phd after mba in hr

Is it Possible to Get My PhD After My MBA?

In academia, numerous accomplishments can be achieved. You can earn a dual degree and have expertise in multiple fields, or further your career potential by going back to school . But what about progressing from an MBA to a PhD? 

In regards to higher education, many consider earning a PhD, or doctorate degree, the pinnacle of success. Usually, due to passion for a particular industry or subject, a PhD candidate will spend years of rigorous research to unpack its intricacies and become a leading expert in the field.  At the end of their studies, they are able to finally see their work come to fruition when they receive their doctorate and join alongside other scholars. However, is it typical for an MBA graduate to move onto pursuing their PhD? And is there a specific purpose? Are there different types of PhD programs? What is the difference between a PhD and DBA?

To answer the budding question: yes, you can pursue your PhD after earning your MBA, and choosing to earn a doctorate is entirely up to you and your aspirations. To help you better understand if getting a PhD is the right choice, we look at the path an MBA graduate can take to earn their PhD, one of the higher purposes of a doctorate, and the different types of academic programs. 

What is a PhD, and What is it Used For? 

By definition, a PhD is a Doctor of Philosophy in a particular discipline, which is why it's also referred to as a doctorate. This focus is typically for individuals highly passionate about a specific subject matter, driven by the pursuit to understand it better through rigorous research. A majority of students seeking their PhD are eager researchers, although there are always exceptions, and each carries out years of highly intensive research to conclude their original thesis and earn their doctorate. 

In terms of translating your education into a career, a doctorate can be used in a plethora of fields, especially if one’s thesis is around a wider subject matter and can be a discipline applied to various industries (take organizational development, for example). For those who are passionate about a career in research, a doctoral degree is a perfect fit. Possibly the most popular field for those with a doctorate is a fruitful career in academia, teaching their subject matter to others interested in the same area. Many graduates become faculty members at business schools upon completing their PhD and provide their expertise to their students. Regardless of which industry you choose, you can be assured that a PhD will provide you with numerous opportunities. 

How Long Does it Take to Progress from an MBA to PhD?

The timeframe for earning your PhD can vary depending on program and location. Many countries have varying timelines of how long the completion of a doctoral program will take. In the United States, the average is around 4-5 years of completion after receiving your Master of Business Administration. 

Do You Need an MBA to Get a PhD?

To be accepted into a doctoral program, you must have a master’s degree. It does not have to be a Master of Business Administration, but it does need to be a master’s of some form. Depending on your area of specialization, it could be advantageous to earn your MBA in pursuit of a PhD if you are planning to embark on a career in business upon completion of your doctorate. Additionally, one important aspect to consider is the program itself. It is important to look into a program’s requirements before applying to meet the eligibility criteria. 

The Difference Between a DBA and a PhD 

For those specifically interested in a career in business, a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a highly beneficial doctoral program. A DBA focuses on a broader spectrum of business disciplines, dedicating research toward multiple corporate facets, and practical implementation. On the contrary, a PhD narrows into a specific area of discipline and research, emphasizing theory, and it’s potential implications. While both are heavily centered around research and implementation, a DBA sets business executives and leaders on a path to discover new possibilities for their organizations and businesses. In a way, it allows established business professionals to “trailblaze” the way for new and innovative ideas that can disrupt the market and set a precedent for the future of business.

Get Your MBA or DBA at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School

At Pepperdine Graziadio, we proudly offer degrees to accommodate business professionals at any stage of their lives and careers. Our full and part-time MBA programs are designed to prepare candidates for a successful career in values-based business leadership. All of our MBA programs offer a personalized learning approach executed by our world-class faculty. Each program is characterized by its top-ranked business curriculum that can be coupled with an academic concentration. 

Our Executive Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program has been carefully designed for the tenured business leader looking to drive groundbreaking innovations. This rigorous program allows candidates to gain in-depth knowledge and finetune their expertise through applied research. Also, executives enjoy learning alongside changemakers in various industries and participating in exclusive opportunities available only to DBA candidates.

Learn more about which programs fit your career aspirations and academic interests.

Learn more about how to achieve your career goals with a degree from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School.

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Online PhD in Human Resources

• Published August 31, 2018
• Last Updated January 22, 2023

Find Your Degree!

This article features the top 15 Online Ph.D. Programs in Human Resources.

An online Ph.D. in human resources is ideal for professionals in the field. On-campus doctoral degree programs require a significant time commitment. And in many cases, candidates need to relocate. However, an online Ph.D. is much more flexible. These programs are still quite rigorous. However, they allow busy working professionals to schedule their human resource studies around prior commitments. 

Human resources is a growing field, and those in HR management can expect to make an average of $126,230 annually. However, management and leadership positions require high-level training. And that’s where an online doctorate comes in. 

In this post, we’ve ranked 15 of the best online PhD programs in human resources. You will note that these programs are affordable. And they offer the same academic experience you would get on campus. Most take three to five years to complete. 

We’ve highlighted a range of online degrees. Some are entirely asynchronous and allow for maximum flexibility. Other programs are more structured and require a few campus visits each year. And a few are hybrid programs combining online and on-campus instruction. 

If you’re considering pursuing an online Ph.D. program in human resources, check out this list. 

You may also like: Top 20 PhD in Human Resources Programs (Online and On-campus)

Online Ph.D. Human Resources Methodology

To identify the top 15 online Ph.D. human resources programs, we started with a search on NCES College Navigator. From there, we created a list of colleges offering online doctoral programs in human resources.

From our list, we created a rating system (seen below) to select the best Ph.D. in human resources online programs. Where there were ties, we favored the doctoral programs with the lower graduate tuition rate. Please note that the tuition rates listed are based on in-state costs per academic year. The costs for non-residents or for online doctorate degree students may differ.

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

• 15:1 or less= 3 Points
• Greater than 15:1= 1 Point

Average Graduate Tuition Rate

• Less than $15,000 per year= 5 Points
• Between $15,000 and $20,000 per year= 3 Point
• More than $20,000 per year= 1 Point

Overall Graduation Rate

• Greater than 80%= 3 Point
• 80% or Less= 1 Point

Below are 15 schools that offer the best Phd in human resources online

Summary of Top 15 Ph.D. Human Resource Online Programs:

Ranking the top online ph.d. programs in human resources , #15 – regent university – virginia beach, virginia .

Online Doctorate in Human Resources:

Ph.d. in organizational leadership-human resource development .

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $15,590 

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges 

Doctorate in Human Resources Score:  5

Regent University offers an online Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership. There are five concentrations. This allows students to personalize the program to meet their goals and interests. They include: 

• Ecclesial Leadership
• Entrepreneurial Leadership
• Human Resource Development
• Individualized Studies
• Organizational Leadership

This human resources program requires 60 credit hours of graduate studies. This degree prepares students to influence their organizations as teachers, scholars, and leaders. They will learn to analyze the impact of cultural, political, and religious trends. And they will become influential human resource managers in the human resources field. This is a research-based terminal degree that is taught from a Christian worldview. Some of the core courses include: 

• Organizational Theory & Design 
• Organizational Behavior 
• Design of Adult Learning Communities 
• Ethical Human Resource Development 
• Trends in Organizational Leadership Research 

After completing all coursework successfully, students of this Regent University online Phd will have comprehensive exams. They will then begin work on their dissertations. 

#14 – Sullivan University – Louisville, Kentucky 

Ph.D. in Management – Human Resource Leadership 

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $15,840 

Doctorate in Human Resources Score:  7

Sullivan University features an innovative online PhD in Management Program. And students can further customize the program with a Human Resource Leadership concentration. It is ideal for students planning to work in human resources departments or as human resource managers.

Sullivan uses a scholar-practitioner model. This prepares students to become both leaders and scholars in their organizations. No GRE or GMAT is required for admission. And it can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis, allowing for maximum flexibility. Students will take core management courses plus human-resource-related courses. Some of these may include: 

• Workforce Analytics and Technology 
• Organizations and External Environments 
• Proposal Development
• Human Capital Management 
• Human Capital Effectiveness

This PhD in hr management online program is excellent for students who are currently working. And it is also ideal for those with too many commitments to attend a Ph.D. program in person. There are no residencies or on-campus visits required. So it can be completed from anywhere with an internet connection. It is also one of the few doctoral human resource programs that can be completed full or part-time. 

Sullivan features a professional and dedicated faculty that mentors students throughout the human resources program. The school has the lowest student to faculty ratio on our list. And candidates will work with peers from all over the world on research projects. 

#13 – Capella University – Minneapolis, Minnesota 

Human Resource Management Specialization-PhD in Business Management 

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $14,784 

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission 

Capella University offers an online PhD in Business Management. Students can further customize this program with a concentration in Human Resource Management. This Ph.D. in human resource management online program focuses on the practical applications of HR. Students will learn about emerging trends and new technology from diverse perspectives. And the rigorous curriculum will teach candidates to become effective human resources managers.

This top PhD in human resources features a flexible course load. This allows students to take between one and three courses each quarter. Some of the courses in this 90-credit program include: 

• Foundations of Human Resource Theory and Practice 
• Creating Adaptive, Innovative Workplaces 
• Attracting and Retaining Talent 
• Human Resource Practices for Developing Talent 

Students will complete core coursework, electives, exams, and a dissertation. There is no need to go to the Minneapolis campus. Instead, the required residencies can be completed virtually. The program is also ACBSP-accredited. Some of the skills candidates will learn in this program include: 

• Hiring the best staff 
• Staying current with HR trends 
• Evaluating HR practices 
• Using research-backed strategies in the workplace

Capella uses a GuidedPath format for this program. This format allows students to interact with their peers and faculty. There is a set schedule, and students are required to meet the deadlines. This makes it an ideal program for those who need a structured format. Online students benefit from the same rigorous curriculum as their on-campus counterparts. And they earn the same human resource management degree.

#12 – Bellevue University – Bellevue, Nebraska 

Ph.D. in Human Capital Management 

For more information: Bellevue University  

Average Graduation Tuition Rate: $10,980 

Bellevue University features an online PhD in Human Capital Management. This executive-level program is focused on the latest knowledge in the hr management field. Students will need to complete 51 credit hours to meet the major requirements. And the HR coursework at Bellevue University is divided into easy-to-follow modules.

Students in this human capital management Bellevue program learn the skills to treat employees as valuable assets. This unique approach provides them with a deeper understanding of organizational dynamics. Additionally, candidates at Bellevue University develop strong research and analytical skills. And they collaborate with other PhD human capital management students and faculty throughout the program. This allows them to network with human resource professionals all over the country. Some of the courses in this human resource management online program include: 

• Human Learning and Decision Making
• Economics of Human Capital Valuation Issues
• Research in Organizations
• Qualitative Methods
• Performance Management
• Strategic Human Capital Management
• Assessing Human Capital Effectiveness

This top online human resource management degree program also requires a dissertation and a comprehensive exam. The dissertation involves an extensive research project around human capital management. Students will address and solve a real-world HR program in an organization.

#11 – Colorado State University – Fort Collins, Colorado 

Ph.D. in Education and Human Resource Studies 

For more information: Colorado State University  

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $10,834 

This top HR online PhD from Colorado State University is focused on organizational performance and change. This is a hybrid human resource management degree program designed for working human resource professionals. Students will complete some work online. However, the program also requires candidates to meet biweekly on Saturday mornings. This takes place at the Colorado State University Denver campus.

