Find Your Program

Or browse by

Browse our programs

What Is Human Resource Management?

How a master’s in human resources management can help you land the perfect job

First things first: What is human resource management?

Human resource management, commonly known as “HR” or “personnel,” is the business of managing an organization’s most valuable asset: people.

If a business has employees, there’s a human resource professional to help recruit, hire, and train them. And many of these HR professionals, especially at the mid and senior levels, hold a master’s in human resources, training that helps them provide value to both their organizations and the employees who work there.

''
Human resources

Careers in human resource management

Those who earn their master’s in human resource management may be eligible for a number of in-demand HR positions responsible for:

  • Recruiting and hiring employees
  • Creating training programs and training employees
  • Managing pay and benefit systems
  • Creating and implementing workplace policies
  • Analyzing individual and group performance

Once you receive your human resource management degree, you can choose to be a human resource generalist, which covers a comprehensive range of duties, or a human resource specialist, which concentrates on expertise in one specific area of HR.

Jobs in HR: A bright future

Even in a shaky economy, nearly all companies need human resource professionals, making it an in-demand career for those holding human resource management degrees.

Indeed, the job forecast continues to look good for human resource management. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field is expected to grow steadily at a rate of 6% until 2033, with a 2023 median annual salary of $136,350.1

Are you interested in receiving your master’s in human resources? Explore how Walden University’s MS in Human Resource Management can help you reach your career goals. The program is designed to support experienced HR professionals as well as those who are newer to the field. Simply choose the path to degree completion that best suits your needs. If you are not yet certified as a human resource professional, Track I can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed and also prepare you for certification. Track II is for certified human resource professionals and allows you to tailor your courses to fit your career path. Elective courses include Personal Leadership: Mentoring and Coaching, Building Human Capital Through Training and Development, Conflict Management and Negotiation, and more. It’s one great degree program with two paths to meet the needs of any HR professional.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering an online MS in Human Resource Management degree program as well as a Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management program. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.
 

1Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm#tab-1

Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org),
an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education

Whether looking for information on programs, admissions, or financial aid, we're here to help.

Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Step 1: Contact Information
  • Step 2: Academic Interests

Are you or your spouse an active or retired U.S. military service member?*

By submitting this form, I provide my signature, expressly consenting to calls, prerecorded messages, messages created by generative artificial intelligence, emails and/or texts regarding my educational options from Walden University (Walden) and its contractors using an automated dialing system to the number and email address provided. I understand my consent is not required to enroll at Walden, and that I can withdraw my consent at any time. To request information without consenting, please call 866-492-5336. For telephonic communications, message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. To opt out of communications via text messaging reply STOP or HELP for help or call 866-492-5336. For more information, visit Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.