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Human Resources is a vital department in any business organization. This group is responsible for setting (and enforcing) company policy, obtaining, presenting and tracking employee benefits, monitoring employee behaviors and activities and overseeing payroll (and all the accountant-level trappings associated therewith). As both a highly complex and sensitive area of responsibility within an organization, a company must be careful to hire human resource personnel that demonstrate not only a high level of integrity but also strong skills and abilities to stay on top of many situations.
It is clear that a post-graduate degree holder is much desired for this role. It is with this in mind that we are pleased to provide the 50 Best Online Master of Professional Studies in Human Resources 2018. The methodology used for this ranking includes program popularity (overall enrollment), cost factors and school support (as manifested in student-to-faculty ratio). These criteria were given equal weight and individual schools with identical final scores were compared head to head in all categories, with program popularity being the determining factor for the final order.
Our desire is that this ranking will be one of several resources used when considering post-graduate degree studies.
50. Florida International University
Florida International University (FIU) is a public, metropolitan, research university located in Miami, Florida. Classified as having the Highest Research Activity by Carnegie, FIU is Miami’s first and only public research university and a top-tier research institute. Major emphasis is placed on research as the University’s mission is to provide “high-quality teaching, state-of-the-art research and creative activity, and collaborative engagement with our local and global communities.” Over 200 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs are offered through the University’s several schools and colleges. These include the Colleges of Arts, Sciences & Education; Business; the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management; Communication, Architecture & The Arts; Engineering & Computing; the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine; the Honors College; Law; the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences; the Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work; the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs; and the University Graduate School. FIU’s academic offerings attract many students from all over the globe and the University’s vision is to be “a leading urban public research university focused on student learning, innovation, and collaboration.”
Program Details: Among its several online programs, Florida International University offers an online Master of Science in Human Resource Management. Available through the Alvah H. Chapman Jr. Graduate School of Business, the program consists of 38 credits and can be completed in as little as 12 months. Fully aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) Curriculum Guidebooks and Templates and recognized by the SHRM, the program is accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). Designed with working professionals in mind, the online HR program offers flexibility and convenience and is taught by expert field practitioners.
49. Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a private, nonprofit institution located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. NSU began as the Nova University of Advanced Technology, founded in 1964, and was chartered as a graduate institution in the physical and social sciences. More programs were gradually added and in 1994 the University merged with Southeastern University of Health Sciences to form the University as it is known today. NSU is classified as a research university with the “highest research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and is one of only 50 universities worldwide to be awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification. According to the U.S. Department of Education, NSU is also the largest non-profit private institution in the country which meets the criteria of being a Hispanic-serving institution. The University is comprised of 18 colleges and schools and offers 150 degrees including 50 undergraduate majors and 80 master’s and doctoral programs. The University’s mission “is to offer a diverse array of innovative academic programs that complement on-campus educational opportunities and resources with accessible distance learning programs to foster academic excellence, intellectual inquiry, leadership, research, and commitment to community through engagement of students and faculty members in a dynamic, life-long learning environment.”
Program Details: Among its several online degree programs, Nova Southeastern University offers a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management. Offered through the University’s Huizenga College of Business, the program “provides a unique perspective on interpersonal and organizational behaviors, and teaches various approaches for managing and motivating employees.” The program requires students to take traditional MBA program courses along with courses specific to Human Resources subjects. Outcomes of the program include acquiring a “solid understanding of general business administration acumen” as well as gaining “specialized HRM skills sets in implementing new procedures, solving conflicts, employee benefits and compensation, and training personnel.”
48. Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University is a public research university based in Mount Pleasant, Michigan on a 480 acre main campus. One of the nation’s largest public universities, the University began as the Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute, offering classes in teaching business and stenography. In 1895 the Michigan State Board of Education became responsible for the operation of the school and it was renamed Central Michigan Normal School. Since that time the University has expanded and grown and today has a total enrollment of 20,000 traditional, on-campus students and 7,000 students enrolled online and across 40 other locations. More than 200 academic programs are offered including over 70 master’s, specialist and doctoral programs through the University’s several colleges. These include the College of Business Administration, the College of Communication and Fine Arts, the College of Education and Human Services, the College of Graduate Studies, the College of Health Professions, the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences, the College of Medicine, and the College of Science and Engineering. Central Michigan University’s mission is to be a “community committed to the pursuit of knowledge, wisdom, discovery, and creativity.” This mission statement continues, “We provide student-centered education and foster personal and intellectual growth to prepare students for productive careers, meaningful lives, and responsible citizenship in a global society.”
Program Details: Central Michigan University offers a Master of Science in Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Administration. A 36 credit hour program, this program and concentration are designed to equip students with the skills necessary to succeed in the field of HR, mastering “complex employment issues related to labor relations, staff, training, and organizational development.” Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, specific courses include labor relations; training & organizational development; staffing; and survey of human resources administration. Admission requirements include possession of a baccalaureate or equivalent degree from a regionally accredited institution.
47. Walden University
Walden University is a private institution of higher education located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded by Bernie and Rita Turner, two teachers who were seeking a way to provide a way for working professionals to pursue doctoral degrees, the school first began in 1970. In 1979 the University’s licensure request was approved and permission was awarded by the Minnesota Higher Education Coordinating Board to grant PhDs and EdDs in Minnesota. Today, Walden University offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral degrees and certificates in the areas of health sciences, counseling, criminal justice, human services, management, psychology, education, public health, nursing, social work, public administration, and information technology. Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1990, Walden University has a total enrollment of 57,000, with all 50 states and 150 foreign countries represented in the student body. The University is committed to serving the higher education needs of adult learners, and operates with a mission to provide “a diverse community of career professionals with the opportunity to transform themselves as scholar-practitioners so that they can effect positive social change.”
Program Details: Walden University offers a Master of Science in Human Resource Management available in an online format. Offered with three specialization options, students have the opportunity to gain a depth of knowledge specific to their interest within the field of human resources. The program is recognized by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and is fully aligned with the SHRM’s HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates. Outcomes of the program include the ability to “apply the theoretical and practical aspects of human resource management”; to “appraise and apply talent management techniques”; and to “deploy appropriate HRM metrics and other HRM analytics to make informed decisions”.
46. Excelsior College
Excelsior College is a private, regionally accredited, nonprofit distance learning institution based out of Albany, New York. Established in 1971, the College was originally called the Regents External Degree Program (REX) and was founded for the purpose of providing educational opportunities to adult learners. Initially funded by major grants from the Carnegie Corporation and the Ford Foundation, in 1998 the school’s Board of Regents granted the College a charter to operate as a private, nonprofit, independent institution. In 2001 the College was renamed Excelsior and today the institution is governed by a board of trustees who hold prominent positions in the fields of education, business and the professions. 30 degree and certificate programs are offered and the College is comprised of five schools, covering the areas of Business, Health Sciences, Liberal Arts, Nursing, Public Service, and Technology. Excelsior College’s mission is to provide “educational opportunity to adult learners with an emphasis on those historically underrepresented in higher education.” This mission statement continues, “The College meets students where they are — academically and geographically, offering quality instruction and the assessment of learning.”
Program Details: Excelsior College offers a Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management Program. Available in an online format, the program offers convenient classes that can be completed on students’ preferred schedules; a fast track to graduation with generous credit-transfer policies; affordable tuition, accessible financial aid, and flexible payment options. All of Excelsior College’s online human resource management classes are academically equivalent to its rigorous, traditional on-campus programs and students can expect to receive academic advising and support that is personalized to best meet their educational needs. The MBA program emphasizes “practical workplace knowledge over theoretical learning” and specific HR classes cover subjects such as labor relations; conflict resolution; and compensation and benefits.
45. Stony Brook University
Stony Brook University is a public sea-grant and space-grant research university located in Stony Brook, New York, about 60 miles east of New York City. Established in 1957, the University began in Oyster Bay as the State University College on Long Island. The University’s mission is to “to provide comprehensive undergraduate, graduate, and professional education of the highest quality; to carry out research and intellectual endeavors of the highest international standards… to provide leadership for economic growth, technology, and culture… to provide state-of-the-art innovative health care…to fulfill these objectives while celebrating diversity and positioning the University in the global community.” Stony Brook University offers over 200 majors, minors and combined-degree programs as well as 48 graduate programs in the arts and sciences, engineering, business, journalism, health and medicine. Comprised of several colleges and schools, these include the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the Graduate School, the School of Dental Medicine, the School of Health Technology and Management, the School of Journalism, the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, the School of Medicine, the School of Nursing, the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, the School of Professional Development, and the School of Social Welfare.
Program Details: Stony Brook University offers a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management available primarily online. Designed to equip professionals with the skills necessary to enter and/or advance in the field of human resources, the curriculum “integrates theory and practice within the dynamic context of human resource administration.” Fully aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) educational standards, Stony Brook University also hosts a student chapter of the SHRM that launched in 2012. Accredited through the Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools, Stony Brook University’s HRM degree program is fully approved by the New York State Education Department for online delivery.
