What should I know when considering a degree in MBA in Human Resources?
Employees are the backbone of every establishment. The success or failure of any company is largely dependent upon the quality and dedication of those who carry out its daily operations. The services of human resource professionals are enlisted by virtually every industry to oversee an organization's employees and the programs that govern them. Human resource professionals must continuously develop new and effective ways to maximize retention, minimize company turn-over, and ensure employee job satisfaction. Workers who feel as though they are a valuable part of the company and who are satisfied with their overall working conditions are often more productive, more dedicated, and more successful at their jobs.
Human resource specialists typically work 40 hours a week in standard office settings. While travel is not a general requirement, recruitment positions may require occasional local or national travel to attend various recruiting events.
Education Required
While advanced human resources degrees are highly desired in the field, advanced degrees in business administration are equally acceptable. Many employers will often favor candidates with an MBA in human resources for positions in upper-level management. Students working full-time have the option of attending classes on-site or enrolling in an online degree program. Many students elect the online MBA degree program or the online human resources degree program, both of which are very competitive. Typical application requirements may include previous college transcripts, GRE or GMAT scores, letters of recommendation, and minimum GPA requirements.
One benefit of pursuing an MBA degree in human resources is that these comprehensive programs educate students on the fundamentals of both business administration and human resources. The business components will include topics such as: the principles of management, industrial psychology, business administration, statistics, labor history and economics, organizational structure, and labor law. The human resource aspect will integrate the principles of human resources with the needs of businesses. This enables graduates of human resources MBA programs to help companies build and maintain a productive workforce. Students will study fundamentals such as performance and appraisal, training and development, compensation, and recruitment. Concentration coursework may include: human resource strategy and compensation systems, staffing and development, human resources management, and the legal environment of human resources.
Certification
Becoming certified is not required to enter or advance in the field of human resources. However, voluntary certifications do provide professionals with an added prestige and often increased job opportunities. Potential certifications include a: Professional in Human Resource (PHR) and Senior Professional in Human Resource (SPHR) certifications offered by the Society for Human Resource Management, Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) and Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) from the World at Work Society of Certified Professionals, and over a dozen certification options available from the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD).
Earning Potential
Since human resource professionals are employed by such a wide variety of organizations, specific salaries will vary based on industry, employer, experience, and specialization. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for human resource specialists was reported to be $50,230. The median annual salary for human resource professionals in management positions was reported to be $92,710.
Among the industries paying the highest wages for human resource professionals are corporations, local and state governments, colleges and universities, and hospitals. The BLS projects a continued employment growth of about 17% through the year 2016.
Where an Advanced Degree Will Take You
An MBA in human resources may significantly enhance a professional's potential for advancement to management-level positions. It may also give them an edge over those competitors with degrees in other areas. Employers generally desire candidates who have a strong academic background, generous work experience, and professional accomplishments.
Careers in This Area
Managing a company's employment base is a vast enterprise encompassing numerous different areas. In some small companies, all aspects of human resources may be handled by one human resource generalist. Larger companies however, may have numerous specialists to handle specific designated areas. The scope of their job duties will vary based on area of specialty and company size.
Director of Human Resources
Human resource directors supervise and coordinate the activities, policies, and performance of all human resource departments and are responsible for overseeing the policies set forth by upper-level managers.
Compensation Specialist
Compensation specialists are in charge of formulating and updating employee pay scales. They analyze data to ensure that pay rates are equivalent to industry and location standards, position classification, and employee qualifications.
Recruitment Specialist
The job of recruitment specialists is to get employees in the door. They must develop ways to attract and screen qualified potential candidates and to assist those applicants in completing all of the necessary steps in the hiring process.
Training and Development Specialist
Once they are successfully hired, it is up to training and development specialists to devise, implement, and execute systems for training new employees in order to maximize their contribution to the company. These specialists must also formulate methods for keeping the skills of current employees up-to-date.
