Online Master of Public Administration (MPA) Programs with a Specialization in Human Resource Management

Human resource professionals play a critical role in every organization. Responsible for managing everything from recruitment, retention, and compensation to benefits, learning, and development. These professionals help create and cultivate a distinct organizational culture — one that can authentically highlight diversity, equity, and inclusion. Human resources (also referred to as human resource management), is an incredibly influential and important function, both in private organizations and in the unique world of public administration and nonprofit management.

Earning an online MPA with a specialization in Human Resource Management (or HR Management), gives professionals the opportunity to learn how to apply high-level human resource and management knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to the diverse challenges of public service. MPA graduates can often pursue management and leadership positions, utilizing the KSAs gained through their MPA program, in federal, state, and local government agencies, NGOs, non-profit organizations, and more.

Curriculum Details for Online MPA Programs with a Specialization in Human Resource Management

The foundational courses or core curriculum in an online MPA program are similar regardless of the program’s specialization. These courses often cover a wide variety of relevant topics, including principles of public administration, public policy, economics for public administration, ethics in public service, strategic planning for public managers, public budgeting and financial management, institutional leadership, and organizational behavior in the public sector. Depending on the program, students may complete their core courses before taking specialization courses or some programs may have students take core and specialization courses concurrently.

For students interested in Human Resource Management, specialization courses typically highlight topics such as human capital development, employee relations, workplace culture development, compensation and benefits management, and topics related to the legal aspects of managing people within an organization. Common HR specializations include, but are not limited to:

• Human Resources
• Human Resource Administration
• Human Resources Development
• Human Resource Management

Most MPA programs conclude with a final capstone project, where students are tasked with applying what they have learned to their current workplace or a theoretical issue within the field of human resources. Some online MPA programs also offer the chance to study abroad, require an internship for students who do not have professional experience in the field of public administration, and/or require students to attend a limited number of on-campus residency events.

While MPA programs vary in length, most require the completion of 36 to 48 graduate credits. Students who enroll full-time can often earn their degree in 16-24 months, but that can be extended to 24-36 months for working professionals who would like to enroll on a part-time basis so that they can take fewer courses per term. Some programs even allow students to vary their course load each term depending on their professional and/or personal obligations and many online programs connect students with academic advisors who help them manage their course schedules in order to plan a path to graduation.

Note: On OnlineMPAPrograms.com, programs must have a dedicated specialization or concentration in the field of Human Resources in order to be included on this page.

Examples of Human Resource Management Courses in Online MPA Programs

Government agencies and nonprofit organizations rely on experienced human resource professionals to manage everything from overseeing the hiring process to creating training programs and administering benefits. Students pursuing an online MPA in Human Resources take courses specifically designed to prepare them for these challenges. The following are sample course titles and descriptions that may be included as part of a human resources curriculum. Please note, as curricula vary by school and by program, these courses should be used for example purposes only.

• Introduction to Human Resource Management: A complete overview and introduction to the study of human resource management — especially as it relates to public administration. Explore a variety of personnel management systems and learn how each one supports organizational strategy.
• Workforce Planning, Development, & Outsourcing: Learn to compare and evaluate all elements of the human resources planning process — everything from recruitment and selection to the placement and integration of employees within organizations. Delve deeper into the various aspects of workforce planning and development, studying topics such as employee orientation, career planning, aspects of performance management, and current trends in outsourcing.
• Compensation and Benefits: This course provides an overview of how technology can be applied to the function of human resources and impact its effective administration. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental aspects of wage, salary, and benefits management. Students learn how to integrate and assess employee rewards and incentives, both of which can now be supported by automated systems.
• Labor & Employee Relations: Take an in-depth look at the labor and employment laws in today’s environments (both union and non-union). Discuss the importance and impact of everything from union organization and representation to collective bargaining negotiations to grievance and arbitration. Study the laws and issues that influence labor-management relations. Additional topics may include privacy laws, employee misconduct, wages, and salaries.
• Organizational Training & Development: Get a detailed overview of the strategies used to assess, develop, implement, and evaluate organizational training and development programs. Students discover how these programs are built to help advance employee and organizational success. Topics covered range from new-hire onboarding and employee development to performance reviews, coaching, and succession planning.
• Legal, Ethical & Safety Issues: Explore both the federal and state laws that regulate and influence human resources management. Focus on and learn about critical topics, such as equal employment opportunity and affirmative action. Discuss the ethical considerations of complex situations like employer use of power. In addition, students gain a comprehensive understanding of employee health and safety, privacy of information, as well as methods of liability prevention in employment matters.

While universities vary in terms of start dates, term lengths, and curricula, the table below is an example of what the path could look like for a full-time student pursuing an online MPA degree with a specialization in Human Resource Management.

Two-Year Sample Curriculum Plan for an Online Master of Public Administration with a Specialization in Human Resource Management

Instruction Methods for Online MPA Programs

Students now have several educational formats to choose from when it comes to pursuing a graduate degree. There are traditional on-campus programs with face-to-face instruction, online programs with synchronous and/or asynchronous instruction, and hybrid programs that include both on-campus and online instruction. For working professionals trying to balance work, family, and other commitments, fully online and online programs with limited in-person requirements may be an appealing option. This is especially true for students who do not live near a college or university that offers an online MPA program with a specialization in human resources.

