Online MBA: Human Resource Management
Online MBA: Human Resource Management
journey today.
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an Emphasis in Strategic Human Resource Management offered by Grand Canyon University guides you through core concepts in recruiting, nurturing and leveraging human capital. As a graduate degree candidate, you will be taught to apply sound theory and research to further organizational success. Offered by the Colangelo College of Business, this MBA is designed to challenge you in order to spark academic growth and professional development.
This MBA HRM emphasis degree teaches you how to manage important aspects of HR, including employee relations, talent acquisition, staff turnover and company benefits. You will be challenged to think critically about modern challenges in SHRM and how HR leaders can best support organizational goals and growth.
Human capital is invaluable for business success. Strategic human resource management is a proactive approach to developing talent. It aims to achieve long-term business objectives and meet organizational challenges. Strategic human resource management emphasizes the fostering of a positive and efficient company culture that embraces innovation.1
The Colangelo College of Business strives to graduate responsible, community-minded servant leaders who are committed to promoting ethical business practices that respect and benefit all involved stakeholders.
6%
Estimated job growth for human resources managers from 2023 to 20332
The curriculum for our MBA programs is intended to nurture both professional and personal growth in future business leaders.
There are three main principles of the Colangelo College of Business.
Business as a force for good
Conduct business guided by conscious capitalism to elevate humanity in your community and all around the world.
Free markets and purpose for prosperity
There is a higher purpose of business. Orient your business around your stakeholders for long-term success.
Business as ministry
Love, care and support your team through a Christian perspective.
Online Learning for Busy Professionals
This online MBA HR emphasis degree can be completed via our intuitive e-learning platform. Our online classroom community can provide robust opportunities for peer engagement and intellectually stimulating discussions while offering a more convenient and flexible method of learning. Many graduate students may choose to continue working while pursuing their degree on a flexible schedule. You can benefit from guidance from knowledgeable faculty and be immersed within a supportive online learning community.
This Degree Is Offered Online
Admissions and Transfer Credit Policies
We encourage you to contact a university counselor during the process, who can provide personalized guidance and answer any questions you may have.
Our admission process is straightforward and accessible. If you are interested in applying to the online MBA with an emphasis in HR, please visit our graduate and doctoral online admission requirements page to get started.
We welcome graduate students who are interested in transferring previously earned credits. If you started but did not finish a graduate degree at another educational institution, visit the transfer center to get an idea of how many of your credits might transfer. Then, submit your transcript and speak to one of our university counselors.
One human resource management emphasis includes coursework on general business principles, with a focus on human resource management. The broad curriculum explores competencies in everything from finance and economics to daily business operations to the use of HR as a competitive advantage in the corporate landscape.
Some of the course topics you will cover include:
The use of HR management as a business strategy
Human capital
Methods and concepts of strategic management
Leadership within organizations
Managing operations
Examine Specialized Business Skills for HR Management
During this program, you will have opportunities to acquire an in-depth understanding of the strategic human resource management process and how HR practices support the overall vision of an organization.
As an MBA candidate, you will be taught skills and competencies such as:
This advanced degree program guides you in exploring core foundational knowledge of sound business principles, as well as specialized knowledge in strategic human resource management.
Some of the additional learning objectives include the following:
The curriculum for this MBA HR emphasis is aligned with the standards and core competencies outlined by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM).
View All MBA Programs
Discover the various MBA emphases here:
Strategic human resource management is widely recognized by corporations and public agencies as being integral for long-term achievements. Graduates will have been taught an in-depth understanding of how to align the responsibilities of human resources with departmental and organizational objectives.
Human resources managers can work across all types of industries and sectors, including government agencies, healthcare organizations and manufacturing companies.3
Some of the career opportunities that may be related to this degree include:
Human resources manager
Training and development manager
Compensation, benefits and job analysis specialist
Human resource specialist
Administrative services manager
The Colangelo College of Business includes core programs that have achieved additional accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). In addition to a range of other degree programs, this MBA with an Emphasis in Strategic Human Resources Management maintains accreditation from ACBSP.
GCU is proud to be an institutionally accredited university — a reflection of our dedication to academic quality. The Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The Colangelo College of Business shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read through some frequently asked questions to further explore the potential for advancing your career with an advanced degree focused in HR.
Obtaining an advanced degree in human resources can give you the additional education you desire to pursue growth as a professional in HR. Since MBA coursework is broader than a non-MBA HR degree, it can allow opportunities to explore the many different areas of business. This versatility may enhance your professional practice and provide the potential to explore other career paths after graduation.
Additionally, in May 2023, human resources managers had a median annual wage of $136,350, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).4
With an MBA being a versatile degree, there are many roles an MBA HRM emphasis may help you prepare for. Ultimately, this particular specialization is for people who want to be effective liaisons between employees and employers. Your degree can teach the skills needed to see and balance both sides of the equation – the needs of the stakeholders and the needs of the employees.
This degree covers a breadth of topics designed to teach general business competencies, as well as key skills in strategic human resource management. You will dive deep into course topics such as accounting, finance, marketing, leadership and management strategies, to name a few.
Coursework in this program will cover topics that can prepare you for HR management and the strategic optimization of the human capital of an organization. Topics such as talent management, employee development and succession planning, along with business topics like accounting, economics and marketing combine to teach you about leading others and your industry.
The Society for Strategic Human Resource Management, or SHRM, is a professional association that promotes best practices in this field and advocates for human resources professionals. It also establishes standards and competencies in education. This MBA human resource management emphasis adheres to SHRM standards and competencies. You can feel confident that you are examining modern, widely accepted strategies in your classes.
Strategic human resource management can accomplish many goals, but its primary purpose is to build a foundation in which HR functions (e.g., managing human capital) can support and further business goals and outcomes. To accomplish this mission, HR professionals can use best practices across different functions, including attracting, hiring and retaining mission-oriented team members, curating a positive and supportive company culture, enhancing organizational performance and practicing sound risk management.1
Unlock HR Leadership Opportunities
Elevate organizational goals through transformative HR practices.
1 Price, J. (2023, Feb. 8). Why HR is Key To Executive Success: How The Human Resources Function Impacts Business Growth. Forbes. Retrieved Sept. 17, 2024.
2 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Human Resources Managers.
3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). Human Resources Managers: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Sept. 17, 2024.
4 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Human Resources Managers as of May 2023, retrieved on Sept. 17, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as human resources managers, nor does it reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc., against a pool of candidates.