If you are working in the rapidly expanding field of human resources, you may have your sights set on executive, director and VP-level roles as your career progresses. A specialized Master of Business Administration in Human Resources Management provides the academic preparation you need to succeed in these challenging and rewarding leadership roles.
HR leaders manage, plan, direct and coordinate the administrative functions of their organizations. They manage the recruiting, interviewing and hiring processes; collaborate with company executives on strategic personnel planning; provide leadership and a vision for company benefits and employee retention; and liaise between management and workers. They are naturally people-focused. The skills that HR managers develop in MBA programs include decision-making, leadership, interpersonal relations, organizational behavior and public speaking.
Companies seek HR professionals with experience and expertise in any one of the following (or similar) positions, coupled with an advanced management education, as candidates for leadership:
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- Employee Relations Manager.
- Recruiter.
- Payroll Manager.
- Compensation or Benefits Analyst/Manager.
- HR Information Systems Manager.
- Training and Development Manager.
- Labor Relations Manager.
- Human Resources Manager.
An MBA in HR could take you here:
- Senior Human Resources Manager.
- Director of Human Resources.
- Vice President of Human Resources.
Career Prospects for Human Resources Managers
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the field of human resources management to add 10,800 jobs between 2014 and 2024, bringing the total to approximately 123,000 jobs nationwide. The projected job growth rate of 9 percent is faster than average for all occupations. Massachusetts alone projects to have 4,650 human resources managers by 2018. HR management positions are particularly lucrative in this state, with mean annual wages of $128,720. The national mean is $106,910.
“As new companies form and organizations expand their operations, they will need human resources managers to oversee and administer their programs, and to ensure firms adhere to changing and complex employment laws. Strong competition can be expected for most positions,” according to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Candidates with a master’s degree focused on human resources management should enjoy the brightest career prospects over this time frame. Work experience in human resources programs, policies and employment law will also be extraordinary assets for aspiring HR leaders.
As further evidence of the bright future for HR professionals, Millennials considering business schools ranked HR among the top 10 careers they would like to pursue, according to GMAC survey results. Nine percent of participants said they intended to pursue HR leadership.
Given this outlook, if you are a human resources professional, your current knowledge, combined with specialized HR management training, should enable you to maximize your career achievement potential.
An MBA in HR Provides the Specialized Training You Need
The Fitchburg State online MBA in Human Resources Management program gives graduates the skills to become leaders in business and administration. Courses cover business strategy, organizational behavior, ethical leadership, and HR management concepts. Students study all of the HR subsystems, from benefits and compensation to recruitment and training, and beyond.
Fitchburg State’s program has been listed as a “Best Online School for Master’s in Human Resources” by Business-Management-Degree.net in 2017 and one of the “Most Affordable Online Master’s Degrees for Human Resources” by OnlineU.org in 2017.
The low tuition combined with the accelerated curriculum makes this program very affordable. Students can complete the program in as few as 12 months. Many students choose to continue working and advancing in their careers as they earn the degree. Tuition is just $13,080 for both in-state and out-of-state students, making this program ideal for HR professionals anywhere.
The nation, region and the state of Massachusetts all share a need for professionals with the training that Fitchburg State’s HR-focused MBA program provides.
Learn more about Fitchburg State’s online MBA in Human Resources Management program.
Sources:
U.S. News & World Report: MBA Programs Help Students Become Leaders in Human Resources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates for Massachusetts
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook for HR Managers
