100%
Asynchronous Online
1-2 YRS
Program Length
33
Credit Hours
$670
Cost per Credit
HR leaders who can think strategically, interpret workforce data, and navigate employment law are among the most sought-after professionals in business today. Lindenwood University’s Online Master of Arts (MA) in Human Resource Management gives you those capabilities through a flexible, fully asynchronous program you can complete from anywhere. Built on a SHRM-aligned curriculum and delivered through the Plaster College of Business and Entrepreneurship, this online HR master’s degree is designed for working professionals who refuse to choose between advancing their career and maintaining their current responsibilities.
This is not a generic business degree with an HR elective attached. Every course in this program is purpose-built for human resource leadership: strategic HR management, workforce staffing, employment and labor law, total rewards, HR analytics, organizational behavior, and change management. You’ll graduate with the specialized depth that employers expect from HR directors, business partners, and senior people leaders.
The program is 100% asynchronous online. There are no required campus visits, no live session times, and no geographic restrictions. At $670 per credit hour with 33 credit hours of major coursework, the total major tuition is approximately $22,110. Financial aid and scholarships are available, and Lindenwood offers multiple start dates throughout the year so you can begin when you’re ready.
Key Program Facts
• 33 credit hours of major coursework (33–42 total depending on foundation requirements)
• 100% asynchronous online
• $670 per credit hour
• 1–2 year program length
• ACBSP accredited and SHRM aligned
• No GRE or GMAT required
• Multiple start dates throughout the year
Curriculum Overview
The online MA in Human Resource Management shares the same SHRM-aligned curriculum as the on-campus program. Major coursework totals 33 credit hours across 11 courses:
Core HR Courses:
• Strategic Human Resource Management
• Workforce Talent Development
• Employment and Labor Law
• Workforce Total Rewards
• Workforce Staffing
• Human Resource Management Analytics
• Human Resource Management Integration (capstone)
Management & Leadership:
• Organizational Behavior
• Organizational Change and Development
• Project Management
Financial Foundations:
• Fundamentals of Financial Management or Financial Policy
Students without sufficient undergraduate business coursework may need to complete 0–9 hours of foundation courses. Writing and statistics coursework (0–9 hours) may also be required based on academic background. Foundation requirements can be waived with qualifying grades or diagnostic exam scores.
Essential Skills & Insights
The online master’s in human resource management develops the advanced competencies that employers demand from strategic HR leaders:
Talent Recruitment & Workforce Staffing — Source, screen, and hire using data-driven pipelines and inclusive practices. Learn to build staffing strategies that align with organizational growth objectives.
Employee Development & Retention — Design targeted learning programs, coaching initiatives, and engagement strategies that grow careers and reduce turnover.
Compensation & Total Rewards — Build market-competitive, equitable pay and benefits structures tied to organizational outcomes and employee satisfaction.
HR Analytics & Data-Driven Strategy — Transform workforce data into predictive insights and action-ready dashboards. Quantify the business impact of HR programs and inform executive decision-making.
AI & Workforce Innovation — Explore how artificial intelligence is transforming HR: recruitment automation, predictive analytics, employee engagement platforms, and ethical considerations of AI in people management.
Employment Law & Ethics — Navigate federal and state labor law, EEOC compliance, ADA, FMLA, and workplace investigation protocols with the legal fluency expected of senior HR leaders.
Career Outlook
Graduates of the online MA in Human Resource Management are prepared for mid-to-senior-level roles across industries:
• Human Resources Manager / Director
• HR Business Partner
• Talent Acquisition Director
• Compensation and Benefits Manager
• Training and Development Manager
• People Analytics Manager / Workforce Analytics Specialist
• Organizational Development Consultant
• Employee Relations Manager
• VP of Human Resources / Chief Human Resources Officer
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, human resources managers earned a median annual salary of $140,030 in May 2024, with the top 10% earning more than $239,200. Employment is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 17,900 openings per year. Compensation and benefits managers earned a median of $156,230. Training and development managers earned approximately $126,030.
The master’s degree represents a significant salary advantage over specialist-level roles. Human resources specialists (typically bachelor’s-level) earned a median of $72,910, nearly half the median for HR managers. Learn more about the benefits of earning a master’s in human resource management.
The SHRM-aligned curriculum also provides academic preparation for SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP certifications, which can further boost earning potential. Professionals seeking focused credentials can explore Lindenwood’s Human Resource Management Graduate Certificate.
Transfer Credits
Lindenwood University’s Online programs offer a generous transfer policy of up to nine credits toward your human resource management master’s online completion to further offset tuition costs. This means you can complete your degree in as few as 24 credit hours at Lindenwood—saving you time and money on your education!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Online MA in Human Resource Management is 100% asynchronous. There are no required campus visits, no live session times, and no geographic restrictions. Complete coursework on your schedule from anywhere.
Tuition is $670 per credit hour. The program requires 33 credit hours of major coursework, for an approximate major tuition of $22,110. Foundation coursework, if required, adds to the total. Financial aid, scholarships, and payment plans are available.
Most students complete the program in 1–2 years depending on course load and foundation requirements. Multiple start dates and flexible scheduling accommodate working professionals.
No. Students from any undergraduate background are welcome. Foundation courses may be required for students without prior business coursework, and can be waived with qualifying grades or diagnostic exam scores.
Both programs share the same SHRM-aligned curriculum, faculty, and degree credential. The difference is delivery format. The online MA is 100% asynchronous with no campus requirements. The on-campus MA uses HiFlex delivery, allowing in-person, virtual, or online participation. Choose based on your schedule and learning preferences.
The MA is a dedicated HR degree where every course focuses on human resource leadership. The MBA with Human Resource Management emphasis is a general business degree with HR electives. Choose the MA for maximum HR depth. Choose the MBA for broader business credentials with some HR specialization.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, human resources managers earned a median salary of $140,030 in May 2024. The top 10% earned over $239,200. Compensation and benefits managers earned $156,230. The master’s degree represents a significant salary advantage over specialist-level roles ($72,910 median).
Yes. The SHRM-aligned curriculum provides academic preparation for SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP certifications. Eligibility also depends on professional experience and SHRM credentialing requirements.
Begin your application at apply.lindenwood.edu. Select Human Resource Management, MA (Online) as your intended program. The online admissions team will guide you through the process.
Related Resources
• Top Benefits of a Master’s in Human Resource Management
• How AI Can Be Utilized by HR: Exploring AI Trends
Related Programs
We’re Accredited
Lindenwood University’s current accreditation status can be viewed at the Higher Learning Commission.
Lindenwood University’s HLC accreditation is exclusive to Lindenwood University and does not extend to other institutions(s) of higher education within the Lindenwood Education System.
The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411
Telephone: (800) 621-7440 or (312) 263-0456
Fax: (312) 263-7462
https://www.hlcommission.org
[email protected]
We are committed to helping you succeed.
Throughout each step of your online degree program, you will receive support. From enrollment and tuition planning to staying on the right track, your support team is there to ensure your success.