2023 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Human Resources

Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is a public institution that offers an online Master of Professional Studies - Human Resource Management totaling 30 credit hours. It can take full-time students 18 months to complete the program.

FHSU facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning through the learning management system Blackboard. The curriculum covers management theory and practices, recruitment, retention, compensation, and training. Sample courses include Advanced Sociological Research, Employment Law, and Professional Development. To graduate, students must also complete a strategic management capstone course. Prospective careers for alums are employee relations managers, compensation specialists, and human resources consultants.

At Wichita State University, a public institution, prospective students can pursue an online Master of Human Resource Management totaling 30 credit hours. It can take one year to complete the program if students maintain a full-time pace.

Wichita students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously through the platform Blackboard. This online degree program is intended for students with experience in the field who want to advance their careers. Some of the program’s mandatory courses include Strategic Human Resource Management, Employment Law, and Talent Development. Additionally, students are required to complete an applied learning or research experience to graduate. Alumni may pursue careers such as internship coordinators, human resources analysts, and benefits administrators.

Midwestern State University (MSU) is a public institution that offers an online Master of Arts in Human Resource Development totaling 39 credit hours. Prospective students can expect to finish the program within 1-2 years with a full-time course schedule.

MSU facilitates asynchronous and synchronous distance learning through D2L Brightspace, a popular learning platform. A master’s degree in human resources gives students the skills and knowledge to assume leadership roles in the field by offering courses such as Career Development Counseling, Human Relations, and Employee Assistance Issues. A research course, seminar, and internship are also required for graduation. Some potential career options include talent acquisition specialists, human resources managers, and training managers.

Founded in 1822, Athens State University in Alabama is a four-year, public institution that offers an online Master of Science in Strategic Human Resource Management, which emphasizes the importance of sustainable work environments that caters to the needs of employees. Fortunately, online tuition prices are the same for in-state and out-of-state students at $325 per credit hour.

Athens boasts that 83% of alumni from the school are able to find employment directly after graduation, and this may be due to their small class sizes and the extra attention they are able to provide students. Obtaining this degree online at Athens could lead to leadership positions in Human Resources across a wide variety of settings, from federal and municipal agencies to the technology industry or healthcare and social assistance. Human Resource departments can be found virtually anywhere.

California Coast University (Cal Coast) is a private, for-profit institution offering an online Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management requiring 39 credit hours. Full-time students may spend up to 1-2 years completing this program online.

At Cal Coast, remote students complete their coursework through the school's proprietary software Coast Connection. The business administration program focused on human resources gives professionals the tools, theoretical knowledge, and practical experience that they can apply to their careers. Some core courses include Management Information Systems, Business Ethics, and Strategic Compensation. A final comprehensive exam is also required. Graduates of the program may pursue careers like compensation specialists, human resources assistants, and employee relations managers.