44. University of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a state supported research university based out of Louisville, Kentucky. The University operates three campuses, including its main 287 acre Belknap Campus located 3 miles from the downtown area of Louisville, Kentucky’s largest metropolitan area. Established in 1798 as the Jefferson Seminary in Louisville, the founding of the school was led by eight men who rallied local citizens to pledge funding for land, buildings, and teachers. Chartered by the Kentucky legislature, the new school struggled during its early years and did not officially open until 1813 only to close its doors in 1829. In 1837 the school reopened as the Louisville Collegiate Institution and just 9 years later was designated the University of Louisville. Today the University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Comprised of several colleges and schools, these include the College of Arts and Sciences, the Brandeis School of Law, the College of Business, the School of Dentistry, the College of Education and Human Development, the School of Graduate and Interdisciplinary Studies, the Kent School of Social Work, the School of Medicine, the School of Music, the School of Nursing, the School of Public Health and Information Sciences, and the Speed School of Engineering.
Program Details: The University of Louisville offers a Master of Science in Human Resources and Organizational Development. Designed to educate professionals who will lead in “workplace performance, development, and learning through discovery and critical inquiry”, the program is offered with four concentrations, each of which emphasize a different aspect of the field. Concentrations include Health Professions Education; Human Resource Leadership; Workplace Learning and Performance; and Career and Technical Education.
43. National University
Based out of La Jolla, California, National University is a private, nonprofit institution of higher education. Established in 1971, today the University serves as the flagship institution of the National University System which was formed in 2001 in order to meet emerging education demands and currently operates 28 locations across the country. One of the largest private, nonprofit universities in California, National University’s nonprofit status is important to its identity. Rather than answering to shareholders, the University is directly responsible to the students and is committed to providing educational programs that are both accessible and affordable. The University’s nonprofit status also allows it to invest its resources in outstanding faculty members and the latest learning technology; its overall goal is to “provide students a personalized experience in a modern setting with small class sizes and good faculty-to-student ratios.” Comprised of several colleges and schools, these include the School of Business and Management, Sanford College of Education, School of Engineering and Computing, School of Health and Human Services, School of Professional Studies, and the College of Letters and Sciences.
Program Details: National University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and offers over 90 degrees which may be completed 100% online including a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management (MAHRM) program. Recognized as being fully aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) curriculum guidelines, the MAHRM program is designed to equip students with the critical skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the field of Human Resource Management. A comprehensive and cutting-edge program, learning outcomes include the ability to complete a job analysis for a specific job; the development of a recruiting plan; the ability to conduct a needs assessment and design training program for current employees; and more.
42. New York University
New York University is a large, private institution of higher education based out of New York City. Established in 1831 by Albert Gallatin, a distinguished statesman who served as the secretary of the treasury under Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, the school’s first semester saw a total enrollment of 158 students. Today, New York University has grown to cover three campuses in NYC, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai, as well as several study sites in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America, and has a total enrollment of over 50,000 students who come from all fifty states and over 130 foreign countries. New York University’s mission is to be “a top quality international center of scholarship, teaching and research.” The mission statement continues, “NYU seeks to take academic and cultural advantage of its location and to embrace diversity among faculty, staff and students to ensure a wide range of perspectives, including international perspectives, in the educational experience.” Among its notable achievements and recognitions, New York University has the honor of being one of just 60 member-institutions of the distinguished Association of American Universities.
Program Details: New York University offers a Master of Science in Human Resource Management and Development through its School of Professional Studies. Available with several concentrations, these include Human Resource Management; Organizational Effectiveness; Learning, Development, and Executive Coaching; and Global Talent Management. Offered at its NYU Midtown Center, the Woolworth Building on Barclay Street, as well as online, courses are offered during the evenings and on weekends and the entire program can be completed in either two years of full-time study or five years of part-time study. Taught by leading practitioners-scholars in the field of HR who posses extensive professional industry experience, the program “explores the principles of management and organizational behavior” and “delves into business strategy and ethics”.
41. Boston University
Boston University is a comprehensive, private research university based out of Boston, Massachusetts. Established in 1839 the University began as the Newbury Biblical Institute which was re-chartered as the Boston Theological Seminary in 1867, the same year divisions were opened to women, and then established as a University in 1869. Today, Boston University is “committed to educating students to be reflective, resourceful individuals ready to live, adapt, and lead in an interconnected world.” More than 33,000 total students are enrolled and 250 fields of study are offered through the University’s 17 schools and colleges located across two campuses. These include the College of Arts & Sciences; Graduate School of Arts & Sciences; College of Communication; College of Engineering; College of Fine Arts; College of General Studies; College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College; Metropolitan College & Extended Education; Questrom School of Business; Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine; School of Education; Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies; School of Hospitality Administration; School of Law; School of Medicine; Division of Graduate Medical Science; School of Public Health; School of Social Work; School of Theology; and the Arvind and Chandan Nandlal Kilachand Honors College.
Program Details: Boston University offers an online Master of Science in Human Resources Management degree program. Designed for working professionals, admission into the program requires five years of professional experience or a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) certification as the program builds on students’ basic understanding of human resource management. A 12 course (48 credit) program for individuals without a CEBS certification or 8 course (32 credits) for those with the certification, specific courses for both tracks include Enterprise Risk Management; Enterprise Risk Planning and Compliance; Managing Employees, Professionals, and Teams; Quantitative and Qualitative Decision-Making; and International Business, Economics, and Cultures among others.
40. Utah State University
Utah State University is a public, land-grant, research institution founded in 1888 and based out of Logan, Utah. Offering “big-school opportunities” with a “small-school feel”, Utah State University’s mission is “to be one of the nation’s premier student-centered land-grant and space-grant universities by fostering the principle that academics come first, by cultivating diversity of thought and culture, and by serving the public through learning, discovery and engagement.” Comprised of several colleges, these include the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, the Caine College of the Arts, the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, the College of Engineering, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, and the College of Science. More than 28,000 total students are currently enrolled, including over 3,000 graduate students and more than 14,000 students enrolled in a distance education program. A leader in distance education, Utah State University has offered distance education for over 115 years and currently offers approximately 50 degrees statewide including the only distance-delivered doctorate.
Program Details: Utah State University offers a Master of Human Resources degree program through the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business. Available in an executive program format, this option is customized for working professionals, is offered online, and can be completed in 12 or 24 months. Designed to prepare students for careers in Human Resource Management, the MHR program is “competency based and prepares students to take a strategic role, assisting organizations in attracting, retaining, developing and mobilizing human talent at all levels.” The program is designated as the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) in Human Resources, allowing residents of western states (specifically Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming) to attend for in-state tuition.
39. Penn State World Campus
Pennsylvania State University (commonly referred to as Penn State) is a public, land-grant, research-intensive university based out of University Park, Pennsylvania. With 24 campus locations across Pennsylvania as well as a teaching hospital, Penn State encompasses over 23,000 acres and 1,784 buildings statewide; this includes 7,343 acres and 947 buildings at its main University Park campus. The University is not only Pennsylvania’s largest public university, but also the state’s only land-grant institution. The University’s land-grant mission “embraces teaching, research, and public service in order to support the citizens of the Commonwealth” and the institution is built upon the core values of Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. Penn State was founded in 1855, and is currently home to 100,000 students with 645,000 living alumni worldwide. Out of its 17,000 faculty members, 30 are members of National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine. The University offers more than 160 bachelor’s degree programs as well as over 160 graduate degree programs.
Program Details: Pennsylvania State University offers a 100% online Master of Professional Studies in Human Resources and Employment Relations (HRER). A 33 credit hour program, tuition costs are kept low and financial aid resources are available. Penn State Online’s HRER is designed to balance theory with knowledge and to equip students to help “top executives factor human resources into their strategic plans.” Offered in partnership with Penn State’s School of Labor and Employment Relations, the HRER program is completely aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) HR Curriculum Guidebook and Template and was granted Approved Provider status by the HR Certificate Institute. Students enrolled online at Penn State can expect the same high academic standards as the program’s traditional on-campus counterpart and courses are taught by the same field-experienced faculty members.
38. Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University is a public institution of higher education and the westernmost institution within the University of North Carolina (UNC) system. Based out of Cullowhee, North Carolina near the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains, the University sits on 600 acres in the rural mountains about 50 miles west of Asheville. In addition to its main campus, Western Carolina University also operates an instructional site at Biltmore Park Town Square in Asheville where programs in nursing and engineering are offered as well as graduate programs in accounting, business administration, entrepreneurship and education. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, over 120 undergraduate degrees, minors and concentration are offered by the University as well as 35-plus graduate degree and certificate programs; over 10,000 total students are enrolled with an average student to faculty ratio of 16 to 1. Western Carolina University’s mission is “to create learning opportunities that incorporate teaching, research, service, and engagement through on campus, off campus, online and international experiences.” Its vision is “to be a national model for student learning and engagement that embraces its responsibilities as a regionally engaged university.”
