FAQs for a bachelors degree in human resources

Bachelor’s degree in human resources — all FAQs answered

Key Takeaways

Choose a bachelor’s degree that aligns with your career goals, such as human resources, which emphasizes problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills.
You can pursue a Bachelor’s in human resource management (HRM) or consider related fields like business administration, psychology, or sociology for varied career paths within HR.
A degree in HR opens doors to diverse roles such as recruitment specialist, HR analyst, or payroll specialist across industries like education, healthcare, and administration.
Select from a range of top colleges offering HR programs, both on-campus and online, ensuring accreditation for quality and flexibility.
While entry-level roles may accept diplomas or certificates, a bachelor’s degree in HR facilitates career progression into mid-senior level positions with better job security and pay.
The HR degree curriculum combines business management, people skills, and legal knowledge, offering practical, real-world applications that enhance problem-solving abilities.
Consider pursuing internships, certifications, or online courses to bolster your HR career prospects, emphasizing practical experience alongside formal education.

Deciding your career path is always a tough decision. The first step in the process is picking a bachelor’s degree you want to pursue that aligns the best with your career goals.

Needless to say, this can be an overwhelming process, and you might feel like there is so much you don’t know yet. With so many raging questions in your head, it is natural that you have stumbled upon this list of answers for all questions regarding a degree in human resources or other subjects.

A degree in human resources is the right path for people who are problem solvers, natural leaders, and have good communication skills. It is one of the most in-demand professions in all industries and businesses.

If you wish to pursue a degree in human resources or are considering it, here are all the important and frequently asked questions answered for you!

How to get a degree in human resources?

Earn a bachelor’s degree in human resources by enrolling in a 4-year program at a college of your choice. Make sure the college is accredited. There are numerous programs and degrees that you can choose from.

You can go for a bachelor’s in business administration with a human resources major. Or, opt for a more specialized degree, such as a Bachelor in human resource management (HRM). You can choose between a BS or BA in human resources.

Human resources degrees are offered by multiple colleges on campus. However, many colleges now offer the degree online to offer greater flexibility and ease. Explore colleges from the following list:

Do you need a degree in human resources?

Whether or not you need a degree in human resources depends on your career goals and stage. If you wish to land a decent spying entry-level job, you might not require a bachelor’s degree. A simple diploma or a certification might do the job.

However, for mid-senior level jobs and career progression, having a relevant bachelor’s degree will be beneficial. However, you can opt for a variety of bachelor’s degrees instead of feeling restricted to only getting a degree in human resources.

You can get a degree in Psychology, Sociology, Marketing, Communication, or Business Management.

What can I do with a human resource management degree?

Human resources degree jobs are diverse and fall under a broad range. There are several areas of specialization within HR, such as recruitment, compensation and benefits, labor relations, employment laws, training and development, and HRIS. You can specialize in any of these areas and get a relevant job.

The most common jobs you can find with a degree in human resources include:

Recruitment specialist
Payroll specialist
Compensation analyst
HR analyst
Technical/non-technical recruiter
HR generalist

Alternative career paths for HR degree holders include working in various industries such as education, healthcare, administration, public service, counseling, and consultancy.

What is the best college for human resources?

To earn a degree in human resources, you have to attend an innumerable number of top colleges. You can find BS and BA in human resources, or choose the human resources major in a Business program. Either way, the options are endless.

To choose the best college for human resources, refer to the following list:

What degree do you need to work in human resources?

Bachelors degree in human resources for HR jobs

The best college degree for a human resources career is a Bachelor’s in human resource Management (HRM). The best colleges offering HRM degrees include Carlow University, Indiana State University, and Oakland University.

However, you can also pursue alternative degrees that are relevant to HR jobs and align with your interests and passions. You can get a degree in the following fields of study to work in human resources:

Business administration with a human resources major
Organizational leadership with a specialization in HR
Psychology with a concentration on organizational psychology
Sociology
Labor laws and employee relations

Can you get a degree in human resources?

Yes, you can get a degree in human resources. For that, you must enroll in an accredited college that offers a 4-year human resources bachelor’s degree program. The program can be on-campus or online, as both courses of education are accepted and equal.

A degree in human resources may be great for career progression, as it could lead you to mid-level jobs that pay well and are a lot more specialized. An HR degree is made up of typically 120 credits, and lots of courses that focus on different areas of human resources management such as Recruitment and Labor Laws.

How to get into human resources without a degree?

For most entry-level human resources jobs, diplomas, and certifications are also enough. Some employers may consider your prior work experience and its relevance to the job, and will overlook the missing bachelor’s degree.

However, a degree in human resources guarantees much better job prospects and career growth. A degree certifies you as an eligible professional in the field and prepares you with important skills and knowledge that you need for the professional world.

To get into human resources without a degree, you can take up internships that have fewer requirements. Volunteer work can also help. Taking online courses and certifications from platforms like Coursera and Udemy is also beneficial. A diploma from a community college can also help you land a decent job in human resources.

