Online MBA: Human Resource Management
Use Strategic HR Processes To Grow a Positive Company Culture
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.
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
- Undergraduate Degree*
- 2.8+ GPA
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
- GMAT: 500
- GRE: 300 combined**
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
Help Employees Thrive at Work With HR
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.(See disclaimer 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.
Estimated job growth for human resources managers from 2023 to 2033(See disclaimer 2)
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.
Methods and Concepts of Strategic Human Resource Management
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).
Explore HR Careers After Graduation
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.(See disclaimer 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
Earn Your MBA HRM Emphasis From an Accredited University
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.
Is an MBA in strategic human resource management emphasis worth it?
What can I do with an MBA HR management emphasis?
What are the degree requirements for an MBA with a strategic human resource management emphasis?
What is the coursework for an MBA HR emphasis?
Does an MBA strategic human resource management emphasis align with the SHRM standards?
What is the primary purpose of strategic human resource management?
Program Curriculum
Fundamental Courses
Fundamental courses prepare students for the curricular content they will encounter within the program. Upon evaluation of their transcripts, students with the appropriate undergraduate degree(s) may wave fundamental course(s). All students will undergo transcript evaluations upon receipt of their undergraduate degree bearing official transcript. For college specific information regarding fundamental coursework, students should refer to the University Policy Handbook.
Core Courses
Elevate organizational goals through transformative HR practices.
- 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.
- 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.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). Human Resources Managers: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Sept. 17, 2024.
- 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.