Program Details: Among its several graduate degree programs, Western Carolina University offers a Master of Science in Human Resources available through the College of Education and Allied Professions. Designed to equip students with the necessary skills to succeed as a leader of human resources, the degree program has been recognized by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) as having a curriculum which is in full alignment with its graduate education guidelines. An online program, the M.S. in Human Resources consists of 36 semester hours and covers topics including research and evaluation methods; employee and labor relations; legal issues; and performance management.
37. Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester Institute of Technology (abbreviated RIT) is a privately endowed, coeducational university located in Rochester, New York. Established in 1829, RIT emphasizes career education and experiential learning. Nearly 19,000 total students are enrolled, including 3,222 graduate students, and over 4,000 total faculty members employed. Comprised of several colleges and schools, these include the College of Applied Science and Technology, which houses the Schools of Engineering Technology and of International Hospitality and Service Innovation; the Saunders College of Business; the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences; the Kate Gleason College of Engineering; the College of Health Sciences and Technology which houses the Wegmans School of Health and Nutrition; the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences which houses the School for American Crafts and the Schools of Art, of Design, of Film and Animation, of Media Sciences, and of Photographic Arts and Sciences; the College of Liberal Arts; the National Technical Institute for the Deaf; the College of Science, which houses the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science, the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, and the Schools of Mathematical Sciences, of Chemistry and Materials Science, and of Physics and Astronomy; the School of Individualized Study; and the Golisano Institute for Sustainability.
Program Details: Included among Rochester Institute of Technology’s several graduate degree programs, a Master of Science in Human Resource Development is available. Designed to provide the “next level of learning in creating a strategy for human capital”, RIT’s Human Resource Development program teaches professionals how to “leverage essential competencies to create a flexible workforce that adapts to change and alights with strategic organizational goals”. A 33 credit hour program, students must complete a comprehensive exam at the end of their course work. The degree program is also available with a concentration in Organizational Learning as well as in an Accelerated Executive program format.
36. West Chester University
Located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, West Chester University is a public, comprehensive university and a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The largest state-owned university in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, West Chester University began as a private, state-aided institution in 1871. As the school’s responsibility for teacher education steadily increased, the school’s name was changed to West Chester Normal School and in 1913 it became one of the first normal schools to be owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. West Chester University is comprised of the College of Arts and Humanities, the College of Health Sciences, the College of Business and Public Management, the College of the Sciences and Mathematics, the College of Education and Social Work, the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies, and the School of Music. Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, The University offers more than 110 undergraduate majors in addition to 100-plus graduate programs including three doctoral programs which were recently introduced during the 2015-2016 academic year.
Program Details: West Chester University offers a Master of Science in Human Resource Management through its College of Business and Public Management. A 30 credit hour program, specific courses include the Components of Effective Leadership; Strategic Talent Management; Managing Diverse and Globalized Workforces; Ethics, Social Responsibility & Sustainability in HRM; Employment Law & Labor Relations; and a final Internship in Human Resource Management is required for students who have less than a year of HR-related work experience. Offered through the College’s Department of Management, the Department’s primary objective is “to provide students with the skills required to manage business and public organizations effectively.” In addition to the master’s degree program, a graduate certificate in Human Resource Management is also available.
35. Bellevue University
Bellevue University is a private, nonprofit institution of higher education located in Bellevue, Nebraska. Established in 1966, Bellevue University has become recognized as a national leader when it comes to preparing students for “lifelong success with career-relevant knowledge and skills” while keeping costs affordable. Bellevue University places high priority and focus on providing adult education as well as educational outreach and offers 80 degrees in high growth career fields. The University’s mission is to actively engage “students in earning awards and degrees that prepare them to thrive in a connected, competitive world.” Its mission statement continues, “We provide students with a powerful foundation for personal value creation, instilling the confidence they need to take control of their lives and to be responsible citizens of the global community. We teach the value of a free market, capitalist economic system and the importance of preserving our American heritage of a democratic and free way of life.” Accredited through the Higher Learning Commission, the University is comprised of four colleges, including the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, the College of Science and Technology, and the College of Continuing and Professional Education.
Program Details: Among Bellevue University’s several online degree programs is its Master of Science in Human Resource Strategic Management. Offered in a cohort format where a small group of students progress steadily through the program together from start to finish, the program requires 36 total credit hours. The program is fully aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates and has specific areas of study including the application of “employment law and ‘best practices’ to human resource related activities”; the assessment of “internal and external organizational environments from a Human Resource perspective”; how to construct a Professional Development Plan, and more.
34. Kaplan University
Kaplan University is a private, for-profit college based out of Davenport, Iowa. Owned by Kaplan, Incorporated, a subsidiary of the Graham Holdings Company, Kaplan University is a unique institution which is known for its online learning programs- though a wide range of campus-based and blended programs are also offered through at 15 physical locations across the US. The University’s history dates back to 1938 when Stanley H. Kaplan began offering tutoring services to immigrant families who sought to improve their education and expand their opportunities. Built upon the belief that everyone deserved and education, the tutoring which Kaplan first offered at the end of the Depression era eventually evolved into Kaplan College which was born in 2001; at that time the College enrolled its first 34 students to take their courses 100% online. The following year 500 students were enrolled to take at least one college course online and today the University boasts over 33,000 students, 95% of whom complete their coursework online. Today, Kaplan University’s mission is to “foster student learning with opportunities to launch, enhance, or change careers in today’s diverse global society.” Its mission statement continues, “The University is committed to general education, a student-centered service and support approach, and applied scholarship in a practical environment.”
Program Details: Among its several online programs, Kaplan University offers a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources. The degree and concentration are fully aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates and the program is acknowledged by the SHRM. Outcomes of the program include the ability to analyze labor laws and topics including employment at will, collective bargaining, and wrongful termination; understanding of recruitment and hiring practices, corporate policy, executive leadership, and more; and knowledge of the relationship between organizational performance and pay structure.
33. Colorado State University – Global Campus
Based out of Greenwood Village, Colorado, Colorado State University-Global Campus (abbreviated CSU-Global) is the online campus of the state-related public Colorado University System. CSU-Global is a member of the three-university Colorado State University System (as well as the flagship CSU campus in Fort Collins and the CSU-Pueblo campus) and each campus within the System has its own distinct mission and is operated independently, though governed by the same System Board of Governors. CSU-Global’s vision is to be “the premier provider of innovative, higher learning opportunities for nontraditional students in Colorado and beyond.” Between the three campuses, the Colorado State University system has a total enrollment figure of nearly 40,000 students annually, including 7,000 graduates, and has over 200,000 alumni worldwide. CSU-Global holds the distinction of being the first independent, fully-accredited, 100% online state university in the nation; its core values include being Mission Focused, having Innovative Thinking, Accountability, Collaboration, Learning and Growth, and Professionalism. Its mission statement declares its commitment to “advancing student success in a global society, investing in human capital, expanding the state economy, and enhancing the quality of life for citizens in the state of Colorado and beyond by providing access to dynamic degree programs characterized by academic excellence, innovative delivery technologies, and strong stakeholder engagement.”
Program Details: Colorado State University-Global Campus offers a Master of Human Resource Management program aimed at providing students with “comprehensive theories, programs, and practices associated with human resources.” Fully aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management’s HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates, courses cover specific topics such as human resource leadership in a global environment, maximizing human capital, and talent development. Outcomes of the program include critical thinking and analysis; the development of creative and innovative management strategies; the ability to resolve conflicts and manage employee relations, and more.
32. Robert Morris University
Robert Morris University is a private, suburban university located outside of Pittsburgh in Moon Township, Pennsylvania. Established in 1921 by educator and accountant, Andrew Blass, the University began in downtown Pittsburgh as the Pittsburgh School of Accountancy. In 1935 the school was renamed the Robert Morris School of Business in honor of one of America’s Founding Fathers, Robert Morris, who has often been referred to as the “financier of the American Revolution.” By the late 1960s the school became a four-year college and in 2002 gained University status. Robert Morris University (abbreviated RMU) has a total enrollment of 5,400 students who come from 48 states and 39 foreign nations. The University’s mission is to be “a student-centered institution that transforms lives by building knowledge, skills, and citizenship, all of which focus on the achievement of one’s personal and professional goals.” RMU’s vision is to be recognized as a “best value leader by providing a highly proactive student engagement learning environment that is focused on producing graduates of consequence and influence in their personal and professional lives.”
