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Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business

Human Resource Management

Online Master of Arts in Human Resource Management

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$0 Application Fee
$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation

0 Entrance Exams
No GRE/GMAT Required

About This Human Resource Management Master's Degree Program

Employees are the human capital of an organization and vital drivers of its success. With a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management from American Public University (APU), you will explore advanced HR concepts. 

Deepen your knowledge of human resources functions and gain a stronger understanding of how HR managers influence labor relations. APU’s online human resources program thoroughly reviews employment law and other rules, regulations, and issues impacting the global workforce. 

Courses examine the ever-evolving landscape of the HR field. Students discuss talent acquisition strategies and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The program also delves into core concepts surrounding employee engagement and retention. Learners consider how organizations structure their compensation and benefits packages to motivate workers. Moreover, coursework incorporates the latest findings on the efficacy of other employee incentive programs.

Furthermore, you will engage in research to collect insights into the techniques and practices that best support organizational development. To conclude your studies, you will complete a capstone course that demonstrates your mastery of management principles.

This online program is aligned with the core curriculum guidelines from the Society for Human Resource Management® (SHRM®), as well as the standards set by the HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®). 

Society for Human Resource Management® and SHRM® are registered trademarks of Society for Human Resource Management.

HR Certification Institute® and HRCI® are registered trademarks of Human Resource Certification Institute, Inc.

What You Will Do in This Human Resources Program

  1. Understand the difference between individual and group behavior in organizations and their influence in managing human resources
  2. Evaluate laws, rules, regulations, and policies impacting human capital
  3. Design compensation packages and incentives to recruit and retain employees in a diverse and inclusive organization
  4. Recommend strategic initiatives involving the HR department that align with the strategic direction of an organization, including diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives
  5. Examine the effectiveness of internal and external recruitment efforts toward staffing and retention goals

View Program Outcome Assessment Results

Degree at a Glance

Number of Credits
30
Transfer up to 15 credits1
Cost Per Credit
$455 | $250*
$386.75** | $409.50***
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant
***with APUS Opportunity Grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Students must choose a concentration for this degree program:

This concentration focuses on ethics, cross-cultural management, crisis management, and organizational management as it applies to the field of human resource management.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:

  • Assess various approaches used by Global Human Resource Managers and Organizations to staff, training, develop, motivate and lead employees in the workplace of the 21st century.
  • Develop an understanding of the steps and planning necessary to ensure leaders are trained in crisis management.
  • Explain how ethical frameworks shape business decisions.
  • Explain the role of human resource management in the development of a learning organization.

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 2687

|
This course is a comprehensive analysis of how human resource policies are formulated by evaluating the interdependence of human resource and operating functions. Students will have the opportunity to assess policies geared toward high profile HR areas such as talent management, Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) regulations, employee development and compensation. Emphasis will be placed on policies and strategies as they relate to managing an intergenerational workforce. Additional special topics include network security, workplace violence, and bullying.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 2762

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The course examines the techniques, policies, processes, strategies, and practices used by companies and managers to leverage effectively and efficiently their human capital. Students will evaluate how HR practices are aligned with organizational objectives. Additional special topics include workforce planning, diversity management, and succession planning.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 2738

|
Students in this class will master the basic concepts, theories, and skills of workforce planning. Workforce planning is a critical human resource function and practice about winning the “war for talent” in today’s workplace. This course will address issues of attracting, staffing, and retaining a high valued and productive workforce. Succession planning is a key concept to be examined as well. Other topics to be addressed in this course include aligning business and staffing needs; assessing diversity, retirement and turnover; and developing competency models and the use of these models for staff development. Case studies, scenarios, and problem resolution in addition to readings and research in areas of interest are the focus of this course experience.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 5341

|
This course examines concepts related to promoting equal opportunities and inclusion in organizations. The course includes effective strategies to encourage collaboration among employees who are from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds. The course will highlight the best ways to foster a diverse and inclusive work environment to improve employee engagement and overall organizational performance.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 5298

|
This course examines issues and functions that business managers face within the context of day-to-day operations and long-term planning for an organization. Topics covered in this course include the tools used in business operations, the global dimensions of business, financial statement analysis, capital budgeting, legal and ethical behavior, and economic analysis for decision makers.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 2665

