How to Choose the Best Online Human Resources Degree in 2023

Human resources (HR) are a vital function in any organization, as it involves managing the people who work there. HR professionals are responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, developing, compensating, and retaining employees. They also ensure compliance with labor laws, ethical standards, and organizational policies.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in HR, you may want to consider earning an online human resources degree. An online HR degree can provide you with the knowledge, skills, and credentials you need to advance in this field. You can also enjoy the flexibility and convenience of studying from anywhere, at your own pace, and according to your schedule.

But how do you choose the best online human resources degree for your needs? There are many factors to consider, such as the accreditation, curriculum, cost, duration, and reputation of the program. You also need to compare and contrast different online HR programs and see how they match your career goals and preferences.

To help you with this process, we have compiled a list of the top online human resources degree programs in 2023. We have also provided some information, benefits, and transactional details about each program. We hope that this article will help you make an informed decision and find the best online HR degree for you.

Top Online Human Resources Degree Programs in 2023

Here are some of the best online human resources degree programs that you can enroll in 2023:

1. Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) is a private, nonprofit, online university that offers 30 bachelor’s degree programs, all of which are available online. One of these online programs is the bachelor’s in human resources, which suits students seeking flexible, industry-relevant study ¹.

The WGU online HR degree program covers topics such as HR management, employment law, compensation and benefits, performance management, organizational behavior, and strategic HR planning. The program also prepares students for the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification exam, which is administered by the HR Certification Institute (HRCI).

The WGU online HR degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The program also follows the guidelines of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the world’s largest HR professional association.

The WGU online HR degree program is competency-based, which means that students can progress at their own pace and demonstrate their mastery of the subject matter through assessments. The program does not have fixed credit hours or semesters, but rather requires students to complete at least 12 competency units (CUs) per six-month term. The average time to complete the program is 36 months, but some students may finish faster or slower depending on their prior knowledge and experience.

The WGU online HR degree program is also affordable, as it charges a flat-rate tuition of $3,960 per six-month term, regardless of the number of CUs completed. This means that students can save money by completing more CUs per term. The program also offers financial aid, scholarships, and tuition assistance for eligible students.

Some of the benefits of the WGU online HR degree program are:

Flexibility and convenience: Students can study from anywhere, at any time, and at their own pace. They can also access online learning resources, such as course materials, videos, webinars, and mentors, 24/7.
Industry relevance: Students can learn from experienced faculty and industry experts, who provide feedback and guidance. They can also apply their learning to real-world scenarios and projects and prepare for the PHR certification exam.
Accreditation and recognition: Students can earn a degree that is accredited by the ACBSP and aligned with the SHRM standards. They can also join the WGU alumni network, which consists of over 200,000 graduates who work in various fields and sectors.

To enroll in the WGU online HR degree program, students need to have a high school diploma or equivalent and pass the WGU admission test. They also need to submit an online application, pay a $65 application fee, and complete an intake interview with an enrollment counselor.

2. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, nonprofit, online university that offers over 200 online degree programs, including a bachelor’s in human resource management. This program is designed for students who want to learn the fundamentals and best practices of HR in a changing workforce ².

The SNHU online HR degree program covers topics such as HR strategy, talent acquisition, employee relations, compensation and benefits, training and development, and diversity and inclusion. The program also integrates the content of the Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) certification exam, which is administered by the HRCI.

The SNHU online HR degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The program also follows the SHRM Body of Applied Skills & Knowledge (SHRM BASK), which defines the core competencies and knowledge areas for HR professionals.

The SNHU online HR degree program is delivered in an asynchronous format, which means that students can access the online courses and assignments anytime, without having to attend live sessions or meet deadlines. The program consists of 120 credits, which can be completed in four years of full-time study, or less if students transfer previous credits. The program also offers six start dates per year, allowing students to begin their studies at any time.

The SNHU online HR degree program is also affordable, as it charges a low tuition rate of $320 per credit, or $960 per three-credit course. This means that students can earn their degree for as low as $38,400, or less if they transfer previous credits. The program also offers financial aid, scholarships, and discounts for eligible students.

Some of the benefits of the SNHU online HR degree program are:

Flexibility and convenience: Students can study from anywhere, at any time, and at their own pace. They can also access online learning resources, such as course materials, videos, podcasts, and tutors, 24/7.
Industry relevance: Students can learn from faculty and industry experts, who provide feedback and guidance. They can also apply their learning to real-world scenarios and projects and prepare for the aPHR certification exam.
Accreditation and recognition: Students can earn a degree that is accredited by the ACBSP and aligned with the SHRM BASK. They can also join the SNHU alumni network, which consists of over 135,000 graduates who work in various fields and sectors.