How hard is an HR degree?

A degree in human resources creates a good mix of business management, people management, and technical skills. Most of the coursework in HR programs relies on case studies and practical real-life examples, along with several project assignments that help you develop crucial skills like conflict resolution and decision-making.

Overall, an HR degree is a blend of many various competencies and is a great degree for anyone who loves to read, solve mind-boggling problems, is solution-minded, and has strong principles.

The degree is not hard. In fact, many people say that it is easier than majoring in subjects like Accounting and Finance. HR degree is focused on skills that one may already have a little bit of hint of, such as communication.

How hard the degree is also depends on the area of specialization you have chosen. Recruitment, for example, is not difficult to learn as compared to retaining employees and payroll management.

Why did you choose human resources as a career path?

Many people who choose HR as a career path have many various reasons for doing so. However, the biggest reason for them all was that they found variety and diversity in their careers. Resultantly, they were sure that they would not get bored on the job doing the same thing every day. Many people did not graduate with a degree in human resources but later shifted to that career path.

Another reason why people choose HR is job security. The HR function is needed by all businesses everywhere and every time. Therefore, the job demand never goes out.

People who have influential personalities or wish to influence change in an environment are also more inclined towards a career in human resources.

Some people might also select a career in HR because HR jobs pay well. According to BLS, the HR employment rate will grow by 6% by 2032.

Is an online degree in human resources worth it?

Bachelor's degree in human resources online

An online degree in human resources is just as good as an on-campus degree. Human resources bachelor online is offered by many colleges including Arizona State University, Florida International University, and so on.

Typically, an online HR degree is a 4-year program with areas of specialization including recruitment, compensation, training, and development.

Can a bachelor’s in psychology be equivalent to HR?

A bachelor’s program that was completed over a course of 4 years with typically 120 credits is equivalent, no matter which subject of the field of study. Psychology is a great field of study if you wish to learn human behavior and mental functioning and implement it in organizational management.

Many HR professionals come with Psychology degrees, majoring in Organizational Psychology to blend excellent people management and empathy together.

So, if you are considering enrolling yourself in a Psychology undergraduate degree, then a career in human resources is a huge possibility for you. Psychology graduates are eligible for human resources degree jobs. Similarly, students enrolled in an undergraduate sociology degree can also explore HR jobs.

How many credit hours for a bachelor’s degree in HR?

Typically, HR bachelor programs require students to fulfill 120 credits within a period of 4 years. However, colleges give a grace period, allowing students to finish their degree in 5 to 6 years due to unforeseen circumstances.

What colleges are the best for an online bachelor’s degree in HR?

There are many renowned and well-reputed colleges offering online bachelor’s degrees in HR. However, the important part to take care of is that whichever college you choose for an online human resources degree, make sure it is an accredited college.

Accreditations allow you to apply for financial aid if need be. Plus, you can transfer your credit hours to another college without any difficulties.

Online HR degrees are the same as on-campus degrees, with the only difference being the mode of communication. The best colleges for online bachelor’s degrees in HR include:

Which branch of HR pays the most?

While recruitment is the most common branch of HR, it is also saturated and not the best paying. Instead, training and development specialization offers the highest-paying job prospects.

What degree do most HR managers have?

Bachelors degree in human resources for HR manager

HR Manager is a senior position role that often leads a team of HR professionals and involves making important decisions. HR Managers may be required to have over 6 to 7 years of experience, with a master’s degree in HR preferably.

Which HR Specialization is the best?

Training and development is one of the most engaging HR specializations as it focuses on different aspects of employee management and development. However, new specializations are also emerging with the changing HR landscape, such as DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and Employee Experience.

For people who have a knack for law and staunch principles, employee laws and labor relations is a great HR specializations.

What is the lowest HR position?

In regard to the human resources degree jobs’ hierarchy, entry-level jobs are the lowest. These are usually internships with titles like HR Intern, Recruitment Intern, or full-time permanent jobs like HR Associates and HR Executive.

Which is better, a human resources degree or certificate?

A degree in human resources is the best if you wish to advance in your career. It will lead you to full-time, permanent, and secure jobs in various industries. It may not be a requirement for entry-level jobs, but for mid-senior to senior jobs, a degree in human resources is needed.

HR certificates are excellent for your career. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, then a human resources certificate is an added symbol of excellence and dedication. Meanwhile, if you don’t have an HR degree, an HR certificate might help you land entry-level jobs and internships.

For a full-scale professional human resources career, an HR bachelor’s degree is better.

Now you know everything!

The above questions and answers are your go-to when looking for answers regarding your academic career choices. If you are considering taking up a bachelor’s degree in HR, you must explore all aspects of it, including the job prospects, career paths, and the list of colleges offering relevant programs.

Only make the final decision after careful consideration, because your choice of degree will stick with you for the next 4 to 5 years. A good college offering a degree in human resources with a stable student life and good financial aid should be your top priority!