Master's in Human Resources Programs with No GMAT or GRE Requirement

Georgetown University

Georgetown's Master's in Human Resources consists of 33 credits that are divided between two core courses, three foundation courses, and six elective options. The program allows students to specialize in one of four focus areas, with options including strategic human capital management, global capital management, talent and organization development, and diversity and inclusion management.

University of Southern California

USC's Master of Science in Human Resources is a flexible option that is offered completely online, making it ideal for students with busy work schedules. Courses focus on fundamental and advanced topics in human resources such as organizational culture, leadership, employee relations, and human resources analytics.

Towson University

The MS in Human Resource Development at Towson comes with four areas of study: industrial and organizational psychology, leadership and organization development, employee training and development, and a general human resources concentration. The program includes online courses and evening sessions that allow even working professionals to complete the degree in less than three years.

*Source: National Center for Education Statistics

Applying to a Master's Degree in Human Resources Program with no GRE/GMAT Requirement

Application requirements for master's degree programs in human resources vary from one school to the next and many programs do not require standardized tests as part of the application process. Prospective applicants should be aware that even if a program does not require the GRE or GMAT, there will still be other items in the application process. All students will need to have a bachelor's degree before applying to any master's degree program. The degree does not need to be in human resources but candidates can improve their chances of admissions if they have a GPA of at least 3.0.

In addition to transcripts, other common items in the application process include a professional resume, letters of recommendation, and English proficiency exams (such as the TOEFL or IELTS) for international students. For the most part, schools do not require professional experience in the human resources field.

Earning a Master's Degree in Human Resources

Master's degree programs in human resources cover a range of business, communication, and legal topics to help prepare candidates for leadership roles in the human resources field. Many programs also offer specializations that allow students to focus their studies on a particular topic in human resources management. Programs can be completed in two years or less, and some schools have online programs that offer the convenience and flexibility that comes with online learning.

Leadership in Human Resources

This course is designed to introduce students to soft skills -- the techniques and principles that leaders in the human resources field should have to succeed. This might include topics like non-verbal communication, leadership development, group behavior and the common challenges that managers face and how they overcome them. The course also teaches students how to develop their own unique strategic plan to enrich their personal development.

Diversity and Inclusion

Human resources managers need to have an advanced understanding of power and privilege dynamics to navigate diversity issues and this course provides instruction in these areas. Students in this class often explore personal characteristics such as gender, sexual orientation, national origin, and ethnicity and learn how to develop inclusion strategies that make all employees feel accepted and welcome. This offering might focus specifically on the modern workplace, how recent changes have led to a more diverse workforce, and the challenges that still remain.

Employee Relations

In this course, students typically examine the legal factors that govern relations between workers and organizations. Candidates will get an overview of labor law as they learn about concepts such as unionization, policy implementation, performance appraisal, and statutory rights. The course also elaborates upon the role of the human resources department as a mediator and arbitrator between these two parties.

Managing Organizational Change

This course explains the complications that arise as organizations go through changes, be it new technology, modifications to the nature of work, or new workplace demographics. Students will explore both the theory and practice of organizational change and learn about topics like organizational effectiveness, applied research methods, and strategic change. The course might also dive into the role that human resources plays in the organizational change process and shows candidates how to become effective change agents.

Human Capital Analysis

'Human capital' is the term used to describe an organization's workforce and courses of this nature teach aspiring HR professionals how to develop, organize, and manage these employees. Common topics include workforce productivity, talent recruitment, and professional development opportunities for employees. Certain human capital courses also focus on the analytical tools available to HR professionals and teach students how to use statistical analysis to gauge the efficiency of an organization.

Human Resources Strategy

This course teaches students about the political, social, and legal environments that human resources leaders must navigate. After covering these challenges, the course then explores solutions and methods such as organizational resources, the strategic management process, and performance outcomes. Students can expect to develop problem-solving, critical thinking, and strategic planning skills that are crucial for those serving in human resources management positions.

A number of schools across the country have master's degree programs in human resources that do not require the GRE or GMAT as part of the application process. Despite not having this requirement, these programs still offer robust and comprehensive curricula that cover a variety of topics and prepare candidates for leadership roles in the human resources field.