Completing human resources online degree programs can be a great way to expand knowledge and skills, and increase the likelihood of being hired for mid to upper level positions. There are a number of different types of human resources online degree programs that are available to people with differing levels of existing education or various career goals. It is possible to earn everything from a one or two year human resources (HR) certificate, all the way to a master's degree in the field. As a general rule, doctoral programs are not usually offered for the human resources field.
Typically, basic human resources online degree programs are those that offer a diploma or certificate after completion of about one or two years of human resources courses. Some technical schools or community schools that feature online programs may offer an actual associate's degree, but this is somewhat less common. An individual who knows he or she wants to eventually earn a bachelor's or master's degree should generally just start with one of these rather than hoping to transfer, since classes taken as part of a certificate or diploma program will typically not apply to future college credit.
The most common options for human resources online degree programs are four-year bachelor's degree programs followed by two-year master's degree programs. For some people, a bachelor's degree is sufficient to achieve their career goals. For individuals who want to work in human resources management positions, a master's degree might be necessary in order to succeed in this career. Businesses do tend to look most favorably among those who have earned a master's degree in this field, and those people also tend to earn more, and receive more promotions than those who stopped with a bachelor's degree. Of course, this does not apply in every situation, but it is a general trend.
Human resources online degree programs that will lead to a master's degree also tend to offer the most flexibility and customization options. An individual can choose to just earn a master's in human resources, or may specialize it by getting a master's in business administration (MBA) with a focus on human resources, or even something as specific as healthcare management with a focus on HR. This allows an individual to really tailor his or her degree to her career goals. All of these programs can usually be completed entirely online, full-time or part-time based on the time an individual has to devote to it.
