. Ambrose gets high marks from graduates of the school’s MBA program, which is no surprise. With strong core courses in data-driven decision making, accounting, and financial, marketing, and strategic management, all students in the program come away with a strong set of basic business knowledge and skills. The HR concentration extends those skills considerably with a wide array of available electives. Some of these are generic HR subjects that you could find at any MBA program, like training and development or compensation and benefits management. But some are highly specific and offer in-depth investigation of topics you might not find elsewhere, like labor management partnerships and contemporary employee relations and dispute resolution. That makes the St. Ambrose program a particularly good choice for professionals planning on careers in industries with strong organized labor movements.
Louisiana
School of Business
Shreveport, Louisiana
Website
MBA with a Human Resource Management Concentration or Specialization Online
Other Available Concentrations:
- Data Analytics
- Entrepreneurship and Family Enterprise
- Finance
- Hospitality and Casino Management
- International Business
- Marketing
- Project Management
- Nonprofit Administration
- Accreditation: AACSB
- Delivery: Online
- Entrance Exam Requirement: GMAT or waiver
- Accelerated coursework can be completed in as little as 10 months
If you want a fast and affordable MBA with a concentration in HRM, LSUS is absolutely the place to be. With a rock-bottom per-credit pricing for their entirely online MBA program, they routinely get ranked near the top of the charts in national MBA affordability. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a less expensive program that offers such a complete HRM focus. By splitting your options between a specialization, which allows unique tailoring of the curriculum to your own needs, and a concentration that offers three focused courses in HR topics, LSUS gives you the flexibility to build your education to match the career you expect. With classes available in everything from the strategic management of human capital to casino and resort management, this program gives you the ability to take control of your future in any industry.
College of Business Administration
New Orleans, Louisiana
Website
MBA with Human Resource Management Concentration
Other Available Concentrations:
- Finance
- Health Care Management
- Hotel-Restaurant-Tourism
- International Business
- Management Information Systems
- Marketing
- Technology Management
Related Programs:
Executive MBA
- Accreditation: AACSB
- Delivery: On campus or hybrid
- Entrance Exam Requirement: GMAT
- Student body with diverse academic and professional backgrounds will expose you to cultural realities HR must deal with
- Seminar in Business Policies capstone integrates all functions of business administration for a well-rounded education
UNO goes beyond the standard classroom environment with an MBA program that puts on business simulation and uses illustrative case examples in addition to traditional lecture techniques. When you’re learning the ins and outs of human resource management, that realistic touch is important; you have to learn to handle individuals as they really are, not as some textbook exercise. You’ll get all that and more with the UNO experience, which blends classroom and online courses to give you the full range of learning experiences. Building human capital can be the most challenging aspect of corporate management, but with a UNO MBA in your pocket, you’ll be well-qualified to take on executive roles doing exactly that.
Massachusetts
College of Management
Boston, Massachusetts
Website
MBA with Human Resource Management Specialization
Other Available Concentrations:
- Accounting
- Business Analytics
- Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Management
- Finance
- Health Care Management
- Health Care Informatics
- Information Systems
- International Management
- Internet Marketing
- Leadership & Organizational Change
- Marketing
- Nonprofit Management
- Supply Chain and Service Management
Related Programs:
5-year BA/BS to MBA
- Accreditation: AACSB
- Delivery: Online, on campus, or hybrid
- Entrance Exam Requirement: GMAT, GRE, or waiver
- Inducted as a top business school in CEO Magazine’s 2018 Global MBA rankings
- Center for Collaborative Leadership sponsors the school’s Emerging Leadership Program, encouraging strong management and ethics principles in UMass graduates
- Entrepreneurship Center sponsors programs, workshops, and mentorships to encourage hands-on experience in startup and innovation practices
UMass Boston is a top-tier business school in anybody’s book, which makes an MBA there in any specialty a solid choice. But the human resource management specialization gets a strong boost from the award-winning Center for Collaborative Leadership, an award-winning on-campus organization that fosters leadership development through three different programs that emphasize all the qualities in students that HR executives need: collaboration, imagination, and community values. Specialization courses in labor relations and cross-cultural and comparative management feed the inclusive, collaborative leadership style taught by the program. With the strong core business knowledge you get as part of the general MBA curriculum, the HR specialization will turn you into a formidable leader capable of harnessing the maximum effort and skills of a workforce in any industry and turning them into a team capable of amazing things.