Program Details: Robert Morris University offers a fully online Master of Science in Human Resource Management degree program. An academically rigorous program that addresses the practical skills necessary for success, this program seeks to equip students with an advanced understanding of the important areas of human resource management. A 30-credit, part-time program, the degree consists of 10 required courses that are offered in eight week sessions delivered 100% online; completion of the program typically takes two years. Outcomes of the program include the development of critical thinking and decision-making skills; the ability to “synthesize the theory and practice of human resource management to address the need of organizations to develop and retain human capital and prepare for succession planning”; the ability to develop and effectively manage human resource strategies; and more.
31. Florida Institute of Technology
The Florida Institute of Technology is a private research-intensive university based out of Melbourne, Florida, an area known as the “Space Coast”. Established in 1958, the Institute views its main mission as being to “provide high-quality education to a culturally diverse student body in order to prepare students for entering the global workforce, seeking higher-education opportunities, and serving within their communities.” This statement continues, “The University also seeks to expand knowledge through basic and applied research and to serve the diverse economic, cultural, and societal needs of our local, state, national and international constituencies.” The Florida Institute of Technology (also known as Florida Tech) offers a wide range of degree programs, including bachelor’s, master’s and doctorates in the areas of science, engineering, mathematics, psychology, behavior analysis, and science and mathematics education. Made up of several colleges, these include the College of Aeronautics, the Nathan M. Bisk College of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Psychology & Liberal Arts, and the College of Science, as well as the Department of Extended Studies, and Florida Tech Online.
Program Details: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Florida Institute of Technology offers a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management which is available at several of the University’s off-site locations as well as online through the Virtual Site. A hands-on degree program, students working towards their master’s in human resources management degree gain practical field experience by working with organizations that need consulting in human resources. The capstone experience of the program involves participation on a team in order to develop and recommend solutions to a real-world organization’s human resources management. Florida Tech’s goal in this program is to prepare students to understand the important issues of human resources management and to “accurately and efficiently recruit, interview, hire, train and maintain employees.”
30. Webster University
Based out of St. Louis, Missouri, Webster University is a private, nonprofit institution of higher education. Established in 1915 by the Sisters of Loretto, a Catholic religious organization, the University began in St. Louis and was called Loretto College. The College was progressive for its time and was one of the first women’s colleges west of the Mississippi River. Today, Webster University enrolls a total of 17,000 students and is comprised of five schools and colleges. These include the College of Arts and Sciences, the George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology, the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts, the School of Communications, and the School of Education. Webster University has a global reach thanks to worldwide locations and online presence and operates under the motto of “Global. Action-oriented. Academically excellent.” The University’s mission as “a worldwide institution,” is to ensure “high quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence.”
Program Details: Webster University offers a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management through the George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology and is available in both a traditional classroom environment as well as on online format. Designed to offer a “comprehensive coverage of the major human resource responsibilities”, the program addresses the topic from both operational as well as strategic aspects. Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the curriculum follows the guidelines of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Offered in small, convenient classes meant to fit into students’ schedules, classes begin five times each year. A 36 credit hour program, learning outcomes include the ability to explain key terminology, concepts, facts, principles, theories, and analytic techniques used in human resource management as well as the ability to effectively integrate these key facts, concepts, principles, and theories.
29. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a private, coeducational, national institution located in Winona, Minnesota. A Roman Catholic institution, the University is affiliated with the De La Salle Christian Brothers and was founded in 1912 by Bishop Patrick R. Heffron as a local college for men, originally. Today home to a thriving, global and diverse learning community, Saint Mary’s University offers over 120 academic programs and has a total enrollment figure of 5,900. The University’s mission is to awaken, nurture, and empower learners to “ethical lives of service and leadership.” The University is committed to its core principles of Respect for All Persons; Quality Education; Inclusive Community; Concern for the Poor and Social Justice; and Faith in the Presence of God. Saint Mary’s University offers a variety of graduate-level and doctoral programs through the Graduate School of Business and Technology; the Graduate School of Education; and the Graduate School of Health and Human Services.
Program Details: Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers a number of online degree programs, including an online Master of Arts in Human Resource Management. Designed to develop Human Resources generalists, the program offers a valuable depth of knowledge and courses are taught from a curriculum that is aligned with the standards of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and prepare for the PHR/SPHR certification. A 36-credit, 26-month program, outcomes and benefits of the program include gaining an “understanding of rewards systems, conflict management, and organizational assessment”; building “management expertise in budgeting, communication, strategy, and ethics”; learning through real-world case studies under the instruction of seasoned professionals; and the ability to study and network within a close-knit professional community.
28. The University of Alabama in Huntsville
The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is a research-intensive, internationally recognized technological university located in Huntsville, Alabama. One of the nation’s premier research universities, over 9,000 students are enrolled, coming from nearly all 50 states and over 80 foreign countries. Offering nearly 90 degree programs, UAH is comprised of several Colleges, including the College of Engineering, the College of Education, the College of Honors, the College of Nursing, the College of Science, the College of Business, the College of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences, the Graduate School, and the College of Professional & Continuing Studies. Committed to the core values of Integrity and Respect, Diligence and Excellence, and Inclusiveness and Diversity, the University’s mission is “to explore, discover, create, and communicate knowledge, while educating individuals in leadership, innovation, critical thinking, and civic responsibility and inspiring a passion for learning.” Its vision is to be “a preeminent, comprehensive, technological research-intensive university known for inspiring and instilling the spirit of discovery, the ability to solve complex problems, and a passion for improving the human condition – a university of choice where technology and human understanding converge.”
Program Details: The University of Alabama in Huntsville offers a Master of Science in Management – Human Resource Management (MSM-HRM). The program is designed to “prepare individuals to be professionals in human resource management” and seeks to address theories and methods including employment law, strategic compensation management, organizational behavior, employee staffing, and strategic human resource management. Accredited by the AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), the program consists of 30 credit hours and full-time students can complete the program in as little as one year. The program is available in several formats, including on-campus, online or in a hybrid format (combining online lectures with in-class discussions).
27. Strayer University
Strayer University is a private institution of higher education based out of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1892 as Strayer’s Business College, the institution was established by Dr. S. Irving Strayer in Baltimore, Maryland with Thomas W. Donoho. The name and scope of the college was changed to Strayer College and in 1998 the institution achieved university status. Operating under the motto “Transformation through Education”, Strayer University operates over 70 campus location in fifteen states and Washington, D.C. and reaches even more students through its internet-based programs. The University’s educational philosophy involved providing a “positive teaching and learning environment, and to offer high quality and relevant academic programs to its students so that they may succeed personally and professionally, and so that they acquire an appetite for lifelong learning.” Strayer University’s core values include “Educational Access; Academic Quality; Student Success; and Customer Service”. Its mission is to “enable students to obtain a valuable education and change their lives” through personal commitment to student success and excellent service.
Program Details: Strayer University offers a Master of Human Resource Management (MHRM) degree designed to help professionals “manage human capital in any industry across all sectors, including public, private, consulting, nonprofit and government.” Offered with options in Human Resource Generalist or a Human Resource Organizational Development, key courses in the MHRM degree include Contemporary Business; Leadership and Organizational Behavior; Human Resource Management Foundations; Business Employment Law; ethics and Advocacy for Human Resource Professionals and more. Available in several formats, classes are offered on-campus in day, night, and/or weekend classes as well as online. A leader in online education, Strayer University’s goal is to offer convenience and flexibility to its students and through the use of technology, ensures that interaction between classmates and professors is made possible.
26. Regis University
Regis University is a private, Catholic university located in Denver, Colorado on a beautiful 90 acre campus set against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. One of just 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the nation and the only Jesuit Catholic university in the Rocky Mountain West, Regis University was established in 1877 in Las Vegas, New Mexico by a group of exiled Italian Jesuits. Ten years later in 1887 the university moved to its present day location in Denver, Colorado. Regis University operates four campuses including its main campus in Northwest Denver as well as sites in Colorado Spring, Denver Tech Center and Thornton. Dedicated to developing students as the whole person, Regis University boasts a low student faculty ratio of 14 to 1 and has over 75,000 alumni working and serving worldwide. Comprised of several colleges, these include Regis College, the College of Business and Economics, the College of Contemporary Liberal Studies, the College of Information & Sciences, and the Reuckert-Hartman College of Health Professions. The University’s mission is to “educate men and women of all ages to make a positive impact in a rapidly-changing global society.” This mission statement continues, “We encourage our students to seek truth, live purposeful lives, and continually examine and attempt to answer the question: ‘How ought we to live?’”
