Best Associate Degree in Human Resources Programs

Students may choose to pursue an associate degree in HR if they are interested in business and working with people. These students often need to have strong organizational and administrative skills. These associate degree programs then build upon these skills and train students how to manage people, talents, and other issues concerning employee relations. Associate degree programs in HR are also a great choice for students who want to begin their career in business and need to have flexible program format options. For example, many HR associate degree programs are available online or in part-time formats. These programs also prepare students for earning a 4-year degree in HR, and some programs take multiple credits from the associate degree to count towards a bachelor's degree, such as counting all 60 credits towards a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human Resource Management, or credits towards an HR concentration for a BS in Business Administration degree.

Choosing an HR associate degree program comes down to a range of factors. Students should first decide what type of HR degree they want to pursue, such as an AAS vs. an AA or an HR specialist vs. HR management degree. While many aspects of these degree programs are the same, some may align more closely with students' ultimate career goals. There are also some associate degree programs in HR that specifically align their curriculum with standards set by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). This means that students could be better prepared for a career in the field. Students should also think about specific features of an associate degree program and how these features can help prepare students for more schooling or their career. For instance, some programs conclude with a final capstone or internship experience.

Other aspects to consider when choosing an associate degree in HR may be more logistical. For example, students should consider the format of a program, such as on-campus, online, full-time, or part-time. Students should also think about their future plans, and for those wanting to pursue more education in the field, a program that has direct transfer agreements with other schools or allows students to count credits towards a bachelor's degree may be a good choice. Financial aid, scholarship availability, living options, and other factors can also affect students' decisions.

Application and Admissions for Human Resources Associate Degree Programs

The admissions process for associate degree programs in HR varies by school and even the type of student applying. For instance, several schools have different admissions requirements for first-time freshmen, transfer students, international students, military students, and more. Some programs may require applicants to meet with an admissions counselor prior to applying, which can also include an interview process. Depending on the program, applicants could be required to meet a minimum GPA requirement, such as a 2.8 or higher GPA from high school. Several schools also require entrance exams, such as ACT scores, and may have minimum score requirements for these exams as well. Other common application materials for these programs include high school transcripts and essay responses. Schools with a religious affiliation may have additional requirements concerning spirituality.

Typically, associate degree programs in HR can be completed in 2 years or less when taken full-time. Some programs allow full-time students to finish their degree in as little as 60 weeks and part-time students in 84 weeks. Several programs include accelerated courses or accept transfer credit, which can also help students finish their degree more quickly. Programs that include a capstone or internship still usually allow students to finish their degree in 2 years when taken full-time.

The cost of an HR associate degree varies greatly by institution and potentially by the type of student. For example, some tuition rates may be lower for different students, such as discounted tuition rates for military students. Usually, tuition rates are per credit hour. Certain classes may also have additional costs associated with them for materials, lab equipment, or field experiences. Most schools also have a range of fees associated with enrollment at the school, such as enrollment, commencement, and transcript fees. Finally, students also need to calculate any living expenses and the cost of books.

Associate degree programs in human resources usually require between 60 and 90 credits of coursework. Students generally take general education courses, human resources courses, and electives. Depending on the program, students may take between 15 and 39 credits of major courses in HR. Some programs conclude with a culminating capstone or internship experience where students get to apply what they have learned throughout the program. Other common major courses for these associate programs include:

• Human resource administration/management
• Organizational behavior
• Leadership
• Employment law
• Compensation and benefits
• Recruitment and staffing

Those wishing to become an HR professional can start their education with an associate degree in the field. This degree typically earns students a higher starting salary than those with only a high school diploma. For example, PayScale.com reported that graduates with an associate degree in human resources management made a median annual salary of $55,000 as of May 2021. Individual salaries vary, however, by position, level of experience, employer, location, and other factors. For instance, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) stated that HR assistants made a median annual salary of $43,250 as of 2020, while payroll and timekeeping clerks made a median annual salary of $47,020.

Begin a Career as a Human Resources Assistant

Students wanting to become an HR administrative assistant generally need at least a high school diploma, but many may also hold an associate or bachelor's degree. These professionals usually undergo some on-the-job training to learn the ins and outs of their roles, as well as any technical skills, such as working with specific software systems.