|
This course serves as an advanced course in human resource management with particular emphasis on the strategic planning process for each of the functions. Students will explore the historical evolution and philosophical foundation of the field as well as evaluate the current practices that are being used to support Human Resources in the workplace. Future human resource management challenges will be examined, and the emerging concept of strategic Human Resource professionals as business partners will be highlighted.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 2685

|
This course serves as an advanced course in compensation and benefits with particular emphasis on global compensation and benefit issues. Students will explore strategic, operational and tactical approaches to global compensation and benefits as they relate to an overall corporate multinational strategy. There will be an examination of expatriate and local staff compensation and benefit practices as students prepare effective compensation and benefits strategies through case studies, class discussions and other assignments.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 2686

|
This course is a conceptual and functional analysis of the legal framework and principles of employment law. Issues are addressed from a managerial perspective so that students have an opportunity to develop their business decision-making skills, (via employment law scenarios), as they relate to the evaluation of legal ramifications affecting a variety of workplace situations. Topics include the agency-employment relationship; discrimination under Civil Rights Act Title VII and other federal laws based on race/color, gender, age, national origin, religion, pregnancy, and sexual orientation; diversity, affirmative action, and bona fide occupational qualifications; employer negligence in hiring; criminal checks and credit screenings; physical fitness, ethics, and personality tests for employment purposes; vicarious liability, sexual harassment, and workplace violence; challenges with organized labor/unions under the National Labor Relations Act; working standards including pay, hours, age requirements, etc. set by the Fair Labor Standards Act and state equivalents; and challenges arising from the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 5340

|
This course outlines methods for building diversity and inclusion in the overall organizational vision and strategy. The course explores efforts to include diversity and inclusion in all aspects of the organization. The coursework will allow for practice and evaluation of existing strategies. Finally, technologies used to track diversity and inclusion in organizations will be explored.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
Select any courses that have not been used to fulfill major requirements. Credits applied toward a minor or certificate in an unrelated field may be used to fulfill elective credit for the major.

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 4939

|
This MGMT696, M.A. in Management Capstone: Portfolio, course is the final course in the Master’s Program. This course will prepare graduate student to reflect on their graduate experience by compiling and revising artifacts from previous courses in the program into an organize e-portfolio. The e-portfolio will reflect the student’s educational growth from entry in the graduate program. In addition, the graduate student will develop the skills necessary to successfully transition to and navigate post-graduate life as well as understand the civic and social responsibilities of being educated citizens. Finally, students will be given the resources to connect with APU/AMU in an ongoing relationship.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session

 

Prepare for Human Resources Certification Exams

Advisors from SHRM and HRCI have reviewed this degree program to ensure coursework aligns with each credentialing body’s curriculum guidelines. Both the Society of Human Resource Management and the HR Certification Institute are pillars of the human resources industry. Many HR professionals obtain certifications from these organizations to showcase their expertise.

Students who successfully complete APU's online master's degree program in human resource management may sit for exams for the following certifications:

  • SHRM Certified Professional® (SHRM-CP®)
  • SHRM Senior Certified Professional® (SHRM-SCP®)*
  • Associate Professional in Human Resources® (aPHR®)
  • Professional in Human Resources® (PHR®)*

*Eligibility requirements for SHRM-SCP and PHR certifications include professional human resources experience.
SHRM Certified Professional®, SHRM-CP®, SHRM Senior Certified Professional®, and SHRM-SCP® are registered trademarks of Society for Human Resource Management.
Associate Professional in Human Resources®, aPHR®, Professional in Human Resources®, and PHR® are registered trademarks of Human Resource Certification Institute, Inc. 

 

Discuss How Human Resources Managers Navigate Employment Law

Federal, state, and local labor laws affect employees at every level of an organization, whether they work remotely or onsite. Companies are legally obligated to accommodate working professionals’ rights. Human resource managers must therefore have up-to-date knowledge of employment law, as HR departments are responsible for overseeing labor relations.

