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Most medium and large businesses maintain dedicated human resources (HR) departments responsible for managing all employee-related matters.
Human resources professionals handle tasks such as hiring, training and development, compensation and benefits, and setting company policies. Strong leadership, organizational, interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills are valuable in this profession. A bachelor’s degree in human resources can set you up for a career in this field. Learn more about how to earn a human resources degree, along with what you can expect along the way.
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What Is a Human Resources Degree?
A human resources degree provides the theoretical knowledge, practical abilities and soft skills required to succeed. Some bachelor’s in human resources programs also cover fundamental business concepts, including marketing, finance and economics. Human resources degrees also delve into HR-specific topics like talent acquisition, employment and labor law, compensation and benefits and related technologies.
Most four-year degrees also cover management principles and theory, preparing graduates to eventually transition from human resources specialists to human resources managers, who run entire HR departments.
Degree names vary by institution, but the core subjects covered in these programs often overlap. For instance, some academic institutions offer a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a concentration in human resources. Others offer a Bachelor of Arts in management with a concentration in human resources.
Four-year programs usually comprise 120 credits, covering general education, major and elective coursework. Within bachelor’s programs, human resources concentrations differ by program and may vary from 12 to 18 credits.
What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources?
A bachelor’s in human resources is an excellent first step toward building a career in the field. With this degree, you can pursue various positions in human resources. You can work as a human resources specialist for businesses where you manage company hiring, compensation and policies. You can also contribute your expertise to consulting firms, providing actionable advice to client companies seeking HR support.
As an entry-level human resources professional, you typically work as part of a collaborative team, partnering with upper management to develop training and onboarding programs and address daily workplace issues.
A bachelor’s in the field can also prepare you to pursue a master’s degree in human resources or an M.B.A. in human resources, which in turn may help you qualify for more leadership and management positions.
Admission Requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources
Admission requirements for bachelor’s in human resources programs are similar to requirements for any four-year degree. Prospective students must typically meet and submit the following:
- Application form
- Application fee
- GPA requirements
- Official transcripts
- Standardized test scores
- Letters of recommendation
- Proof of English language proficiency
Common Courses in a Human Resources Bachelor’s Degree
Employment and Labor Law
In this course, future human resources professionals gain a comprehensive understanding of the legal and regulatory issues that surround employment. Possible topics include termination, discrimination law, hiring and recruitment, and relationship and risk management. Coursework may also delve into employment at will, the current landscape of employment law and how it is evolving.
Talent Acquisition
In this course, students learn the best practices for cultivating a highly skilled workforce for future employers. Coursework covers recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and retaining the best employees for particular companies. Additional topics may include workforce planning, strategic recruitment and how best to identify future employees from a large pool of candidates.
HR Technology
This course equips students with the knowledge and skills to effectively leverage HR-specific technologies as human resources managers. Topics may include human resources information systems, technology trends and applications, and electronic human resources management.
Principles of Management
Bachelor’s in human resources programs often include a business core curriculum, covering fundamentals like economics, logistics and operations, emotional intelligence and management. This course offers students an overview of key management theories and how to apply them in the workplace. Covered topics may include strategic decision making, problem solving, conflict resolution, change management and creating budgets.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The most effective global organizations make all employees feel welcome and leverage diverse perspectives. This course provides students with a theoretical and legislative understanding of diversity and explores several human resources-related career options within diversity, equity and inclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Human Resources Degrees
Which bachelor's degree is best for HR?
A bachelor’s degree in human resources is one of the best ways to prepare for an HR career. Students not only gain specialized knowledge in HR but also develop a broad business foundation, which opens up career opportunities beyond the HR field if desired. However, a degree in a related field like business administration can also be sufficient.
Is human resources a high-paying job?
Yes, human resources is a high-paying job. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), human resources specialists earned a median annual salary of $64,240 as of May 2022. Advancing into a supervisory role in the field can lead to six-figure salaries. The BLS reports that human resources managers earned a median annual salary of $130,000 in 2022, with the top 10% of earners making over $224,000.
Does human resources involve a lot of math?
Human resources is generally less math-intensive than fields like accounting or economics, but certain aspects of HR work still require a basic understanding of math and statistics. Human resources professionals actively use math skills for tasks such as compliance work, budgeting, calculating turnover rates and making forecasts. However, a solid foundation in basic math is usually sufficient for most human resources positions.
Are HR degrees worth it?
Yes—if you’re pursuing a career in human resources, HR degrees are definitely worth it. HR specialist and HR manager positions typically require a bachelor’s degree at a minimum, with a master’s preferred for some management positions. Human resources professionals can start their careers with a degree in a related field such as business, communications, or psychology, but dedicated HR degrees may give job seekers an advantage, as they provide stronger HR-specific content.