Faculty are all industry experts with extensive research experience in the hr management field. And they specialize in areas like: 

• Socialization and onboarding 
• Constructivist inquiry 
• Workplace learning systems 
• Leadership scenario planning 
• Political, social, and relational aspects of the workplace 

The curriculum features a blend of coursework. And it is designed to focus on research skills and applied expertise. Students take two courses each semester and move through the program as a cohort. This allows them to develop professional relationships with colleagues in the hr management field. Some of the courses in the online doctorate degree program include: 

• Theory and Practice of Change 
• Organizational Learning, Performance, Change
• Scenario Planning in Organizations
• Social, Cultural, and Political Foundations of the Workplace 

Candidates in this program will work on growth-oriented practical activities. This allows them to walk away with knowledge they can immediately apply to their work. This highly selective program is open to only a few applicants each year.

#10– Old Dominion University – Norfolk, Virginia 

Ph.D. Occupational and Technical Studies Concentration, Human Resources Training Emphasis 

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $10,207 

ODU offers one of the top online PhD in Human Resources programs. This degree has an occupation and technical studies concentration with an HR training emphasis. And it is designed to prepare students for government, industry, and business leadership positions. Through this program, students will develop skills aligned with the following: 

• The Association for Talent Development Standards 
• The International Society for Performance Improvement Standards 

Candidates will need to complete a minimum of 60 credit hours. There are two residencies that require students to be on the Norfolk campus. These are each two weeks long and take place during the summer. Other than these two experiences, no additional campus visits are required. Students will complete core research, HR, and elective courses. They will also need to complete a dissertation. Some of the online courses include for this human resource management degree include:

• Principles and Practices of Human Performance 
• Human Performance Assessment 
• Trends and Issues of Economic and Workforce Development 
• Instructional Systems Design 
• Research Design and Analysis 

Some courses meet at specific times online. However, students can complete much of the coursework on their own schedule. All students have an expert faculty mentor to guide them throughout the program. And they also have access to many online resources. This includes tutoring, the library, a writing center, career coaching, and more. 

See Also: 5 Careers for a Human Resources Ph.D. Graduate  

#9 – Indiana Wesleyan University – Marion, Indiana 

Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership

For more information: Indiana Wesleyan University 

Average Graduation Tuition Rate: $9,715 

Indiana Wesleyan University offers an excellent online PhD degree in Organizational Leadership. This hybrid program is delivered through a blend of onsite and online classes. IWU is a Christian university providing a Christ-centered doctoral program. And it is based on the latest research and best practices in the field. Students can earn their degrees in just 40 months. And all candidates move through the program as a cohort. 

Online PhD students complete three week-long summer institutes in person. During this time, they will attend workshops and events. And they will have plenty of networking opportunities with other human resources managers. Some of the core courses for this popular human resources online PhD program include: 

• Organization Theory and Design 
• Change, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship 
• Organizational and Adult Learning 
• Advanced Research Design 
• Global Perspectives on Leadership 
• Ethics and Leadership 

This program offers a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions. As a result, it is highly flexible. It emphasizes leadership through a multicultural and global lens. And it is specifically focused on integrity, inclusion, and international perspectives. The program is ideal for candidates who want to develop their skills for work in human resources departments, leadership, consulting, and more.

At under $10,000 per academic year, IWU offers one of the best online doctorate programs for affordability. The school has regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission.

#8 – University of Southern Mississippi – Hattiesburg, Mississippi 

Doctor of Philosophy in Human Capital Development 

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $9,094 

The University of Southern Mississippi offers a hybrid Ph.D. in Human Capital Development. This internationally-recognized program combines on-campus learning with online instruction. So students will need to live near the campus to be eligible. Faculty are all experts in the field. And they bring their experience into the classroom. As a result, candidates gain a broad understanding of topics such as: 

• Workforce Development 
• Performance Improvement 
• Human Capital Analytics 
• Organizational Culture 
• Change Leadership 
• Strategic Planning 

To complete the program, students must complete a minimum of 54 hours of graduate study. This includes core, elective, and research courses. Additionally, all candidates are required to complete a comprehensive examination and research dissertation. Some of the courses in this hybrid program may include: 

• Research in Human Capital Development 
• Change Leadership in Human Capital Development 
• Emerging Technologies for Human Capital Development 

The partially online PhD program is offered through the USM School of Leadership. At just over $9,000 per academic year, it’s one of the best online doctorate programs for affordability. Additionally, financial assistance is available. For example, the university has over 900 assistantships available for graduate students. Assistants receive full tuition waivers and stipends. Federal financial aid, scholarships, and grants are also available for this doctoral program. 

Related: Online Master’s in Human Resources in Mississippi  

#7 – Bowling Green State University – Bowling Green, Ohio

Ph.D. in Technology Management-Human Resource Development and Training 

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $8,017 

BGSU offers a high-quality education with it’s online PhD in Technology Management. This program features several concentrations, including one in Human Resource Development and Training. This online degree is delivered in cooperation with five other nationally-accredited universities. And it is designed to teach leadership skills to today’s technical HR professionals.

Students in this program will be equipped for high level roles as training and development managers. The curriculum is rigorous, and the program requires 66 credit hours for completion. Some of the courses include: 

• Internet Research Methods 
• Legal and Ethical Dimensions of HRD Practitioners 
• Management and Coordination of Training and Development 
• Improving Human Performance in Organizations 
• Evaluation of Human Resource Development Programs 

Candidates will also complete nine credit hours of professional studies. These can be independent study courses or electives. Or they may be projects or internships that relate to their specialization. Students will work with their instructors to design the coursework. Internships can also be designed to provide doctoral students with practical experience.

This program is unique, with students participating from all over the country. And it is ideal for students who want to earn a Ph.D. but cannot relocate due to prior commitments. Additionally, at just over $8,000 per academic year, it is one of the best online doctorate programs in terms of affordability.

Related: 10 Best Internships for Human Resource Majors

#6 – University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, Arkansas 

EdD in Human Resource and Workforce Development Education 

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $7,875 

UARK offers an EdD in Human Resource and Workforce Development Education. The university has provided this top online HR doctorate degree for over seven years. As a result, the curriculum has evolved to meet current HR trends. In addition, students can complete the program 100 percent online. And there are no on-campus residency requirements. This makes it an excellent choice for busy working HR professionals and training and development specialists.

New students are admitted each fall, spring, and summer semester. Students must complete at least 96 total semester hours of graduate studies. Some of the courses in this online program include: 

• Qualitative Research Design and Analysis 
• Quantitative Research Design and Analysis 
• Project and Program Evaluation 
• History and Foundations of Human Resources
• Organization Development 
• Human Resource Training & Development 
• Entrepreneurial Development 

Exceptionally promising new students to the doctoral program may qualify for financial assistance. This includes tuition waivers, assistantships, and fellowships. Additionally, some students may be eligible for a stipend. However, this is one of the most affordable human resources doctoral programs online.

Although the program is remote, it requires a significant time commitment. The university allows candidates seven years to complete the doctoral degree. An exam and dissertation are required. Additionally, students must take the GRE to be considered for admission to this workforce development education program.

Related: Online Master’s in Human Resources in Arkansas

#5 – Liberty University – Lynchburg, Virginia 

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Human Resources 

For more information: Liberty University

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $7,847 

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges 

The HR Business Administration program at Liberty University is a fully remote. And it takes just three-and-a-half years to complete. HR courses are delivered in a convenient online format with optional intensives. And because the coursework is asynchronous, you can complete the human resources degree at your own pace. For flexibility, Liberty University has one of the best online HR management doctoral programs on our list. 

Students in the Liberty University program gain practical, real-world knowledge. And this knowledge is designed to carry over from the classroom to the workplace. As a result, candidates will learn to solve complex HR problems in their organizations. Some of the featured HR business administration courses may include: 

• Workforce Planning
• Employment Compensation Management 
• Human Resource Development 
• Strategic Thinking for Decision-Making 

This rigorous and challenging online doctorate human resources degree program sets candidates apart and prepares them for advanced roles in human resources departments. As with most business schools, students will gain specialized knowledge in leadership, finance, accounting, and many other areas. Graduates of this HR business administration program have found satisfying careers as: 

• Recruitment Specialists 
• Development Specialists 
• Compensation and Benefits Managers 
• Human Resources Directors

Professors keep students engaged through hands-on case studies and experiential exercises. All these experiences are designed to prepare students for high-level leadership positions. Liberty University is a leader in providing high-quality education online. As a result, the school has many support resources to help HR business administration students succeed. Liberty also offers a master’s degree in HR.

#4 – University of Texas at Tyler – Tyler, Texas 

Ph.D. in Human Resource Development 

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $6,264 

The University of Texas at Tyler features a hybrid Ph.D. in Human Resource Development. This program requires students to come to campus just five times each semester. And candidates can earn their doctoral human resources degree in only two-and-a-half years of study. Faculty includes Dr. Jerry Gilley, the author of the first textbook on HR development principles. 

Students will work alongside expert professors on a range of research projects in HR. It is offered through the Soules College of Business, one of the best business schools in the country. To be considered, applicants need a master’s degree in HR or a related field. Additionally, they should have a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale on previous master’s degree coursework. Some of the online coursework includes: 

• Talent Management and Development 
• Proposal Development 
• Foundations of Qualitative Research 
• Leadership Theory and Practice 
• Advanced Theoretical Foundations of HRD 
• Advanced Quantitative Research in HRD 

An exam is required after completing all coursework. Then, students will work on a dissertation of original research. Candidates have five years to complete the program after admission. Transfer coursework is not accepted.

At just over $6,000 per academic year, UT Tyler offers one of the best online doctorate programs for affordability. Financial support for this human resources management online program is available. This includes scholarships, grants, loans, and Federal financial aid. Additionally, students may apply for various fellowships and assistantships. 

See also: Online Master’s in Human Resources in Texas

#3 – Johnson & Wales University – Providence, Rhode Island 

Doctor of Business Administration – Organization Development 

For more information: Johnson & Wales University

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $14,706 

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education Doctorate in Doctorate in Human Resources Doctorate in Human Resources Score:  9

Johnson & Wales offers a DBA with a concentration in Organizational Development. This is a fully remote program with no on-campus residencies. Online students will work with a small group of cohorts, generally under 18 participants. And they will have the opportunity to collaborate on various projects with faculty and other human resources professionals. The curriculum teaches students to solve complex business challenges. And it gives them the practical skills to become innovators within the human resources field. 

Online students work on one eight-week course at a time. And most courses in the human resources management online program are asynchronous. This means there are no set class times. Instead, students can complete their studies on their own schedule. This flexibility is excellent for those who are currently working. Some of the courses in this business administration HR management program include: 

• Innovation and Change 
• Organizational Strategy and Design 
• Leading and Managing Large-Scale Transformation 
• Contemporary Leadership Issues 
• Research Design 
• Executive Decision-Making 

The entire HR business administration program can be completed in three years. Students will also need to complete a dissertation and oral defense. However, Johnson & Wales has a unique lock-step dissertation process. This model guides students methodically through the dissertation. 

The student to faculty ratio at the school is an impressive 15:1. And all faculty at Johnson & Wales hold terminal degrees in their fields. And students will develop relationships with faculty mentors. These instructors will guide them throughout the HR business administration program. Additionally, they will develop a network of HR professionals and colleagues. And this will assist them long after they have completed the program. The college also offers a master’s degree in human resource management.

