Graduate Degree Programs in Organizational Resource Management Overview
Majors Overview November 21, 2015This article talks about graduate degree programs in organizational resource management and their educational requirements, coursework, career choices, and job and wage outlook.
Information on Graduate Degree Programs in Organizational Resource Management
While no school offers graduate level organizational resource management degrees, human resource management degrees serve the needs of individuals seeking this profession. Physical and financial resources are also in the broad field of organizational resource management; human resources represent a major component. Schools offer graduate programs in human resources management at the master’s as well as doctoral levels. The program is offered fully or partially online at some schools to accommodate business professionals who may seek schedule flexibility. Program graduates often seek careers as human resources managers, while graduates of doctoral programs often seek college-level teaching jobs.
Master’s Programs in Human Resource Management
Enrollees in master’s programs in human resource management are taught the skills they would need for searching, hiring, and retaining high-quality employees. In a business market that is increasingly global and complex, broad business practices and strategies need to be understood, and many programs focus on imparting such understanding.
Educational Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a high school diploma, in addition to submitting a copy of college transcripts, standardized test scores, a personal essay, and letters of recommendation. The strongest applicants typically hold work experience in a related field.
Coursework
Program coursework incorporates an unprecedented number of business classes. Schools often include interdisciplinary coursework to cater to the diverse skill set necessary in human resources management careers. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Management practices
•Statistics and finance for business
•Marketing
•Business development
•Human resources law
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, human resources managers are expected to see an average job growth of 13% (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2012, human resources managers brought in an average annual wage of $99,720 (BLS). In 2012, managers focusing on employment services brought in a median annual salary of $100,230, while those employed in more general office administrative services banked $105,770 per annum, on average.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Programs in Human Resources Management
The focus of coursework in doctorate programs in human resources management is on the practice and theory of human resources, such as training, hiring, compensation, productivity, and retaining. Students usually complete one to two years of coursework that culminates with a comprehensive exam and 2-5 years’ work on original research presented in the form of a book-length dissertation. An advisement committee or advisor oversees the dissertation.
Educational Requirements
Individuals with substantial experience in the field of human resources who seek post-secondary level teaching careers would benefit from doctoral programs in this field. Accordingly, admission criteria require the submission of professional recommendations, college transcripts, a personal statement, and resumes; in some instances, students are required to submit standardized test scores.
Coursework
As with master’s programs in human resources, coursework is often a combination of management and business classes. As doctoral level programs involve more research into employee relations, program coursework often includes psychology classes. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Compensation practice
•Market analysis
•Employee psychology
•Entrepreneurship
Career Choices
Most doctoral programs in human resources management lead to teaching careers in universities or colleges.
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, postsecondary teachers are expected to see a 19% job growth. In May 2012, postsecondary business teachers, including human resources management teachers, brought in an average annual wage of $68,970 (BLS).
