Students who want to work in business should look at the top online Master’s in Human Resources programs in Pennsylvania to learn more about the programs that can help them succeed in their careers. One problem that many working students have is that they just don’t have the time that those classes take. Online programs usually feature classroom discussion boards that allow them to participate in discussions and connect with their professors and peers. They can work in the middle of the day or night and whenever they have some available time. Pennsylvania programs are suitable for residents of any state.
See our ranking of the Top 10 Best Online Master’s in Human Resources Degree Programs.
La Salle University
School of Business
La Salle University offers one of the more unique online Master’s in Human Resources programs in Pennsylvania because the university allows students to start in the fall, spring or summer. The university established a course sequence that all students follow. Students will take their classes in different orders based on when they enroll and start. Some classes are also available during different semesters to meet the needs of part-time students and those who spend more time in the program. Each of the courses in this program run for just eight weeks. Some classes include live and real-time lectures too.
Human Capital Development (M.S.)
Instead of offering traditional online Master’s in Human Resources programs in Pennsylvania like other schools in the state do, La Salle University offers a program that focuses on human capital development. Students who complete this program will learn how to search for and find new employees, but they also learn how to manage and develop the talent they find. The program features a senior capstone project and 12 required classes that students take over three semesters. Some of those classes include Organizational Development and the Consulting Process, Strategic Approaches to Human Capital Development, Organizational Interventions and Training a Global Workforce.
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
1900 West Olney Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19141
(215) 951-1000
Pennsylvania State University
Penn State World Campus
Pennsylvania State University is one of the most well-known schools in the state. It ranks within the top 100 of all American colleges, according to U.S. News & World Report. Also called Penn State, the university is home to some of the top online degree programs too. Some call the university a Public Ivy League school because it offers the same opportunities as Ivy League colleges do but is a public institution. U.S. News & World Report and other publications also rank Penn State as one of the world’s best colleges. It now offers online programs through its Penn State World Campus.
Master of Professional Studies in Human Resources and Employment Relations
Penn State offers two of the highest ranked online Master’s in Human Resources programs in Pennsylvania. The first of those is its Master of Professional Studies in Human Resources and Employment Relations. Students who want to know more about the program can fill out a form and connect with a graduate. They can find out about the job opportunities available to them and the benefits of studying online. Penn State allows online students to pick from seven different concentrations, including labor unions: organization and strategy, benefits and compensation, ethics and leadership and employment and labor law.
Master of Business Administration
Students who want to study human resources management and learn more about business can enroll in the Penn State Master of Business Administration program. While working on an MBA, students can study HR after choosing a concentration in human resources management. This is one of the only online programs with a residency requirement too. Penn State asks online MBA students to attend a five-day residency and work with professors and other students on its campus. Students on active duty status in the military and veterans of any branch of the armed forces can contact the university to get financial aid help.
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
128 Outreach Building
University Park, PA 16802
(800) 252-3592
Robert Morris University
Online
Robert Morris University offers one of the only online Master’s in Human Resources programs in Pennsylvania that specifically aligns with the standards established by the Society for Human Resource Management. Ranked one of the top human resources online degree programs in the nation, this program ensures that students learn the most up to date information possible. RMU actually evaluates its program every few years and changes the information and courses available to reflect changes in the field. Many of the professors who teach the online classes currently work in the field as human resources professionals too and pass their knowledge down to their students.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Human Resource Management
Online students can use the Human Resource Management Planning Guide that the university offers to ensure that they take all the classes need to get their degrees. This guide also shows students when specific courses are available, which will help them decide when to take each course. Students must take 10 classes, but certain courses are only offered in the fall, spring or summer. Compensation Management is a class that looks at how to compensate employees for their work and how to manage benefits packages. Other courses include Employee Rights Under Law and Strategic Human Resources Management.
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
6001 University Blvd.
Moon, PA 15108
(800) 762-0097
Saint Francis University
Online
Saint Francis University offers shorter classes for its online students. These courses are more intensive than traditional classes but allow students to spend less time taking each one. Courses generally run for eight weeks. The university has a rolling admissions policy that lets new students apply and enroll at six different points throughout the year. Those applying to the program must submit an application and pay the $30 application fee. They will also write two short essays that they upload to the application. Saint Francis University asks for a resume, transcripts from the schools the student attended and two letters of recommendation.
Master of Human Resource Management (MHRM)
Students looking for online Master’s in Human Resources programs in Pennsylvania available from private institutions that will prepare them for their future endeavors often find the Saint Francis University program appealing. The university offers five electives but only requires that students take two electives. This is one of the only programs in Pennsylvania that allows online students to do an internship. Students can work for new employers after receiving approval from the university. Students must also take 24 classes that make up the HR core, including Human Resources Management, Strategic Human Resources Management and Staffing: Recruitment, Selection and Retention.
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
117 Evergreen Dr.
Loretto, PA 15940
(814) 472-3000
Strayer University
Online Degrees
When many people think of online colleges, they think of schools like Strayer University. Originally established as a simple business school with just one campus, it grew over the years as new owners changed its curriculum and expanded its campuses. Strayer often builds campuses in business parks that are close to local employers. This helps working students get help when they need it and take classes on those campuses. Strayer has just one physical location in Pennsylvania, but students of any state can enroll in one of its two human resources programs. They can take all their courses online through the university.