#2 – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – Champaign, Illinois 

EdD in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership with a concentration in HR Development 

Average Graduation Tuition Rate: $14,635 

Doctorate in Human Resources Score:  9

The University of Illinois College of Education features an online EdD program. This program offers a unique concentration in HR Development. The program is designed to improve individual learning and workplace development in organizations. This top online doctorate in HR management includes courses like: 

• Principles in Human Resource Education
• Instructional and Training System Design
• Learning Technologies
• Organization Development
• Advanced Theories in Human Resource Development

Students in this program will receive a offers a high-quality education from one of the most popular colleges in the country. They will learn to design, implement, and evaluate HR programs. And they will learn to become innovative training and development managers. This online doctorate degree is ideal for those who want to pursue an academic career in employee relations. But graduates of this online education program have also found employment in health care, financial services, and more.

#1 – Northcentral University – San Diego, California 

Doctor of Philosophy in Human Resource Management 

Average Graduation Tuition Rate: $10,260 

Our top choice for a PhD in Human Resources online is Northcentral University. This program is designed for individuals seeking leadership positions or work in academia. And it is one of the most flexible doctoral programs to make our list. Students can earn their degrees from anywhere in the world. There are no group assignments, scheduled lectures, or semester start dates. Faculty have all earned their doctorate degrees. And they are eager to share their knowledge and experience with their students. As a result, candidates receive one-on-one mentoring. Some of the courses include: 

• Labor Relations
• Human Resources Management in the 21st Century
• Organizational Behavior in Human Resources Management
• Legal Issues in Human Resources Management
• Strategic Human Resource Management
• Compensation Management

The program requires 60 credit hours and takes an average of 49 months to complete. However, some students finish in as little as 38 months. In addition, the school offers six full-tuition scholarships to incoming Ph.D. students. Federal financial aid, loans, grants, and other scholarships are also available for this online learning program.

This is a research-based degree human resources program. And it prepares students to contribute their knowledge to the HR field. The unique one-on-one learning model ensures that all students get personalized attention. Northcentral further supports its online students with a wealth of virtual resources.

The school also offers a master’s degree in human resource management.

The work of HR may constitute the most varied “to-do list” among all occupations. It includes a wide range of administrative tasks such as benefits and payroll. But it also involves interacting with personnel, development, and training. 

There has been strong global competition and technological advancements in the field. As a result, organizations have made allowances for inevitable changes. This planning is the backbone of human resources management. And it forms the basis for modern HR management doctoral degree programs.

Online vs. On-Campus Doctorate

Online learning provides a flexible option for professionals in the field. These programs offer the same courses of study and are taught with the same rigor. As a result, they lead to the same professional opportunities after graduation. PhD human resources online programs are ideal for students who have family or other obligations. And they are more hassle-free in regard to commuting or scheduling.

What Courses Will I Take for an Online HR Ph.D. Program?

Prospective students pursuing a Ph.D. in HR management can expect to take a range of courses. Generally, these will be online human resource courses that teach the following objectives: 

• Global Conceptions of Leadership
• Leadership and Individual Development
• Application of Research Methods
• Organizational and Adult Learning
• Team Building

The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the top professional organization in the field. And it lists these disciplines within the industry:

• Health, Safety, and Security of Employees
• Employee Relations
• Rewards, Compensations, and Benefits
• Organizational Development

These topics will likely be covered in online doctorate in human resources programs. Additionally, some colleges and universities offer an array of concentrations. As a result, prospective online students can choose an online learning program that most closely aligns with their goals.

What Is an Accelerated Online Human Resources Ph.D. Degree Program?

An accelerated online Ph.D. program uses shorter teaching sessions. For example, instead of the traditional 16 weeks, students take online education courses in seven, eight, or ten-week increments. If you take extra credits each semester, you can earn your degree faster. Accelerated programs are ideal if your goal is to earn your Ph.D. quickly. However, additional stress accompanies such accelerated programs. So you should consider your strengths and weaknesses before enrolling in an accelerated online phd program.

Can I Still Work While Pursuing My Ph.D. in Human Resources Online?

For many students, undertaking a Ph.D. in human resources is a full-time job. However, sometimes necessity requires that you continue working while earning your Ph.D. in HR management. Ideally, you will find employment in the field. This way, you will see the day-to-day applications of your studies. The workload of traditional vs. online Ph.D. programs is the same. A good rule of thumb is to plan on spending around 40 hours a week studying for your degree. This guideline can help you determine if it will still be feasible to work while pursuing an online education.

What Are the Graduation Requirements for an Online Ph.D. in HR?

Generally, the doctorate degree requirements are between 58 and 66 credit hours. And there is typically a minimum of 20 courses. You must also pass a comprehensive examination and produce your dissertation to earn your degree in HR management.

This concludes our ranking of the best online phd programs human resources

• Harvard Business School →
• Doctoral Programs →

PhD Programs

• Accounting & Management
• Business Economics
• Health Policy (Management)
• Organizational Behavior
• Technology & Operations Management

Students in our PhD programs are encouraged from day one to think of this experience as their first job in business academia—a training ground for a challenging and rewarding career generating rigorous, relevant research that influences practice.

Our doctoral students work with faculty and access resources throughout HBS and Harvard University. The PhD program curriculum requires coursework at HBS and other Harvard discipline departments, and with HBS and Harvard faculty on advisory committees. Faculty throughout Harvard guide the programs through their participation on advisory committees.

How do I know which program is right for me?

There are many paths, but we are one HBS. Our PhD students draw on diverse personal and professional backgrounds to pursue an ever-expanding range of research topics. Explore more here about each program’s requirements & curriculum, read student profiles for each discipline as well as student research , and placement information.

The PhD in Business Administration grounds students in the disciplinary theories and research methods that form the foundation of an academic career. Jointly administered by HBS and GSAS, the program has five areas of study: Accounting and Management , Management , Marketing , Strategy , and Technology and Operations Management . All areas of study involve roughly two years of coursework culminating in a field exam. The remaining years of the program are spent conducting independent research, working on co-authored publications, and writing the dissertation. Students join these programs from a wide range of backgrounds, from consulting to engineering. Many applicants possess liberal arts degrees, as there is not a requirement to possess a business degree before joining the program

The PhD in Business Economics provides students the opportunity to study in both Harvard’s world-class Economics Department and Harvard Business School. Throughout the program, coursework includes exploration of microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, probability and statistics, and econometrics. While some students join the Business Economics program directly from undergraduate or masters programs, others have worked in economic consulting firms or as research assistants at universities or intergovernmental organizations.

The PhD program in Health Policy (Management) is rooted in data-driven research on the managerial, operational, and strategic issues facing a wide range of organizations. Coursework includes the study of microeconomic theory, management, research methods, and statistics. The backgrounds of students in this program are quite varied, with some coming from public health or the healthcare industry, while others arrive at the program with a background in disciplinary research

The PhD program in Organizational Behavior offers two tracks: either a micro or macro approach. In the micro track, students focus on the study of interpersonal relationships within organizations and the effects that groups have on individuals. Students in the macro track use sociological methods to examine organizations, groups, and markets as a whole, including topics such as the influence of individuals on organizational change, or the relationship between social missions and financial objectives. Jointly administered by HBS and GSAS, the program includes core disciplinary training in sociology or psychology, as well as additional coursework in organizational behavior.

Accounting & Management  

Business economics  , health policy (management)  , management  , marketing  , organizational behavior  , strategy  , technology & operations management  .

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Ph.D. in Human Resource Management

Program information.

The doctoral program in human resource management (HRM) prepares students for success in research universities as faculty members specializing in human resources. Doctoral students work closely with faculty to gain research and teaching expertise in the various functions and activities carried out as part of HRM, including the relationship between these practices and organizational strategies, cultures, and performance.

Many HRM scholars specialize or focus on more micro-level work, such as researching the impact of specific HR practices (e.g., selection or training techniques) on individual-level measures of satisfaction or performance. Alternatively, macro-level HR (i.e., “strategic HRM”) scholars study the effects of systems of HR policies and practices on organizational-level outcomes. KU faculty have expertise at both levels, as evidenced by publications in prestigious outlets.

Application deadlines

Priority: December 15, 2023

Final: January 10, 2024

• Application requirements

Doctoral students work closely with faculty to gain research expertise in the various functions and activities carried out as part of HRM with a focus on the attraction, selection, retention, development, motivation, and utilization of individuals in organizations.

Part of our mission is to develop effective teachers. To that end, all doctoral students are required to teach at least two sections as independent instructors. The school and university prepare and reward doctoral students for excellence in teaching through various programs and awards.

Program details

Human resource managment core courses.

A graduate course in economics: BE 701: Business Economics OR BE 917: Advanced Managerial Economics OR ECON 700: Survey of Microeconomics

Note: BE 917: Business Economics, is preferred. Students coming into the program directly from an undergraduate degree may consider substituting BE 701: Business Economics, or ECON 700: Survey of Microeconomics. In the event a student has taken a graduate economics course prior to enrolling as a KU doctoral student, she/he may waive the requirement and substitute either an elective doctoral content course or a statistics/research methods course for this requirement.

MGMT 905:  Management Research Methods

MGMT 916: Major Management Theories

MGMT 950: Seminar in Human Resource Management I

MGMT 951: Seminar in Human Resource Management II

MGMT 953: Seminar in Organizational Behavior I OR         MGMT 954: Seminar in Organizational Behavior II

MGMT 956: Seminar in Strategic Management I OR      MGMT 957: Seminar in Strategic Management II

MGMT 998: Independent Study

MGMT 952: Special Topics in Human Resource Management (offered and required when there are 3 or more students in years 1 & 2 of the program)

Statistics/Research Methods Courses

At least four courses with advisor approval

At least two or more courses with advisor approval

For more information, view a detailed list of courses in the academic catalog.

• Comprehensive exams
• Dissertation proposal
• Dissertation defense

Some students can complete the program in four years.

Program faculty

• Howard Fitch/Fred Ball Professor
• Management and Entrepreneurship academic area

• Associate Professor

• Neeli Bendapudi Professor of Management

Human Resource Management doctoral students

• Ph.D. Student

• Ph.D. Candidate

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• PhD in Business Management
• Human Resource Management

Human Resource Management Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management

Capella’s online PhD in Business Management, Human Resource Management equips you with skills to develop winning teams and empower people to do their best work. This program builds on a curriculum of ethics, research, and practice in the human resource field – including a focus on diverse perspectives, new technologies, and emerging trends in the workplace. Our rigorous coursework will help you fuse theory and practice to form a basis for your own research and become an expert in global workforce issues.

Virtual Residencies

Network with faculty and peers, and gain access to valuable resources to use during your program and beyond, through three doctoral virtual residencies.

Research mentor

Maintain progress through your dissertation; we’ll pair you with an academic mentor who can help you keep your momentum.

Stay on track with your academic goals and dissertation; we’ll help you organize your work into manageable segments.

Apply today with no application fee.

At a glance

• 11 Core courses
• 12 max transfer credits
• 4 Specialization courses
• 1 Elective course
• 3 Virtual Residencies

Comprehensive exam

Dissertation

• ACBSP-accredited

Reduce your tuition by $20,000

Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $20K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your doctoral degree. Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.

Courses and skills

Explore human resource management courses.

• This program requires a total of 90 quarter credits
• You’ll need to complete 11 core courses, four specialization courses, one elective course, three virtual residencies, one comprehensive exam and one dissertation

View all courses

What you'll learn

This specialization prepares you to lead high-performance teams in diverse business settings. You’ll learn practical solutions to workplace challenges, evaluate new technology trends, and develop a systematic approach to problem-solving in the field.

