Human resources (HR) departments play an important role in corporate operations. They recruit and screen job candidates, manage employer-employee relations, oversee payroll and employee benefits, and more.
An online human resources degree can help you launch a career in this dynamic and growing field. After graduating, you can qualify for entry-level and specialist positions in recruitment, benefits and compensation, training and development, and many other HR functions.
Dive into the details with this guide to remote HR programs.
Why Earn Your HR Degree Online?
- Flexibility: Many online programs offer courses asynchronously, meaning students can learn at their own convenience — often while still working.
- Affordability: Studying online can save learners on non-tuition expenses like housing and transportation. Also, online degrees may also cost less than on-campus programs.
- Acceleration: Some online schools offer bridge or self-paced programs with accelerated timelines. Others accept many transfer credits to help shorten the time to completion.
- Internships: Despite their format, online HR degree programs typically include an internship or experiential requirement.
Top 5 Online Human Resources Degrees
Why Accreditation and SHRM Alignment Matter
Accreditation provides a stamp of approval, ensuring that schools and programs offer quality academics, extensive student services, and financial aid.
While there aren't any HR-specific programmatic accreditors, the best business schools hold accreditation from one of the following agencies:
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
Some HR programs are formally aligned with Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) principles. These programs directly reflect the standards and learning outcomes defined in the SHRM's Human Resource Curriculum Guidebook.
SHRM alignment ensures that students graduate with a standard set of professional skills. By demonstrating these skills to employers, you may find yourself in a stronger position to advance in your HR career.
What Do You Learn in an Online HR Program?
Schools may offer human resources majors as bachelor of science or bachelor of business administration degrees. Either way, programs usually require both business and human resources core classes.
Typical business courses cover accounting principles, international business strategies, and marketing. Students may also learn about business law and management principles.
The human resources core curriculum generally explores topics like communication, leadership, training, and labor relations. Some programs focus on management themes, while others introduce students to tasks for HR roles, like staffing and compensation specialists.
Many programs allow learners to diversify their studies with electives and capstone projects. Other common curriculum requirements include HR internships and practicums, even for online students.
Is a Human Resources Degree Worth It?
$12,132
Average tuition for online business degrees (2019-2020)
$56,373
Average starting salary for HR majors (class of 2024)
+6%
Projected job growth for HR specialists (2024-2034)
As illustrated by the data points above, an HR degree can offer strong returns on your educational investment. The average starting salary secured by HR majors from the class of 2024 exceeds the average total tuition cost of a four-year HR degree, indicating a strong return on investment.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also projects a promising outlook for HR professionals. BLS data from May 2024 notes above-average growth rates for both HR specialists and HR managers.