What Can You Do With a Master’s in Human Resources Management?
As technology and business culture continues to evolve, the demand for skilled human resources (HR) professionals is expected to increase. Human resources specialists play critical roles in their organizations, assisting with recruiting, managing employee relations, disciplinary action, regulatory compliance, and training program oversight.
If you’re considering higher education, you may wonder what you can do with a master’s in human resources. Earning a Master of Arts in Human Resources Management can open the door to a range of careers, higher salaries, and senior positions in the field.
Why Is Human Resources Management Important?
Human resources management is crucial to businesses of all sizes for several reasons. Human resources specialists provide valuable insight and skills, and their roles often include the following:
- Ensuring compliance with labor laws and regulations, thereby minimizing organizations’ liabilities
- Maintaining fair practices and workplace ethics pertaining to records, employee relations, and employee complaints
- Helping organizations meet goals and objectives by hiring and developing employees who are aligned with the overall strategy
- Serving as advocates for employees in cases of discrimination, recordkeeping mistakes, compensation, and disciplinary issues
- Providing employees with access to resources and training to improve their productivity, skills, and knowledge
What Is a Master’s Degree in Human Resources?
A master’s in human resources builds on a wide range of undergraduate degrees in fields such as organizational leadership, human resources, business administration, and more. These programs focus on providing students with the in-demand skills required to build and develop professional teams that can meet and exceed their organizations’ goals.
At the graduate level, students learn to solve organizational issues in collaborative and thoughtful ways, implementing mindfulness and utilizing careful dialogue to impart change. Students also learn valuable analytical skills that help them make better, more informed decisions in a diverse workplace.
Master’s in Human Resources Career Outcomes
There are many options for what one can do with a master’s in human resources, both inside and outside of HR. Some of the most popular include human resources managers, recruiters, organizational development specialists, and talent management specialists.
Human Resources Manager
Human resources managers are responsible for coordinating the administrative side of an organization’s operations, typically as it applies to the organization’s employees. They work in virtually every industry, from manufacturing to healthcare, in climate-controlled offices during regular business hours. The human resources manager’s primary functions include the following:
- Human resources department budgeting, including for community events and gatherings
- Collaborating with executive teams in reference to employees’ annual performance goals
- Attending meetings at a variety of levels
- Creating and enforcing workflows related to hiring, training, and terminating employees
- Developing strategies to attract talent
- Improving morale through a variety of engagement practices
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), human resources managers earned a median annual salary of $136,350 as of May 2023, and positions in the field are expected to increase by about 6% between 2023 and 2033.
Talent Acquisition Manager
Talent acquisition managers help organizations of all sizes find and recruit qualified employees at every level, from entry to executive.
Among their primary functions, they are trained to identify potential candidates who possess the skills required to help an organization succeed and who are driven by the company’s values and mission statement. Responsibilities include the following:
- Creating and enforcing talent acquisition strategies in ways that meet the ever-changing needs of the organization
- Looking for and attracting top-tier talent, particularly for high-profile positions
- Building their employer’s brands in ways that improve the organization’s reputation from candidates’ perspectives
- Interviewing and analyzing potential candidates
- Finding and implementing the newest and best technologies for talent acquisition
- Overseeing recruitment teams
The median base salary for talent acquisition managers was about $88,310 a year as of October 2024, according to Payscale. However, many earn bonuses, commissions, and profit sharing, which can significantly increase earnings. According to the BLS, the employment of human resources specialists, including talent acquisition managers, is projected to rise by 8% between 2023 and 2033.
Organizational Training and Development Manager
Training and development managers are specialized human resources employees who are primarily responsible for improving companies’ productivity at every level. Their duties can vary based on the size and type of the organization, but often include the following:
- Creating and implementing training materials designed to improve employee performance
- Training employees directly and answering questions about training materials
- Overseeing programs designed to further develop employees, and training instructors on the best methods for delivering training materials
- Updating training programs and initiatives as needed to ensure organizational needs are met
According to the BLS, the median annual salary for training and development managers was $125,040 as of May 2023. Employment in this field is projected to grow by 7% between 2023 and 2033 as organizations continue to rely on trained professionals to embrace new technologies and methods designed to effectively train and develop employees.
Compensation and Benefits Manager
Compensation and benefits managers are unique in that they specialize in planning and coordinating the various programs designed to compensate an organization’s employees. These programs come in the form of salary or pay as well as benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, 401(k) savings plans, and much more. Their duties and responsibilities may vary depending on the compensation available to employees, but most compensation and benefits managers perform the following tasks regularly:
- Coordinating and following employees’ work activity, particularly as it applies to qualifying for compensation packages and programs
- Developing the pay and benefits structure
- Monitoring competitors’ wages and benefits in an effort to remain competitive in attracting talent
- Overseeing the appropriate distribution of pay and benefits
- Ensuring that compensation complies with regulations at the federal, state, and local levels
Data from the BLS shows that the median annual salary for compensation and benefits managers was $136,380 per year as of May 2023. The BLS predicts that employment in this area is expected to grow 2% between 2023 and 2033 as organizations continue to look for ways to reduce costs while compensating their employees fairly.
Prepare for Several In-Demand Careers With a Master’s in Human Resources Management
You have a range of career outcomes to consider with a master’s in human resources. Generalized careers, like human resources management, offer a diverse workflow, while specialized fields, such as compensation and benefits or talent acquisition management, give you the opportunity to further hone your skills in an area that interests you.
The online Master of Arts in Human Resources (MHR) at Claremont Lincoln University can provide you with the skills to thrive in any of these potential careers. From navigating the complexities of laws and regulations to understanding the human psyche in the workplace, successful leadership starts with you. Discover how CLU’s online MHR can prepare you for one of these rewarding careers.
Sources
Indeed, What Does an HR Manager Do? Duties, Skills and Steps
Indeed, What Is a Training and Development Manager? Plus Skills
Jotform, What Is the Importance of Human Resource Management?
Payscale, Average Talent Acquisition Manager Salary
Truity, Compensation or Benefits Manager
Upwork, What Is a Talent Acquisition Manager? Job Description and Role
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Compensation and Benefits Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Human Resources Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Human Resources Specialists
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Training and Development Managers
Claremont Lincoln University is a non-profit university offering affordable online degrees, graduate certificates, and professional development programs. Through a socially conscious education framework, CLU’s mission is to create a new leadership ecosystem through its proprietary Claremont Core®, a distinctive model that encompasses the knowledge needed to become an effective leader of positive change in the workplace or community. CLU is regionally accredited by the highly regarded WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), which ensures institutions meet strict standards and fulfill their missions to serve their students and the public good. Degree programs at CLU focus on healthcare administration, human resources, organizational leadership, management, professional studies, public administration, social impact, and sustainability leadership.
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