Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree Program in HR Management Overview
Majors Overview May 18, 2015Get information about Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree programs in HR Management and their educational requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) Degree Programs in HR Management
Some MBA degree programs incorporate an HR management concentration as a specialized course of study. Applicants for admission need to have an undergraduate degree. The program develops the skills students need for the effective motivation, training, screening and managing of personnel. They learn about applying the principles of business disciplines, such as data analysis, finance, and training to numerous problems that could accompany the management of personnel. Hands-on professional experience can be gained by students through the preparation of case studies.
Educational Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. Prior work experience in human resources, or general business is also a requirement in some programs.
Coursework
Coursework includes classes in basic business management topics, including business ethics, operations management and finance. Students can participate in the courses to build critical skills relating to the evaluation and adjustment of employee benefits and compensation packages, analysis and modification of the company’s personnel policy, and the conduct of staff recruitment. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Talent management
•Negotiation
•Employment law
•Compensation theory
•Human resource strategy
Career Choices
With negotiation and leadership expertise, program graduates may seek various career options in human resource management, labor relations and consulting. They could seek jobs in almost any industry. They may choose from typical job titles such as:
•Benefits and compensation manager
•Human resources manager
•Placement and employment specialist
•Development and training specialist
•Human resources specialist
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, a job growth of 13% has been predicted for human resources managers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In 2012, human resources managers brought in an average annual wage of $99,720. Human resources specialists, who are expected to see an seven percent job growth, over the 2012 – 2022 decade, earned $55,640 on average per annum during 2012.
Continuing Education Choices
Program graduates can seek continued education by earning a doctoral degree program in labor and human resources and thereby seek careers in academia or research. Coursework in a doctoral program requires the completion of independent, scholarly research on historical and contemporary issues in labor relations and human resources. Doctoral degree programs also allow students who seek teaching careers to gain experience via student teaching.