Benefits Specialist
Benefits specialists are responsible for a company's health insurances, pensions, and retirement programs. It is their job to help employees to determine and enroll in the benefit programs that best fit their needs.
Type of Person Who Will Succeed in This Career
People skills are among the most important qualities that professionals in human resources should have. They should be comfortable meeting, talking to, and dealing with different types of people under a variety of different circumstances. Successful recruiters will have an inviting, amicable, and sales oriented nature in order to effectively attract new recruits. Training and development specialists will benefit from having some teaching skills, the ability to motivate others, and the ability to identify an individual's strengths and weaknesses. Directors and managers should possess good leadership skills, management skills, and the ability to multi-task. All human resource specialists should be excellent verbal and written communicators.
Article References
American Society for Training and Development
http://www.astd.org
Bureau of Labor Statistics
http://www.bls.gov
Society for Human Resource Management
http://www.shrm.org
World at Work Society of Certified Professionals
http://www.worldatworksociety.org
What are the leading schools offering programs in MBA in Human Resources?
- University of Phoenix - Business : Established in 1976, the University of Phoenix is the largest private university in the U.S. to offer degrees in business -- offering Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees in accounting, administration, finance, marketing, global management, technology management, e-business, and information systems. Most students are able to successfully take classes while they work in part-time or full-time jobs. In post graduate surveys, an astounding 95% of all University of Phoenix students express that their education has very positive impact on their career. (More Info)
- Walden University : Walden University, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, offers Ph.D., master's and bachelor's degrees in management and doctoral and
master's degrees in psychology, education and health and human services
to meet the specific needs of adult learners. Walden University has
over 30 years of experience delivering programs from a distance while
maintaining its student-centered focus on quality and integrity. (More Info)
- Liberty University Online : With more than 35 online degrees offered, Liberty University is a convenient, flexible, and affordable way to earn an accredited degree from a solid, Christian perspective. (More Info)
- Capella University (Graduate) : Capella University offers online graduate degree learning in Education, Human Services, Psychology, Business, and Technology. Students earn master and doctorate degrees while preparing for professional entry-level and advanced career opportunities—all without entering a classroom. (More Info)
- Jones International University : Founded in 1993, Jones-International University is the first regionally accredited online university providing quality education for busy adults.
JIU offers customized degree programs for a Bachelor Degree in Business or an MBA, Masters in Education, and Masters in Business Communication.
(More Info)
- Strayer University : At Strayer University, you can complete a degree or quickly gain marketable skills and specialized knowledge through a six to 12-course certificate or diploma. Many of our programs also provide the background to prepare for professional certification in
a wide variety of disciplines. Associate, bachelor, and master degrees are also offered. (More Info)
- California Coast University Online : Established in 1973, California Coast University has enabled working adults without the time or access to a physical school with the opportunity to complete degree training programs that can open new career doors. Flexible distance-learning classes ensure that students will earn an undergraduate or graduate degree in Business Administration, Management, Psychology, and Health Care Administration in as much or as little time as they have available. (More Info)
- Norwich University : Norwich University, established in 1819, offers an advanced education environment that is rich in history. Norwich University offers following online graduate programs - MBA, Information Assurance, Business Continuity Management, Diplomacy, Civil Engineering, Military History, Nursing, Information Assurance, Organizational Leadership, Public Administration and Justice Administration (Criminal Justice). (More Info)
- Ashford University (Graduate) : Founded in 1918, Ashford University (Graduate) specializes in Teacher Education and Organizational Leadership. Students choose from Master degrees in business, psychology, criminal justice, and teaching. The accelerated classes will offer you a swift path to program completion for a degree in MBA or Master of Arts in Teaching/Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology. (More Info)
- Colorado Technical University Online : Colorado Technical University Online offers Bachelors and Masters degree programs in Business, MBA, Criminal Justice and Information Technology. CTU Online also offers unique professional certification program that enables students to advance their careers while studying to get their degree. (More Info)
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