Online Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources

Are you curious about the inner workings of an office? Do you wonder what it takes to make a workplace thrive? Are you passionate about working with people and providing them the resources they need? If so, pursuing a Human Resources Bachelors Degree Online might be a perfect option for you. Human resources professionals help hire, manage, and support what might be a business’ most valuable asset: human beings. You could start learning how to do so now!

Curricula in a Human Resources Bachelors Degree Online Program

Students typically pursue one of two Human Resources Bachelors Degree Online: the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Human Resources. The degree you pursue depends on your goals and desired concentration. Options for concentration in Human Resources Bachelors Degree Online programs may include:

  • Human resource management
  • Project management
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Business
  • Compensation and benefits 
  • Employment law and policy

To earn a Human Resources Bachelors Degree Online, students commonly pursue a collective of core and elective credits in general education and the area of their major. General education courses commonly cover areas such as communications, the natural sciences, the social sciences, the humanities, and mathematics. Major courses and courses for concentration typically explore subjects such as:

  • Businessi
  • Industrial relationsii
  • Psychology (behavioral or educational)iii
  • Human resource managementiv
  • Accountingv
  • Conflict managementvi
  • Employment law and business ethics
  • Workforce planning
  • Compensation and benefits
  • Conflict managementvii

Students often conclude their human resources bachelor’s programs with a capstone course where they may write a research paper and take a comprehensive exam.

What Might I Likely Do as a Human Resources Professional?

B.A. and B.S. programs in human resources may prepare students to pursue careers across industries in a variety of capacities.viii Many HR professionals perform duties such as:ix

  • Recruiting, interviewing, and hiring job candidates
  • Providing orientation to new employees
  • Training new hires and connecting them with colleagues
  • Developing and managing compensation and benefits packages
  • Developing and upholding contracts, policies, and initiatives
  • Facilitating communication between employees and negotiating conflict

Developing work conditions in which employees are comfortable and able to perform.

What Skills Should I Have as a Human Resources Professional?

HR professionals must have excellent people skills since they work closely with individuals and groups.v They must keep their eyes on the atmosphere of the workplace and establish an environment conducive to safety, comfort, and success.x Because they deal with confidential information and legal matters, HR professionals must have integrity and operate within strict laws.xi To facilitate the needs of a broad range of people, they must exercise cultural sensitivity and treat people with respect. v While they often work with others, they must also work well alone and be self-starters.xii

More broadly, human resources professionals must have communication skills, critical-thinking skills, decision-making skills, interpersonal skills, and leadership skills.xiii HR professionals in certain roles may also need to have additional skills: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, compensation and benefit managers, for example, should have well-developed analytical skills, writing skills, and business acumen.xiv Training and development managers should be particularly adept at communicating.xv Human resources managers should have especially strong organizational and speaking skills.xvi And human resources specialists should be particularly detail-oriented and skilled at listening and speaking.xvii The skills you need ultimately depend on the exact role you pursue.

Salary Potential and Projected Job Growth in Human Resources

Human resources professionals fill a range of occupations. Following are some salaries and growth projections for human resources professionals from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As of 2015:

  • Human resources managers earned a median annual salary of $104,440. xviii The BLS predicts that this occupation will grow by 9 percent between 2014 and 2024.xv
  • Human resources specialists earned a median annual salary of $58,350. xix The BLS predicts that this occupation will grow by 5 percent between 2014 and 2024.xvi
  • Training and development managers earned a median annual salary of $102,640. xx The BLS predicts that this occupation will grow by 7 percent between 2014 and 2024.xvii
  • Compensation and benefit managers earned a median annual salary of $111,430.xxi The BLS predicts that this occupation will grow by 6 percent between 2014 and 2024.xviii

Certification in the Field of Human Resources

HR professionals may choose to pursue a certificate in the discipline. Pursuing a specific or general certificate in HR may help you build and validate your skills, differentiate yourself in a competitive job market, and broaden your potential career paths.

Following are some of the common credentialing agencies for professionals in the field of human resources:

Earning a Human Resources Bachelors Degree Online: How It Works

While the structure of an online program varies by institution, we can give you a sense of how an online program might work.

  • First, the majority of online programs offer asynchronous learning which enables students to access materials and learning opportunities at times that are convenient to them. The minority of online programs offer synchronous learning which requires students to access courses at specific times.xxii Some programs also let students move through curricula at their own pace.
  • Second, students typically learn through a variety of e-learning methods. Many of these methods are highly interactive and utilize a breadth of media to facilitate student learning.
  • Third, many universities support online students with resources such as online writing centers, libraries, and academic assistance. These help online students access the programming they may need to earn their degree.
  • Finally, many online schools and programs are accredited. This may help ensure that institutions and programs deliver a high-quality curriculum and faculty.

Should you choose to join the ranks of students studying human resources online, here are some potential benefits:

  • Flexibility and convenience: For busy professionals, people with families, and students living in remote areas, online programs may allow a degree of flexibility typically not offered through on-campus programs. Time once spent commuting to class can be devoted to studying, and students may be able to design their programs to fit their work and personal schedules.
  • Applicability: People who earn an online bachelor’s in human resources may be able to work full-time and apply what they learn to their work.
  • Networking: Online programs sometimes attract people from around the world. Students in online human resources programs may therefore expand their networks nationally and internationally.

Take the Next Step!

If you want to pursue your Human Resources Bachelors Degree Online, begin your journey at eLearners. Here you can explore sponsored accredited online schools and programs and find information about their curricula and structure. As you find programs of interest, you can contact schools directly to get more information. Good luck!


[i][ii]bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm#tab-4 | [iii]bls.gov/ooh/management/training-and-development-managers.htm#tab-4 | [iv][v]bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm#tab-4 | [vi][vii]bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm#tab-4 | [viii]bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm#tab-3 | [viii]bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm#tab-3 | [ix] bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm#tab-2 | [x] shrm.org/hrdisciplines/safetysecurity/pages/default.aspx | [xi] bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/labor-relations-specialists.htm#tab-4 | [xii] shrm.org/certification/about/bodyofcompetencyknowledge/pages/default.aspx | [xiii] bls.gov/ooh/management/training-and-development-managers.htm#tab-4 | [xiv] bls.gov/ooh/management/compensation-and-benefits-managers.htm#tab-4 | [xv] bls.gov/ooh/management/training-and-development-managers.htm#tab-4 | [xvi] bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm#tab-4 | [xvii] bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm#tab-4 | [xviii] bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm | [xix] bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm | [xx] bls.gov/ooh/management/training-and-development-managers.htm | [xxi] bls.gov/ooh/management/compensation-and-benefits-managers.htm#tab-5 | [xxii] https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2009/2009044.pdf