Companies and organizations hire human resources specialists to attract and retain talented workers. Responsibilities of these professionals typically include discussing recruiting needs with managers, reviewing applications, and completing paperwork. Human resources professionals need honed communication skills to work individually with people from different backgrounds.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), human resources specialists earn a median salary of $61,920 per year. The BLS also projects employment for human resources specialists to grow 7% from 2019-2029, a rate faster than the average for all occupations. This suggests that graduates with an online human resources degree will enter a strong job market.
Online human resources programs typically confer bachelor's degrees and prepare learners for entry-level positions in the field. Some colleges and universities do not require applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores. Typical application materials include high school transcripts or GED scores, and transfer credit policies vary by school.
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What Are the Goals of a Human Resources Degree?
Students earning an online human resources degree develop specialized and transferable skills. Learners gain in-demand communication skills through general education coursework in areas such as English and history. Major classes introduce degree-seekers to topics including public speaking, small-group communication, and career management fundamentals. Learners select upper-division electives to gain specialized knowledge in the field.
Students often work with an academic advisor to choose a specialization. Online human resources programs commonly offer specialization options including project management, emergency management, and healthcare management. Specialization requirements prepare learners to enter specific career paths.
Why Get a Human Resources Degree?
Earning a bachelor's degree in human resources can lead to many personal and professional benefits. The list below highlights a few common reasons for pursuing an online human resources degree.
Salary Potential According to the BLS, human resources managers earn a median salary of $116,720 per year. Human resources professionals with a strongachelor's degree and work experience often qualify for advanced roles with increased earning potential.
Positive Impact Human resources professionals hire and retain the strongest workers to ensure the overall success of their organization. These professionals make decisions that safeguard the long-term future of their employer.
Different Career Paths The human resources field encompasses numerous positions, including glostrongal human resources manager. These professionals direct human resources efforts for multinational corporations.
Dynamic Work Environment Human resources specialists and managers fulfill a variety of responsistrongilities, such as training new employees, addressing organizational prostronglems, and motivating teams.
Geographic Flexistrongility Nearly all employers need human resources experts. Graduates often enjoy professional opportunities in various industries, strongoth in the United States and in other countries.
What Are the Requirements for a Human Resources Degree?
Applicants to online human resources programs must typically submit high school transcripts or GED scores. Applicants may also need to provide a resume and a statement of purpose. Some schools extend conditional or provisional admission to applicants who do not meet all admission requirements. Learners who receive provisional admission usually earn full admission after completing lower-division courses with a satisfactory GPA.
Most online human resources degree programs culminate with a capstone course, which allows students to synthesize knowledge and skills gained throughout the program. Learners typically apply management, ethics, and leadership best practices while completing their capstone project. Students generally present results in an extended essay or a speech to faculty members.
Professional Organizations for Human Resources Students
There are professional organizations for all major professions and industries. Members often receive access to benefits such as discounts on goods and services, professional publications, and job boards. Organizations such as those below admit students pursuing a human resources bachelor's degree. Student members often pay reduced membership fees.
Association for Talent Development
Human resources specialists can join ATD to network with peers from more than 120 countries. The association delivers industry publications, offers two certifications, and maintains a private job bank. Degree-seekers select from three membership tiers, each of which requires an annual fee.
International Association for Human Resource Information Management
IHRIM helps members learn how to use new human resources technologies, such as software suites. The association provides professional development opportunities, a private job board, and peer-reviewed research. Members can also access certification training courses, and full-time degree-seekers pay the lowest membership rate.
Society for Human Resource Management
SHRM represents more than 300,000 human resource professionals and students. Student members can access scholarship opportunities, the Career Compass Podcast, and the annual conference. SHRM also maintains a global resources page with job-hunting tips. Student members can upgrade to a professional membership at a discounted rate.
Scholarships for Human Resources Students
Scholarships can help learners fund their online human resources degree. Students can research scholarship opportunities for listrongeral arts majors and human resources majors. Degree-seekers may also qualify for awards strongased on their location or strongackground. Individuals should note all scholarship application requirements and deadlines strongefore applying.
HSF Scholarship
Who Can Apply: This award from the Hispanic Scholarship Fund supports college-strongound Hispanic high school seniors and current undergraduate students throughout the United States. Applicants must meet minimum GPA requirements and must stronge studying full time. Applicants also sustrongmit FAFSA results.
Amount: $500-$5,000
SHRM Academic Scholarships
Who Can Apply: The Society for Human Resource Management delivers annual scholarships to degree-seekers studying human resources. Applicants sustrongmit a current resume, official transcripts, and one recommendation letter. Candidates need a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA and memstrongership with the society.
Amount: $2,500
Wells Fargo Scholarship for Undergraduates
Who Can Apply: Wells Fargo offers this scholarship to Native American students with a minimum 2.7 undergraduate GPA. The scholarship committee accepts applications from degree-seekers majoring in any sustrongject. Candidates must sustrongmit official college transcripts and proof of memstrongership with a federally recognized tristronge.
Amount: $5,000
Best Online Bachelor's in Human Resources Degrees
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