Program Details: Regis University offers over 130 degree programs including 78 online programs. One of these online programs is the Master of Science in Human Resource Management (MSHRM). An accelerated, intensive, integrated program, the MSHRM “provides preparation for strategic human resource leadership in a rapidly changing, global marketplace” and “focuses on the qualitative issues of human resource management”. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Regis University’s MSHRM curriculum is aligned with the standards of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
25. St. Francis University
St. Francis University is a private, Catholic, coeducational liberal arts university located in Loretto, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by the Franciscans of the Third Order Regular, St. Francis University is one of the oldest Catholic universities in the nation and the oldest Catholic university dedicated to Franciscan values. An “inclusive learning community that welcomes all people”, St. Francis University is home to over 2,668 students, including 619 graduate students. Established in 1847, the University began as a boy’s academy founded by six Franciscan friars who came from Ireland. The institution was soon given permission to grant degrees by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and became one of the first Catholic coeducational colleges in the country. Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools as well as several other program- and school-specific accrediting bodies, St. Francis University offers 50 academic programs through its four schools. These include the School of Arts and Letters, the School of Business, the School of Health Sciences, and the School of Sciences. The University’s message and guiding principles are “Humility. Generosity. Reverence. Service. Prayer. Joy. Love.” Its mission is to cultivate “a mind for excellence”; “a spirit for peace and justice”; and “a heart for service”.
Program Details: St. Francis University offers an online Master of Human Resource Management (MHRM) program. Approved by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) as offering relevant coursework, the program is designed to “address the challenges facing modern HR professionals while paving the way for advanced certification.” Combining a “practical, skill-based education with ethical and personal reflection” the program is shaped and guided by the values of St. Francis de Assisi and the message of “compassion, curiosity, and humility”. Offered 100% online, the program’s format offers both flexibility and interactivity, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace while still creating strong connections to peers.
24. Brandman University
Brandman University is a private university based out of Irvine, California which seeks to serve the adult learner. Established in 1861 by Chapman University, a now separate, private institution currently located in Orange, California, Brandman University’s original purpose was to provide high quality education to the Marine Corps Air Station of El Toro. Today, though its scope and program offerings have expanded to include adult learners and to serve a more diverse student population, Brandman University remains military friendly. The University’s mission is “to provide students with a dynamic education based on excellence and flexibility that creates lasting value and relevance for evolving careers.” Its vision is to be “the recognized leader in the evolution of adult learning.” The University currently offers over 80 academic programs across more than 25 campus locations to 10,000 students each year. Comprised of five schools, these include the School of Arts & Sciences, the School of Business & Professional Studies, the School of Education, the School of Nursing & Health Professions, and the School of Extended Education.
Program Details: Brandman University offers a Master of Science in Human Resource available in a hybrid format (combination of on-campus and online programs) across 17 campus locations or in a 100% online format. Designed to provide individuals with the tools and skills necessary for maximizing employee engagement, the program covers the areas of “strategic management, staffing, training and development, conflict and negotiation, employee benefits and legal issues.” A 36 credit hour program, students have the option of several elective courses including graduate courses in Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Science, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Health Administration, Marketing, Organizational Leadership and/or Public Administration. Outcomes of the program include the ability to “apply an integrated and systems-oriented approach to human resources that aligns and supports business strategy”; designing workforce strategies that match organizational needs; and building strategic partnerships which address complex business needs.
23. University of Houston – Clear Lake
The University of Houston-Clear Lake (abbreviated UHCL) is a four-year state institution and one of four distinct institutions within the Houston System. Located on a 524 acre campus in Houston, Texas, UHCL is home to over 8,000 students and the alma mater of over 63,000 alumni. Though originally founded in 1974, it was not until 2014 that the University began offering freshmen- and sophomore-level classes which enabled students to begin their college studies at UHCL without needing to transfer from other institutions first. UHCL was honored in being selected as a finalist by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for the 2016 Texas Higher Education Star Award. The University offers over 80 graduate and undergraduate programs which are available both online and in a traditional campus setting and is comprised of four schools. These include the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Human Sciences and Humanities and the College of Science and Engineering. UHCL’s mission is to be “a student-centered, community-minded, partnership-oriented university that offers bachelor’s, master’s and selected doctoral programs to enhance the educational, economic, and cultural environment of the Houston-Galveston metropolitan region.”
Program Details: The University of Houston-Clear Lake offers a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management as a fully online degree program. Designed to develop in students a strategic staffing vision, this goal is accomplished through teaching students how to “assess and respond to [their] company’s specific business goals.” The program focuses on five essential competency areas, namely core human resource processes; general business management; strategic decision-making; change management; and personal mastery and influence. A 36 credit hour program, course resources are available 100% online and all classes are taught by seasoned professionals and never graduate assistants.
22. Troy University
Troy University is a public, comprehensive university comprised of a network of campuses scattered across Alabama and worldwide. Based out of Troy, Alabama, the University’s 80 acre main campus sits on beautiful and historic grounds. Due to its far-reaching and global outreach, Troy University is able to offer programs to a wide range of students through its several campuses, centers, and online platform and has a current enrollment figure of over 14,000 students. Troy University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its several schools. These include the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Communication and Fine Arts, the College of Education, the College of Health and Human Services, the Sorrell College of Business, and the Graduate School. Known for its high-quality and affordable academic programs, Troy University seeks to develop its students by “providing quality programs, challenging research opportunities, superior teaching, scholarships and public services.”
Program Details: Troy University offers a Master of Science in Human Resource Management (abbreviated MSHRM) as a professional one-year completion program of advanced study. The program focuses on human resource management within the context of a global business framework. Because it is designed for the professional working student, Troy University’s MSHRM program offers maximum flexibility, allowing students to study online or in evening or weekend courses. The goal of the program is to equip students to “effectively lead, both within the discipline of human resources, as well as across the organization.” The MSHRM degree is geared especially towards individuals seeking leadership positions within human resource management careers in business, government, military and nonprofit organizations. Offered through the University’s Sorrell College of Business, the program can be completed in as little as one year over five terms and is fully aligned with the recommended guidelines of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
21. Golden Gate University
Located in San Francisco, California Golden Gate University is a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian university. Established in 1901, the University is distinct in the way it caters to the needs of busy professionals who are either entering the workplace or seeking to advance their careers. As a nonprofit institution, Golden Gate University is able to focus solely on meeting the educational needs of students rather than the interests of shareholders or profits. Classes are offered in four teaching locations in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles and Seattle, as well as through an online platform, enabling Golden Gate University to offer flexible scheduling and personalized academic and career advising as well as programs which can be structured to work at the student’s own pace. Many of the University’s faculty members are professionals working in their areas of expertise and the University boasts a low student to faculty ratio, ensuring that students receive the personal attention they need. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools & Colleges Senior College & University Commission (WSCUC), Golden Gate University offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in the areas of business and management, accounting, taxation, and law.
Program Details: Golden Gate University offers a versatile Master of Science in Human Resource Management program. Fully aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) curriculum guidebook, the program is offered through the Ageno School of Business at locations in San Francisco and Silicon Valley as well as online. Desired outcomes of the program include the ability to apply the principles and concepts learned in the classroom to real world situations. Students are taught through a combination of coursework and valuable interactions with peers and field experts. Students also have the opportunity to participate in an elective Human Resources Internship which offers valuable hands-on experience and in certain cases lead to a job offer.
20. Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg State University is a public institution of higher education located in the southeast corner of Kansas in the town of Pittsburg. Within easy drive of several cities (including Tulsa, OK, Kansas City, Springfield, MO and Fayetteville, AR), the University serves over 7,400 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 19 to 1. The University’s mission is “to provide transformational experiences for its students and the community.” Its vision is to “be the first choice for: Students seeking a quality education through nationally recognized programs; The most talented faculty and staff seeking dynamic careers; Partnerships with communities, businesses, organizations, and individuals in the region; External investment by donors, grant makers, and government.” Known for its low tuition costs, Pittsburg State University also offers generous needs-based and merit financial aid. More than 150 academic programs are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels and the University is comprised of multiple colleges, including the Kelce College of Business, the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Education, the College of Technology, the Graduate & Continuing Studies department, and Pittsburg State University’s Honors College.
Program Details: Pittsburg State University offers a number of online degree programs, including a Master of Science in Human Resource Development (Management and Consulting). Designed to prepare individuals who are involved in the areas of “employee training, human resources, performance improvement, and organizational development in business and industry”, the program “targets a competency based application oriented learning experience.” Confirmed by The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), this program is aligned with the recommended requirements for HR degrees as outlined in the SHMR HR Curriculum Guidebook. Offered 100% and exclusively online, Pittsburg State University’s MS in Human Resource Development degree consists of 34 credit hours and requires a bachelor’s degree in human resources, education, business, or other related area.
19. Tarleton State University
Tarleton State University is a public institution of higher education based out of Stephenville, Texas and a member of the Texas A&M University System. Originally established in 1899, the University joined the A&M System in 1917. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Tarleton State University is comprised of seven colleges, covering the fields of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Graduate Studies, Health Sciences and Human Services, Liberal and Fine Arts, and Science and Technology. Nearly 100 degree programs are offered, including over 60 bachelor’s programs, 27 master’s degrees and a doctorate in education. Tarleton State University’s programs are offered at multiple campuses, including sites in Fort Worth, Midlothian, and Waco as well as through its Online Global Campus. The University’s mission is to provide “an academically challenging education where learning is grounded in real-world experiences and effective teaching, research, scholarship, and service.” This mission statement continues, “Tarleton strives to develop moral and ethical thinkers, scholars and leaders who demonstrate civility and integrity, while contributing meaningfully and responsibly to a global society.” The University’s vision is to be “the premier student-focused university in Texas and beyond” and “transform generations by inspiring discovery, leadership and service through exceptional teaching and research in vibrant learning communities.”
