What Can I Do With a Master's in Human Resources?

In spite of all the monumental world, business and technological changes of the past several decades, one thing has not changed:

A business is only as good as its people.

And when it comes to the business of people, it was, is and will continue to be the domain and responsibility of human resource professionals.

Although once relegated to an administrative function focused on mere hiring and firing, the human resources (HR) profession has since evolved. Now, HR pros get to take on a deeper, more significant role and take their rightful place at the leadership table.

In fact, today’s advanced human resources profession is all about strategic HR leadership.

From the complexity of labor relations, to benefits plans, to cross-cultural differences, to global workplace environments, anyone working in the human resources field needs to be well prepared, educated and trained.

So if you enjoy working with others, if you like being involved in improving things, and if you want to ensure that the best people are in the right jobs to help them and the organization succeed, then the study of human resources through a master of science in Human Resource Management could be the right degree for you.

A human resources management degree should focus on courses and learning objectives that specifically relate to helping you acquire knowledge and grow in of these key drivers so you can become a strategic partner who helps advance your organization’s mission:

• Compensation & Benefits
• Employee Relations
• Leadership & Management
• Organizational Change
• Recruiting & Candidate Selection
• Training & Development

Going back to school to get your master’s is a big investment of time and money. So before you decide, consider these five reasons why earning your Master of Science in Human Resource Management (MSHRM) may be right for you:

1. Improve your ability to recruit and retain a quality workforce.

The best companies don’t become the best by accident. It takes work. It takes focus. It takes people. More importantly, it takes having the right people with the right abilities in the right jobs, working effectively with others to advance company objectives.

So whether you take on-campus classes or online courses at an accredited university like Franklin, your MSHRM should provide you with key strategies for learning how to:

• Identify what skills companies require
• Search for and find people with the necessary skills
• Recruit top talent
• Retain high-performing employees

2. Boost earning potential and advance your career.

An MSHRM degree can equip you with advanced skills that are valuable to a variety of industries and organizations. In fact, the demand for HRM professionals is good – and growing.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of human resources managers will grow 13 percent through the year 2022.

And as new companies form and organizations expand their operations, many more than that will need human resources professionals to implement, administer, oversee and grow their programs.

In addition, wages for individuals with a master’s degree in human resource management are very competitive, with the median average wage coming in at nearly six figures for 2015. Top talent earns even more, earning more than $173,000 annually (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics).

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Occupational titles for master’s in HR management grads include:

• Chief Learning Officer
• Compensation & Benefits Manager
• Compensation, Benefits & Job Analysis Specialist
• HR Practice Leader
• Human Resources Manager or Director
• Industrial Relations Director
• Labor Relations Consultant or Manager
• Learning & Development Director
• Organizational Development Director or Consultant
• Program Administrator or Evaluator
• Training & Development Manager or Facilitator
• VP of Human Resources

Looking to go even further? Then consider a degree program that also helps you prepare for additional certifications, such as PHR®, Professional in Human Resources and SPHR®, Senior Professional in Human Resources.

3. Influence your organization’s strategic decision making.

In a very competitive business environment (as most of it is, today), organizations must innovate, grow and expand to build and maintain momentum. That means that the human resources management function is essential to the business of business.

From diversity and inclusion management, to management and labor, to factors affecting human behavior, professionals in human resource management fill critical roles at the highest levels.

An executive and professional education can help you help your organization examine short- and long-term goals to ensure proper planning, including identifying, hiring and training top talent for key positions.

Plus, you’ll be better prepared to advise on such key issues as:

• Compensation & Benefits
• Employee & Labor Relations
• Human Resources Development
• Strategic Management
• Workforce Planning & Employment

4. Create and implement innovative solutions that enhance employee motivation, retention and productivity.

Great companies are purposefully populated with employees and managers who are engaged and driven to succeed.

From management processes and specialized skills, to management strategies and organizational development, to human capital management and policy, the human resource management professional plays an important role in keeping a hand on the pulse of the company and ensuring a vibrant, motivated workforce.

And a master’s degree can help prepare you to better develop, execute and continually improve global people strategies, human resource systems and programs.

5. Improve the welfare of your employer’s most valuable asset– people. 

Employees should be free to focus on providing the best possible goods, products and services. Human resource management professionals, therefore, should be focused on supporting employees in their work.

How?

By providing effective benefits, such health and dental insurance, vacation time, sick leave and a safe working environment. In addition, human resources professionals are charged with making sure the workplace is well managed, and that all employees are given the personal and legal respect and care they deserve.

Ready to make your move and become a better leader and HR professional?

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