APU’s master’s degree in human resource management equips students with a general overview of the laws and regulations that protect workers’ rights. Learners review the latest developments in employment law from a managerial perspective. Coursework sharpens critical-thinking and decision-making skills as students consider HR professionals’ duty to ensure legal compliance within the workplace. 

students discussing dei

Join the Increasingly Important Conversation on DEI

Students in this human resources program explore the connection between corporate social responsibility and labor relations. Specifically, learners discuss how HR teams may effectively promote fairness and equality in the workplace. Courses emphasize the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)—also known as diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB)—initiatives.

Human resources managers have the power to uphold DEI values through various HR functions. From a company’s hiring practices to its employee engagement strategies, there are myriad opportunities to integrate DEI principles. In fact, embracing diversity, equity, and inclusivity is essential for maintaining a respectful and welcoming company culture.

Students engage in thought-provoking discussions as they examine DEI-specific challenges HR managers face. Coursework exercises problem-solving skills as students consider how to cultivate understanding and collaboration among diverse employees.

Why Study Human Resources Online at APU?

Network with Students and Faculty Members in the Human Resources Field

As a partner of the Society for Human Resource Management, APU is home to our own SHRM student chapter. Run by leaders committed to the advancement of human resources management, this community connects students with working professionals in the HR field. Members also gain exclusive access to webinars covering the latest news in the human resources industry.

Learn more about student organizations at APU.

Class is in Session No Matter Your Location

APU's online master’s degree program in human resource management allows students to complete weekly assignments from anywhere. Students have 24/7 online access to all course materials, including lectures and discussion forums. Courses also start monthly and have no set login times.

Earning Your Master’s Degree Can Be Affordable

As an online institution committed to accessible higher education, APU offers affordable tuition rates for this online master’s degree program. Qualifying learners may also apply university grants toward this human resource management program.

Learn about tuition, financial aid, and how to finance your education.

Take Advantage of Career Development Services

American Public University is dedicated to helping online students succeed, both academically and beyond the virtual classroom. All students and alumni have access to personalized career development services that include career coaching, interview prep, and help with resume writing. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Human Resource Management

A master’s degree program in HR management could be a practical choice for HR professionals interested in gaining a deeper understanding of complex human resources issues. Graduate degree programs in human resources help students develop their skills in areas like talent management, legal compliance, and strategic planning. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), some HR management roles may require master’s degrees in either human resources or business administration (MBA).

A Master of Business Administration program will develop your business acumen, however, courses may not cover labor relations in depth. If you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree specific to the HR field, then a human resource management program may be preferable. Master’s programs in human resources/human resource management combine courses that provide a deep dive into core HR concepts, such as:

  • Employee relations 
  • Organizational effectiveness
  • Organizational behavior
  • Talent management
  • Employment law
  • Conflict resolution

Alternatively, students who a who are interested in studying business administration may pursue an MBA with a concentration in human resource management at APU.

APU's master's in human resource management is designed to follow our bachelor's program in the same discipline. Learners who have completed the BA in Human Resource Management will expand on their prior learning.

Still, you can succeed in a master’s-level human resources program even if your undergraduate degree is in a different field. For example, bachelor’s degrees in business and management, can help lay the groundwork for HR management master’s degree programs. 

Online graduate programs from reputable, accredited universities are comparable to on-campus programs. Whether students attend classes online or in person, they will discuss labor relations, employment law, and organizational behavior.

If you are trying to choose between online and on-campus HR degree programs, consider your learning style and schedule availability. If you prefer to study independently, then APU's online master's in human resource management could be the right option for you. Courses have no set login times, and students participate in weekly discussion forums with classmates and faculty.

Courses Start Monthly

Next Courses Start Mar 3
Register by Feb 28
Apply Now Request Info

Admission Requirements

  • All APU master's degree/graduate certificate programs require a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
  • Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
  • Students are required to take BUSN604 as their first required course. If you have a bachelor's degree that is accredited by ACBSP, AACSB, or IACBE, you are NOT required to take the course listed above, and instead may take one graduate-level elective course.
  • There is no fee to complete the APU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.

Materials Cost

Technology fee: $85 per course 

Need Help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions coach at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].

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So you can focus on the opportunities ahead, without the financial burden of more expensive schools who are not as invested in your success. Learn more about paying for school.

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Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.

 

1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.

*Cost Per Credit Hour

The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.

See all military student benefits.

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about American Public University's cost components and full cost of attendance.