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Bachelor’s degree holders who want to take the next step and advance their level of education in HR must decide if they want to earn a Master’s or an MBA in Human Resources. While both are graduate degrees, each program has a different focus that is designed for a different career path. Since it can cost you thousands of dollars and years of your time to earn a graduate degree, doing your due diligence is critical. Here are the differences between MBA and Master’s degree programs in HR.
The MBA Program with a Concentration in Human Resource Management
A Master of Business Administration program is a professional degree program where the primary focus is on a broad range of business courses. When you study for your MBA, you do not select a major but instead a concentration. This means that you will still take the core business curriculum and that your electives and concentration courses will be centered around HR.
Related: Top 20 Affordable Online MBA Programs
The purpose of an MBA program is not to make you an HR expert but to make you a well-rounded business professional who is prepared to become a leader in the field. Some of the core MBA courses that you can expect to take include:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Marketing
- Statistics and Economics
- Finance
- Business Management
- Manufacturing
- IT Systems
Once you complete the core coursework, you will enter into the concentration content. This content better prepares you to fulfill leadership roles in business operations. Here are some of the HR-related coursework that you can expect the complete as you earn an MBA in HR:
- Benefits and Compensation Management
- Employment Law
- Training and Development
- Labor Relations
- HR Management Methods
- HR in International Business
The Master’s Degree Program Majoring in Human Resources
The curriculum requirements and the admissions requirements for Master’s degree programs in HR are very different. To gain entry into an MBA program, you simply need professional experience and an undergraduate degree. For a MA or MS degree program, you must earn a Bachelor’s degree relevant to the field of HR. This is why some people transitioning their careers will choose an MBA over a Master’s.
The curriculum for Master’s degree programs are completely focused on Human Resources operations and management. Your coursework will be more focused on theory than the real-world global issues discussed in an MBA program. A Master’s degree is best suited for HR managers, compensation managers, recruiters, and executives because the following courses are required:
- Strategic HRM
- Talent Development
- Workforce Planning
- Politics in HR
- Corporate Communications
- Human Resource Information Systems
- Global Contexts in HR
No matter which program you choose, make sure that you set aside time to check the school’s and the program’s accreditation status. It is important to go to regionally accredited schools with a specialized accreditation for HR programs. Check for programs with an active endorsement from the Society of Human Resource Management and then start to cross options off of your list. Only then can you lean towards either a Master’s or an MBA in Human Resources.
