UMass Global is launching a new online Bachelor of Science in Human Resources (BSHR) designed for working adults and career changers who want to understand what HR is, what human resources professionals actually do, and how human resource management shapes everyday work life.
In this Q&A, Dr. Evelina Atanassova, Associate Professor of Business Administration, Human Resources and Leadership, shares her role in the new program, why UMass Global introduced this online human resources degree now, what kind of students tend to thrive, and how the curriculum and support are built around the realities of busy adult learners.
Q1: Please introduce yourself and describe your current role within UMass Global’s new program.
Dr. Evelina Atanassova: I’m Dr. Evelina Atanassova, Associate Professor of Business Administration, Human Resources, and Leadership at UMass Global. In our new online Bachelor of Science in Human Resources (BSHR) program, I teach and I also helped design the courses for our new online Bachelor of Science in Human Resources (BSHR) program.
In my classes, I work closely with students who are curious about becoming an HR manager, or who simply want to understand HR responsibilities so they can lead people more effectively in any field. Together, we look at how HR connects strategy, people, data, and culture and how the people operations in an organization affect strategic outcomes — whether you work for a small nonprofit, a fast‑growing startup, or a global company. My goal is to make sure you don’t just learn HR concepts in theory, but see exactly how they play out in real organizations.
Q2: What inspired you or the university to launch this program at this time?
Dr. Evelina Atanassova: We launched this bachelor’s in human resources because the people side of business has never been more important or more complex. Right now, organizations are looking at: how AI can be utilized in human resources and across platforms, shifting expectations around flexibility, what human resources look like in a world of remote work, and how to maintain focus on diversity and inclusion through it all. There’s a real need for professionals who understand what HR does beyond hiring and paperwork.
When you think of HR today, I want you to picture human resource management that includes data analytics, technology, coaching managers, designing fair systems, building organizational change capacity, and helping employees thrive. Our online human resources degree gives you a flexible way to build those competencies and develop workforce‑relevant skills that match where the HR profession is headed.
Q3: What kind of students will excel in this program? Are there particular backgrounds, interests, or goals that are a great fit?
Dr. Evelina Atanassova: Students who excel in this program are naturally curious about people and what makes a workplace somewhere you’d actually want to invest your time and energy. Maybe that sounds like you — you might already be the person coworkers come to with questions, or the one who wonders, “What is human resources really responsible for here?” or “How could this policy be fairer or clearer?” If you’re drawn to people management, cultural alignment with mission and values, or driving business results through people practices, you’ll likely feel right at home here.
This human resources program is a great fit if you want to become an HR manager, recruiter, talent development specialist, or employee relations professional. It’s also a strong option if you’re in another field but you enjoy coaching, problem‑solving, and advocating for employees, and you’re thinking about transitioning into HR. Even if you stay outside of HR, I strongly recommend understanding the essence of human resources if you plan to build a long‑term career in leadership. It will make you more effective, no matter your title.
Q4: How is this program structured to support adult learners, working professionals, or career changers?
Dr. Evelina Atanassova: We built the online BSHR degree with busy adults like you in mind. Classes are fully online and offered in accelerated 8‑week sessions, so you can fit them around your work schedule, family responsibilities, military service, or other commitments. The coursework and assignments are designed so you can apply what you’re learning directly to your current job or to a future role in human resources, rather than keeping it in a textbook.
Many of our students are working full time, raising families, serving in the military, or navigating a career change into HR or people operations. The flexible format, clear weekly structure, and emphasis on practice‑based projects make it more manageable to balance everything you’re juggling while moving steadily toward your degree. If you later decide to pursue a master’s in human resources or business administration, this program gives you a strong foundation to build on.
Q5: What support services are available to the students through this program?
Dr. Evelina Atanassova: At UMass Global, we know adult learners need more than good content — you need a team behind you. As a BSHR student, you’ll work with academic advisors who can help you map out your degree plan and, if it fits your goals, explore next steps like an online HR certification or a master’s in human resources.
You’ll also have access to free online tutoring, writing support, and library resources that are tailored to your coursework and schedule. On top of that, you’ll learn from faculty who are dedicated to your success and committed to creating a supportive, engaging learning experience that respects your real‑world responsibilities as an adult learner.
Q6: What do you hope students take away both professionally and personally?
Dr. Evelina Atanassova: Professionally, I want you to leave this program with a clear understanding of the strategic value human resources brings to the C‑suite and the entire organization. You’ll see how HR responsibilities connect to hiring, training, compensation, performance management, labor law, ethics, and change management — and how those functions support both strategy and culture. That preparation can help you move into roles such as human resources manager, HR business partner, or HR specialist, and can position you for future leadership opportunities, no matter which function you end up in.
Personally, I hope you gain confidence and a strong sense of purpose in the work you do. HR is about making workplaces more effective, efficient, and desirable, and I want you to feel ready to speak up for fairness, design better processes, and use data and empathy together when you make decisions about people. My hope is that you’ll leave this program seeing yourself as a strategic contributor to both people and business outcomes.
Q7: What excites you most about teaching in this program — or mentoring students through it?
Dr. Evelina Atanassova: What excites me most is watching students realize how powerful human resources can be when it’s done well. A lot of people come in thinking HR is mostly about hiring and firing, but as you move through the human resource management curriculum, you’ll see how HR managers influence strategy, shape culture, and support people through change.
I especially love mentoring students on real‑world projects. In my courses, you might revamp an onboarding process, plan a training program, or think through how AI in human resources could change recruiting, goal setting, or performance reviews. These projects are not just assignments — they help you build a portfolio you can talk about when you apply for HR roles, take initiative in your current job, or pursue further study later on.
Q8: Is there anything else that you would like to share that we haven’t covered?
Dr. Evelina Atanassova: If you’re wondering whether earning a human resources degree online is worth it, here’s what I would say: every organization needs people who understand both business and people. Whether you end up with the title human resources manager, HR analyst, people operations lead, project manager, or something entirely new, the skills you gain here are incredibly portable and valuable in any organizational setting.
This program gives you a strong foundation in what human resources does today and the agility to adapt as technology, data, and AI continue to reshape what the field will look like tomorrow. You don’t have to wait until you have an official HR title to start thinking like a strategic HR professional — you can begin that journey now, in your classes and in your current role. And I promise: we are here to support you through each step.
If you’re ready to build in‑demand HR skills and help create better workplaces, we’d like to partner with you on that journey. Explore our online Bachelor of Science in Human Resources to review courses, admission requirements, and next steps. Then connect with an enrollment coach at (800) 746-0082 to get your questions answered and start your application.
Explore our resources for human resource degrees and learn about career options that fit your future.
Have questions about enrollment, degree programs, financial aid, or next steps?
