Human resources specialists may wear many hats, so the courses you take in an online human resources management degree program must prepare you for a variety of roles. Many of the core classes required in online human resources management programs fall into the categories of recruiting and retaining staff, laws and ethics, management and general business and financial courses.

Recruiting and Retaining Courses

For many people, the field of human resources first brings to mind the professionals who hire, train and evaluate the performance of a company’s employees. Successful human resources managers don’t just hire and fire workers on a hunch. The courses you take in an online human resources management degree program will teach you to make solid hiring decisions and ensure that workers receive the training they need to bring value to the company.

Many online human resources management programs include coursework in recruitment and staffing as well as training and development. Some also include classes on organizational behavior and managing diversity. Though not always required, taking classes in conflict management and industrial psychology can help candidates achieve success in human resources roles, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported.

Classes in Laws and Ethics

Unfair hiring, firing and employment practices can be a legal minefield for businesses. Part of a human resources manager’s job is to make sure the company complies with all applicable employment laws. These professionals don’t just make sure employees are following company policies, but also that those company policies match legal regulations and ethical standards.

Meeting these expectations isn’t always easy. That’s why the courses you take in an online human resources management degree program might include employment law, personnel and organization policy and legal and ethical issues in business during their college careers.

Management Courses

To succeed as a human resources manager, you will, of course, need management skills. Besides courses in human resource management specifically, you should expect to take classes such as project management, union-management relations and management information systems. You will need to stand out as a leader if you’re going to successfully plan for workforce growth, develop staff, evaluate performance and resolve conflicts within the workplace.

Business and Financial Classes

A good human resources manager must also understand the basics of a company’s operations. This means that the courses you take in an online human resources management degree program will likely include some more general business subjects, like marketing, statistics and economics. Some human resources managers play a role in cutting waste, boosting productivity and sticking to budgets, so coursework in accounting, budgeting and financial management is also common.

Every school has its own curriculum, but a high-quality institution will make sure that the courses you take in an online human resources management degree program will prepare you for the varied duties a human resources manager takes on in the workplace.

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Top 10 Best Colleges for Online Human Resources Management Degrees