HR assistants are typically responsible for a wide range of administrative duties. They manage personnel information, help employees understand procedures or policies, assist with hiring activities, and collect information from customers and employees. The information they need to collect can be as general as addresses and phone numbers or as complex as weekly earning and performance reports. These professionals usually need skills working with HR software, thinking critically about various HR issues, and communicating clearly with employees and other professionals.

Begin a Career as a Payroll or Timekeeping Clerk

Many payroll and timekeeping clerks only have a high school diploma, but some may have some college education or an associate degree. These clerks could be required to undergo a few months to a year of training to learn the details of their job and become familiar with the procedures and technology used at their place of work. Payroll and timekeeping clerks may have a stronger interest and/or skills in mathematics, as these roles usually deal with financial information.

Payroll and timekeeping clerks are responsible for ensuring employee information is accurate, calculating financial data, entering data into software systems, and handling basic financial transactions. These clerks must carefully calculate the wages and any deductions for workers in accordance with the time worked and enter new employees into the payroll system.

Many schools that offer associate degree programs in HR are regionally accredited by organizations such as the Higher Learning Commission. These accrediting bodies help ensure that all of the degree programs offered at a given school meet general academic standards that are set for quality. Employers often prefer hiring candidates who have graduated from accredited schools for this purpose, and students have to attend accredited institutions to qualify for financial aid and transfer credits easily to other institutions. Some programs in various subject areas hold additional industry-specific accreditation at the program level, but usually, this is not the case for associate degree programs in HR. However, some of these programs do align their curriculum with specific industry standards set by SHRM, which could be preferred by employers, as it demonstrates career readiness in the field.

Career advancement in HR most commonly comes with more education. Typically, to move into positions outside of entry-level HR jobs, students need to have at least a bachelor's degree in the field. For instance, students who want to become an HR specialist or start a career in HR management need to have at least a bachelor's degree in HR. Some of these positions may also require additional work experience. For example, HR managers usually need to have at least 5 years or more of prior work experience to prepare them for leading others. Professional certifications in HR can also help advance one's career. For instance, SHRM and the HR Certification Institute (HRCI) offer a wide range of professional certifications in the field that are based on students' education and experience levels.

HR degree programs are available at the undergraduate and graduate level for students who want to continue their education in the field and ultimately advance their careers. Many of these programs are available in flexible formats for working professionals and may offer hands-on learning opportunities to help prepare for the field. Each level of education leads to additional career options, which can help increase job prospects. Get an overview of the different degree program levels available in HR below.

Bachelor's Degrees in Human Resources

Students can most commonly earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human Resources Management, but other degrees are also available, such as a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in HR. Many of these programs are offered online and could have SHRM-aligned curriculum as well as program-level accreditation in business. Some programs allow students to finish in as little as 18 months and could offer additional areas of emphasis.

Master's Degrees in Human Resources

At the master's level, students can typically find a Master of Science (MS) in Human Resources Management, but there are also programs such as a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) or Master of Business Administration (MBA) in the field available. Online degree programs at the master's level are also common and many programs are offered in full- and part-time formats for flexibility. Some of these programs are specifically designed to help train students for professional certification in HR.

Doctoral Degrees in Human Resources

Aspiring doctoral students can pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Human Resources Management or other related degrees, such as a PhD in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in human resource development or a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with a concentration in HR. Some of these programs may be available online but usually include some residencies for in-person learning. Students typically complete a dissertation and graduate to pursue advanced careers in HR, research, academia, and more.

Certificate Programs in Human Resources

Certificate programs in HR are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels and are commonly available online and on-campus. Some certificates are designed to prepare students for professional certifications and could allow students to count credits from the certificate towards a full degree program, such as a bachelor's or master's degree. Typically, these certificate programs are much shorter than degree programs and can be finished in 1 year or less. Graduate certificate programs could still conclude with a capstone experience.

Paying for an associate degree in HR can get expensive, especially if students do not take advantage of financial aid options. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is one of the most common forms of financial aid and can be filled out each academic school year. The form allows students to see their eligibility for federal and state loans or grants. After exploring their results, students may decide that they need to find additional forms of aid to continue to lower the cost of tuition, fees, living expenses, etc. This can be done by checking students' schools of interest for available tuition discounts or scholarships. Students can also explore scholarship options outside of the institution through professional organizations, local clubs and businesses, and more. Scholarships do not have to be repaid and are available for an array of reasons, such as demographics, talents and abilities, financial need, merit, and more. Some schools with associate degree programs in HR may offer scholarships for first-time freshmen, online students, and other student categories.