How Long Will it Take to Get a Masters in Human Resources Online?

A Master’s degree in Human Resources could be a very valuable assets in today’s competitive labor force. If you are pursuing an upper-level career in human resources, having a Master’s degree combined with experience in the field will open up opportunities that would have never been open to you with an undergraduate degree. With a Master’s degree in Human Resources, you could become a director, an HR manager, a training and development manager, or even a labor relations manager.

If you are contemplating whether or not to return to school to earn your Master’s, you may be wondering how much time you will spend earning your Master’s online. Read on and learn what you need to know so that you can map out the most effective path for career advancement.

Average Time it Takes to Complete Your Undergraduate Education

The application process to get accepted into a Master’s degree program from an accredited school excelling in distance education programs can be very competitive. One of the main reasons why the answer to the question above is not so cut and dry is because the duration it takes to complete your Master’s depends on what type of degree or coursework you have currently completed to this point.

If you already hold a Bachelor’s degree with a major in HR or a related field that required similar core curriculum, it will take you much less time to earn your Master’s because you already have the required prerequisites under your belt. If you possess an Associate’s or have only completed some college work, you will need to work towards your Bachelor’s with a focus in Human Resources before you can apply to an online Master’s degree program. As a full-time student, it generally takes 24 months to earn an AA and 48 months total to earn a Bachelor’s. You are one step closer to holding a Master’s degree as an expert in HR if you have your BA degree.

Work Experience to Get Accepted Into the Program

You must check each online program’s unique requirements before you assume that you are a good candidate for a graduate-level online program. Most schools offering a Human Resources program require students to have some work experience in the field before enrolling. This shows admissions that the prospective student is serious about pursuing a degree in the field. Experience can range between 2 years and upwards of 7.

The Duration of an Online Master’s Degree Program

Different schools have different program and credit requirements. Some programs are 45 credits, and others could be in the 60s. The average online program, if the student completes coursework full-time, can be completed in 20 to 24 months. Part-time programs will take longer based on the amount of credits you choose to complete each term. You should be realistic about the amount of coursework you can complete with your work schedule even if the classes are online.

The need for HR professionals with an advanced degree is on a rise in both the public and the private sectors. With several different HR specialties being created, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the field will grow by 22 percent by the year 2018. Now is a great time to enter a field that is rapidly changing and earn a sizable income as a upper-level HR professional.