Missouri
Melvin D. & Valorie G. Booth School of Business
Maryville, Missouri
Website
MBA – Human Resource Management
Other Available Concentrations:
- General Business
- Business Decision and Data Analytics Emphasis
- Marketing
- Accreditation: ACBSP
- Delivery: Online or on campus
- Entrance exam requirement: GMAT, GRE, or waiver
- Ranked #32 in Global Online MBAs by CEO Magazine
The Northwest Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management offers you the opportunity to become well-versed in every facet of corporate HR functions, from recruitment to compensation to training. You’ll learn all of these skills and techniques with a solid underpinning of basic business skills in accounting, marketing, and decision analysis through the comprehensive core curriculum. You’ll also get an extra helping of organizational development perspectives and an overview of the legal aspects of employment and hiring in today’s world.
Nebraska
Department of Business Administration
Seward, Nebraska
Website
MBA in Human Resources Management
Other Available Concentrations:
- Finance
- Business Intelligence
- Accounting
- Leadership & Managing Teams through Change
- Marketing
- Nonprofit Management
- Project Management
- Risk Management
Related Programs:
MBA (on-campus, hybrid)
Organizational Development (on-campus only)
Plus other concentrations named above
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Delivery: Online, on-campus, hybrid
- Entrance exam requirement: none
- Names as one of the best regional universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Reportin 2018
- Eight-week accelerated courses allow you to graduate in as little as a year
- Outstanding academic support offered through the university’s Concierge Registration, which includes a team of enrollment specialists who will ensure you’re on the right path to an MBA
Named as one of the best regional universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Reportin 2018, Concordia University Nebraska is where adult learners like you head when they want the best in quality learning and the finest in distance-based instruction. Their MBA in Human Resources Management is no exception, offering a fully online course of study designed to accommodate your busy, professional schedule and a robust curriculum that features a comprehensive MBA core complemented with in-depth study in human resources. Whether you’re preparing to take the SHRM exam or expand your professional opportunities, the MBA in Human Resources Management will get you where you want to be, thanks to study in compensation development and administration, HR legal issues, employee training, development and retention, and more. The fully online, eight-week classes will allow you to move quickly throughout the program, permitting you to graduate in as little as one year! As an online student, you’ll benefit from the university’s Concierge Registration, which includes a team of enrollment specialists who will ensure you’re on the right path to an MBA.
College of Business and Technology
Kearney, Nebraska
Website
MBA – Human Resources Track
Other Available Concentrations:
- Accounting
- Human Services/Non-profit Management
- Marketing
- Accreditation: AACSB
- Delivery: Hybrid
- Entrance Exam Requirement: GMAT, GRE, or waiver
- New eCampus program revolutionizes online learning systems
You’ll hone your critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making skills right off the bat at the UNK business school, getting the basics of leadership and executive business skills down long before you even start thinking about human resources. Statistical analysis, strategic analysis, and organizational behavior are all critical components of the core MBA program at UNK, and they set you up perfectly for what comes next on the HR track: courses on employment law, labor relations, and compensation, topics that help you grease the skids to get things done in any organization. Learning how to slot staff into roles that best suit them, how to hire and retain top talent, and how to deal with the inevitable conflicts that come in any workplace are all skills you will learn at UNK, and are all skills that will make you a top pick for any HR executive role you choose to apply for.
New Hampshire
College of Graduate and Professional Studies
Manchester, New Hampshire
Website
MBA in Human Resource Management
Other Available Concentrations:
- Energy and Sustainability Studies
- Health Administration
- Information Technology
- Leadership
- Sports Management
Related Programs:
MSN/MBA
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Delivery: Online
- Entrance exam requirement: None
- Available as a part- or full-time program
- Low, 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an outstanding 93% graduate placement rate
- SHRM-Aligned HR Curriculum
The Franklin Pierce University College of Graduate and Professional Studies is a name synonymous with excellence in online graduate education. It would stand to reason that the MBA program here has serious clout in the business world. Adding to a business administration core curriculum with proven results as evidenced in the 93% graduate placement rate, Franklin offers a concentration in HR management with a course sequence aligned with the exacting standards set in the Society of Human Resource Management HR Curriculum Guidebook. When it comes to a graduate education in HRM, you simply can’t set the bar any higher than that.