Program Details: Tarleton State University offers a Master of Science in Human Resource Management through the Management department of the College of Business Administration. Available at two campus locations (Waco and Stephenville) as well as online, the program consists of 30 credit hours and can be completed in as little as 18 months. Accredited by the SACSCOC as well as the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the program has had continuous alignment with the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the SHRM Human Resource Curriculum Guidebook and Templates since 2009.
18. Franklin University
Franklin University is a private, nonprofit institution and the second largest private university in Ohio. Based out of Columbus, Ohio, Franklin University was established in 1902 and has served as a pioneer in the area of adult education. With nearly 45,000 alumni worldwide, Franklin University offers accredited, student-centered programs offered online and in evening programs that meet one night a week at several locations across the Midwest. Each program has multiple start dates and offers flexible scheduling options. The University’s mission is to provide “high quality, relevant education enabling the broadest possible community of learners to achieve their goals and enrich the world.” Built upon four cornerstones, Franklin University’s educational philosophy includes: “Ensuring academic quality; Providing access to educational opportunities; Adapting to the needs of students; and Responding to changes in society, professions, and the business community”. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Franklin University offers a range of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degree programs through its three colleges, namely the College of Arts, Sciences & Technology, the Ross College of Business, and the College of Health & Public Administration.
Program Details: Franklin University offers a Master of Science in Human Resource Management (MSHRM). Designed to prepare graduates for “overseeing complex employee benefit plans, understanding changing labor laws, and becoming ‘strategic partners’ to CEOs”, the MSHRM degree provides an excellent opportunity for career advancement. Specific curriculum courses include Strategic Human Resource Management; Employment Law; Compensation & Incentive Systems; Organizational Development & Intervention; Organizational Leadership; and International Human Resources. Professionally recognized by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), outcomes of the program include developing critical analysis skills; the ability to evaluate organizational culture; and demonstrating proficiency in written, oral, and interpersonal communication.
17. LeTourneau University
LeTourneau University is a private, coeducational, nondenominational Christian institution of higher education based out of Longview, Texas on a 162 acre main campus. Established in 1946, the University is named after its founders, R.G. and Evelyn LeTourneau. Historically known for providing excellent technical and professional training combined with hands-on learning experience, the LeTourneau University has a distinct, Christ-centered approach in its teaching and learning. The University’s mission is to be a place where “educators engage learners to nurture Christian virtue, to develop competency and ingenuity in their professional fields, to integrate faith and work, and to serve the local and global community.” Accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, LeTourneau University offers 4-year ABET-accredited engineering and engineering technology degrees as well as 4- and 2-year undergraduate programs in technology, the liberal arts, business, aeronautical science, education, and the sciences and master’s in business, education, engineering, and psychology. LeTourneau University has a total enrollment figure of 3,003 students, including nearly 400 graduate students. Students come from nearly all 50 states and 29 foreign countries and represent 50 denominations/religions. Over 2,000 students reside on campus, while another 991 are enrolled online.
Program Details: LeTourneau University offers a Professional Masters of Business Administration with a specialization in Human Resource Management. A 36-credit hour program, the program teaches skills designed to set students apart for “functional leadership in industry, government or non-profit enterprises” in a variety of fields including human resource management. Offered through LeTourneau University’s School of Business, the faculty and staff provide an abundance of student support for every step of the way from enrollment through graduation. Offered 100% online, the University’s Help Desk supports the IT needs of online students and offers answers to questions 16 hours a day via phone and email.
16. Gannon University
Gannon University is a private, four-year Catholic, Diocesan university located in Erie, Pennsylvania. Offering a comprehensive, values-centered learning experience, Gannon University is “dedicated to excellence in teaching, scholarship and service” and strives to prepare students to be “global citizens through programs grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and professional specializations.” Each of the University’s programs emphasizes “faith, leadership, inclusiveness and social responsibility.” Founded in 1925, the University was established as the Cathedral College under the charter of Villa Maria College. Established by then-Archbishop John Mark Gannon, the college was renamed Gannon College in honor of its founder and in 1944 received its own charter as a four-year men’s college. In 1964 the College became co-educational and in 1979 it achieved university status. Today a comprehensive, coeducational institution, Gannon University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Comprised of multiple colleges, these include the College of Engineering and Business, which houses the Dahlkemper School of Business; the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, which contains the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and the School of Education; and the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences, which houses the Villa Maria School of Nursing.
Program Details: Gannon University offers a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Human Resource Management. This program focuses on “a company’s most valuable asset – its employees” and teaches “essential managerial theories as well as how to facilitate a strong and mutually beneficial relationship between the organization and the employee.” Core courses within the specialization include Employee Relations and Employment/Labor Law; Human Resource management; and Strategic Management. Offered in an online format, outcomes of the program include the ability to “lead and collaborate in virtual, global, and culturally diverse environments”; to “integrate principles of ethics and integrity into business decisions”; and the ability to apply knowledge of “business systems, process and technology”.
15. Concordia University – Saint Paul
Concordia University – St. Paul is a private, coeducational, Christian liberal arts institution located in St. Paul, Minnesota. An affiliate of the ten-member Concordia University System, the University began in 1893, founded for the purpose of providing a Christian learning environment for youth of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) who were preparing to enter into professional ministries. Today, Concordia University offers a wide range of career-focused degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels and boasts over 100 years of higher education experience. The University has been recognized for its diverse, Christ-centered community and learning experience as well as its “relevant, experiential learning environment” which “allows online students to apply academic concepts to real-world settings, which help students develop practical knowledge and abilities.” Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Concordia University offers a variety of traditional, on-campus programs as well as several online programs which offer maximum flexibility and accessibility. One of the most affordable private colleges in Minnesota, the University has a total enrollment figure of 4,582, including 2,740 undergraduate students, with an average student to faculty ratio of 17 to 1.
Program Details: Concordia University – St. Paul offers a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management program. A 7 week, 36 credit hour program, the degree is available on-campus (through an evening program), online, or in a blended format. The program focuses on helping students develop “human resource leadership, financial and strategic thinking skills and innovation within their realm of duties as an HR manager.” Concordia University’s Master’s in Human Resource Management program is fully aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) “HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates”, making Concordia University one of just 248 educational institutions in the world with programs that meet the SHRM’s standards. Specific courses include HR Leadership & Ethics; Research Methods and Design; Finance for HR Leaders and much more.
14. Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University is a regional comprehensive university located in Hays, Kansas on a 200 acre, tree-filled main campus. Established in 1902 as the Western Branch of the Kansas Normal School, classes began in the summer with just 57 students who paid $5 for tuition and met in an army post which had been abandoned in 1889. The school saw several name changes over the next several years, including Fort Hays Kansas State Normal School (1914), Kansas State Teacher College of hays (1923), and Fort Hays Kansas State College (1931), before its current name was adopted in 1977. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the University offers a range of associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees as well as a doctorate of Nursing Practice degree. Comprised of five colleges and 31 academic departments, these include the Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics, The College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, The College of Education, the Robbins College of Business & Entrepreneurship, and the The College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences. Over 14,000 total students are enrolled and classes are taught by mentor-teachers who strive to guide and help students develop their own individual talents.
Program Details: Fort Hays State University offers a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Human Resource Management. Available in a 100% online format, students can enjoy the convenience and flexibility of distance education without sacrificing the benefits and quality of the University’s high-caliber, traditional program. Courses are offered in a convenient rotation, allowing students to easily map out their program of study from start to finish and students have the freedom to enroll either part- or full-time. A 34-46 credit hour program, core courses require 25 credit hours and the specialization in Human Resource Management requires 9 credit hours.
13. University of St Francis
The University of St. Francis is a private, Catholic university rooted in the liberal arts and located in Joliet, Illinois. Guided by the Franciscan tradition, the University of St. Francis was established in 1920 by the congregation of the Third Order of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate for the education of its own members. In 1925 women outside of the congregation were welcomed to enroll and in 1930 the name College of St. Francis was adopted. In 1971 the College became officially coeducational and in 1997 joined in affiliation with the Saint Joseph College of Nursing. One year later, in 1998, the then-College gained university status and adopted its current name. Today, the University of St. Francis’ mission is to be “a welcoming community of learners challenged by Franciscan values and charism, engaged in a continuous pursuit of knowledge, faith, wisdom, and justice, and ever mindful of a tradition that emphasizes reverence for creation, compassion and peacemaking.” Offering over 40 undergraduate majors, 17 master’s programs and two doctoral degrees, the University is comprised of four colleges, namely the College of Arts & Sciences, College of Business & Health Administration, College of Education, and the Leach College of Nursing.