On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:

• Synthesize multidisciplinary theories that inform and shape theory and practice to attract, develop, and retain a global work force
• Synthesize emerging trends and technological influences to advance the theory and practice of global Human Resource Management
• Evaluate diverse demographic and cultural perspectives to advance the body of knowledge and practice in global human resource management
• Exhibit proficiency in academic research, writing, and critical thinking skills
• Evaluate ethical theories and frameworks that guide human resources practices in the 21st century
• Integrate research and practices into the development of adaptive and innovative global workplace environments

Review the Capella career exploration guide  to learn more about this program and professional paths to explore.

Tuition and learning format

How much does the phd in business management cost.

The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, scholarships and other factors. See GuidedPath cost information below.

A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.

• Based on the quarter system; 1-2 courses per 10-week quarter
• 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
• Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
• Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term

$985 per credit,  $5,000  quarterly tuition max, 75 coursework credits, 12 max transfer credits

Learn more about GuidedPath »

Tuition breakdown

Program phases.

$985 Per quarter credit

75 coursework credits

Per quarter credit

$2955 Per quarter

Per quarter

Resource kit fee

$175 Per quarter

Coursework phase only; includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, test kits, and other instructional materials

Application fee

$0 no application fee

no application fee

Tuition and program length are unique to you

Your total tuition and program length depend on a variety of factors:

• The program specialization you choose
• Scholarships and finances
• Prior coursework
• Transfer credits
• Employer and/or military benefits
• Number of quarters spent working on dissertation
• Complexity of your dissertation
• Academic performance
• School/work/life balance
• Unexpected life events

About cost scenarios

The cost scenarios below are examples based on general program pricing and 2024–25 Capella tuition rates and assume the average number of transfer credits a student brings into the program. Pacing and pricing information is current as of Jan. 1, 2024. These rates are the same nationwide and may change depending on factors affecting program length and price. You are responsible for paying your own travel costs related to residencies, including plane, hotel, and food expenses.

To discuss whether the specialization you’re interested in has additional factors that may affect program cost and length, contact a Capella enrollment counselor.

Cost scenarios

*Eligibility rules apply. Connect with us for details.

Get the details

Connect with an enrollment counselor to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.

Scholarships and savings

Are there scholarships available for doctoral degrees.

Your education is an investment in your future that's within reach. There are  more ways to save  than you might think.

$5,000 quarterly tuition maximum

Maximize your courseload – take 6 or more credits per quarter and pay just $5,000.*

$20K toward your doctorate

Apply for a $20K Capella Progress Reward , a scholarship to help fund your doctoral degree. Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.

10% Military discount Capella offers a  tuition discount  to active-duty service members and their spouses, Guard and Reserve members, and veterans.

*Cost of each residency is included in the $5,000 quarterly tuition maximum; books, resource kit, travel, lodging, meals, and other expenses are not included.

Accredited and recognized

Capella is accredited by the higher learning commission..

Accreditation and recognitions provide assurance that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our  accreditations  and  recognitions .

How to apply

Phd in business management admission requirements.

Applicants must provide the following information for  admission  to Capella programs and specializations:

• A master’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
•  Your official master’s transcripts, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• A valid, government-issued form of photo identification

GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.

International Student Requirements

If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.

In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:

• Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
• Transcript evaluation

Learn more about  international student admissions .

Faculty and support

What support does capella offer online students.

Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of doctoral students. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces that build on one another to help you earn your doctorate. You’ll have support from faculty, staff, and online resources along the way.

Doctoral faculty

Work with faculty members who have years of experience and specialize in their areas of expertise throughout each phase of your program, including literature review and implementation planning.

Enrollment counselors

These experts will set you up for success. They’ll help you find the right degree program and answer all your questions about Capella.

Academic coaches

Through quarterly appointments and as-needed counseling sessions, these specialists introduce you to Capella and help you tailor your program to your personal goals and experiences.

Articles and resources

Expand your perspective on academic and career topics with articles and resources from Capella University.

10 qualities to look for in a career mentor

Finding a career mentor can really help as you develop your professional skills and move up the ladder.

What’s the ROI for a PhD?

Is a PhD worth the investment of time, money, and energy?

What’s it like to be a doctoral student?

What does it take to earn a doctoral degree? Learn more about the experience and explore each step of the journey.

Career exploration

What can you do with a phd in human resource management degree.

Your education can help you reach your goals, professionally and personally. Here are some of the jobs and employment settings to consider with a PhD in Business Management, Human Resource Management.

Related job titles to explore*

• Adjunct or part-time human resource management faculty
• Full-time human resource management faculty
• Dean or associate dean of business program
• Human resource director
• Director/vice president, human resources
• Director/vice president talent acquisition
• Director/vice president labor relations
• Director/vice president EEO and/or diversity
• Director/vice president compensation and benefits
• Director/vice president human resource development
• Chief human resource officer (CHRO)
• Senior human resource manager

Employment settings to explore

• Land-based or online college or university
• Community college
• Consulting firm
• Corporation
• Nonprofit organization
• Manufacturing
• Health care organization
• Insurance firm
• Small business
• Government—local, state, federal

*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.

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Why a Doctorate in Business Administration Is Becoming More Valuable

Sponsor content from upGrad.

At the turn of the 20th century, the world was industrializing at a rapid pace. Businesses were growing larger and more complex, with more employees working in more diversified divisions spread across more geographical boundaries.

As a result, demand grew for people who had special training in managing the general operations of a business, which led to the creation and proliferation of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.

More than 100 years later, MBAs have become a commodity that no longer serve organizations’ core needs.

In today’s age of data and information, knowledge has become the most valuable resource. Companies don’t necessarily need more general managers who can assess broad patterns across multiple industries—they need people with deep expertise in specific domains who can analyze data and generate unique insights that lead to better business decisions.

That’s why Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) holders are becoming increasingly valuable in the modern workplace.

DBA is a professional degree representing the highest level of qualification in management. In contrast to an MBA, it takes students on a different path toward acquiring and using business knowledge.

For an MBA, students spend two years taking a broad range of practical courses to learn about several pillars of business—such as accounting, finance, marketing, leadership, operations, strategy, and ethics—to help them become effective leaders across many industries.

By contrast, DBAs spend up to two years studying academic literature across several domains and up to two additional years designing and executing an original research project: a dissertation focused on one domain. The primary goal of a DBA is to produce scholarly individuals who have deep expertise in a field of management.

When seeking executive-level positions, DBAs’ “Dr.” titles are likely to help them stand out from their peers. DBAs can also pursue high-level positions in areas such as consulting by becoming subject-matter experts—or maintain ties with academia as full-time or adjunct professors.

DBAs’ training gives them diverse career options. The academic literature they read gives them expertise in understanding management theories that can help them analyze real-world situations and differentiate the signal from the noise. A DBA specializing in innovation can assess whether newcomers to a market pose a credible threat as a disruptive innovation to an existing company.

Students then learn advanced scientific techniques in quantitative and/or qualitative methodologies, which trains them in analyzing data to generate valid inferences that their organizations can use for decision-making purposes. Rather than relying on gut feel and graphs, DBAs can use powerful techniques such as sampling data to reduce bias, using statistical regressions to identify the strongest factors that influence an outcome, or designing an experiment to gain 100% certainty over the causal relationship between variables.

Finally, DBAs combine their business knowledge with analytical skills to design and execute original research studies, making them the world’s leading experts in particular domains.

DBAs also stand out because they represent only 2% of all people who hold higher degrees in business. In 2021, more than 250,000 students graduated with MBAs or specialist degrees in business; only 5,000 graduated with doctorates.

While a DBA may represent an attractive option that can be highly valuable to organizations today, they are not necessarily recommended for everyone.

To help you determine whether a DBA is right for you, the most important question to ask yourself centers on whether you’re satisfied with the tools and frameworks you use to analyze data and information to make important business decisions. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering where these frameworks come from—or whether there might be a better way to make decisions—consider applying to a DBA program. These programs are designed to channel deep intellectual interests and passions toward producing business knowledge that’s both theoretically novel and practically relevant.

DBA training may help you develop deeper knowledge than an MBA program will while opening doors to more ambitious careers in industry or academia. While MBA degrees are designed to meet the needs of 20th-century businesses, DBAs can help meet the needs of organizations today—and well into the future.

Learn more about how earning a DBA can help you step up your career.

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Postgraduate (MSc, MA, MBA and PhD) Programs in Human Resources

Find your perfect postgrad program search our database of 30,000 courses.

Human resource (HR) management is a relatively new field that pulls together the fields of personnel administration, organisational behaviour and development, labour relations, the economics of human capital, and subfields such as leadership, change management, and others. These fields are combined into one that focuses on how organisations can develop policies and practices to manage large groups of employees, freelancers, and others who work on behalf of the organisation.

In the past, HR professionals were involved in recruiting and selecting employees, designing compensation plans and benefits packages, overseeing compliance with government regulations, and handling labour relations issues. Those are still important, of course, but increasingly HR professionals are most concerned with managing the substantial changes necessary in the modern workplace – driven by the trends discussed below. 

Once a support function loathed by operating managers (who regarded HR professionals as ignorant of the business that employed them and likely to hamstring operations with endless paperwork), HR is increasingly likely to be seen as a helpful partner in the drive to build a flexible, cost-effective, committed and competent workforce and organisation.

Trends in Human Resources

Numerous substantial trends continue to drive this field, including:

• The new design of organisations, including the flattening of hierarchies in many. • Technological change (resulting in changed relations between employer and employee). • Ageing of the workforce. • Changed expectations of the workforce (regarding empowerment, length of stay with employers, etc.). • Increased workplace diversity. • A shift toward team-based working. • Increased globalisation, meaning that employers must deal with employees with different expectations and norms than their local employees. • An increased rate of change in organisations, requiring managers to be better managers of change. • Increased economic competition, and consequent emphasis on increased productivity. • more complex government regulation.

Choosing a masters program

Most human resource masters programs are one year in length; many are provided online. Note that programs can focus on the narrow, technical approach reminiscent of personnel management programs – salary surveys, performance appraisal, grievance analysis, and the like – or a general management perspective that puts human resource management in a context of business strategy and societal constraints. The strongest programs tend to be those premised on the idea that an organisation’s overall strategy, combined with developments in its environment, should determine its HR strategy.

A typical program might offer courses in:

• Research methods in human resources • International human resource management • Employment relations • Leading and influencing in organisations • Work organisation • Change management • Performance assessment • Organisational behaviour • Training and development • Human resource management

Human resource masters programs fall into two categories: those that require prior work experience in the field (generally two or more years) and those that value, but do not require, such experience. Many programs (in either category) require little more than some knowledge of statistics. Others require nothing other than a bachelors degree. 

Many programs also look for:

• Prior coursework in human resources, organisational behaviour, or psychology • Undergraduate business degree    

MBA in Human Resources

Core subjects will include: Accounting; Economics; Finance; Marketing; Project Management; and Strategic Planning. The optional Human Resources-focussed modules are likely to include: Employee Relations; Employee Resourcing; and Human Resource Management.

Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University has an MBA program with Specialism in Human Resource Management which can be studied on campus or via distance learning. This MBA is worked towards on a course-by-course basis and after students have successfully completed three courses they’re eligible for a Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration, and after six courses for a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration. They can then continue on towards qualifying for the MBA by successfully completing HR-focussed modules form a wide choice including: Managing People in Changing Contexts; Managing People in Global Markets; Negotiation and Performance Management.

PhD in Human Resources

Human Resource Management is concerned with the work processes in organisations and the workings of people within companies. This is a wide area of research encompassing the recruitment process, training, rewarding, disciplinaries and assessment. Studying a PhD in Human Resources will enable the student to undertake specialised research in this field.