New Jersey
Cotsakos College of Business
Wayne, New Jersey
Website
MBA with Human Resources Concentration
Other Available Concentrations:
- Accounting
- Entrepreneurship
- Music and Entertainment Management
- Finance
- Marketing
- Accreditation: AACSB
- Delivery: Online, on campus, or hybrid
- Entrance Exam Requirement: GMAT, GRE, or waiver
- HR concentration curriculum focuses on industry best practices from SHRM
- Numerous conferences and networking events available such as the MBA Meet and Greet, On Site and Virtual Career Fairs, and Professional Enrichment Seminars
The MBA program at William Paterson has been going strong for more than 40 years and has recently been redesigned in a way that makes it a great fit for future HR professionals: the entire program has been built to emphasize the soft skills that managers need to motivate and lead employees in any industry. The HR concentration highlights innovation, strategy, and career preparedness through a combination of theoretical case studies and practical, hands-on application working with local industry partners.
New York
School of Business & Technology
Albany, New York
Website
MBA in Human Resources Management
Other Available Concentrations:
- Accounting
- Health Care Management
- Leadership
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Delivery: Online
- Entrance exam requirement: none
- Asynchronous online learning eliminates logging into classes at predetermined times
- Outstanding students services include a fully staffed career center, online library, 24/7 tech support, and a personalized orientation to the online learning experience
Excelsior College’s MBA in Human Resources Management is a flexible, comprehensive program that’ll help you prepare for the SHRM designation, climb the career ladder, and sharpen your HR skills. As a leader in distance learning for more than 40 years, Excelsior knows a thing or two about what makes a great online program. Choose the MBA in Human Resources Management and you’ll enjoy online classes that you can take whenever and wherever it’s most convenient for you. In addition to its comprehensive MBA core, you’ll enjoy rigorous HR management classes focused on labor relations, conflict resolution, compensation and benefits, and more. You’ll also have full access to Excelsior’s outstanding student services, which include a fully staffed career center, an online library, and MyExcelsior, an innovative portal where you’ll manage every aspect of your program. If you need help getting acclimated to the online learning experience, Excelsior has you covered there, too, thanks to a unique program called Orientation to the Online Classroom—your opportunity to get familiar with the learning management system and ask questions to subject matter experts.
Hagan School of Business
New Rochelle, New York
Website
MBA with Human Resource Management Concentration
Other Available Concentrations:
- Financial Management
- Health Care Management
- Management
- Marketing
- Public Accounting
- Accreditation: AACSB
- Delivery: Online, on campus, or hybrid
- Entrance Exam Requirement: None
- Rolling admission allows start times five different months of the year
Iona’s Hagan School promises a warm and welcoming environment for new students. The school’s newer, cheaper, and faster MBA program is part of that warm welcome for graduate students: what could be more welcoming than a fast, inexpensive master’s degree with high-quality instruction and a razor sharp curriculum? The HRM concentration builds on the business skills offered in that core curriculum to give you the additional people skills to manage staff in any industry. You’ll cover collective bargaining, compensation, and ethical considerations.
School of Management
Albany, New York
Website
MBA in Human Resource Management
Other Available Concentrations:
- Marketing
- Project Management
Related Programs:
MBA (on-campus*)
- Business Strategy
- Finance
- Marketing
- Human Resources
*on-campus locations in Albany and Saratoga
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Delivery: Online, on-campus*
- Entrance exam requirement: none
- Ranked among the top 10 Online Colleges in NY State
- Outstanding student support through the Office of Career Planning
- Superb faculty of experienced business professionals
The MBA in Human Resource Management through the Sages Colleges is where you’ll prepare to become a leader capable of managing personnel and related programs in complex environments. This fully online course of study, offered through Russell Sage Online, features a comprehensive MBA core that’s supplemented with relevant and contemporary issues in human resource management like compensation administration, labor and industrial relations, and recruitment and retention. As an online student here, you’ll benefit from all that the Sages Colleges have to offer, including outstanding professional support through the Office of Career Planning.
