Human Resource Management, M.S.

Graduate Degree

The Master of Science in Human Resource Management degree program at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, is designed to prepare graduates for research and administrative positions in both public and private sector human resource management offices, labor unions and agencies concerned with employer-employee relations.

Marshall University’s Lewis College of Business is one of 186 schools worldwide to have achieved full accreditation for its undergraduate majors and graduate programs by the Association to Advance Collegiate School of Business (AACSB) International.

A graduate degree in Human Resource Management could be the perfect next step in developing your critical understanding of people and the businesses they work for.

Why study Human Resource Management at Marshall?

The Human Resource Management graduate program in Marshall University’ Brad D. Smith Graduate School of Business offers quality and affordability to ensure the best value for your investment.
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) acknowledges that Marshall University’s Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management program fully aligns with the SHRM’s HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates, which helps define Human Resource education standards. Marshall’s human resource master’s program provides practical experiences to help students develop the skills needed to become a functional specialist or a strategic human resource leader supporting small and large organizations.

Graduate instruction in the study of human resource management is based upon the knowledge and methods developed in a number of traditional areas of study. The major disciplines represented in the program are economics, psychology, sociology, management and law.

Responsibilities of a human resource manager (HRM) include the attraction, selection, training, assessment and rewarding of employees. It may also involve overseeing organizational leadership and culture, ensuring compliance with employment and labor laws and helping in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, talent management, succession planning, industrial and labor relations and diversity and inclusion.

Marshall University faculty members in the Lewis College of Business have strong academic backgrounds and professional experience in the fields of business management, accounting, finance, human resource management, marketing, economics, law, management information systems, communications and organizational behavior.

Marshall’s M.S. program is accredited by the AACSB ensuring that we follow best practices to offer the latest curriculum. AACSB schools must pass very rigorous quality standards to provide the best in business education. Graduates from AACSB business schools are recognized by top employers and major companies.

Career Outlook for Human Resource Management Graduate Students

With a graduate degree in Human Resource Management, you will work behind the scenes to ensure that businesses and organizations cater to the diverse needs of their employees while maximizing employee potential. Having a master’s degree in this field can put you in a higher salary level than having just a bachelor’s degree. It can also lead to additional opportunities such as management and supervisory positions.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2018 median salary for human resource managers was $113,300 annually. Job growth from 2018-2028 is projected to be seven percent.

Common careers for human resource management graduates include:

Human Resources Specialists
Labor Relations Specialists
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists
Training and Development Specialists
Human Resources Managers
Training and Development Managers
Compensation and Benefits Managers

Opportunities for Human Resource Management Graduate Students

Graduate students in the Lewis College of Business at Marshall University in West Virginia have various opportunities for gaining profession experience including Student organizations, internships, events, experiential learning and research. Students are also invited to apply for graduate assistantship positions.

Available students organizations include:

Society For Human Resource Management (SHRM) – A student organization created for undergraduate and graduate students who want to enhance their knowledge of the human resources field, SHRM is also a great opportunity for networking. All majors welcome.
Delta Sigma Pi – The largest business fraternity in the world with 296 chapters, Delta Sigma Ph is a professional, co-ed business fraternity providing opportunities for networking as we;; as building ethical, leadership and social skills. All business majors welcome.

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