The PhD in Human Resource Management at Cardiff University is a four -year full-time postgraduate course that includes one year of research training. This course focuses on three areas – organisation studies, employment studies and public management.

Career opportunites

The shift from personnel departments to human resource departments has involved a shift toward integrated management systems – combining work design, staffing, measurement, development, compensation, and control systems – tied to the organisation’s business plan and strategy. This has brought human resource professionals much closer to the business core of organisations, rather than being in a limited support role (such as setting out a firm’s sexual harassment policy). As a result, human resource professionals are increasingly valued for their business savvy as well as their knowledge and skill in particular HR functional specialities.

Typical job titles

• Management education officer • Human resources analyst • Labour relations manager • Arbitrator • Facilitator • Mediator • Organisational change consultant • Organisational development professional • Employee relations associate • Benefits analyst • Personnel manager • Human resources information analyst • Compensation manager • Trainer • Training co-ordinator • Recruiter

Professional associations (UK and US)

• Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development  (UK) • American Society for Training and Development  (US) • Society for Human Resource Management  (US)

Introductory readings

Iain Henderson, Human Resource Management for MBA Students   (Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development), provides a particularly easy-to-read overview of the field. Gluttons for punishment can consult Raymond A Noe et al’s lengthy text, Human Resource Management: Gaining a Competitive Advantage   (McGraw-Hill/Irwin). The organisational element of the field is given good overview treatment in Stephen P Robbins and and Timothy A Judge’s Essentials of Organizational Behavior   (Prentice Hall). A good alternative to Robbins and Judge, albeit more limited in scope, is Andrew J DuBrin’s Fundamentals of Organizational Behavior (South-Western College Publishing). 

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PhD in Human Resource Management

The SHRM PhD program is designed to provide our graduates with the necessary training to become successful researchers and educators at any major educational institution around the world. Our full-time PhD program in HRM is distinguished by its diverse methodological approaches to research and emphasis on pedagogical training. Graduates of our program will acquire sophisticated skills in academic scholarship, and possess the competencies required to teach at the post-secondary level.

Why join the PhD program at the School of HRM?

Graduate Program in HRM—PhD degree (.pdf)

Impactful.  The PhD program in the Human Resource Management at the School of HRM is designed to prepare future academics who wish to conduct impactful research and teach at major research-oriented institutions. Our students are exposed to major theories, research methods, and work-related and organizational literature.

Engaging.  You will study in a vibrant and intellectually stimulating environment designed for those wishing to develop the skills necessary for a successful academic career.

Customized.  As a PhD student you will work closely with faculty who share your research interests, are working on similar areas of research, or can provide a new perspective. Our diverse faculty members in HRM are well known for their research and scholarly insights on a wide range of topics.

Life in the PhD program:

• Study in small classes (seminars) and form close working relationships with other students and faculty
• Engage in rigorous scholarly training to develop high-quality research skills
• Experience leading-edge research training
• Participate at academic conferences that provide opportunities for doctoral students to share ideas and to network
• Receive the academic guidance necessary to successfully complete the program in a timely manner.

Our Graduates

In an increasingly complex global economy, our PhD graduates are ideally equipped to think through the challenges of people management and contemporary business. Our PhD graduates are an extremely diverse group of scholars from many cultures and backgrounds, and are sought after by universities, government, and industry worldwide. 86% of our graduates in the last 3 years obtained reputable tenure track academic positions in Canada, the United States, and Europe.

The Graduate Program in Human Resource Management at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.

Connect with Human Resource Management

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Home  >  News & Articles  >  PhD after MBA: In India, Admissions 2024, Entrance Exams, Fees

Sheeza Khan

Updated on 20th February, 2024 , 8 min read

PhD after MBA: In India, Admissions 2024, Entrance Exams, Fees

A PhD after an MBA is an advanced program where you can become a doctor in a specific area of business Finance, Marketing, Operations, or Human Resources. To qualify, you generally need a 2-year MBA degree and you should pass exams like  UGC-NET or   GATE . Having a good score, a research plan, recommendations, and work experience make it more likely to get into a top MBA college. It usually takes 3-5 years to finish a PhD after MBA in India, but it could be 4-7 years abroad.

Also read: Top PhD Entrance Exams in India 

In the realm of MBA dreams, institutions like  FMS New Delhi ,  BHU , the prestigious IIMs, and the ingenious IITs stand tall as the elite havens for pursuing a PhD after your MBA adventure. 

Further Reading: IIT Madras PhD Admission 2023

Venturing into the realm of a PhD after MBA opens doors to the realms of teaching and delving deep into the realms of research. Many of you might be wondering about the average salary package spanning from INR 2,00,000 to INR 14,00,000.

More PhD Courses: 

More about MBA: 

PhD After MBA: Course Details

Also read:  GATE Study Material

Why pursue PhD after MBA?

Pursuing a PhD after an MBA in India can offer several compelling benefits:

• Deep Expertise: A PhD allows you to specialize and delve deeply into a specific area of business, enhancing your expertise and knowledge in your chosen field.
• Research Opportunities : A PhD program provides you with the chance to contribute to cutting-edge research in business and management, potentially leading to valuable insights and innovations.
• Academic Career : If you aspire to an academic career, a PhD is often a requirement for becoming a professor at universities and business schools, allowing you to educate the next generation of business leaders.
• Career Advancement : A PhD can set you apart in the job market, opening doors to higher-level positions and leadership roles in both corporate and non-corporate sectors.
• Personal Fulfillmen t: Undertaking a PhD is a journey of personal growth and intellectual challenge, allowing you to engage deeply with your chosen subject matter and develop critical thinking skills.
• Networking : Doctoral programs provide opportunities to connect with experts in your field, fellow students, and professionals, expanding your professional network.
• Enhanced Problem-Solving: PhD programs often cultivate advanced problem-solving skills, which can be applied to complex business challenges.

Also Read:  Tips to prepare for UGC Net

More MBA Courses: 

Who should pursue PhD after MBA?

Eligibility criteria for pursuing a PhD after an MBA in India can vary depending on the specific university, institute, and program. However, there are general requirements that are commonly applicable:

• MBA Degree : Candidates must hold a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) degree from a recognized university or institute. This demonstrates a foundational understanding of business and management concepts.
• Minimum Marks: Many institutions require candidates to have obtained a certain minimum percentage or  grade point average (GPA) in their MBA program. This threshold can vary, but it's typically around 55% or equivalent.
• Relevant Subjects : The candidate's MBA specialization should align with the field of study they wish to pursue for their PhD for instance, if you want to pursue a PhD in Marketing, your MBA specialization should have been in Marketing.
• Entrance Exam: Some universities and institutes may require candidates to clear a relevant entrance examination specific to the PhD program they are interested in. This could involve subject-related questions, research aptitude, and general knowledge.
• Research Proposal: Applicants are often required to submit a research proposal outlining their intended area of research. This proposal should demonstrate a clear research question, objectives, methodology, and potential contribution to the field.
• Work Experience : While not always mandatory, having relevant work experience can be advantageous, especially for certain specialized PhD programs. It can demonstrate practical knowledge and a real-world perspective on the subject.
• Interview:  Some institutions may conduct interviews as part of the selection process. This is an opportunity for candidates to discuss their research interests and demonstrate their commitment to the program.
• Qualifying Examinations : In some cases, candidates might need to qualify for national-level exams such as  UGC-NET (University Grants Commission - National Eligibility Test) or  GATE  (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) to be eligible for certain PhD programs.

PhD after MBA: PhD Finance Course Details

PhD in Finance is a research-focused program offering strong academic prospects. Typically pursued after an MBA in Finance , it's available at esteemed institutions such as IIMs, FMS New Delhi , ISB , and IIT. The program delves into topics like Share Valuation, Privatization, Globalization, and Management Accounting.

Further Reading: MBA Finance Syllabus & Subjects 

PhD after MBA: PhD Marketing Course Details

PhD in Marketing is a 3-year program aimed at training students for teaching and research in marketing and related domains. Admission is based on entrance exams and interviews. Candidates with relevant postgraduate qualifications, including an MBA in Marketing, can apply. The program offers diverse career paths, like Market Research Analyst, Marketing Communications Leader, and Marketing Executive.

Further Reading: MBA in Marketing

PhD after MBA: PhD Organizational Behavior Course Details

PhD in Organizational Behavior is a 3 to 5-year program studying human behavior in organizations. Eligibility requires a master’s or MPhil degree with a 55% minimum aggregate after an MBA in Organizational Behavior. Graduates can secure positions in Academic Institutions, Colleges, Finance, Marketing, IT, etc., with average salaries ranging from INR 4,00,000 to INR 8,00,000.

PhD after MBA: PhD Business Management Course Details

PhD in Business Management is a 3-year program focusing on business operations like leadership, organization, and planning. Eligibility requires a master’s degree with relevant subjects and a minimum aggregate of 50% or more, post-MBA in Business Management.

PhD after MBA: PhD HR Management Course Details

PhD in Human Resource Management is a 3 to 5-year program focusing on teaching organizational processes for productivity enhancement. It prepares students for HR management roles, requiring a master’s degree from a UGC-recognized or foreign university post-MBA in HR Management. 

PhD after MBA: PhD Management Studies Course Details

PhD in Management Studies is a 3-year program imparting management and organizational skills. Eligibility requires a master's degree in a related field with 50-60% aggregate, post-MBA in Management Studies.

Further Reading: BMS Course Details 

PhD after MBA: PhD Banking and Finance Course Details

PhD in Banking and Finance is a 3-year program designed to provide comprehensive knowledge in domestic and international banking, economics, and investment. A master's degree from a recognized university is the minimum eligibility for PhD after MBA in Banking and Finance. Graduates can secure positions in educational institutions, stock exchanges, banks, etc., with average salaries ranging from INR 1,80,000 to INR 6,00,000.

Further Reading: MBA Finance Jobs 

PhD after MBA: PhD Disaster Management Course Details

PhD in Disaster Management is a 3-year program focused on Environment and Disaster Management. Eligibility entails a master’s degree or M.Phil in the relevant field with at least 55% aggregate and 5 years of work experience.

Also Read: PhD in IGNOU

PhD after MBA: PhD Commerce and Management Course Details

PhD in Commerce and Management is a 3-year program focusing on commerce and business management education. To qualify for PhD after MBA in Commerce and Management, candidates need a master's degree, MBA, or MPhil with at least 55% aggregate.

Further Reading: BMS Subjects & Syllabus

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can phd be done after mba.

Certainly, it is possible to pursue a PhD after completing an MBA. To embark on a PhD journey, an individual should possess a master's degree in relevant fields, accompanied by a minimum aggregate score of 50-60%.

What are the PhD courses after MBA?

PhD programs in Finance, Management Studies, Business Management, Business Administration, Banking and Finance, and Marketing stand out as prominent choices for further studies following an MBA.

Can I do a PhD from IIM?

Indeed, the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) provide PhD programs subsequent to MBA studies in disciplines such as Human Resource Management, Business Management, and Business Administration, among others.

Can I do a PhD after MBA in HR?

Indeed, undertaking a PhD following an MBA in Human Resource Management presents advantageous prospects for embarking on roles such as HR managers, executives, consultants, and various other related positions.

Does a PhD after MBA make sense?

Certainly, pursuing a PhD after completing an MBA is a strategically sound choice, offering distinct advantages in terms of enhanced job prospects and a strengthened position in the realm of teaching professions.

How many years is PhD after MBA?

PhD after MBA is normally for 4 - 6 years.

