Online Human Resource Development Degrees: Program Overviews

Online human resource development degree programs are primarily available at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. Students can obtain entry-level employment by completing a bachelor's-level degree program; with further education, they can obtain a leadership role in the field of human resource management.

Online Human Resource Development Bachelor's Degree Program Overview

This program can most often be found as an interdisciplinary curriculum in conjunction with a business administration degree program. Students gain an understanding of human behavior and handling issues that arise in the workplace. Human resources (HR) developers are also in charge of assembling a strong workforce, and this program provides recruitment training as well as management skills. Students with previous experience in human resource development who don't hold a 4-year degree can enroll in this program to further their careers.

Human Resource Development Bachelor's Degree Program Information and Requirements

This program can be taken either entirely or partially online. On average, the program is 120 credit-hours long. There are transfer programs available, wherein the curriculum is strictly human resource courses; these programs require that the student has completed general education prerequisites, such as through previous associate's-level study.
Students are often required to take exams on campus. In order to enroll in an online program, students typically need - at minimum - a computer, an Internet connection and an e-mail account.

List of Common Human Resource Bachelor's-Level Courses

In a non-transfer program, half of the 120 credit-hours are usually general education courses and the other half are human resource and elective courses. Students gain a broad understanding of the HR field and can focus their studies on human resource development through elective choices.

Human Resource Management Course

Students learn to train employees and evaluate an employee's performance. The theory behind managing personnel is explored. In addition, students learn how to motivate employees through benefits and incentives.

Employee Development and Training Course

This core course covers techniques used in the training of employees, both new hires and veteran workers. Students learn to assess employees' needs and present them with an efficient training plan. Students also learn how to work with management in the respective department to effectively train existing employees.

Communication in the Workplace Course

This type of course covers interpersonal communication skills and techniques. Students learn how to associate with employees and develop working relationships.

Prospective Career Information

Students who acquire an HR bachelor's degree can find jobs in a variety of industries, including the restaurant, general business, healthcare and retail industries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job placement for bachelor's degree holders should be good because it's usually the required entry-level degree in HR (www.bls.gov).

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Online Human Resource Development Master's Degree Program Overview

Students can find a variety of concentrations under the umbrella of human resource management and development to specialize in. These specialties include compensation, employee relations, labor laws and employee development. Online students learn about human resource theory and the application of its principles. Students will develop skills in the use of business and management strategies to effectively organize and work with employees. Programs are also available for those who wish to go into the field of human resource education and become teachers.

Human Resource Development Master's Degree Program Information and Requirements

Human resource master's degree programs are available exclusively online or as part of a hybrid online and on-campus course of study. Depending on the program, applicants are sometimes required to submit an essay highlighting their writing skills and commitment to HR work. In general it takes two years to complete the online degree program, and some programs can be completed on a part-time basis in up to four years, depending on the frequency of coursework.

List of Common Human Resource Master's-Level Courses

Coursework can range from approximately 20-50 credit-hours per program, depending on the school. The curriculum consists of core and elective courses in HR topics.

Labor Law Course

This course highlights the regulations that the government puts on employees and human resource managers. Students gain an understanding of these rules and how to assess employment eligibility and legal rights.

Analysis of the Labor Market Course

Students learn about the field of human resources and its place in America's workforce. The class gives insight into labor supply and demand, as well as employment policies and compensation amounts.

Workplace Diversity Course

This course exposes issues that prospective human resource developers and managers might face when it come to gender, age and race. Skills are acquired that train HR professionals to deal with issues in a productive and ethical matter.

Prospective Career Information

Those who acquire a master's degree in human resource development have a good chance of finding employment. According to the BLS (www.bls.gov), employment in the field of human resources was expected to grow by 22% between 2008 and 2018. The same source states that job prospects should be good due to the retirement and transferring of existing human resource employees. In addition, the average wage for a development and recruitment specialist as of May 2008 was $45,470 (www.bls.gov).

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Online Human Resource Development Doctoral Degree Program Overview

Doctorate programs in human resource development are designed to give the prospective student the necessary knowledge to obtain an upper-level leadership position as an HR consultant or educator. Students can specialize in sub-fields of human resource development, such as labor relations or workforce training. Doctoral degree programs of this type are, in large part, focused on independent research and advancing human resource development theory. Students will gain the leadership skills required to solve problems like labor law issues and workplace diversity.

Human Resource Development Doctoral Degree Program Information and Requirements

These programs are often around 60 credit-hours long and can be completed entirely online. There aren't any hybrid human resource programs available, but schools offer other courses in related fields, such as business and administration, on campus and in a hybrid format. Students can work with an assigned faculty member online and participate in discussions and ask questions. The program can be completed on a part-time basis in accordance with the students' schedules because participants are often working professionals.
Human resource online doctoral programs are very independent, but it is recommended that the student have access to high-speed Internet in order to be able to interact more efficiently with the staff and other students. It is also required that the student has a word document program, since Ph.D. students typically must write a dissertation.

List of Common Human Resource Doctoral-Level Courses

As previously stated, the program is largely research-based, and a large portion of the curriculum is spent completing an original scholarly project. The rest of the program is spent enrolled in core courses and the student's chosen specialization courses.

Advanced Human Resource Management Course

Students gain a better understanding of human interaction and behavior and learn how effectively lead and manage employees. The course gives insight into the strategies necessary to organize and meet goals.

Labor Relations Course

This course gives the student an understanding of the history of labor relations and the function of labor unions. Students also gain insight into labor laws and employment policies.

Human Resource Dissertation or Capstone Project Course

In this course, the student chooses a subject to research, often proposing a real or fictional workplace situation that he or she will attempt to resolve. Students work with faculty to determine the scope of the research and the methods of investigation.

Prospective Career Information

As reported by the BLS, there were 770,900 specialists in human resources, training and labor relations in the country in 2008. The BLS expected that number to increase by a dramatic 24% between 2008 and 2018. Those who hold a doctorate often attain management positions in their respective fields and are compensated respectively; the average wage of a human resource manager as of May 2008 was $96,130 (www.bls.gov).