Will an MBA Benefit My HR Career?
Human resources comprehensively encompasses the human capital affiliated with an organization, including both the employees and the human resources department itself. This unique department is a dynamic team of HR professionals with the pivotal and core responsibility for an extensive array of employee relations duties and human resources functions, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program prepares you for such by equipping you with key skills including but not limited to:
- Problem-solving through the lens of business operations
- Operating and leading organizational processes
- Creating a human-centered work experience for employees
- Making effective and appropriate organizational decisions
To be a leader in human resources, professionals must develop and maintain strong knowledge bases that generate effective competencies to oversee an organization’s people. An MBA provides key leadership and management skills for individuals to progress into higher responsibility roles. This blog is your unique guide to how an MBA can help you reach your career goals in HR!
How Does an MBA Align With an HR Career?
An MBA is a credible graduate-level business degree that equips students with generalized business acumen while also focusing on key strategic human resource management areas like organizational behavior, employee management and engagement, strategic HR, and more. Human resources professionals utilize these problem-solving and strategic skills to accomplish key responsibilities like job recruitment, policy development and implementation and overall employee relations.
Ultimately, graduates of MBA programs are prepared for human resources manager and senior roles through coursework that generates skills that are immediately applicable at all types of organizations. Candidates who bring these skills to the table are ready to advance their human resources careers.
Career Opportunities and Salaries for HR Professionals with an MBA
While a bachelor’s degree is a great way to start, an MBA opens up more opportunities. Corporate sectors, technology firms, healthcare, manufacturing and consulting industries are particularly interested in MBA graduates – especially those seeking to serve in data-driven HR roles, HR management and global HR. Emerging roles include people analytics specialist and HR consultant positions.
MBA degree programs are optimal pathways for those seeking increased income. With an MBA, salaries will reflect that of an HR manager, which according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics averages $136,350 annually. Entry-level roles like HR specialists have a median annual wage of $67,650. Note that these salaries are based on collected data and are not guaranteed.
| HR Roles With an MBA | Day-to-Day Experience | Median Annual Salary |
| HR business partner | Assesses an organization’s HR needs and assists with implementing goals. Creates strategic HR initiatives including budget and efficiency. | $105,915 |
| Talent acquisition manager | Defines talent acquisition and recruitment strategies. Builds a strong employer brand and conducts the hiring processes. | $127,510 |
| Compensation and benefits manager | Creates employee benefit programs including compensation and benefits procedures. Monitors program effectiveness and revises as needed. | $137,557 |
| Training and development manager | Creates employee onboarding for new hires and training materials for all employees. Oversees and optimizes training and development programs. | $123,414 |
Among the highest-paying HR jobs are:
- Chief HR officer
- Chief people officer
- Chief talent officer
- Vice president of HR
- Vice president of talent acquisition
- Change management director
- Compensation director
- Compensation and benefits manager
- Global HR manager
Is an MBA Worth It for HR Professionals?
An MBA is undoubtedly beneficial for HR professionals, but whether it’s the right pathway for you primarily depends on your return on investment and long-term career goals.
To calculate the ROI of your MBA, you’ll want to compare tuition costs with your anticipated salary increase and career growth. The cost of your program can depend on several variables like course delivery (fully online or in person) and whether you’re available for full-time or part-time schedules. It’s also worth considering how long you believe it’ll take to receive your return on investment.
If you see yourself advancing into management, senior and executive HR roles one day, MBA programs offer invaluable skills and knowledge. No matter what level you’d like to reach, you’ll want to consider HR-related credentials like those offered by the SHRM and HRCI®.
How an MBA From ACE is Different
Countless higher education institutions offer MBA programs that vary in length, cost and course delivery (online or in person). Online course delivery is continuing to grow in popularity year over year due to its flexibility and often more affordable costs in comparison with an in-person program. That’s where the fully online MBA program at ACE proves itself a worthwhile choice.
Offered at an industry-low cost of $8,675, graduates get an affordable and flexible opportunity that doesn’t sacrifice quality. The MBA takes a skills-based approach and focuses on equipping graduates with skills that immediately apply to the workforce, and this includes those in or seeking HR roles.
Graduates gain skills in key areas including leadership, accounting, management, organizational behavior and more. These courses all apply to HR roles, and the program also includes a human resources management course for more specificity. Additionally, the program can be completed in as little as 12 months for students needing their credential quickly.1
1This is an estimated time to completion. Actual completion time may vary depending on the number of transfer credits applied, availability of courses, a satisfactory pace, successful course completion and meeting program milestones as required.