Program Details: The University of St. Francis offers a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management. Available both onsite and online, the curriculum offers flexibility for busy students and can be completed in as little as 12-18 months by dedicated students. The Human Resource Management concentration requires 12 credit hours and enables students to “integrate the knowledge and skills gained from the core coursework of the MBA program in order to address the issues and challenges faced by today’s human resource management professional.” Offered through the University’s School of Business, the program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
12. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational university based out of Daytona Beach, Florida. Dedicated to “serving culturally diverse students seeking careers in aviation, aerospace, business, engineering, and related fields”, is a unique institution in that it is the world’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious university specializing in aviation and aerospace as well as the only fully accredited, aviation-oriented university in the world. Established in 1925, just 22 years after the Wright brothers’ first flight, the school began as the Embry-Riddle Company. Formed by barnstormer John Paul Riddle and entrepreneur T. Higbee Embry, the school began in Cincinnati, Ohio. During World War II the school, which had been renamed the Embry-Riddle School of Aviation, was instrumental in the training of 25,000 British and American pilots and mechanics. Today the University operates a second campus in Prescott, Arizona and maintains a strong online presence through Embry-Riddle Online which features state-of-the-art technology for flexible learning. Over 80 degrees are offered, ranging from associates to PhDs, and the University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Program Details: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers a Master of Science in Management (MSM) degree program designed for working professionals seeking advancement in their education and career. Available with a specialization in Human Resources, Embry-Riddle’s program is acknowledged by The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) as being fully aligned with the SHRM’s HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates. The degree program is further accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools Programs (ACBSP). Available at over 130 worldwide locations and online, students have maximum flexibility when it comes to earning their degree in Management through Embry-Riddle. Courses are taught in a hands-on, practical approach with plenty of research opportunities; the motto for this method of teaching is, “Learn it in class tonight. Apply it tomorrow.”
11. Ottawa University
Ottawa University is a private, coeducational, Christian institution of higher education based out of Ottawa, Kansas. Established in 1865, the University’s roots reach back to the work of Baptist missionaries with the Ottawa Indian tribe. The original intent was to charter a boarding school to benefit the “children of the Tribe between the ages of six and eighteen who shall be entitled to be received at such institution, and to be subsisted, clothed, educated, and attended in sickness…to continue so long as any children of the tribe shall present themselves for their exercise.” In lieu of a cash endowment, the Ottawa tribe endowed 20,000 acres of land to be used in support of the new school. Today, overcoming challenges, the University has retained its Christian heritage and its relationship with the Ottawa Indians remains “alive and powerful today”. Affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA since 1905, Ottawa University’s mission is to prepare “professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment, and service to God and humanity.”
Program Details: Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Ottawa University offers a range of degree programs through the Angell Snyder School of Business, the School of Education, and the School of Arts and Sciences. Ottawa University offers a Master of Arts in Human Resources available 100% online. One of just 252 programs in the world to be fully aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management’s HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates, Ottawa University’s MA in Human Resources degree is designed to increase students’ “human resource skills and positively impact the lives of others.” The program further seeks to “promote professional excellence, academic attainment and the ability to synthesize, integrate and apply knowledge in meaningful and relevant ways.”
10. Nazareth College
Nazareth College is a coeducational, religiously independent institution based out of Rochester, New York on a 150-acre wooded campus. Originally established as a Catholic women’s college in 1924, Nazareth College has experienced dramatic growth and change over the years. Today, besides being both coeducational and religiously independent, the College’s mission is “to provide a learning community that educates students in the liberal arts, sciences, visual and performing arts, and professional fields, fostering commitment to a life informed by intellectual, ethical, spiritual, and aesthetic values; to develop skills necessary for the pursuit of meaningful careers; and to inspire dedication to the ideal of service to their communities.” More than 60 undergraduate majors are offered in the areas of education, health and human services, management, fine arts, music, theater, math and science, foreign languages, and the liberal arts. Several graduate degree programs are also offered in the areas of arts & humanities, education, health care, and management.
Program Details: Among its several graduate programs, Nazareth College offers a Master of Science in Human Resource Management (MSHRM). Offered in a multiple formats, students may enroll in a traditional on-campus, evening program, online classes, or a hybrid option (a blend of on-campus and online). One of only two programs in upstate New York with a curriculum that is approved by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Nazareth College’s curriculum is rigorous and designed to stay relevant, thanks to a close partnership with Nazareth College School of Management’s Human Resource Advisory Council. An ideal program for human resource professionals seeking to advance their careers as well as for individuals seeking a career change within a challenging and rewarding field, dedicated students can complete the 33 credit hour MSHRM program in as little as 20 months when enrolled full-time and tuition is kept affordable with multiple grant, scholarship, and loan options.
9. Concordia University-Wisconsin
Concordia University-Wisconsin is a private liberal arts college located in Mequon, Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Michigan, just 15 miles north of downtown Milwaukee. A member of the Concordia University System, the University is affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Built upon the values of Christ-Centered, Truth & Integrity, Excellence and Service, Concordia University Wisconsin’s vision is “to be well known nationally and internationally as a premier Lutheran Christian university, widely recognized for meaningful integration of faith and learning.” The University is strongly committed to “helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the World.” Concordia University-Wisconsin has a total enrollment figure of nearly 8,000 and offers more than 75 undergraduate majors, over 40 master’s programs and four doctorate/professional degrees. Comprised of several schools, these encompass the subjects of Arts and Science, the Batterman School of Business, Education, Health Professions, Nursing and Pharmacy.
Program Details: Concordia University-Wisconsin offers a Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management through its online branch of education. A 36 credit program, IACBE-accredited (International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education) and is offered at several locations as well as online. Named among the most affordable programs of its kind, costs are kept low and financial aid is available. Taught by worldwide practitioner instructors, the University offers individualized programs that students can begin and continue at their own convenience. Designed to equip students with marketable Human Resource skills, students learn essential, day-today practices within the field of HR, as well as risk management strategies, alternative dispute strategies, and in-depth labor law practices. Offered as a concentration within the MBA program, the Human Resource Management Concentration requires 15 credits and consists of classes covering subjects such as Alternative Dispute Resolution; Public Human Resource Administration; Health, Life, Business and Social Insurance; and more.
8. Indiana Wesleyan University
Indiana Wesleyan University is a private, nonprofit, evangelical Christian comprehensive university affiliated with the Wesleyan Church and located on a 320 acre main campus in Marion, Indiana. The University’s mission is to serve as a “Christ-centered academic community committed to changing the world by developing students in character, scholarship, and leadership.” Indiana Wesleyan University’s (IWU) main value is to exemplify Christlikeness; its mission statement declares, “The challenge to follow Christ compels us to pursue a personal and professional lifestyle of Commitment, Leadership, Service, Stewardship, Innovation and Diversity.” Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the University is classified among Master’s Colleges and Universities (with larger programs) by Carnegie. A wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs are offered and the University is comprised of the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Adult and Professional Studies, the School of Nursing, the School of Health Sciences, the Graduate School, and Wesley Seminary.
Program Details: Indiana Wesleyan University offers a 36-credit-hour Master of Science in Human Resource Management program available weeknights or online. Offered in a cohort model, where classmates progress through the entire program as a group, the degree can be completed in approximately 18 months. Taught by instructors who combine their professional expertise with academic credentials, the program is taught within a biblical framework. Outcomes of the program include preparing students to “develop appropriate communication strategies to achieve organizational goals”; “integrate a biblical framework that guides interaction within the workplace”; and “enhance the realization of human potential in order to fulfill strategic organizational mission, vision, values, and goals”. Offered through Indiana Wesleyan University’s DeVoe School of Business, required classes include the subjects of Applied Management Theory; Decision-Making and Essential Business Communication’; Accounting and Finance for Managers; Total Rewards Management; and a Human Resource Management Capstone project.
7. Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg State University is a public institution of higher education based out of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Established in 1894 by an act of the Massachusetts Legislature as the State Normal School at Fitchburg, in 1911 the School initiated the first practical arts teaching training courses in the nation. The 1930s saw much growth and change in the school –the first bachelor degree programs were offered (1930), the name State Teachers College at Fitchburg was adopted (1932), and authorization to establish graduate programs was granted (1935). In 1960 it was again renamed, this time to Fitchburg State College and in 2008 the College’s first full-time online degree program was offered. In 2010, after the State University System of Massachusetts was established, the institution was granted university status and adopted its current name. Today, Fitchburg State University’s mission is to be “committed to excellence in teaching and learning and blends liberal arts and sciences and professional programs within a small college environment.” Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the University offers a variety of academic programs, including online programs in the areas of Business, Education, and Nursing.
