Masters Degree in Human Resources

Human resource degrees combine business and social sciences. Specialists in human resources are the link between employers and their staff; they hire employees, manage employee benefits, review performance and compensation, institute training programs and motivate the work force. They are also responsible for ensuring regulatory and legal compliance for workplace safety and hiring practices. Human resources specialists act as mediators in disputes between employees and employers. A master´s degree in human relations prepares individuals for management positions in this rapidly growing field.

Masters Degree in Human Resources – Facts

Applicants applying for a master´s program in human resources must have a four year business degree from an accredited college or university and must pass either the GRE or the GMAT exam. Top schools require GPAs of at least 3.0 and scores of 500 or more on the GRE or GMAT. Between 30 and 36 credit hours of coursework is required and it takes about two years of full time study to complete the degree. About one third of the coursework consists of electives which allow students to customize their program. Many schools offer programs, including internships, which allow students to gain practical experience.

Top Schools Offering a Masters Degree in Human Resources

While all the top ranked business schools offer a master´s in human resources program, the best programs may be found at schools that failed to rank in the top ten. Rutgers University's human resources faculty is the most published and cited HR faculty in the country. The Center for Human Resource Strategy is known internationally and is located at Rutgers. Another top program is offered by the University of Texas at Arlington which is one of very few schools offering a bachelors degree in human resources. Their faculty is well published and they have an excellent human resources research program.

Work Possible with a Masters Degree in Human Resources

Human resources graduates work in every sector of the economy. Most mid-sized and large businesses have a human resources department and small businesses which don't need a full time human resources manager often hire consultants in this field. Public agencies have large staffs and need human resources specialists to oversee employee hiring, benefits and training. Large non profits with paid employees also require human resource management. As more colleges and universities offer human resources degrees, demand for educators in this field at the post secondary and graduate levels will increase.

Salary and Outlook in Human Resources

Entry level jobs for graduates with a master´s in human resources have salaries of about $53,000 per year. The median salary for a human resource manager is about $83,500 per year. Executive positions like vice president of human resources have salaries that range from $100,000 to $200,000 per year. Salaries are affected by geographical location, specialty and experience; in addition, it is important to note that these figures are averages.

The average projected growth rate for all jobs in the United States is 12% and the projected growth rate for jobs in human resources is 22%. This growth will be spurred by increasingly complex laws and regulations in areas like occupational safety, equal employment opportunities and healthcare benefits. The rising cost of healthcare and the growing number of coverage options will also contribute to the demand for qualified specialists. Training and recruitment specialists will be in high demand as new technology is developed requiring the retraining of personnel.