Plaster College of Business and Entrepreneurship
Human Resource Management (MA)
Master’s Degree offered in On-campus, Online, and Blended formats.
*On-campus format may require some online classes for degree completion.
The Master of Arts in Human Resource Management at Lindenwood University in St. Charles prepares professionals for advanced leadership roles in human resources. This graduate program emphasizes strategic decision-making, workforce planning, analytics, employment law, and organizational development—equipping graduates to lead people-focused initiatives in today’s complex business environments.
Offered in online and on-campus formats, the HRM (MA) program is designed for working professionals seeking flexibility while developing advanced HR expertise. Through a practical, management-focused curriculum, students gain the skills needed to support organizational performance, employee engagement, and ethical workplace practices across industries.
Why Earn a Master’s in Human Resource Management at Lindenwood?
Human resource management plays a critical role in organizational success. Lindenwood’s HRM (MA) program is HLC and ACBSP accredited and aligned with Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) competencies, ensuring coursework reflects current professional standards in the HR field.
Students learn from experienced faculty with professional backgrounds in HR leadership, management, and organizational strategy. Coursework emphasizes real-world application through case studies, applied projects, and data-driven decision-making—preparing graduates to step into strategic HR roles with confidence.
Program Format & Flexibility
The Human Resource Management (MA) is available in:
- Online format
- On-campus (HiFlex) format (with some online coursework)
This flexible delivery allows students to balance graduate study with professional and personal responsibilities.
What You’ll Learn
The HRM (MA) curriculum focuses on advanced human resource leadership and strategic management. Students develop expertise in:
- Strategic human resource management
- Workforce staffing and talent development
- Employment and labor law
- Total rewards and compensation strategy
- Human resource analytics and data-driven decision-making
- Organizational behavior and change management
- Project management and cross-functional leadership
Graduates are prepared to align HR strategy with organizational goals while navigating legal, ethical, and operational challenges.
Curriculum Overview
The Master of Arts in Human Resource Management requires 33-42 credit hours, depending on prior academic background.
Foundation Coursework (0–9 Credit Hours)
Students without sufficient undergraduate business coursework may be required to complete foundation courses. These requirements may be waived by:
- Prior coursework with a grade of B or better, or
- Achieving a qualifying score on a diagnostic exam
Foundation coursework, if required, must be completed early in the program.
Writing & Statistics Coursework (0–9 Credit Hours)
Additional writing or statistics coursework may be required based on academic background, including:
- Academic and Professional Writing for Business Students
- Statistics or quantitative analysis
International students may be required to complete writing coursework based on placement results.
Major Coursework (33 Credit Hours)
Core HRM coursework includes:
- Strategic Human Resource Management
- Fundamentals of Financial Management or Financial Policy
- Workforce Talent Development
- Employment and Labor Law
- Workforce Staffing
- Workforce Total Rewards
- Human Resource Management Analytics
- Organizational Behavior
- Organizational Change and Development
- Project Management
- Human Resource Management Integration
These courses emphasize strategic leadership, analytics, and applied HR practice.
Career Opportunities in Human Resource Management
Graduates of the Human Resource Management (MA) program are prepared for mid- to senior-level roles such as:
- Human Resources Manager
- HR Business Partner
- Talent Development Manager
- Compensation and Benefits Manager
- Employee Relations Manager
- Workforce Analytics Specialist
- Organizational Development Consultant
- Entrepreneurs and Small Business Managers can also benefit from HRM acumen.
The program also provides a strong foundation for professional HR certifications, such as SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP, after meeting experience requirements.
Admissions & Next Steps
Students interested in the Master of Arts in Human Resource Management can apply through Lindenwood’s graduate admissions process. Admission requirements and foundation coursework are evaluated based on academic background.
Academic advisors are available to help students understand program expectations, foundation requirements, and degree planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Human Resource Management (MA) is offered in online and on-campus formats, providing flexibility for working professionals. FLX course formats enable the student to participate in-person or virtually via web conference, or completely online – you can vary your participation at will.
The program requires 33–42 credit hours, depending on whether foundation coursework is required based on prior academic preparation.
SHRM alignment means the curriculum reflects professional HR competencies and standards recognized across the field, helping students build relevant, career-ready skills.
The program provides academic preparation for HR certifications such as SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP. Certification eligibility depends on professional experience and credentialing requirements.