Program Details: Fitchburg State University offers a Master of Business Administration in Human Resources Management in a 100% online format. A 30 credit hour program, the MBA in Human Resources Management can be completed in as little as 12 months. The online Management program is designed to offer graduates a “broad-based background in human resources with the understanding and skills to become leaders in business and administration.” Each online course is designed and taught by the same on-campus faculty and the curriculum emphasizes participatory learning through collaborative learning teams and group discussions.
6. The University of Scranton
The University of Scranton is a private, comprehensive, coeducational Jesuit university based out of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Established in 1888 by the Most Reverend William G. O’Hara, D.D. as Saint Thomas College, in 1938 the school gained university status and in 1942 was entrusted to the care of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). One of just 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States, the University of Scranton is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The University seeks to promote a “cooperative and supportive academic environment that focuses attention on educating the whole person” and is “dedicated to freedom of inquiry and personal development”. Comprised of two academic schools, these include the AACSB International-accredited Kania School of Management and the Panuska College of Professional Studies. The University of Scranton offers both undergraduate and graduate programs on campus as well as a range of internet-based graduate programs.
Program Details: Included among the University of Scranton’s several online programs is the Master of Science in Human Resources Online (MSHR). Fully aligned with the guidelines outlined by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the University of Scranton’s MSHR is a rigorous program which integrates the most recent research and “incorporates the human resource best practices to illustrate how HR professionals achieve organizational goals.” A 100% online program, the MSHR program is designed with busy professionals in mind and seeks to equip students with “cutting-edge, strategic human resource knowledge and skills that organizations need to succeed in today’s turbulent economy.” Outcomes of the program include the ability to make effective decisions; to understand control and budgeting systems; to improve organizational performance; to devise and implement strategic plans; and to develop an effective rewards system. Offered completely online, there are no residency requirements and the program is designed to be completed in 26 months.
5. Trident University International
Trident University International is a unique, private, regionally-accredited institution of higher education which offers programs in a 100% online setting. Established in 1998 by Dr. Yoram Neumann, the University began as Touro University International, a branch campus of Touro College, a New York non-profit educational corporation. The first fully online institution accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), Trident University International (or TUI, as it is abbreviated) has a mission to provide “an exceptional online educational experience for its students – diverse adult learners including current and former members of the military family.” This mission statement continues, “Adhering to the highest standards of academic excellence, faculty and staff foster a learning community where students develop critical thinking and problem solving skills to enhance their lives and advance their careers.” TUI’s vision is to “be the university of choice for adult learners and will be recognized as a leader in academic excellence, affordability, and career advancement.” Comprised of four colleges, these include the Glenn R. Jones College of Business, College of Education, College of Health Sciences, and the College of Information Systems.
Program Details: Trident University International offers a number of 100% online degree programs, ranging from bachelor’s to doctorates. In the area of human resource management, TUI offers a Master of Science in Human Resource Management (MSHRM) degree program. Aligned with the standards of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), outcomes of the program include the development of foundational management skills; the ability to evaluate employee performance; “strong expertise in the field of human resource management”, and more. As with all of TUI’s programs, the online delivery of the MSHRM degree offers maximum flexibility and convenience for students combined with high-quality academics and an affordable price-tag.
4. Argosy University
Argosy University is a national university with 27 campus locations across the United States in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah Virginia, Washington and Online. Created in 2001, the University came into existence with the merging of three separate institutions: The American Schools of Professional Psychology, The University of Sarasota, and the Medical Institute of Minnesota. Today, Argosy University supports one of the largest communities of graduate students in the nation; with a total enrollment figure of 21,343, over 15,000 are campus-based students while over 6,000 are enrolled in online courses. Accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, as well as 88 programmatic accreditations by organizations including the CACREP, ACBSP, NCATE and the APA, Argosy University offers 159 total programs and is comprised of several colleges. These include the College of Arts and Sciences, the Schools of Professional Psychology, the College of Counseling, Psychology and Social Sciences, the College of Education, the College of Health Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Creative Arts and Design, and the Western State College of Law.
Program Details: Among its wide range of online program offerings, Argosy University offers a Master of Science in Human Resource Management (MSHRM) degree program. Designed to “prepare human resource professionals, as well as those seeking to enter the human resource profession”, the MSHRM program provides students with the opportunity to “effectively address the breadth of human resources needs of an organization”. Outcomes of the program include the ability to apply ethical principles; to “design and execute employee communication plans”; to evaluate individual’s skills and capabilities relative to business and organizational settings; to “employ effective strategies and techniques to manage a diverse workforce across varied economic, political and cultural organizational environments”, and more.
3. Brenau University
Brenau University is a non-sectarian, privately owned institution located based out of Gainesville, Georgia. Established in 1878 as the Georgia Baptist Female Seminary by Dr. W. C. Wilkes, in 1900 the seminary was renamed Brenau College and in 1972 branched out to offer coeducational studies. During the 1992-93 academic year, the College official gained university status and adopted its current name. Today, Brenau University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs online and across several campuses in Augusta, Gainesville, South Atlanta/Fairburn, North Atlanta/Norcross, and Jacksonville. Brenau University’s mission is to “challenges students to live extraordinary lives of personal and professional fulfillment.” Its vision is to be “an internationally recognized leader in innovative higher education with a unique blend of the liberal arts and professional preparation offering advanced degrees in areas that meet the essential needs of the 21st century.” Brenau University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and is comprised of four colleges and a school, namely the College of Business & Mass Communication, the College of Education, the College of Fine Arts & Humanities, the College of Health Sciences, and the Sidney O. Smith Jr. Graduate School.
Program Details: Brenau University offers an online Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management degree. Ranked highly on the national scale, the program is notable for its quality, faculty members, and the University’s reputation for effectively provided online degree programs. The Human Resource Management program offers students specialized training, personal attention, and real-world experience. A 15 course, 45-hour degree program which culminates in an MBA degree, students who already hold a graduate degree are offered the opportunity to earn the Human Resource Management Certificate separate from the MBA degree.
2. Belhaven University
Belhaven University is a private, evangelical Christian institution of the liberal arts and sciences, located in Jackson, Mississippi. Formerly known as Belhaven College, Belhaven University is a top rated university that has gained national recognition for its academics and affordability. Established in 1883, the University formally came into existence with the merging of the Mississippi Synodical College and McComb Female Institute. In 1910 after a fire had destroyed the school grounds, the title of the College was donated to the Presbyterian Church. A year later, after the First Presbyterian Church in Jackson advocated with the Synod to re-establish the school, the Central Mississippi Presbytery reopened the school as Belhaven Collegiate and Industrial Institute. This name was shortened to Belhaven College in 1915 and in 2010, after many years of growth and change (including the event of another devastating fire, a rebuilding project, and the addition of several programs), the school achieved University status and adopted its current name in order to better represent the breadth of its programs and reach. Today, Belhaven University has a total enrollment figure of 4,500 and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Program Details: As part of its several online degree program offerings, Belhaven University offers an online Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources. A 42 hour program, the MBA with Human Resources Concentration places a strong emphasis on the study and the application of human resource principles and allows students to explore related areas of study, including employee relations, compensations and benefits, and current field issues. An intense program, the Belhaven University’s MBA program advocates high academic standards as well as Christian values and ethics. Available in a convenient and flexible online format, the MBA with HR concentration is also fully aligned with the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) Curriculum Guidebook and Templates.
1. Briar Cliff University
Briar Cliff University is a private, liberal arts college located in Sioux City, Iowa on a 70 acre, suburban campus, founded in the Catholic, Franciscan tradition. Established as Briar Cliff College in 1930 by the Sister of Saint Francis of Dubuque, Iowa, today Briar Cliff University’s mission is to be “a community committed to higher education within a liberal arts and Catholic perspective.” Its mission statement continues, “In the Franciscan tradition of service, caring and openness to all, Briar Cliff emphasizes quality education for its students, combining a broad intellectual background with career development. The University challenges its members to grow in self-awareness and in their relationships to others and to God.” Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Briar Cliff University offers over 40 areas of study at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Also offered are a variety of online and/or evening degree programs as well as degree completion programs, designed for mature students with busy schedules and some college credit. 1,187 students are currently enrolled, coming from over 40 states, Armed Forces Post Office, Puerto Rico and 16 foreign countries.
Program Details: Among its online degree program offerings, Briar Cliff University offers an Online Master of Arts in Management: Human Resource Management Degree Program. Designed for business professionals who have already earned a Bachelor’s degree, the program focuses on globalization, technology, and 21st-century workforce challenges and seeks to equip students to “cultivate strategic ways to meet the critical needs [of business]”. Fully approved and aligned with the guidelines set by The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), the program is offered with two capstone options to complete the curriculum including a non-thesis option. A 33-credit hour program, tuition costs are kept at a reasonable cost and financial aid is available.