North Dakota
Gary Tharaldson School of Business
Bismarck, North Dakota
Website
MBA in Human Resource Management
Other Available Concentrations:
- Catholic Philanthropy
- Energy Management
- Executive
- Healthcare
- Healthcare Informatics
- Project Management
- Public Administration
- Virtuous Leadership
Related Programs:
MBA (on-campus*)
*On-campus locations:
- Alexandria, MN
- Billings, MT
- Bismarck, ND
- Dickinson, ND
- Fargo, ND
- Grand Forks AFB, ND
- Watford City, ND
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Delivery: Online, on-campus*
- Entrance exam requirement: none required for acceptance into the program; however, students must complete the GMAT prior to taking the MBA-specific classes. In lieu of the GMAT, students may also take three preparatory classes in Finance, Accounting, and Economics
- Online program features an accelerated course of study that features five-week terms and year-round classes
- Outstanding collaboration and communication with peers and instructors through Canvas
The University of Mary’s MBA in Human Resource Management is a robust MBA program that features a three-course concentration. This program, which is designed to prepare emerging leaders in human resources management, is an accelerated, online course of study that can be completed in as little as 18 months. Through Canvas, an innovative online learning platform, you’ll receive the best in instruction, personal advising, and career mentoring support. You’ll also learn from an esteemed faculty with HR management experience who is there to guide you throughout the program. Whether you’re preparing for the SHRM exam or looking to advance into a leadership or management role, Mary’s MBA in Human Resource Management is for you!
Ohio
School of Graduate and Professional Studies
Mount Vernon, Ohio
Website
MBA – Human Resource Management
Other Available Concentrations:
- Finance
- Healthcare Administration
- Human and Social Services Leadership
- Ministry Leadership
- Organizational Management
Other Available Programs:
Master of Ministry / MBA
- Accreditation: ACBSP
- Delivery: Online or on campus
- Entrance exam requirement: None
- Includes core courses on ministry leadership
Mount Vernon makes great sense as a choice for earning your MBA even before you consider their superlative HRM specialization. While the school has terrific HR-related courses in the core such as ethical leadership and organizational behavior, it still manages to hit all the hard angles of corporate finance, strategic management, and corporate legal issues. But the program really shines when it gets to the HRM concentration. Training and development get a special emphasis. Another course takes you into the theory and practice behind performance and reward systems, deconstructing the ways that employees are motivated in modern businesses. And a unique course in strategic programming in human resource management gives you a top-level perspective on how important great staff are to today’s corporation, and how they fit into the overall strategy of business plans. Whether you plan to use the skills in non-profit or for-profit business, you’ll have all the tools you need with a MVNU MBA in your pocket.
College of Business and Innovation
Toledo, Ohio
Website
MBA with Human Resource Management Concentration
Other Available Concentrations:
- Finance
- Healthcare Systems Management
- Information Systems
- International Business
- Marketing
- Leadership
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Administration
Related Programs:
BS or BA / MBA 5-year program
JD / MBA
MD / MBA
MPH / MBA
Pharm.D / MBA
- Accreditation: AACSB
- Delivery: Online, on campus, or hybrid
- Entrance Exam Requirement: GMAT or waiver
- Short-term international study trips available each year to various destinations
- Named one of the best colleges in the Midwest by The Princeton Review
UT doesn’t just offer a high quality business education; it also gives students the tools they need for sustained career success. That’s a great role model for anyone interested in a career in human resources, which is all about tooling up for career success both personally and organizationally. The tools you’ll get from UT-COBI include a set of advanced negotiation and conflict resolution techniques, training in human resource information systems, and courses in talent and performance management. Together with training in results-based management that you get with the core MBA program, you’ll have everything you need to step into an executive role in HR to help both the company and yourself meet the highest goals.