To enroll in the SNHU online HR degree program, students need to have a high school diploma or equivalent and submit an online application. They do not need to pay an application fee or submit SAT or ACT scores. They also need to complete an academic and career goal statement and provide official transcripts from previous institutions.

3. Temple University

Temple University is a public, research university that offers over 150 online degree and certificate programs, including a bachelor’s in business administration with a concentration in human resource management. This program is designed for students who want to gain a broad understanding of business and HR in a global context ³.

The Temple online HR degree program covers topics such as business foundations, HR management, organizational behavior, labor relations, compensation and benefits, staffing and performance management, and international HR. The program also prepares students for the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) certification exam, which is administered by the SHRM.

The Temple online HR degree program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the highest level of accreditation for business schools. The program also follows the SHRM BASK, which defines the core competencies and knowledge areas for HR professionals.

The Temple online HR degree program is delivered in a synchronous format, which means that students need to attend live online sessions at scheduled times and interact with instructors and classmates. The program consists of 124 credits, which can be completed in four years of full-time study, or less if students transfer previous credits. The program also offers multiple start dates per year, allowing students to begin their studies at any time.

The Temple online HR degree program is also affordable, as it charges a tuition rate of $595 per credit, or $1,785 per three-credit course. This means that students can earn their degree for as low as $73,780, or less if they transfer previous credits. The program also offers financial aid, scholarships, and grants for eligible students.

Some of the benefits of the Temple online HR degree program are:

Flexibility and convenience: Students can study from anywhere, at any time, and at their own pace. They can also access online learning resources, such as course materials, videos, webinars, and advisors, 24/7.
Industry relevance: Students can learn from faculty and industry experts, who provide feedback and guidance. They can also apply their learning to real-world scenarios and projects and prepare for the SHRM-CP certification exam.
Accreditation and recognition: Students can earn a degree that is accredited by the AACSB and aligned with the SHRM BASK. They can also join the Temple alumni network, which consists of over 340,000 graduates who work in various fields and sectors.

To enroll in the Temple online HR degree program, students need to have a high school diploma or equivalent and submit an online application. They also need to pay a $60 application fee, and submit SAT or ACT scores, or take the Temple placement test. They also need to provide official transcripts from previous institutions, and a personal statement.

4. Colorado State University

[Colorado State University] (CSU) is a public, research university that offers over 40 online degree and certificate programs, including a bachelor’s in human resource management. This program is designed for students who want to develop the skills and knowledge to effectively manage human capital in organizations.

The CSU online HR degree program covers topics such as HR fundamentals, employment law, compensation and benefits, employee development, performance management, and strategic HR. The program also prepares students for the SHRM-CP certification exam, which is administered by the SHRM.

The CSU online HR degree program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a regional accrediting agency. The program also follows the SHRM BASK, which defines the core competencies and knowledge areas for HR professionals.

The CSU online HR degree program is delivered in an asynchronous format, which means that students can access the online courses and assignments anytime, without having to attend live sessions or meet deadlines. The program consists of 120 credits, which can be completed in four years of full-time study, or less if students transfer previous credits. The program also offers multiple start dates per year, allowing students to begin their studies at any time.

The CSU online HR degree program is also affordable, as it charges a tuition rate of $476 per credit, or $1,428 per three-credit course. This means that students can earn their degree for as low as $57,120, or less if they transfer previous credits. The program also offers financial aid, scholarships, and discounts for eligible students.

Some of the benefits of the CSU online HR degree program are:

Flexibility and convenience: Students can study from anywhere, at any time, and at their own pace. They can also access online learning resources, such as course materials, videos, podcasts, and advisors, 24/7.
Industry relevance: Students can learn from faculty and industry experts, who provide feedback and guidance. They can also apply their learning to real-world scenarios and projects and prepare for the SHRM-CP certification exam.
Accreditation and recognition: Students can earn a degree that is accredited by the HLC and aligned with the SHRM BASK. They can also join the CSU alumni network, which consists of over 230,000 graduates who work in various fields and sectors.

To enroll in the CSU online HR degree program, students need to have a high school diploma or equivalent and submit an online application. They also need to pay a $50 application fee, and submit SAT or ACT scores, or take the CSU placement test. They also need to provide official transcripts from previous institutions, and a personal statement.

