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What is Human Resources?
Earning a degree in human resource management can lead to a wide variety of employment opportunities in Missouri. Graduates are generally prepared to work for companies and organizations in almost any industry, with jobs available at every level. Most occupations, however, are found in business, finance, education, and healthcare.
Human resources managers typically function as a bridge between those employed and upper management at the companies and organizations they work for. Their employers can be any size and in any industry. The majority of workers can, however, be found in the professional, scientific, technical services, management, and manufacturing industries. Other relatively common sectors include healthcare, social assistance, and the government.
These professionals have many responsibilities, though their daily duties do tend to vary depending on the position held. In most cases, they plan, coordinate, and direct various administrative tasks related to workforce management. This ranges from overseeing recruitment processes and staff training to processing new employee and retirement paperwork. Human resources management professionals also often take part in strategic planning and are expected to keep top executives informed about worker satisfaction.
Notably, assignments may differ based on job title, industry, and employer size. While some are primarily responsible for managing employee benefits programs, others focus efforts on supervising the work of departmental specialists and support staff. Other duties commonly assigned include addressing staff issues through mediation and disciplinary procedures, participating in job interviews, and providing in-take briefings. Human resources managers also regularly work with other management staff members.
Notably, it’s possible for these professionals specialize in one or two aspects of the field. Some popular areas of expertise include:
- Compensation and Benefits Managers
- Training and Development Managers
- Labor Relations Directors
- Employee Relations Managers
- Payroll Managers
- Recruiting Managers
- Staffing Managers
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Online Human Resources Management Education in Missouri
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for human resources managers is projected to grow 7% from 2021 to 2031. This is about as fast as the average for all occupations and will result in an increase of about 16,300 jobs openings each year.
Job outlook for a similar profession in the field is slightly better. Employment for human resources specialists is expected to increase by 8% from 2021 to 2031, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This will result in an additional 81,900 relevant job openings each year. While these positions are often considered to be entry-level, they do provide a good means of entering the field.
Professional and business services is the largest industry in Missouri, accounting for $42.3 billion in revenue each year. Individuals skilled in human resources may also be able to find work in other top sectors within the state. These include manufacturing, real estate, education, healthcare, finance, wholesale, retail, entertainment, information, and construction.
Based on data provided by the BLS, Missouri employed 2,910 human resources managers and 15,030 human resources specialists as of May 2021. The annual mean wage reported for these jobs ranged between $65,080 and $124,630. Even the lower end of this income scale is above the state’s annual mean wage of $54,520 for all occupations.
Several colleges and universities located in Missouri offer higher education degrees in human resource management and other related topics. Programs are available in traditional and online formats. While distance learning makes it easy to study from anywhere with reliable internet access, those who intend to work in Missouri after graduation may benefit from enrolling at local institutions. These schools will provide the most geographically relevant instruction, ensuring that students obtain the knowledge and skills employers in the area seek most. Students will also benefit from any pre-established relationships with nearby businesses when applying for internships and professional employment.
Many colleges and universities offer human resource management programs, with enrollment options available at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. While companies and organizations in Missouri typically set their own education standards for human resources managers, professionals in this field often require some amount of higher education. Some entry-level jobs do exist and employers may hire candidates with high school diplomas or GEDs only, but these opportunities are limited. In most cases, candidates are expected to possess bachelor’s degrees or higher.
Online Associate Degree in Human Resources Management (AS)
Associate degrees in human resource management generally consist of 60 credit hours of coursework that take full-time students approximately two years to complete. As undergraduate programs, they are typically comprised of both general liberal arts and human resource management major classes. As a result, students can expect to study various communication, mathematics, and science subjects in conjunction with major-specific content. Curriculums vary by institution, but those enrolled often receive instruction in talent acquisition, labor laws, conflict resolution, and compensation benefits. This provides a broad introduction to the field, as well as a strong academic foundation for further learning.
Graduates are typically qualified to pursue employment as human resources assistants, human resources associates, and administrative assistants. They are rarely, however, able to attain jobs as human resources managers without several years of additional professional work experience.
Not all graduates choose to pursue employment right away. Some opt to continue their education by enrolling in bachelor’s degrees. Associate degree holders may be able to transfer the credits they earned in associate programs and have them applied toward their new programs. Most colleges and universities accept 60 to 90 hours of coursework from other accredited institutions. This is approximately half of a four-year degree, which means those with associate degrees typically need only two additional years of instruction before graduating again with a more advanced degree.
Online Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources Management (BS)
Bachelor’s degrees in human resource management often consist of 120 credit hours of coursework that take full-time students approximately four years to complete. As undergraduate programs, they are also comprised of both general liberal arts and major-specific classes. Students can expect to study basic communication, mathematics, and science subjects, as well as topics in business, accounting, team building, organizational psychology, critical thinking, and conflict resolution techniques. This provides a thorough introduction to the field and helps prepare those enrolled for further education.
In addition to standard coursework, some colleges and universities encourage human resources management majors to select concentrations. Choosing a sub-field specialty allows students to take courses that often align better with their intended profession after graduation.
Some common specialty options offered include:
- Business Administration
- Healthcare
- Accounting
- Data Science
- Organizational Leadership
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the standard minimum education requirement for most human resource management professions is the bachelor’s degree. Graduates also often qualify for employment opportunities as corporate recruiters, compensation and benefits managers, and training and development specialists.
Notably, some human resources management jobs require candidates to possess master’s degrees. Higher level degrees also typically lead to more employment opportunities and higher pay. As a result, some graduates choose to continue their education by enrolling in graduate programs. Prospective students should be prepared to meet established minimum grade point average (GPA) and Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) score requirements set by your chosen institution.
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Online Master's Degree in Human Resources Management (MS)
Master’s degrees in human resource management generally range from 30 to 36 credit hours of coursework that take full-time students approximately two to three years to complete. While graduate programs no longer incorporate general liberal arts classes, some departments require school applicants to possess certain undergraduate prerequisite courses prior to enrollment. Proof of passing grades in these classes is often necessary.
Graduate programs in human resource management are typically designed to help graduates qualify for advanced positions in the field. Curriculums vary, but often include instruction in business strategy, organizational change management, organizational ethics, effective team leadership, personnel staffing, and worker evaluation. Students can also expect to study human resources strategy, organizational culture, and talent management.
This type of degree is ideal for individuals seeking employment as human resources managers. Notably, it’s likely to prove beneficial when applying for other management positions, as well.  Common examples include compensation and benefits managers, senior human resources managers, labor relations specialists, and human resources information systems managers. Graduates are often considered to have superior knowledge and skills in the field, making them highly desirable by prospective employers.
Online PhD Degree in Human Resources Management (PhD)
A PhD or doctorate in human resource management generally consists of between 60 and 120 credit hours that take full-time students up to seven years to complete. Every curriculum is different, but students can expect to study various topics in compensation management, foundations of human resources theory and practice, recruiting and retaining talent, organizational behavior and performance, and creating adaptive workplaces. While the first few years of enrollment are typically spent in traditional classroom settings, those enrolled often spend more time performing independent study and research as the program progresses. In most cases, students must prepare and present dissertations before a board of professors prior to graduation.
It’s worth noting that some colleges and universities allow doctoral students to select concentrations. Common areas of specialization include:
- Human Resource Management
- Organizational Management
- Training and Development
- Benefits and Compensation
- Higher Education
These are terminal degrees meant to prepare graduates for the best employment opportunities in the field. Graduates are generally qualified for advanced careers as postsecondary educators, human resources consultants, and industrial or organizational psychologists.