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Prepare for HRCI and SHRM Certification Exams
Accreditors have reviewed this master’s degree program in human resource management and confirmed AMU’s curriculum aligns with HRCI certifications. Specifically, coursework helps students prepare for the Associate Professional in Human Resources® (aPHR®) and Professional in Human Resources® (PHR®) exams*. As HRCI states, these certifications follow industry-recognized standards and are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies® (NCCA).
SHRM accreditors have also assessed this HR management program to ensure the curriculum helps students prepare for SHRM certifications. Learners may sit for SHRM’s Certified Professional® (SHRM-CP®) and/or Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP®*) exams. The SHRM-CP exam assesses HR operational competencies, while the SHRM-SCP exam focuses on HR strategies.
*Eligibility requirements for PHR and SHRM-SCP certifications include professional human resources experience.
Associate Professional in Human Resources®, aPHR®, Professional in Human Resources®, and PHR® are registered trademarks of Human Resource Certification Institute, Inc.
SHRM Certified Professional®, SHRM-CP®, and SHRM-SCP® are registered trademarks of Society for Human Resource Management.
Learn from Faculty with Real-World Experience in Human Resources Management
With extensive backgrounds in HR leadership and academic research, AMU’s educators share unique insights that enrich our online curriculum. Through weekly lectures and class discussions, faculty members offer perspective on the latest practices within the HR field. Students gain an advanced understanding of key HR functions, from organizational development to employee engagement strategies.
Explore Topics that Shape the HR Industry
This master’s degree program provides a deep dive into effective strategies for managing labor relations. As you examine organizational behavior through the lens of HR leadership, you will also review the various functions of human resource development.
Talent Acquisition
Talent acquisition is a proactive approach to recruiting employees that centers on building relationships with candidates. A company will employ talent acquisition strategies to create a talent pipeline that matches organizational goals and culture.
Talent Development
Talent development initiatives combine employee education and training programs to enhance organizational effectiveness. From creating onboarding documents to evaluating employee performance, an HR manager has a role in nearly every step of the talent development process.
Compensation and Benefits
A company’s compensation and benefits packages heavily influence its ability to attract and retain talent. Human resources professionals help guide the decision-making process surrounding employee compensation. Organizations also rely on HR managers to understand how employment law and the latest trends in labor relations affect workers’ expectations.
Workforce Planning
Workforce planning is a type of strategic planning that involves forecasting an organization’s talent demands and determining how to meet them. Students learn how human resources managers assess employee skill gaps to choose between upskilling current staff members and hiring new talent. Although recruiting is instrumental in human resources management, HR professionals must always take steps to avoid overburdening company resources.
Human Resource Management in the Military
In each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, HR leaders organize policies and programs to support military objectives. These human resources professionals oversee everything from job assignments to promotions and even the discharge of personnel. A human resources director or specialist in the military could be responsible for overseeing payroll, training, and/or career planning.
Studying Human Resources Could Be a Natural Next Step for Those Who Have Served
Learn how your leadership skills and discipline translate to the business environment. Managing labor relations requires many of the same strengths that define servicemembers, veterans, and those with experience in military recruiting:
- Strategic planning
- Critical thinking
- Effective communication
- Attention to detail
Pursuing an advanced degree in human resources management provides the opportunity to sharpen these skills. Courses examine the nuances of building a competent workforce and engaging employees through teamwork to reach organizational goals.
AMU also recognizes military training and experience as transferable credit that may count toward this online master’s degree program.
Qualifying Students May Apply Transfer Credits Toward This Online Master’s Degree Program
Military Experience
American Military University awards academic credit for professional military education and training. Students may therefore satisfy select program requirements for this master’s degree in human resource management through their military service.
Prior Education and Training
Previously completed education, government training, and professional training and certifications may count toward AMU’s graduate degree programs. Students pursuing this Master of Arts in Human Resource Management may complete a $0 transfer credit evaluation to find out if they qualify.
Learn more about how to apply transfer credit toward this graduate program.
AMU is Committed to Affordable Online Education
American Military University has a mission to provide accessible, quality education online.
Our Preferred Military Rate is available for both undergraduate and master’s-level courses. All U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents may qualify for the Preferred Military Rate.
In addition to affordable tuition rates, the University offers several grants that qualifying students may apply toward this graduate program.
Everyday Heroes Grant
Emergency services professionals, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, may be eligible for a 10% grant. Parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents of emergency services professionals may also qualify for the Everyday Heroes Grant.
Veteran Grant
Veterans and their families may receive a 15% tuition grant for master's-level courses. Eligible family members include parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents of veterans.
Opportunity Grant
All prospective and current students in undergraduate and master’s-level programs are eligible to receive this 10% tuition grant. The grant is applied automatically and may not be combined with any other special promotions.
Learn more about university grants, federal student aid, and other forms of financial aid AMU accepts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Human Resources Management
Human resource management involves the processes through which organizations leverage human capital to pursue their business goals. There are many human resources functions that support labor relations and contribute to organizational effectiveness, including:
- Recruiting new talent
- Planning employee trainings and other organizational development initiatives
- Developing compensation and benefits packages
- valuating employee performance
- Resolving workplace conflicts
- Complying with local, state, and federal employment laws
- Overseeing organizational communication
The human resources department is also responsible for maintaining an efficient organizational structure. HR managers work together with senior leaders to evaluate strengths and weaknesses within a company’s workforce.
If you are looking to deepen your understanding of the HR field, a master's degree in human resource management may be worth pursuing. Graduate students discuss how HR leaders solve problems through strategic decision-making. Courses also provide insight into employment law, conflict resolution, and the role of the HR department in organizational development.
The right advanced degree program for you will depend on your unique academic goals. HR management master’s degree programs provide students with in-depth knowledge of hiring strategies, employment law, and effective organizational communication.
Alternatively, MBA programs typically cover more generalized aspects of business leadership and management. Still, MBA candidates at AMU have the opportunity to focus their studies with a degree concentration track in human resources. Through this MBA concentration, students will learn about human resource management in a global workforce.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), human resources managers are mainly responsible for ensuring employees’ skills align with organizational goals. An HR manager will connect with senior leadership to identify workforce planning objectives and hire or train team members accordingly. Additionally, HR managers oversee operations and workplace disputes to ensure organizations comply with employment laws and other applicable regulations.