Online Master of Human Resource Management
Strayer University offers a number of grants and scholarships for graduate students that significantly reduce the out of pocket costs that they face once they enroll. Those studying human resource management can find out more about their financial aid opportunities before they take a single class. The Master of Human Resource Management that the university offers consists of both a capstone and some required classes. Students will do independent research and work in the capstone. They will then take eight courses that include Leadership and Organizational Behavior, Ethics and Advocacy for Human Resource Professionals and Managing Human Resource Projects.
Online Master of Business Administration, Human Resource Management
The MBA in Human Resource Management that Strayer University offers ranks as one of the top online Master’s in Human Resources programs in Pennsylvania. This program consists of nine required business classes and several courses from within the human resources concentration. Financial Management, Managerial Economics and Globalization, Business Communications and Leadership and Organizational Behavior are among some of the required business courses that students take. The HR concentration features a Human Resource Management Foundations course that teaches students about managing human capital, identifying issues and making business decisions. They’ll also take Strategic Human Resource Management, which teaches them the importance of different roles in the business field.
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
802 Warrendale Village Dr.
Warrendale, PA 15086
(724) 799-2900
Temple University
Fox School of Business
Established in 1884, Temple University was a private university for a number of years and had an affiliation with the Grace Baptist Church. Its school mascot is the owl because its original students called themselves night owls due to the fact that they took classes at night. The university now operates five campuses in Pennsylvania that include a Health Sciences Campus and a campus in Harrisburg. It also has international campuses in both Rome and Japan. Temple has an enrollment of more than 40,000 students across all its campuses. Many students also take online classes and/or earn their degrees online.
Human Resources Management
The Human Resources Management graduate program that Temple University offers is a 30-credit program that takes students only 13 months to finish. Students will attend live conferences and sessions that allow them to watch professors speak in real time. They can ask questions and share their opinions as well as get feedback from their peers. Students also have the chance to attend networking events on the campus and use the resources that the Fox School of Business offers for traditional students. The program features required courses such as Talent Acquisition for Competitive Advantage, Strategic Reward Systems and Leading in Complex Organizations.
Online MBA
In addition to offering one of the best online Master’s in Human Resources programs in Pennsylvania, Temple University also offers an online MBA with a concentration in human resource management. Students in this program have the option of taking classes from any of the other concentrations too, including supply chain management, enterprise risk management and travel and tourism. Students will attend a residency and orientation session on the university’s campus and then take a series of five-week classes. They can take up to three classes during each session. Temple University offers a dual degree option that allows students to earn both an MBA and a Master of Science in Human Resources Management online.
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
1801 Liacouras Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19122
(215) 204-7676
University of Scranton
Graduate Education
Students applying to the University of Scranton program in Human Resources only need to submit an application and complete a few other steps. They will fill out a form that explains the university’s transfer credit policy, which lets them know how they can transfer credits in to and out of the program. The university also asks for a resume that shows all professional HR experiences that students have and a statement of intent that essentially explains the student’s intentions to study at Scranton. Students will then submit three letters of reference to the university that come from their professional supervisors.
Human Resources, MS
The University of Scranton closely examined the HR curriculum guidebook created by the Society for Human Resource Management when designing its Human Resources program. This program awards graduates a Master of Science degree and allows them to gain the knowledge and skills that HR professionals at all levels need. Students must take at least 33 credits of classes, but some of those credits will count towards the professional certifications now available. As one of the top online Master’s in Human Resources programs in Pennsylvania, this program features classes such as Organizational Change, Employee and Labor Relations and Recruitment and Staffing.
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
University of Scranton
Scranton, PA 18510
(570) 941-7400
Villanova University
Graduate Programs
Located in the Pennsylvania city of the same name, Villanova University is a large private university with a strong reputation. Many people know the university for its basketball teams, which won multiple national championships and other awards over the years. The university now offers a number of online programs for students who live outside of Pennsylvania and in other states. Students can easily find the information they need before they apply because they can request info from the university. Villanova allows students to download a free catalog that goes over the online courses available and tuition costs.
Master of Science in Human Resource Development
One of the oldest online Master’s in Human Resources programs in Pennsylvania is the one that Villanova University offers. It launched its Master of Science in Human Resource Development in the early 1980s and updated that program to reflect the modern business world. This program is now available online for those who want to earn their degrees without moving to Villanova. Students can earn up to 30 credits that count towards the field certification that they need. The program features 12 required courses, including Introduction to HR in the Business World, Foundations of Strategic Human Resources and Training and Development.
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
800 E. Lancaster Ave.
Villanova, PA 19085
(855) 300-1473
Pennsylvania is home to a number of top employers who need qualified HR professionals. Those companies need workers with a deep understanding of employment laws and hiring practices. Students can gain that knowledge in any of the online Master’s in Human Resources programs in Pennsylvania that allow them to work while attending school.
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