A Human Resources MBA degree combines the leadership training of MBA programs with human resource management (HRM) knowledge. Human Resources MBA degrees are favored by HR managers who want to advance to higher positions, such as HR directors and vice presidents.
Program Benefits
This MBA concentration is designed to help students better understand the critical role that human resources play in an organization’s success. Students will know how to utilize an organization’s employees to achieve better results and gain a competitive advantage. These programs will help students better understand, identify and resolve the wide range of problems that naturally arise from managing employees. This degree program prepares students for functional responsibilities and leadership roles in HR department.
After graduation, students will know how to systematically solve problems and make better business decisions. They will know how to manage, develop and motivate employees to meet the changing needs of organizations and industries. They will learn how diversity, inclusion and core values strengthen relationships, increase collaboration and contribute to effective problem solving. Graduates will know how to leverage technology in complex environments to create sustainable competitive practices and advantages. Most programs offer a hybrid blend of conceptual understanding and pragmatic application.
MBA Topics
The MBA part of the degree program may offer classes on business law, so students are prepared to evaluate the legal risks associated with specific business activities. For example, students may work on projects regarding risk management for poor hiring practices and discrimination suits. Other legal topics include conflict mediation, enterprise liability, business torts and state business laws. Classes on general management help students increase awareness of their own values and perceptions in order to better manage and communicate with others. Students will learn about cross-departmental collaboration, decision making models and current academic research, according to Forbes.
Students are usually taught quantitative reasoning because they must learn how to analyze complex data using a variety of technical tools and cognitive techniques. Other topics covered include basic formulas, statistical methods and helpful software solutions. Learning about economics helps graduates to apply economic knowledge to make management decisions. Students will learn about concepts like opportunity costs, supply and demand and profit maximization. Applied business statistics will help students learn how to develop effective research questions, select sampling populations and things like probability, descriptive statistics and confidence intervals.
HR Topics
The most basic class will be on human resource law because students must know how to comply with regulations across various settings and jurisdictions. Students will learn how to manage HR functions within regulatory environments. HR regulations include topics like workplace safety, labor relations and compensation and benefits. Classes on human capital management help students understand personnel development practices and concepts. Students will know how to create effective job analyses, performance systems and career development plans.
Studying organizational leadership will ensure that students learn about organizational power, politics, culture, structure, behavior, change and conflict. Strategic HR planning will prepare graduates to create sustainable practices and competitive advantages. Part of this involves learning about strategic analysis, risk management, environmental scanning and corporate social responsibility. HR recruitment and retention practices will cover how to develop a workforce that attain goals, how to find the best employees and how to select the best recruitment strategies.
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A Human Resources MBA is an excellent way for HR managers to advance their careers, expand their knowledge and improve their core competencies.