Are Online Human Resources Degrees Legitimate?

For companies to find well-qualified talent, they need to first hire a great human resources team. Professionals and human resources handle the hiring, onboarding, compliance, and ongoing maintenance of employees. To get started quickly in this professional field students may be considering an online degree in human resources, but the question arises: are online human resources legitimate?

Yes! Online universities can offer you the certificate or degree needed to begin your career in human resources. However, there are a few key details to keep in mind when searching for the program that's right for you.

This article goes into detail on the way to find the best human resources online and offers five suggestions from accredited universities. Also, keep in mind there are many affordable online human resources degrees available.

Do Employers Respect Online Human Resources Degrees?

Many employers are more concerned with the experience and coursework relevant to the job, rather than where the program was completed. While some students still believe there is an advantage to taking in-person courses rather than online, this all depends on the individual and what program they choose.

Many accredited universities with in-person campuses decided to open remote access in recent years. This means that programs available online are usually identical to the in-person counterparts with a few changes to accommodate the different formats.

This ensures that the program you join online still offers a high-quality education alliance with the university standards.

What To Look for in an Online Human Resources Degree Program

When choosing an online program, you'll want to decide between universities that are accredited, and with a good reputation. Here are a few points to keep an eye out for while you're searching for an online human resources program.

Accreditation

The first factor you'll want to search for is what kind of accreditation the university has. Universities can earn accreditation from national and local third-party sources. These third parties review the curriculum for quality assurance and make sure the university is teaching relevant and factually accurate information.

While there is no accreditation for human resources programs specifically, students can search for popular business accreditations. The most common are the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Reputation

When searching for online human resources degrees that are legitimate, you'll want to look for a school with a good reputation. While earning a positive rating from enrolled students, alumni, and faculty isn't always easy, the schools that do it show their commitment to student and faculty success.

Start by searching online rankings for schools that offer online human resources. An online ranking is an overall score determined by a school's:

• Student resources
• Scholarships and grants
• Graduation rate
• Acceptance rate
• Tuition fee

A positive ranking typically determines that a school has been rated highly in these areas.

Nonprofit Vs. For-Profit Degrees

There can be a significant difference between nonprofit and for-profit universities. For one, nonprofit universities are typically managed through the state and may offer significantly lower tuition fees. Students applying in-state may be eligible for an even deeper discount on tuition. While nonprofit universities are typically cost-friendly, they may have fewer student resources or fewer degree concentrations.

On the other hand, for-profit may be more student-centered, with a wide selection of:

• Extracurriculars
• Networking opportunities
• Degree concentrations

For-profit universities typically charge a higher tuition rate.

Graduation Rates

Consider school graduation rates as a way to determine the overall reputation and value of the school. A graduation rate is determined by how many students are enrolled and how many graduate on time. This can be a good figure to consider how successful students are throughout their time in the university.

Universities with a lower graduation rate may not be worth enrolling at because they may have fewer student resources. Schools with significantly higher graduation rates may indicate resources like free tutoring and accessible textbooks.

Differences Between Online Human Resources Degrees and Traditional Human Resources Degrees

The primary difference between an online human resources degree and a traditional human resources degree is the flexibility and convenience.

Online human resources degrees consist of courses that are pre-recorded and can be completed at any time during the day or week. This style of asynchronous learning makes it easier for students who are balancing work and higher education.

A traditional human resources degree usually requires students to report on campus at a specific time for their classes. While having an in-person college experience can have its benefits, there are clear time constraints with this type of schedule. Students who need to continue working may not be able to get to campus on time every day.

Benefits of Earning Your Human Resources Degree at an Online School

There can be several benefits to earning a human resources degree online though the biggest advantages include convenience and cost. Online and in-person human resources degrees may still teach the same courses, but online programs are usually less expensive. Additionally, students can save on the transportation costs associated with getting to the college campus.

Online programs also tend to be more convenient because of the asynchronous learning style mentioned above. When a student has the freedom to complete their courses at any time of the day, it removes the pressure and commitment to arrive on time for a class.

Featured Online Human Resources Degree Programs

The best online human resources degree programs have a mix of:

• Accreditation
• A positive overall college ranking
• Plentiful student resources

The programs listed below are ranked among the top online universities in the United States.

1. Johnson and Wales University

The global campus through Johnson and Wales University (JWU) gives students the option to complete either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Art in business administration. This degree program has a concentration in human resources, preparing students not only for success within a management-level career but also for how to properly handle the functions of human resources.

The curriculum was created to follow the standards set by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI).

The following online human resource degrees are available at JWU:

• Online BA in Business Administration Human Resources Management
• Online BS in Business Administration Human Resources Management

2. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a popular online college that teaches a variety of disciplines from its remote learning portal. SNHU is transfer-friendly, allowing students to transfer up to 90 credits at a time. There are also several start dates throughout the year, which ensures students can start as soon as they're ready.

The following online human resource degree is available at SNHU:

• Online BS in Human Resources Management

3. Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) is one of the most popular online colleges in the U.S. The online human resources management degree teaches HR essentials like:

• Information technology
• Industry software
• Recruitment and employee management

According to a WGU study, 65% of students complete their degree within 24 months of starting. The program consists of 41 courses, plus a capstone project to demonstrate the student's graduation readiness.

The following online human resource degree is available at WGU:

• Online BS in Business Administration Human Resources Management

4. Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) is a state-run institution with programs developed for busy professionals. The bachelor of arts in business teaches the fundamentals of managing corporate administrative functions, while the human resources concentration focuses on employee management.

ASU online students are taught by the same faculty and curriculum as in-person students, which ensures quality and satisfaction upon completion of the program.

The following online human resource degree is available at ASU:

• Online BA in Business - Human Resources Management

5. Charleston Southern University

The online programs available through Charleston Southern University were recognized in the list of top remote colleges through U.S. News and World Report.

The program was developed from the guidebook published by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and teaches fundamentals like business policy, employment law, organizational culture, and labor regulations.

Students typically complete this program in under 24 months.

The following online human resource degree is available at Charleston Southern University:

• Online BS in Human Resources Management