Earn Your Human Resources Degree Online

The Bachelor of Science in Human Resources (BSHR) is a dynamic and comprehensive program that provides students with the essential knowledge and skills to contribute to organizational success through the lens of its employees. The human resources coursework offers practical insights into workforce planning, talent acquisition, employee relations, and strategic human resource management, utilizing data and technology to enrich your learning experience — preparing you to effectively support your organization’s people in today’s evolving workplace.

  • Real-World Skills and Value: Our coursework is designed to be immediately relevant to your career, whether you're seeking a promotion or changing direction. Our business school professors are also working professionals, ensuring relevance in today’s business environment.
  • Beyond the Core Curriculum: Students can tailor their degree with a generous transfer credit policy and a wide range of electives. Build a concentration in areas such as Business Administration, Communications, Healthcare Administration, Business Management, Information Technology, Legal Studies, Organizational Leadership, or Psychology — so your HR degree aligns with your goals.

At a Glance

Online
120 Credits
$500/Credit
Help me estimate my cost
Next Start Date
Spring I (Jan 12, 2026)

Program Benefits that Benefit You.

Online education

100% Online Coursework

At UMass Global, our BSHR coursework is fully online, allowing you the flexibility to keep working while building the skills you need to succeed.

MyPath

Flexible Start Dates

Designed for working professionals, our BSHR offers six start dates per year, so you can begin your degree program when the time is right for you.

Fast Track

Earn Your Bachelor’s in as Few as 10 Courses

With credits from your military training and education, work experience, prior college courses, and certifications, you can transfer in up to 75% of the qualifying credits needed for your bachelor’s degree.

Career Outlook for BS in Human Resources

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Results for:
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring

Data source: Lightcast™ 2025 www.lightcast.io

The pathway information provided through this website is based partly on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data licensed by the University of Massachusetts Global from Lightcast. While the University of Massachusetts Global believes this data to be reliable, some of the data is based on estimates made by Lightcast when actual data is unavailable. Those estimates and the corresponding data may need to be corrected.

  1. Change in employment projections 2022 - 2032
  2. Based on BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and updated quarterly
  3. The University of Massachusetts Global does not guarantee a job to graduates upon completion of any program

Courses You Might Take

HRCU 350

Compensation and Benefits

3 Credits
HRCU 406

Legal Issues in Human Resources

3 Credits
HRCU 352

Labor Relations

3 Credits
HRCU 430

Conflict Resolution

3 Credits
OLCU 425

Leadership in Diverse and Multicultural Organizations

3 Credits
HRCU 351

Workforce Planning and Employment

3 Credits

What it’s like going to UMass Global?

Instructor-Led, Session-Based

This program is delivered in an instructor-led format, with eight-week sessions and multiple start dates per year for flexibility. In each class, you'll focus on one topic at a time and can take a session off if needed—no penalty. Courses include online lectures, group discussions, and structured assignments with set deadlines. This format offers clear milestones and peer interaction, making it ideal for students who thrive in a structured learning environment.

Personalized Support Services

UMass Global meets you wherever you are in life, with dedicated support at every step. From enrollment coaching and financial aid to academic advising and career services, we're committed to your success. Access personalized guidance, flexible resources, and a supportive community, empowering you to achieve your educational goals, no matter your starting point.

Office meeting

Employer-Aligned Curriculum

At UMass Global, our employer-aligned curriculum ensures that coursework is directly relevant to today’s workplace. Designed with input from industry experts and faculty who are also working professionals, our programs focus on practical, career-advancing skills. Using a “backwards course design,” we tailor coursework to meet current job market needs. Our diverse faculty provides real-world insights and mentorship, ensuring that the skills you learn are immediately applicable to your career or future career changes.

Office meeting

Instructor-Led, Session-Based

This program is delivered in an instructor-led format, with eight-week sessions and multiple start dates per year for flexibility. In each class, you'll focus on one topic at a time and can take a session off if needed—no penalty. Courses include online lectures, group discussions, and structured assignments with set deadlines. This format offers clear milestones and peer interaction, making it ideal for students who thrive in a structured learning environment.

Personalized Support Services

UMass Global meets you wherever you are in life, with dedicated support at every step. From enrollment coaching and financial aid to academic advising and career services, we're committed to your success. Access personalized guidance, flexible resources, and a supportive community, empowering you to achieve your educational goals, no matter your starting point.