Pennsylvania
Dahlkemper School of Business
Erie, Pennsylvania
Website
MBA in Human Resource Management
Other Available Concentrations:
- Finance
- Management
- Marketing
- Accreditation: ACBSP
- Delivery: Online
- Entrance exam requirement: GMAT, waiver available
- Small class sizes ensure that you get direct attention and support from instructors
- Special Online Engagement Coordinator ensures that online students are fully engaged and provided with all the tools necessary to succeed in the program
Gannon understands that a company’s most valuable assets are the employees. That makes their human resource management specialization the most important on their list of available concentrations. Teaching essential managerial theories on how to put together mutually beneficial relationships between employees and the larger organization, the HR concentration goes beyond the nuts and bolts of labor law and negotiations to build your soft skills. You’ll learn about recruiting, selection, and training, as well as ongoing appraisal and the careful art of providing feedback and guidance in a complex business environment. It all comes with the basic strategic and managerial skills that go into constructing long-term leadership potential. A strong alumni network helps ensure that potential will get noticed and rewarded out in the business world as you network with other Gannon graduates.
Shields School of Business
Loretto, Pennsylvania
Website
MBA in Human Resource Management
Other Available Concentrations:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Healthcare Administration
- Labor Relations
- Management Information Systems
- Marketing
Related Programs:
MBA (on-campus)
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Delivery: Online, on campus
- Entrance exam requirement: GMAT; waived for applicants with at least 4 years of professional working experience or a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.3
- Curriculum mirrors the on-campus MBA
- Study abroad opportunities available through Saint Francis’ Spring Break in London
- Interactive course management system feature discussion forums, on-demand lecture presentations, streaming video, and other innovative learning tools
Saint Francis University’s MBA in Human Resource Management is at the intersection of flexibility, convenience, and quality. With a curriculum that mirrors the on-campus MBA, you know you’re receiving a well-rounded course of study that’ll prepare you to assume leadership roles in human resources. You’ll also enjoy outstanding instruction, thanks to the program’s accomplished professors who connect and collaborate with their students throughout the program, and a focused curriculum that includes an MBA core and in-depth study in staffing, recruitment, retention, employment and labor law, compensation and benefits administration, and more. Interested in adding a global component to your MBA? Consider Saint Francis’ Spring Break in London, an opportunity for grad students like you to gain unparalleled international business experience.
The Arthur J. Kania School of Management
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Website
MBA with Human Resources Concentration
Other Available Concentrations:
- Accounting
- Enterprise Resource Planning
- Healthcare Management
- International Business
- Operations Management
- Accreditation: AACSB
- Delivery: Online or on campus
- Entrance Exam Requirement: None
- The Engagement Learning Management System makes online coursework interactive, allowing plenty of feedback from fellow students and professors
When you sign up for a program at a traditional Jesuit university, you know it’s going to be rigorous and demanding. But in the context of earning your MBA, that’s only a good thing, because the reputation of the University of Scranton’s education will follow you for the rest of your career and open doors for you all over the world. But don’t let the word “traditional” fool you. Yes, you get the solid, fact- and principle-based accounting, financial, and managerial education that come with any good MBA education. But the professors aren’t wearing robes and you’re not writing reports on parchment. The school is high-tech and emphasizes the integration of technology and business, all while maintaining that global, ethical approach that makes Jesuit business programs so effective. The HR concentration offers all that plus a strong course of study on employee recruitment, training, and labor relations strategies. The ethical and moral focus of the university is a particular strength in HR topics, where the emphasis on doing right by both community and individuals is high. You’ll never forget those qualities with a University of Scranton MBA hanging on your wall.
South Carolina
College of Business
Anderson, South Carolina
Website
MBA – Human Resources
Other Available Concentrations:
- Healthcare Leadership
- Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
- Accreditation: ACBSP
- Delivery: Online, on campus, or hybrid
- Entrance exam requirement: None
- Faculty members belong to state Chamber of Commerce and Society of Human Resource Management
Anderson University’s HR concentration to the master of business administration program focuses on helping you understand how human capital translates to business success. It’s no secret that faith-based schools have an edge when it comes to the ethics and propriety required of executive HR courses, and at Anderson you’ll come at the questions of compensation management, talent acquisition, and training with a firm grounding in both your legal and moral responsibilities. Graduates come away from the program with a comprehensive perspective of what it takes to make business work for people.