OnlineMPAPrograms.com classifies an MPA program as an online program if it requires three or fewer campus visits per year. In reality, the majority of online MPA programs can be completed 100% online; however, some programs do incorporate required on-campus sessions or intensives that students may attend for orientation, in-person instruction, and/or networking events. These sessions, which often last two to three days to a week, can be a valuable addition to an online program, especially for students who desire the opportunity to meet classmates and instructors in-person. Students who are unable to attend these in-person activities should look for an online program that can be completed fully online.

Th majority of online instruction takes place in a learning management system that students use to access course materials, attend lectures, communicate with peers and instructors, participate in discussion boards, and submit assignments. Students who prefer to interact with their classmates live in real-time should look for an online degree program that incorporates synchronous instruction, which means students attend live online classes using video conferencing software. Live sessions are typically held in the early morning or evening so that students across different time zones can attend.

Students who need additional flexibility to review course materials and complete assignments on their own time should look for online programs that mainly or only use asynchronous instruction. Asynchronous instruction does not incorporate required sessions that students must attend live in real-time. Students can review course materials and lectures 24 hours a day, seven days a week as long as they complete assignments by set due dates. In addition, instructors may hold optional live office hours for students who can attend, and students can always communicate with instructors and peers via their learning management system.

Admissions Requirements for Online MPA Programs with a Specialization in Human Resource Management

While the application process for graduate school varies by college and university, many schools are working to make the admissions process more streamlined. To achieve this goal, some schools have dedicated admissions teams that help guide applicants through the process. For schools that utilize a more central admissions office, program directors are often available to answer questions for applicants. In fact, some schools prefer potential applicants to reach out to program directors first, as the graduate admissions process is typically more personal compared to applying to an undergraduate program. (This is to ensure that both the applicant and program are indeed a good fit for each other.)

To be eligible for an MPA program, applicants must already hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Common requirements include: an online application, official transcripts from all colleges attended (undergraduate and graduate), and a minimum overall undergraduate GPA or upper-division undergraduate GPA. Minimum GPA requirements often range from 2.5 to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, but some schools may not have a minimum GPA requirement (programs without a minimum GPA requirement often review a student’s application holistically).

Additional requirements may include: a current resume or curriculum vitae (CV), a personal statement, standardized test scores (e.g., GRE or GMAT scores), letters of recommendation, and an application fee (although more and more programs are waiving the application fee for graduate programs). Some programs may also require or prefer applicants with relevant work experience in either public administration and/or human resources.

Note: Many MPA programs, campus or online, have selective admissions policies, which applicants should understand before applying. Selective admissions means that even if an applicant meets the minimum standards for admission, they are not guaranteed to be accepted by the program.

Accreditation for Online MPA Programs

There are two types of accreditations that are important when it comes to master’s in public administration: institutional accreditation and program-specific accreditation. Institutional accreditation is the overall college or university’s ability to meet academic standards set forth by an accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the U.S. Department of Education. There are currently six regional accrediting bodies that accredit colleges and universities offering graduate programs and the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) which accredits several online degree-granting institutions. It is important to attend a regionally accredited college or university as other universities will typically not accept transfer credits from an unaccredited institution.

In addition to a university’s accreditation, schools and departments offering MPA programs can choose to pursue programmatic accreditation from the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). While some degree programs must be accredited by specific accrediting bodies, NASPAA accreditation is optional. Therefore, some departments choose to pursue NASPAA accreditation, while others do not. However, programs that are not NASPAA accredited may still align their curriculum with NASPAA standards. Students should speak with their programs of interest to learn more about institutional and programmatic accreditation before applying to an online MPA program.

Human Resource Management Organizations and Networking Opportunities

Students working toward their master’s in public administration in human resource management should check out the following professional organizations to learn more about networking opportunities, resources for continuing education, publications, industry conferences, and more.

Public Sector HR Association (PSHRA) – Formerly known as the International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR), this organization brings together HR professionals from all areas of the public sector. Reduced-rate student membership benefits include access to certifications and professional development courses, webinars, an online magazine and weekly newsletter, and networking opportunities.

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – Hosting expos, networking events, and conferences, SHRM focuses on helping individuals in the field of HR address the challenges that face the modern workforce. The organization reaches HR and business executives globally through webcasts, seminars, and eLearning opportunities.

National Human Resources Association (NHRA) – Offering professional development services, networking opportunities, and access to job listings, the NHRA focuses on engaging human resource professionals at all career levels. Student membership offers discounted rates for events and other professional development programs.

Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD) – Focusing on research and the study of human resource theories, the AHRD strives to create a community dedicated to the advancement of the field of human resources by facilitating networking, professional development, and academic collaboration. In addition to discounts on membership and conferences, student members have the opportunity to share their research and contribute to professional publications.

Association for Talent Development (ATD) – Featuring both local chapters and international membership, ATD focuses on helping human resource professionals develop talent. The organization’s Government Workforce Conference is an annual event that focuses on trends that impact federal employees, and features sessions and panel discussions focused on employee engagement and leadership development. Student membership is available.

Comprehensive Directory of Online MPA Programs with a Specialization in Human Resource Management