Office meeting

Employer-Aligned Curriculum

At UMass Global, our employer-aligned curriculum ensures that coursework is directly relevant to today’s workplace. Designed with input from industry experts and faculty who are also working professionals, our programs focus on practical, career-advancing skills. Using a “backwards course design,” we tailor coursework to meet current job market needs. Our diverse faculty provides real-world insights and mentorship, ensuring that the skills you learn are immediately applicable to your career or future career changes.

Office meeting

Our Faculty

All Faculty
Evelina Atanassova, PhD
Associate Professor of Business Administration, Human Resources and Leadership
Evelina Atanassova PhD
David Gonzalez, DPA
Associate Professor of Organizational Leadership and Public Administration
David Gonzalez DPA
Dania Baba, PhD
Assistant Professor of Healthcare and Business Administration
Dania Baba PhD

Admission Requirements

Applicants for this program must complete the formal application process and submit required documents. Documents required vary based on the number of transferable credits and include:

0 – 11 TRANSFERABLE CREDITS

  • High school diploma or GED equivalent
  • Official high school transcript indicating the date of graduation
  • Provide official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended

12 OR MORE TRANSFERABLE CREDITS

  • A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
  • Provide official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended

Active military?

Admissibility and minimum transfer credit awarded will be determined based on the Community College of the Air Force, SMART, AARTS, or JST transcripts.

Start Strong with Support

Students with fewer than 12 credits or below a 2.0 GPA will take LBSU 100 (Student Success Strategies) during their first session to build a solid foundation for college success.

We support our
Military Veterans!

  •  Yellow Ribbon School
  •  Recognized Military Friendly School
  •  Founded to Serve Military Personnel

Check out our Military and Veterans pages and discover how we can support you in your educational journey.

Learn How

WASC Senior College and University Commission

University of Massachusetts Global is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Calculate Time and Cost

Ways to Get Started

Frequently Asked Questions

With a people-first focus, a human resources degree can land you roles across people operations, analytics, compliance, and strategy. Courses have a strong focus on communication, problem-solving, and organization, but also cover general business skills like accounting, finance, and marketing. Here are common jobs a BS in Human Resources can prepare you for:

  • Human Resources Generalist: Handles a wide range of HR functions, including recruitment, employee relations, and benefits, and could include duties related to administration and operational support.
  • Recruiter/Talent Acquisition Specialist: Focuses on sourcing candidates, onboarding new hires, and managing applicant tracking systems.
  • Benefits and Compensation Specialist and Vendor Liaison: Manages employee benefits programs and compensation and serves as the primary contact for employees' compensation and benefits questions, issues, and clarifications.
  • Training and Development Specialist: Designs and implements practical job-related learning experiences that elevate individual and team performance across the organization.

A bachelor’s in human resources centers on developing core strengths in communication, organization, and people management. This includes:

  • Core HR – the basics of a human resources degree include people-first strategies, talent acquisition and development, compensation and benefits, and compliance.
  • Business fundamentals – As key partners in the business, HR professionals are integral to organizational success, contributing to business planning, payroll, benefits, and people management.
  • Ethics and Workplace Integrity – the human resources function is instrumental in ensuring the organization is upholding ethical standards and protecting the rights and dignity of its employees.

Choose this Bachelor of Science in Human Resources (BSHR) if you want specialized HR depth, hands-on preparation, elective/transfer flexibility, and a clean pathway to the Master of Science in Human Resources (MSHR). This bachelor’s degree in human resources can also be a good foundation for those interested in the SHRM certification, a globally recognized credential offered by the Society for Human Resource Management.

Choose the Bachelor of Business Administration with HR emphasis if you want a broader business degree with lighter HR specialization. For most students targeting HR roles right after graduation — or planning the MSHR — the BSHR is the more direct, market-aligned route. Additionally, the BSHR concentrates more credits in core HR domains (talent acquisition, employee relations, total rewards, workforce analytics, L&D, HR tech) than a broad BBA, which spreads coursework across finance, accounting, and general management.

Testimonials

kristina d

The flexibility of this program made it possible to balance work, family, and academics, even when it felt overwhelming. The guidance and encouragement along the way helped to make this milestone possible.

Kristina D.
MS in Human Resources

From the moment I applied, my admissions counselor was such a huge support.

Alison C.
Human Resources, BBA

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