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Courses after MBA in Human Resources

• Updated on  
• Apr 14, 2023

MBA, or Master of Business Administration , is a highly-regarded degree for developing business abilities and leadership traits in people worldwide. They gain a greater understanding of the practical skills and theoretical knowledge required to drive the industry’s and, by extension, the country’s economic growth. In this blog, we will look at some courses after MBA in Human Resources that can help graduates in building their resumes and enhance their skills.

This Blog Includes:

Overview of mba in human resources, skills required by professional human resource, mba in hr- job profiles, salary structure after mba in human resources, why do a course after mba in human resources, diploma courses after mba in hr, certification courses after mba hr, phd courses after mba hr, sap hr certification, shrm certified professional , certified talent management practitioner program, association for talent development, can you have multiple certifications, career scope.

An MBA specializing in human resources is a popular choice among enterprises, consulting firms, and other businesses. Choosing HR as one of your post-MBA employment alternatives can be a wise decision. They are in charge of acquiring talent and ensuring that the organization has the greatest workforce possible, including skilled and competent employees. 

However, the function of HR and personnel management has changed dramatically over time. Employees are viewed as a significant resource with high strategic relevance for a firm, emphasizing the “human” side. HR uses various tools and approaches in this process, which directly impact the organization’s reputation. 

Human Resources must have the following abilities to build strong business relationships with others, recruit personnel, and contribute to the organization’s success:

• Extraordinary communication abilities
• To keep track of the work.
• Capacity to plan and carry out programs
• In times of crisis, good decision-making skills are essential.
• Ability to lead or guide others

Must Read: How Top MBA Programs Help With Personality Development

Human resource managers serve as the go-between for employers and employees. They must give proper training to employees, manage their benefits and compensation, supervise work, and negotiate salaries.

They have the following job profiles available to them:

• Human Resource Manager
• Human Resource Generalist
• Staffing Director
• Technical Recruiter
• Compensation Manager
• Employee Relations Manager
• Employment Manager
• Director of HR Training and Development
• Human Resource Consultant
• International HR Professionals
• Human Resource Specialist IT
• Employee Education Consultant
• Human Resource Executive
• Human Resource Entrepreneur

MBA graduates with a focus on HR can expect to earn between 2 and 5 lakhs per year. They make an average salary of roughly 12 LPA based on their expertise and professional skills. They are granted salaries ranging from 10 to 24 LPA after five years of experience. HR professionals in mid-level roles earn between 10 and 18 lakhs per annum, while those in senior positions earn between 25 and 40 lakhs per annum. 

Note: It is always better to have certifications if you are doing specialization in any field. One can look at some courses after MBA in Human Resources which can help them in getting a higher package.

Must Read: MBA in Communication

In India, having HR Certifications is a great way to open up more fields while working. Below we list down some of the reasons why you should consider doing courses after an MBA in Human Resources:

• Due to specific capabilities, a trained HR professional will get better job offers and move up the corporate ladder.
• Through learning and experimenting, an HR certification can encourage a professional to build a culture of demonstrated practises in firms.
• HR-certified employees are paid more than their non-certified peers.
• HR certification in India will allow for a higher level of trust and skill conformance acceptable when dealing with specific and difficult duties.
• HR Certified employees will always outperform their non-certified competitors in the same sector and business.
• Certification entails adhering to industry standards, which can help to establish a culture of best practices in the business.

Top Courses After MBA in HR

Following an MBA in Human Resources, students can pursue a variety of courses that can lead to outstanding employment prospects. If you want to take any extra courses following your MBA in HR, you can enrol in a Diploma or Certification programme. These courses improve hopefuls’ skills and raise their chances of landing a job. Let’s take a look at the best courses for HR after an MBA.

• Diploma Courses After MBA HR

Diploma courses after MBA HR are quite popular among graduates and postgraduates, and they have every reason to be popular because of their multiple merits and benefits. Diplomas are one of the several post-MBA courses that HR professionals are interested in. The following list includes a variety of courses available after earning an MBA in human resources:

• Diploma in Human Resource Management
• Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management
• Executive Diploma in Human Resource Management
• Post Graduate Diploma in Labour Law & Administrative Law
• Post Graduate Diploma in Public Relations Management

Certification courses following an MBA in HR are extremely beneficial these days. Aspirants can register for these courses after completing their degree programmes. These types of courses are available to MBA HR grads. Some of the Certification courses available following an MBA in Human Resources are shown below.

• Associate Professional in Talent Development
• Society for Human Resource Management Certification
• Certified Professional in Learning and Performance
• Senior Talent Management Practitioner

One of the several courses available following an MBA in HR is a PhD. A PhD in Human Resource Management takes 3-5 years to complete. It is thorough research on the chosen course because it is a PhD. A PhD would equip aspirants with an in-depth understanding of the specialisation, leading to improved employment opportunities.

PhD programmes following an MBA HR teach pupils organisational skills , training and development, decision-making abilities, and communication abilities. Career advancement is possible in IT, marketing , business, academia, and other fields in both the private and public sectors.

Must Read: MBA for Working Professionals

Other Courses after MBA in Human Resources

Here are some of the top job-oriented courses after an MBA in Human Resources graduates if you’re not sure what to do after your MBA in HR:

SAP is a leading provider of business software solutions for improved work and data management in businesses of all sizes and industries. SAP Human Capital Management (SAP HCM) is an important SAP module. SAP Human Resource Management System (SAP HRMS) or SAP Human Resource Management System (SAP HRMS) is another name for it (HR). 

How will this course help you?

You can automate record-keeping activities with SAP HR software. It’s a brilliant platform for the HR department to get the most out of the administration and payroll documents.

Here is how to become an SAP Consultant!

The Society of Human Resource Management Certified Professional is an acronym for the Society of Human Resource Management. This SHRM course is designed for professionals who formulate policies, develop and lead HR strategic functions, analyse performance metrics, and influence company goals.

Professionals are guided by SHRM to properly strategize, establish, and implement policies. It also helps in the efficient performance of other HR services as well as operational HR functions. SHRM was created with worldwide standards in mind and includes two modules: SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM – CP) for junior and mid-level professionals, and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM – SCP) for senior-level professionals.

For both young HR professionals and new graduates, TMP is the first step in beginning a career in Talent Management and Human Resources. Traditional HR job growth is slowing, and there is a growing demand for proven talent management expertise. TMP makes you more appealing to HR recruiters all over the world.

As a modern HR professional, TMP re-engineers your understanding of the field. After graduation, an HR degree combined with a Talent Management qualification is a proven way to land a high-paying Talent Management position. TM makes you a more appealing candidate, which is why TMP is becoming more popular among MBAs and HR professionals with specialities like HRM.

The Association for Talent Development (ATD) assists managers in developing their employees’ knowledge and skill sets. For a practical and relevant experience for HR professionals, ATD offers complete training modules, instructional seminars, and workshops from international TM practitioners.

It offers over 100 programmes, covering TM and other HR disciplines. The following are some of its most prestigious certifications:

• The Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD): This programme is designed for talent development professionals who are just starting out in their HR careers. It covers the fundamentals of talent development that are employed on a regular basis at various levels within a company or organization.
• Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP): This is a broad-based certification that looks to promote a global mentality by testing competency in talent development across ten knowledge areas.

Must Read: MBA in Talent Management

It’s not uncommon for HR professionals to hold two or more certifications. Some people choose the higher-level certificate that comes after the first. Others have obtained certifications from a variety of certifying bodies. You can have multiple certifications as long as you adhere to the certifying bodies’ rules and regulations. For more clarification, you can check the official website if there are any restrictions, you can avoid having two certifications simultaneously, otherwise, it is totally acceptable. 

All of these courses after an MBA in HR provide numerous chances. It is vital to remember that their worth is also affected by the institute’s course as well as the amount of time and effort invested. These short-term courses after MBA HR can benefit anyone by making the degree more efficient. As a result, it gains importance.

Diploma and certification courses following an MBA in HR aid in knowledge expansion and provide a big boom in careers by delivering better positions in industries such as banking and finance , information system management, data analytics , investment banking , and many more.

Furthermore, applicants seeking PhD courses after completing an MBA HR are more likely to pursue a teaching career in universities and colleges. Students who complete this course are qualified for careers in both the public and private sectors. IT, marketing, business administration, managerial, trainer, and supervisory positions are among the various opportunities available to them.

Must Read: Scope of MBA in HR

It is the job of the human resources management department to maximise employee performance by providing them with the necessary training. Employees learn good industrial practices and expertise as a result. HR specialists can find work in IT firms, legal firms, government sectors, media houses, advertising firms, retail enterprises, newspapers, multinational corporations, and so on.

Many developing HR trends include the use of artificial intelligence (AI), HR analytics, HR Data analysis, performance analysis, and UpGrad, an online higher education platform that offers industry-relevant programmes in conjunction with world-class academics.

Ans. Many MBA HR courses train students for employment in human resources management, such as HR generalist, HR business partner, or HR manager. Roles in labour relations, employee benefits and pay, and training and development are all alternatives for MBA HR graduates.

Ans. Here are some of the Best Courses after an MBA. Financial Risk Management [FRM]Doctor of Business Administration. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) Chartered Financial Analyst [CFA]PhD in Management. ISB’s Certificate Programme in Business Analytics.

Ans. An MBA degree, rather than any other Master’s degree, will provide you with corporate prestige. Human Resource Management is a perfectly steady business because practically all large firms want Hr Managers to look after their personnel. An MBA in human resources provides the chance for a higher salary.

In any organization, a human resource professional can fulfil a range of roles. It’s a crucial part of the job. HR is responsible for not only recruiting the best individuals for the company but also for contributing to the culture and development of the company. Having completed courses after MBA in Human Resources will be a bonus- point. Try searching out the areas of your interest and build your resume and skill set. For more educational content, stay connected with Leverage Edu and determine the right course and best-fit university for yourself with the help of our innovative AI Course Finder .

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Click  here  to see our IACBE Public Disclosure of Student Achievement. 

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Amp up your people skills with an MBA in human resources online

HR is an ever-evolving discipline. Some of today’s most prevalent workplace issues, the virtual environment, DEI, and employee retention and motivation, were not as pressing just a short time ago. Franklin’s online accredited MBA with a Specialization in Human Resources provides a theory-to-practice approach to workplace law, organizational development and strategic human resource management. While your MBA will help you grow your management capabilities, you’ll also gain the insight to be a leader in-tune with the human side of business.

Program Availability

1-Year Online MBA

Finish your MBA in Human Resources faster.

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MBA-Human Resources Program Overview

Gain insight into employment and workplace law.

You’ll conduct substantial environmental analysis to broaden your knowledge of the principles and theories surrounding employment and workplace law. By analyzing case studies and law, you’ll discuss how the law was applied in various case rulings and appeals involving employment law. You’ll compare and contrast various managerial approaches to employment law and apply theoretical principles and legal aspects of employment law to various organizations.

Explore organizational development tools, techniques and benefits

While change can be difficult, the benefits make it well worth the effort. Organizational development (OD) helps organizations build their capacity for change as a way to increase effectiveness. You’ll address how planned change impacts an organization’s competitive advantage, as well as organizational issues and ethics related to OD. You’ll analyze the major diagnostic models, productivity interventions and techniques used in OD programs and be able to diagnose issues at the organization, process and people levels. To apply what you’ve learned throughout the class, you’ll develop an action plan detailing how you would evaluate the role of organizational culture in a planned change intervention. 

