M.S. in Human Resource Management: Bring Best Practices to the Workforce
In a competitive labor market of diverse, multigenerational workers, attracting and retaining top talent is vital.
Human resource management roles are integral to today’s complex hiring process and help organizations to thrive.
If you have strong critical thinking skills, the ability to see the big picture, and enjoy working with people, a career in human resources is worth consideration.
Created to meet the ever-changing demands of the work place, WCU’s Master of Science in Human Resource Management provides in-depth industry knowledge and HR best practices to prepare you for advancement within the human resource profession at the highest levels.
Our M.S. in Human Resource Management program is taught by leaders in the field and includes opportunities for cutting edge research and internships with top practitioners. The degree is just 10 courses offered 100% online and asynchronously to allow you maximum flexibility.
If you are ready to become a human resource thought leader, it’s time to explore our M.S. in Human Resource Management.
WCU’s Master's Degree for Human Resource Accreditation
SHRM-Aligned
Our master's degree in human resource management is one of only 440 programs worldwide recognized for its alignment with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) standards.
As a student in our program, you will be eligible to apply for the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) exam in your final year of the program. Already have a valid SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP? You can count your graduate credits toward SHRM Recertification as Professional Development Credits (PDC). SHRM Recertification requires continued development of competencies in the field for a total of 60-credits within every 3 year recertification cycle.
Fully accredited by AACSB International
The M.S. in Human Resource Management program is housed within WCU’s College of Business and Public Management which is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the premier global accrediting body for business schools.
Benefits of Earning your Human Resource Degree at West Chester University
Maximum Schedule Flexibility
Our human resource management degree is just 10 classes, offered completely online. Each 3-credit course is 7-weeks (rather than the traditional 15 weeks), giving you time to focus on more than just school work. And, with five start times throughout the year, you can choose the semester that works best for you and complete your master’s degree in as little as one year.
Experienced Faculty
Our faculty are accomplished experts in organizational behavior, legal compliance and management, compensation and benefits, and employee and labor relations. They also have a wide variety of research interests including the relationship between leadership and culture, employment and labor law, risk management, the role of gender in combat zones, and the strategic management of not-for-profit organizations.
Value and Affordability
West Chester University offers a high-quality education at an excellent value. Tuition for the M.S. in Human Resource Management program is among the lowest in the region at less than $1,600 per 3-credit course and has been frozen for five years in a row.
Graduate assistantships and scholarships are also available to help defray the cost of your master’s degree.
Networking & Involvement Opportunities
WCU's Human Resources Association (WCUHRA) is a student-affiliated chapter of SHRM that provides opportunities to connect with other students and HR professionals through participation in:
- Local SHRM chapter meetings
- Networking events
- Scholarship opportunities
- Résumé workshops
- Guest speaker events
Students in our program come from many different backgrounds and are a mix of advanced professionals, recent graduates and everyone in between. The WCUHRA promotes the exchange of ideas and perspectives and allows our students to learn from each other.
What Can You Do With a Master of Human Resource Management Degree?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for human resource managers are expected to grow 7% through 2031.
The M.S. in Human Resource Management will help you secure HR positions across industries including:
- Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialist - Learn about and compare benefit policies, set fair salaries, and ensure the organization complies with legal requirements.
- Human resource manager - Create long-term strategies and execute day-to-day planning. Oversee recruiting and benefits programs, and advise executive leadership on the best ways to leverage employee skills.
- Labor relations specialist - Work alongside union representatives and organization management to negotiate and implement contract agreements.
- Training and development manager - Assist executives in developing training programs and ensure training is delivered to employees.
- HR information systems manager - Oversee all HR internal database files and ensure the privacy and security of the information.
What Will You Study as a Human Resource Degree Student?
M.S. in Human Resource Management
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| HRM 601 | Components of Effective Leadership | 3 |
| HRM 602 | Employment Law & Labor Relations | 3 |
| HRM 603 | Strategic Talent Management | 3 |
| HRM 604 | Compensation Analysis | 3 |
| HRM 605 | HR Information Systems and Analytics 1 | 3 |
| HRM 606 | Ethics, Social Responsibility & Sustainability in HRM | 3 |
| HRM 607 | Managing Diverse and Globalized Workforces | 3 |
| HRM 699 | Capstone Seminar - Strategic HRM Challenges | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select two courses from the options below: | 6 | |
HRM 608 | Issue of Employee Health in the Workplace | |
HRM 609 | Training and Organizational Development | |
HRM 610 | Workplace Negotiations | |
HRM 611 | HRM Internal Business Consulting 2 | |
HRM 690 | Internship in Human Resource Management | |
Students may select electives in other departments within the University with the approval of the graduate coordinator or faculty advisor. Students interested in adding the Graduate Certificate in I/O Psychology to the M.S. in Human Resource Management degree should take PSY 560 and PSY 562 as electives. In addition, to complete the I/O Psychology Certificate, students must take PSY 569, for a total of 33 credits for both the M.S. in Human Resource Management degree and the Certificate in I/O Psychology. | ||
| Total Minimum Credits Required | 30 | |
- 1
Students interested in completing the Graduate Certificate in I/O Psychology should take PSY 572 in lieu of HRM 605.
- 2
Prerequisite required
Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| HRM 601 | Components of Effective Leadership | 3 |
| HRM 602 | Employment Law & Labor Relations | 3 |
| HRM 603 | Strategic Talent Management | 3 |
| or HRM 604 | Compensation Analysis | |
| Elective Requirement | ||
| Select One of the Following: | 3 | |
HRM 605 | HR Information Systems and Analytics | |
HRM 606 | Ethics, Social Responsibility & Sustainability in HRM | |
HRM 607 | Managing Diverse and Globalized Workforces | |
| Total Minimum Credits Required | 12 | |
Get Started on YourHuman Resource Degree
Are you ready to advance your career with WCU’s online master's degree in human resources? Connect with us today.
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