Human resources
Tasks working in human resources can vary from processing employee benefits, or recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new personnel to working with top executives on strategic planning, suggesting and changing policies which affect the workforce.

Human resources workers have diverse duties and multiple levels of responsibility, therefore the educational requirements in this field vary. You can work in virtually any industry this gives you multiple choices when selecting your education program in human resources. Although specialization usually occurs at the master's level, determining your specialty in advance will allow you to make the best choice when it comes to your courses of study and will also help you pick your elective courses while at junior college. Most degrees can be obtained entirely on line within 2 years or less. Doctorate degrees have short residency requirements and usually take longer. While in entry-level jobs, employers usually expect you to hold an undergraduate degree.

An interdisciplinary background is suitable for this field. A curriculum that combines business and social sciences is best. Relevant courses to look for are management principles, organizational structure, industrial psychology, public administration, computers and information systems, compensation, recruitment, and training and development. Other helpful courses are behavioral sciences, psychology, sociology, political science, economics, and statistics. Some jobs require a more technical or specialized background in engineering, science, finance, labour law, collective bargaining, and labour economics, so be sure to explore these options as well.

Degrees Available in Human Resources
Associate Degree - An Associate of Business Administration / Human Resource Management degree is an entry level program which introduces the student to the identifiable set of activities that will affect and influence employees in an organization. These activities include but are not limited to recruitment, selection, compensation, and evaluation.

Bachelor Degree - A bachelor's degree will most likely lead to an assistant level position in human resources. You will develop further insights into human resources functions and outside influences, based on modern business such as economic, social, and legal issues. You may gain a strategic understanding of workforce planning and development, training, as well as compensations and benefits, global human resource management, employee health and safety, and labour law.

As a Bachelor of Science or arts, this degree will prepare you for professional certification examinations. These include Human Resource Professional, Senior Human Resource Professional, and International Human Resource Professional. All of these designations are offered by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Undergraduate Certificates - An Undergraduate Certificate in Human Resource Management allows employees already working within a private or public sector to upgrade their skills with theory and practical knowledge in human resource management. This certificate will also prepare you for certification examinations.

Master's Degrees - A master's degree in human resources, labour relations, or in business administration with a concentration in human resources management is highly recommended for those seeking general and top management positions. Advanced education is increasingly important for human resources management jobs. Many labour relations jobs require graduate study in industrial and/or labour relations. Contract negotiators, mediators, and arbitrators require a strong background in industrial relations and law. Having a law background is a great asset for employee benefits managers and others who interpret changes in laws and regulations.

Graduate Certificates - Human Resource Management graduate certificates are also an available option. You will review the fundamental principles of organizational behavior, the scope of human resource management issues, and basic legal frameworks involved within the human resources field. Certificates are completed with fewer credits and less time than a traditional degree, but they still provide the foundation of knowledge necessary to pursue higher level certification and can then be applied to full a Master's or a doctorate degree at a later time.

Doctorate Programs - Achieving a Ph.D in human resource management will allow you to focus on the skills needed to become a full business partner. You may also pursue a career in consulting, writing, or teaching. Quality of a company's personnel can mean the difference between a successful career and waiting in line at the unemployment office. Many human resources managers act as talent scouts and coaches. Human resources managers often are the ones to identify potential star employees for a company.

Ashworth University

• Associate Degree in Human Resource Management
  The Ashworth University Associate Degree Program in Human Resource Management offers a comprehensive, nationally accredited distance learning curriculum. It begins with courses in business principles, business communications, psychology and management techniques. These subjects will give you a solid foundation on which to develop your career in human resource management. Then, you'll receive in-depth, home study instruction in organizational behavior, employment law, training and development, compensation and benefits, labor relations, human relations and much more.

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Capella University

• (MS) in Human Services Counseling Studies
  Our online masters degree in human services is designed to enrich your professional knowledge and help you more effectively address social issues and challenges in your community.This online master's degree specialization in counseling studies is designed for professionals in the counseling, psychology, or sociology fields who wish to advance their careers, or wish to enter the human services profession. You will develop fundamental knowledge in the discipline that will position you to pursue career opportunities in public or private human services settings.Note: The counseling studies specialization is not designed to meet licensure requirements for the counseling professions.
  
• (MS) in Human Services General Human Services
  Our online masters degree in human services is designed to enrich your professional knowledge and help you more effectively address social issues and challenges in your community.The general human services specialization allows you to develop a strong foundation in the field with the flexibility to select a wide range of electives that reflect your interests and professional goals. Upon completion of this online master's degree, you will have the tools to successfully lead and manage human services functions in social service, education, government, law enforcement, health care, and military organizations.
• (MS) in Human Services Health Care Administration
  Our online masters degree in human services is designed to enrich your professional knowledge and help you more effectively address social issues and challenges in your community.In the master's degree specialization in health care administration, you will master the fundamentals of health care management, helping you to successfully guide and strengthen the delivery of services to consumers. This program is designed to prepare human services professionalsincluding administrators, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, caregivers, and researchers-to successfully manage and lead health care organizations.
• (MS) in Human Services Management of
  Nonprofit Agencies Our online masters degree in human services is designed to enrich your professional knowledge and help you more effectively address social issues and challenges in your community.This online master's degree specialization is designed for human services professionals who wish to move into nonprofit management and administration. In this program, you will gain practical expertise to address financial management, grant writing, advocacy, and human resource management in nonprofit agencies. Upon completion, you will have the critical skills needed to perform as an effective leader of a nonprofit organization.
• (MS) in Human Services Marital, Couple, and Family
  Counseling/Therapy CACREP Accredited Our online masters degree in human services is designed to enrich your professional knowledge and help you more effectively address social issues and challenges in your community.Capella University is the first and only online university to receive accreditation for two master's degree specializations in counseling from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
• (MS) in Human Services Mental Health Counseling
  CACREP Accredited Our online masters degree in human services is designed to enrich your professional knowledge and help you more effectively address social issues and challenges in your community.Capella University is the first and only online university to receive accreditation for two master's degree specializations in counseling from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The mental health counseling specialization was accredited in 2003, and the marital, couple, and family therapy specialization was accredited in 2005. CACREP, formed in 1981 to be the independent accrediting arm for the American Counseling Association, has extended accreditation to both specializations through 2011, the longest accreditation term granted by CACREP.
• (MS) in Human Services Social and Community Services
  Our online masters degree in human services is designed to enrich your professional knowledge and help you more effectively address social issues and challenges in your community.This master's degree specialization is designed for entry-level professionals in human services wanting to advance their careers. You will acquire critical knowledge in social and community services and gain a strong understanding of key issues, including cultural awareness, utilization of community resources, social change, and public policy.
• Master of Science (MS) in Human Services School
  Counseling The demand for qualified school counselors is expected to grow as school enrollments increase, more states pass counseling mandates, and school counselors take on expanded roles. This School Counseling master’s specialization is built on the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model and includes course work, field training, and residencies. It is designed to prepare you to deliver and manage contemporary school counseling programs, and act as a school leader who can advocate for the personal, educational, and social needs of students. People who choose this specialization are often interested in pursuing licensure as school counselors.

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