Examine strategic choices faced by HR leaders

Strategic human resource management takes a future-focused approach to create HR programs that solve workplace challenges and directly contribute to long-term business success. You’ll be introduced to strategic human resource management (SHRM) topics that have resulted from environmental and organizational challenges like technology, globalization, work/life balance and changing labor markets. You’ll examine strategic choices HR managers face regarding ethics, employee rights and virtual work to gain a competitive advantage. You’ll also analyze various approaches used to link human resource management to organizational strategy.

Learn from in-field experts in instructor-led online sessions

If you’re looking for the flexibility of online learning alongside personalized attention from faculty, you’ll find it at Franklin. Online synchronous meetings provide the opportunity to ask questions, dig into assignments, work through problems, and discuss course topics with the instructor as a class. While the interactive sessions are regularly scheduled in advance, they are optional and are recorded for students to access at a later time if they choose to. In addition to accessible faculty, who are in-field practitioners, some courses include industry experts as guest speakers. 

IACBE Accredited Program

The Ross College of Business at Franklin University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road, Suite 300, Overland Park, Kansas, USA. For a list of accredited programs please view our  member status page .

SHRM Aligned

The master's in human resources program fully aligns with the Society for Human Resource Management's (SHRM) HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates.

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Start dates for individual programs may vary and are subject to change. Please  request free information  & speak with an admission advisor for the latest program start dates.

Your MBA degree, your way with Franklin’s FlexFIT Online MBA

Earn your master’s in business without throwing your life, budget and schedule into chaos. Franklin’s FlexFIT MBA degree program was designed specifically to help you avoid the typical roadblocks that stop others from finishing by giving you the flexibility you need to stay on track.   Here’s how FlexFIT empowers you to complete your master’s in business in the way that fits your:

F inances: Schedule as many or as few classes to accommodate your budget.

I nterests: Pick your path. Choose from a general track for a broad-based business perspective or follow your interests with a focused specialization.

T ime: Start, study and finish at your pace because with FlexFIT, you decide how much time to devote to your coursework.

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MBA-Human Resources Courses & Curriculum

More than ever before, the ability to understand and be understood is critical for success in the corporate world. Communication is no longer limited by the narrow definitions of the past. Achieving a business leadership position today means not only being adept at both oral and written communication, but also understanding communication from a strategic point-of-view and knowing how to effectively organize and present information to audiences of all sizes. In this course, you will develop and refine these capabilities. What you gain from this course will be of value throughout your MBA program, as well as in the workplace.

This course surveys the fundamental concepts and methods of economic analysis for managers. Real-world decision making is emphasized. Application of key economic concepts such as market demand, market supply, market equilibrium, marginal analysis, production, costs, revenue, profit, and market structure constitute the core material of the course.

In today's business world, success can often be attributed more to the genius of a company's marketing efforts than to the genius of its products or services. A clear understanding of the importance of marketing, as well as a grasp of effective marketing practices, is essential for anyone who wishes to achieve a position of leadership. You will gain a working knowledge of both marketing theory and the practical application of innovative marketing strategies. You will come to understand how product, price, place, and promotion contribute to the marketing mix as you explore research-based insights into consumer behavior. As your final course assignment, you will prepare and present a marketing plan of your own.

Effective leadership in today's complex and highly regulated business environment demands more than a working knowledge of basic accounting practices. Managers must fully grasp sophisticated financial and managerial accounting concepts and be able to apply them with ease in handling day-to-day responsibilities. Managers must also be well versed in the intricacies of corporate governance and asset protection. In this course, students will develop a clear understanding of these critical functions and issues. Students will study the foundational aspects of financial accounting, including professional structure, the interrelationships of financial statements, and multiple forms of financial analysis. Additionally, the functional aspects of managerial accounting will be covered, including planning, decision making, and performance evaluation.

Organizations are composed of groups of people who work together to achieve defined outcomes. Experience has proven time and again that the key factor which differentiates successful companies from those who struggle to survive is people who make up the employee base. While the human resources function is given the specific task of planning for and resolving many employee-related issues and needs, individual managers have direct responsibility and accountability for motivating and leading employees to achieve sustained organizational success. The purpose of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively with human resources to enhance the contributions of all employees to organizational effectiveness. Students will learn about the elements which drive business success, theories of motivation, and methods for creating a plan for maximizing the human capital of an organization.

One of the keys to success for today's organizations is their ability to develop, implement, and accurately evaluate effective business strategies. In this course, you will integrate the knowledge you have gained from your prior MBA courses to develop and sharpen your skills for formulating, deploying, and assessing an organization's strategy for achieving competitive advantage in the marketplace. This course will enable you to merge your knowledge of all of these individual disciplines into a comprehensive and meaningful whole.

This course systematically explores the external environment in which businesses operate - legal and regulatory, macroeconomic, cultural, political, technological, and natural. Additionally, the course will examine the critical opportunities and threats that arise from an analysis of external business conditions. Students will apply scenario planning to a selected industry and synthesize trends in the external environment in the presence of risk and uncertainty.

In today's business environment, the success of organizations depends on the effective and efficient management of operations. Methods to select, plan, and improve organizational processes will be examined. The application of optimal capacity decisions in supply chains, development production, and inventory plans and schedules will be performed. The student will learn quality management and improvement process to increase the efficiency of a process.

Financial decisions made at the higher levels of a business organization can have far-reaching effects. Intended to achieve firm operating goals and create shareholder value, they must be made judiciously, with a thorough understanding of all the factors involved. In this course, you will learn to apply the analytical techniques required for developing effective and workable financial solutions at the executive level. You will gain an overall understanding of the workings of the U.S. financial system. In addition, you will study the concepts of financial risk, return, and the valuation of bonds, common and preferred stock, cost of capital, capital budgeting, capital structure, and the evaluation of investment opportunities.

Organizational Leadership Specialization:

This course provides an overview of the historical and current leadership concepts, theories and constructs. Application and assessment of the individual leadership style will enable the student to develop their leadership voice. This course will provide a construct that will enable the student to identify transferrable skills that align with the organization that they are serving in. This course will challenge students to assess their own leadership strengths and weaknesses and produce an in-depth plan of action to develop and refine leadership competencies. Students will conduct substantive scholarly research to address and capture relevant and cutting-edge leadership theoretical work for application in course assignments.

This course focuses on research and evaluation of the key theoretical concepts and practices central to the leading of organizational change initiatives. Students will evaluate real-world situations in a manner that supports the ability to initiate, implement and sustain major change. The management of change is a dynamic process. This course focuses on understanding how to plan and implement change in various organizations and other settings.

This course will explore the psychological influences on the development and behavior of managers and organizational leaders. Topics include: follower influences, nature vs. nurture in the development of leaders, relationship of personality to leadership style, behavioral decision- making biases, tactical, operational, and strategic decision-making , group think, and scenario planning.

Finance Specialization:

This course provides students with advanced knowledge of the capital markets, financial institutions, financial products, and analytical tools and skills needed for investments portfolio management. The objective is to provide students with a solid foundation of advanced concepts, tools, and techniques for making informed decisions in the highly dynamic investment environment. Students will utilize computer software, simulations, and internet tools to understand the viewpoint of professional investors more fully. The course will adopt an application-oriented approach so that students will be able to explain their financial decision under conditions of uncertainty. The course will provide students with a framework that will be useful in business settings where such analyses are routinely made.

No longer are only mammoth corporations concerned with the complexities and nuances of multinational financial operations. Today the leaders of companies of even moderate size often must have at least a fundamental knowledge of the global financial environment. In this course, you will be introduced to the workings of international finance as it relates to business operations. You will gain an understanding of such international macroeconomic topics as the balance of payments and models of exchange rate determination, while at the same time focusing on institutional issues such as the choice of exchange rate regime and growth of offshore currency markets. You will examine business and investor decisions involving exchange rate risk management, cross-border investment strategies, and participation in international money and capital markets.

Business Analytics Specialization:

This course provides an introductory overview of methods, concepts, and current practices in the growing field of statistics and data analytics. Topics to be covered include data collection, data analysis and visualization as well as probability, statistical inference and regression methods for informed decision-making. Students will explore these topics with current statistical software. Some emphasis will also be given to ethical principles of data analytics.

This course focuses on collecting, preparing, and analyzing data to create visualizations, dashboards, and stories that can be used to communicate critical business insights. Students will learn how to structure and streamline data analysis projects and highlight their implications efficiently using the most popular visualization tools used by businesses today.

This course teaches data management from an applied perspective. The topics include fundamentals of database management systems, structured query language (SQL) for data analytics, relational database design, and data warehousing.

Operational Excellence Specialization:

The purpose of this course is to train individuals in Lean Six Sigma skills and strategies to improve processes and provide safe, effective care environments. The learner will demonstrate the practical application of tools utilized with Lean Six Sigma methodologies. Students will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge learned during this course concurrently with a case study designed specifically to use Six Sigma methodologies. Students will develop a Lean Six Sigma project plan that can serve as the foundation for completing a major project for Lean Six Sigma certification following the completion of the course. Interested students would need to apply for Lean Six Sigma certification and complete the major project with Franklin University's Center for Professional Training & Development.

Operational excellence can provide an important competitive advantage for firms in today?s marketplace. This course presents the concepts in quality. It builds upon the responses of six sigma and lean principles. This course also blends qualitative and quantitative information so that organizations can capitalize on opportunities and data driven management.

Business Psychology Specialization:

A brief history and overview of the fields of business and psychology as well as a discussion of the issues and opportunities related to their integration. Topics include brain organization and dominance, neuroethics, neurolinguistic programming, multiminds, mindmapping and the application of positive psychology to work settings. Includes the application of recent discoveries in cognitive psychology and neuroscience to resolve contemporary issues in the workplace.

This course focuses on the application of systems theory, social psychology concepts, organizational lifecycles, and biological principles to the understanding of business operations. Includes a review of basic business principles, multiple intelligences, organizational intelligence, organizational culture, emotional intelligence, biomimicry and organizational DNA.

This course provides a study of the relationship between creativity, innovation and change from a psychological perspective. Areas of interest include: social-technical change waves, change facilitation, unintended consequences, Appreciative Inquiry, creativity enhancement, and diffusion of innovation.

Marketing Specialization:

The integration of existing and emerging technology with marketing and communication strategies has become a major marketing and societal force. Topics explored in this course will range from social media strategies to the metrics used to analyze the impact of integrated digital marketing campaigns.

The ability to develop communication strategies has never been more important for business leaders than in today's complex digital marketing environment. In this course, you will develop a broad knowledge of the fundamentals of effective marketing communication planning and implementation.

In this course, students will demonstrate their marketing competencies by developing marketing strategies and tactics for a live client, including market analysis, target marketing, branding, and message development.

Human Resources Specialization:

The primary purpose of this course is to introduce the principle theories and practices in the area of employment and workplace law. Topics include the federal and state laws associated with hiring, firing and discipline, medical leave (including FMLA, ADA and worker's compensation), discrimination, harassment, immigration, labor law, unemployment compensation, workplace privacy. Additional topics may include workplace investigations, workplace violence and employment-related legal processes, including EEOC Charges and lawsuits.

This course addresses the need for planned change focused on an organization's ability to compete strategically. The framework of consultation as helping organizations reach a level of optimum performance will be applied. Topics addressed include individual, team, and organization-wide interventions that can raise productivity/quality, improve competitiveness, increase skills, morale, and commitment.

The course will introduce students to the field of strategic human resource management (SHRM). Current topics in SHRM that have resulted from environmental and organizational challenges, e.g., technology, globalization, legislation, restructuring, work/life balance, changing labor markets, are discussed Emphasis will be placed on problem solving issues, policies, and practices affecting HR specialists, practitioners, and managers.