5. Penn State World Campus

[Penn State World Campus] is the online division of Pennsylvania State University, a public, research university that offers over 150 online degree and certificate programs, including a bachelor’s in labor and human resources. This program is designed for students who want to learn the theories and practices of HR in a dynamic and diverse environment.

The Penn State online HR degree program covers topics such as labor relations, HR management, employment law, organizational behavior, diversity and inclusion, and HR analytics. The program also prepares students for the SHRM-CP certification exam, which is administered by the SHRM.

The Penn State online HR degree program is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), a regional accrediting agency. The program also follows the SHRM BASK, which defines the core competencies and knowledge areas for HR professionals.

The Penn State online HR degree program is delivered in an asynchronous format, which means that students can access the online courses and assignments anytime, without having to attend live sessions or meet deadlines. The program consists of 123 credits, which can be completed in four years of full-time study, or less if students transfer previous credits. The program also offers multiple start dates per year, allowing students to begin their studies at any time.

The Penn State online HR degree program is also affordable, as it charges a tuition rate of $576 per credit, or $1,728 per three-credit course. This means that students can earn their degree for as low as $70,848, or less if they transfer previous credits. The program also offers financial aid, scholarships, and grants for eligible students.

Some of the benefits of the Penn State online HR degree program are:

Flexibility and convenience: Students can study from anywhere, at any time, and at their own pace. They can also access online learning resources, such as course materials, videos, webinars, and advisors, 24/7.
Industry relevance: Students can learn from faculty and industry experts, who provide feedback and guidance. They can also apply their learning to real-world scenarios and projects and prepare for the SHRM-CP certification exam.
Accreditation and recognition: Students can earn a degree that is accredited by the MSCHE and aligned with the SHRM BASK. They can also join the Penn State alumni network, which consists of over 700,000 graduates who work in various fields and sectors.

To enroll in the Penn State online HR degree program, students need to have a high school diploma or equivalent and submit an online application. They also need to pay a $65 application fee, and submit SAT or ACT scores, or take the Penn State placement test. They also need to provide official transcripts from previous institutions, and a personal statement.

Comparison Table of Online Human Resources Degree Programs

The following table summarizes some of the key features and differences of the online human resources degree programs discussed above:

Program	Accreditation	Format	Credits	Duration	Tuition	Certification
WGU	ACBSP	Competency-based	12 CUs per term	36 months (average)	$3,960 per term	PHR
SNHU	ACBSP	Asynchronous	120	48 months (maximum)	$320 per credit	aPHR
Temple	AACSB	Synchronous	124	48 months (maximum)	$595 per credit	SHRM-CP
CSU	HLC	Asynchronous	120	48 months (maximum)	$476 per credit	SHRM-CP
Penn State	MSCHE	Asynchronous	123	48 months (maximum)	$576 per credit	SHRM-CP

How to Choose the Best Online Human Resources Degree for You

As you can see, there are many online human resources degree programs available in 2023, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. To choose the best one for you, you need to consider your personal and professional goals, preferences, and circumstances. Here are some questions to ask yourself before making a decision:

What are your career aspirations in HR? Do you want to work in a specific industry, sector, or role? Do you want to pursue further education or certification in HR?
What are your learning preferences and styles? Do you prefer to study at your own pace, or follow a structured schedule? Do you prefer to interact with instructors and classmates, or work independently? Do you prefer to learn from text, audio, video, or other formats?
What are your academic qualifications and experiences? Do you have any prior credits or degrees that you can transfer to the online HR program? Do you have any relevant work or volunteer experience in HR that you can leverage in the online HR program?
What are your financial resources and constraints? How much can you afford to spend on the online HR program? Do you qualify for any financial aid, scholarships, or discounts from the online HR program? Do you have any other sources of income or support that can help you pay for the online HR program?

By answering these questions, you can narrow down your options and find the online human resources degree program that best suits your needs. You can also compare and contrast different online HR programs using the comparison table above and visit the websites of the online HR programs for more information and details.

Conclusion

In conclusion, an online human resources degree can be a valuable investment for your future career in HR. It can provide you with the knowledge, skills, and credentials you need to succeed in this field. However, not all online HR programs are created equal, and you need to do your research and evaluation before choosing one.

In this article, we have provided you with some information, benefits, and transactional details about the top online human resources degree programs in 2023. We have also provided you with a comparison table and some questions to help you make an informed decision. We hope that this article will help you find the best online HR degree for you.