Tennessee
Online Graduate Programs
Dayton, Tennessee
Website
MBA in Human Resources
Other Available Concentrations:
- Marketing
- Healthcare Administration
- Sports Management
- Ministry
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Delivery: Online
- Entrance exam requirement: none
- Fully online, accelerated program features nine-week terms that allow you to graduate in as little as 18 months
- Asynchronous course design eliminates the need to log into classes at specific times
- Outstanding student support offered through the Academic Success Center, networking events, and Career Services office
Choose Bryan College’s MBA and you’ll be prepared to reach your goals through a robust curriculum that’s focused on technological competence, leadership formation, service commitment, and more. Add the Human Resources specializations to your MBA and you’ll achieve the ethical decision-making skills so crucial to managing an organization’s personnel and related programs. This fully online program is designed specifically for busy professionals like who need the convenience and flexibility of a distance-based program. Its asynchronous design means you’ll be able to study wherever and whenever it’s most convenient for you, and its accelerated, nine-week terms will make earning your MBA a manageable task. Choose two courses per term and you can complete your MBA in as little as 18 months!
College of Business
Cookeville, Tennessee
Website
MBA with Human Resource Management Concentration
Also offers a general MBA and concentrations in:
- Finance
- International Business
- MIS
- Accreditation: AACSB
- Delivery: Online, on campus, or hybrid
- Entrance Exam Requirement: GMAT, GRE, or waiver
Recent research on the value of human resource management suggests that the human resource function can be a significant source of competitive advantage for organizations that use evidence-based practices. Because the strategic value of the human resource function is often ignored in undergraduate business programs, the TTU MBA Program offers an ideal place to offer such instruction. The Human Resource Management Concentration offers education on the strategic importance of competent human resource management and the opportunity for students to complete professional certification exams. To earn a concentration in Human Resource Management, students must complete nine (9) hours of electives.
Wisconsin
Business Programs
Madison, Wisconsin
Website
MBA in Human Resources
Other Available Concentrations:
- Data Analytics
- Technology Management
- Project Management
Healthcare Management - Accounting
- Dual Concentration Option
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Delivery: Online
- Entrance exam requirement: none
- Outstanding curriculum features case studies and real-world scenarios for the best in experiential learning
- Optional dual concentration option allows youto add a second concentration to your MBA in Human Resources program
- Features an accelerated, 14-month program
Herzing University’s MBA in Human Resources is where you’ll build a solid foundation of business knowledge and leadership skills in a fully online format. Designed for busy, working professionals like you, the MBA in Human Resources will prepare you for higher-level HR management positions and for the SHRM exam. Throughout this 14-month, 39-credit program, you’ll learn from an esteemed faculty in a student-centered learning environment while you dive deep into areas like talent acquisition, organizational performance, the development of human capital, ethical and regulatory guidelines, and more. If you have aspirations of taking your MBA in Human Resources to the next level, consider pursuing the dual concentration option and adding a second concentration to your MBA.
Graduate School of Management
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Website
MBA with Human Resources Specialization
Other Available Concentrations:
- Economics
- Finance
- International Business
- Marketing
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Management Information Systems
Related Programs:
Executive MBA
- Accreditation: AACSB
- Delivery: Online or hybrid
- Entrance Exam Requirement: GMAT, GRE, or waiver
- Newly redesigned curriculum for streamlined access, new courses, and integration across disciplines
- Award winning faculty
- Ranked #16 in Executive MBA Programs by U.S. News & World Report
- Study abroad programs available for international learning experiences
Marquette’s Graduate School of Management has built a name for itself in the world of business education with innovative programs in supply chain management and accounting, but the MBA programs remain the leading light at the university. With full and part time options as well as cohort and non-cohort models, you get maximum flexibility to earn your degree, your way. The newly redesigned program also offers seven new specializations. Among those, the HR specialization stands out. With 12 credits on top of your core business courses to sink into HR-related topics, you have a great selection of electives to choose from in subjects as diverse as organizational development and labor relations and collective bargaining. No matter what industry you are headed for, you can expect a high-ranking executive position to await you with a Marquette MBA in your pocket.