Information Technology Specialization:

This course examines various issues related to the management of information systems. Topics include: strategic planning, organizing the technology resources, means of prioritizing and selecting information technology, staffing, personnel management, and assessment.

This course covers the fundamentals of security in the enterprise environment. Included are coverage of risks and vulnerabilities, threat modeling, policy formation, controls and protection methods, encryption and authentication technologies, network security, cryptography, personnel and physical security issues, as well as ethical and legal issues. This foundational course serves as an introduction to many of the subsequent topics discussed in depth in later security courses.

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MBA-Human Resources Program Details

Know the total cost of your master’s from day one.

Save yourself the anxiety of annual tuition increases with Franklin’s Tuition Guarantee. The guarantee lets you lock-in what you’ll pay from first-term through graduation, as long as you remain actively enrolled. Not only will this help you maximize funding sources - like employer reimbursement or financial aid, it will keep you focused on earning your degree. 

A learning outcome map functions as a roadmap to help guide students' progress through their program of study. Click HERE to view the Master of Business Administration matrix.

To be awarded a graduate degree, students must:

• Successfully complete all required curriculum courses.
• Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00.
• Master of Business Administration students must earn at least 24 of the 36 required credits at Franklin University – in any modality (on-site, hybrid or online).
• Complete the payment of all requisite tuition and fees;
• Not to be under disciplinary dismissal due to academic dishonesty or violation of Student Code of Conduct.

Transfer credit awarded based on experiential learning shall not count toward the residence requirement at Franklin University.

The admission process reflects Franklin University’s efforts to clearly identify the performance standards that can help predict student success in graduate level study. The selection criterion for Franklin’s graduate programs, as determined by faculty, emphasizes academic ability, contributory work experience, and personal qualities and characteristics.

Requirements for admission include having earned a bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)-recognized accrediting organization with a GPA of at least a 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.*

Applicants who earned at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale in their earned bachelor’s degree will automatically be granted conditional enrollment status. Applicants who earned lower than a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale in their earned bachelor’s degree can petition for conditional enrollment status to the program chair by submitting an essay detailing other criteria that the applicant believes should be considered to demonstrate their ability to be successful in a graduate program. This petition could include details on the applicant’s work experience, work ethic, level of professionalism, personality characteristics, level of difficulty of program of study previously completed, etc. 

Conditional enrollment requires students to achieve a final grade of “B” (3.0 GPA) or better in the first graduate-level course of their program. If the terms of the conditional enrollment are not met, the student will not be allowed to advance in their program and will be unable to earn this graduate degree from Franklin University. 

Program Prerequisites

English language testing & toefl ielts.

Prospective students must demonstrate English Language Proficiency. The requirement is met through any of the following:

• The applicant is a citizen of a country where English is the official language.*
• The applicant has received a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution located in an English-speaking country in which the courses were taught in English.*
• The applicant has earned appropriate scores on language proficiency exams taken within the last two years, as listed in the  Academic Catalog .  

*For more information about English proficiency, including a list of English-speaking nations, please visit our International Students section.

MBA-Human Resources Career Opportunities

Training coordinator.

Training coordinators work independently or as part of the HR team to design, create and evaluate training programs for employees and/or volunteers.

Employee Relations Manager

Employee relations managers oversee employee rights, resolve conflicts, advise management on discipline and termination issues and ensure that company policies comply with laws and regulations.

Chief Human Resources Officer

CHROs collaborate with other senior leaders to create strategic plans that facilitate organizational growth through talent acquisition, retention and growth.

MBA-Human Resources Employment Outlook

From 2021-2031 jobs related to human resources are expected to increase by 8%.

All Occupations

Training and Development Specialists

Compensation and Benefits Managers

Human Resources Managers

Training and Development Managers

Compliance Officers

Human Resources Specialists

Labor Relations Specialists

Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists

Source information provided by Lightcast.

Mba-human resources knowledge & skillsets.

Gain in-demand skills sought by employers with curriculum that teaches you:

• Clearly articulate the organization’s mission, vision and values, and develop strategic plans for organization-wide implementation
• Develop, communicate and implement priorities, goals and objectives in accordance with the strategic plans
• Coordinate efforts across business lines and functions, harnessing organizational synergies and ensuring strategic alignment
• Create and monitor strategies to ensure long-term financial viability
• Identify key metrics and develop reporting systems to measure performance across functional units, identifying growth and efficiency opportunities
• Develop organizational core competencies, positioning organizations to create competitive advantages in evolving industries
• Oversee product-line strategies, generating prioritized, actionable insights from consumer and industry research
• Apply effective change management strategies to help leadership, employees and other stakeholders successfully embrace organizational changes and improve performance  
• Review all elements of the marketing mix, including product formulation, price, packaging and promotion to build brand equity and optimize sales, market share and profitability
• Implement multi-year brand-category growth strategies, leveraging product development and marketing innovations
• Develop and execute annual marketing plans to achieve market share, volume and profit objectives
• Create unique and ownable market positions relative to competitors with clear points of differentiation
• Leverage the full marketing mix, executing on compelling tactics that ingrain brand position and key differentiators into the minds of target audiences
• Determine the most effective media mix across traditional and digital channels, balancing direct response initiatives with building long-term brand equity
• Closely monitor and analyze sales volumes, market share trends and competitive activity
• Assure effectiveness of marketing programs by completing post-promotion analysis of data, comparing results to established objectives
• Collaborate with internal teams to drive success via customer engagement, competitive positioning, pricing and promotional activities
• Promote strategic priorities and drive brand reputation through development and management of leadership events and speaking opportunities  
• Maintain accounting standards, ensuring compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Prepare consolidated financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements and statements of cash flow
• Prepare account reconciliation
• Consolidate and submit financial transaction reports
• Analyze financial statements
• Collaborate with business development in tracking and reporting sales efforts
• Determine how changes in business and organizational structure impact reporting and operating results
• Analyze transactions to identify issues, determine root causes of variances, and recommend appropriate corrective action
• Ensure integrity of financial data for decision support and cost accounting systems, maintaining cost standards
• Provide costing reports and make recommendations to support change in resource allocations, work methods and materials
• Recommend and implement process, systems and reporting improvements to provide more visibility into financial results
• Develop and execute cost-effective actions and expense-saving initiatives in support of financial objectives
• Use accounting principles and practices to inform and recommend process improvement changes
• Create top-talent management development and succession planning processes
• Attract, recruit and inspire A-list employees who can help drive organizational success
• Identify key domestic and international forces impacting the current and future workforce
• Develop, coach and train high performance employees and managers to attain high levels of responsibility and performance
• Design and implement organizational change strategies to enhance employee motivation and organizational efficiency
• Build highly effective teams that work together to solve problems and innovate 
• Monitor human resources-related policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws
• Address employee complaints, issues and policy violations
• Adhere to workplace compliance laws such as ADA, FMLA, sexual harassment and the Civil Rights Act
• Conduct compliance reviews to keep HR policy up to date with federal and state regulations
• Understand the need, importance and legal requirements of Equal Employment Opportunity Act  
• Lead impactful large-scale interventions by organizing stakeholder groups, setting agendas and goals, and ensuring that outcomes produce transformative objectives
• Initiate projects related to organizational design, organizational capabilities, process re-engineering and the alignment of people with business strategy
• Work with senior leadership and frontline supervisors on performance management and succession planning
• Leverage workforce competencies to capitalize on emerging opportunities resulting from changing market conditions
• Create new structures, roles and processes to create speed and efficiency while supporting shifting business demands
• Identify innovative ways to leverage technology and organizational design to increase productivity and efficiency
• Provide consulting support to executive leadership on matters of goal setting, policy development, communication and strategic implementation  
• Develop, implement and drive HR and talent management strategies
• Establish a recruiting process that meets organizational goals and DEI initiatives 
• Identify key forces impacting the workforce, such as skill shortages, economic conditions and changes to business strategy
• Use workforce analytics and other business metrics to drive strategic decision making
• Partner with business leaders on workforce planning strategies to address core skill gaps and resource shortages
• Create an engaging work environment with a positive culture, positioning the organization as an employer of choice
• Manage the HR budget to strategically maximize funds in ways that move the organization forward
• Build talent pipelines through effective employee recruiting, hiring and retention strategies  

MBA with a Human Resources Specialization or M.S. in Human Resource Management?

If you’re interested advancing your business career, Franklin has several great options. The best fit for you depends on your interests and goals. Compare programs and identify your perfect match.

Focus:   Grow your expertise in the foundational areas of business while increasing your familiarity with strategic HR, employment law and organizational development.   Skills: Build management and leadership skills alongside a deeper understanding of strategic and legal HR issues, and the impacts of planned change.   Careers:  Use your MBA-Human Resources to lead diverse workforces in an ever-changing business environment.   How many courses are in the program? Nine 6-week classes

How quickly can I complete the program? 12 months

Focus:  Advance your leadership capabilities as well as your ability to oversee benefit plans, navigate labor laws and develop talent management strategies.    Skills: Get the skills to navigate compensation systems, strategic HR, organizational leadership, employment law and organizational development.   Careers:  Put your M.S. in Human Resource Management to work leading HR functions in a variety of industries.   How many courses are in the program? Nine 6-week classes

How quickly can I complete the program? 14 months

Learn More >

Get College Credit for What You Already Know

The certificates and training listed below are relevant to this degree program. Search our database to view pre-evaluated credentials and see how a license, certification or professional training saves you time and money toward your degree.

MBA-Human Resources Specialization Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The MBA with a Specialization in Human Resources is a master’s-level program that provides a theory-to-practice approach to workplace law, organizational development and strategic human resource management. While your MBA will help you grow your management capabilities, you’ll also gain the insight to be a leader in-tune with the human side of business.

With an MBA with a Specialization in Human Resources, you’ll get a theory-to-practice approach to workplace law, organizational development and strategic human resource management that can prepare you for a variety of positions including training coordinator, employee relations manager and chief human resources officer.

With an MBA with a Specialization in Human Resources, you’ll boost your knowledge of employment law; explore how a strategic approach to planned change impacts an organization's productivity, competitiveness and culture; and examine the strategic choices HR managers face regarding ethics, employees rights and virtual work to gain a competitive advantage.

Franklin’s MBA with a Specialization in Human Resources is a 12-month, 100% online program created with input from industry experts in human resources. In Franklin’s theory-to-practice program, you’ll learn through a combination of substantive environmental analysis and case studies and be taught by in-field practitioners.

Choose from eight start dates each year – fall (August, September and November), spring (January, February and March) or summer (May and June).

Franklin University offers a quality education at a competitive cost so you can afford to invest in your future. Our per credit hour tuition rates (vs. per year or per term rates) enable you to get a realistic estimate of exactly how much your degree will cost. Our 2023-2024 tuition rate is $670 per credit hour. Use Franklin’s free MyCost Estimator to get a personalized estimate of your total degree cost. If you have any questions, ask our helpful staff about available financing options and financial aid programs.

Franklin's master's degree programs are specifically designed for busy, working adults -- that means you could finish your MBA with a Specialization in Human Resources in as few as 12 months.

Yes. Specializations are designated on diplomas and included on official transcripts.

Yes. Specializations are included on official transcripts and designated on diplomas.

Back to College Blog

Master’s in Human Resources Salary: The Top HR Jobs for Top Pay

Is a Master's in Human Resources Worth It?

What Degree Do You Need for Human Resources Careers & Advancement?

Human Resources Degree Salary: What You Can Expect

What Can I Do With a Master's in Human Resources?

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