Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Working in Human Resources and Management: Is a Degree Really Necessary?

It’s a phenomenon that some have called “academic inflation”: many career paths today seem to be requiring more education than they have in the past. If you have a desire to working in a human resource or management field, is it necessary to have a masters degree—or any degree at all, for that matter? The answer to this question ultimately depends on how far you plan to go in your career.
 
In most cases, simply “getting your foot in the door” may not require a degree. Certain entry-level administrative in the human resource field, for example, may fall under this category. The upper-management positions in this field, however, are increasingly requiring a masters degree in human resource management. For those of you who have significant experience in the field, going back to school can be a great way to make yourself more marketable to these positions—and you don’t necessarily have to leave work enroll in classes.              

Many programs today have been designed to work with full-schedules. Among these options, online programs are the most flexible, as they often allow you to complete your coursework on your own terms. In recent years, online programs have come a long way in terms of credibility and student engagement. Programs like this one masters degree in human resource management may be what you need to successfully complete your degree.

Higher-levels of management fields are also increasingly requiring masters degrees. Again, if you have a substantial amount of relevant work experience, obtaining your management masters degree can be a nice compliment to your qualifications for these positions. Students with significant management experience can benefit from understanding the real-life applications of their coursework. At the same time, receiving a formal education concerning subjects like communication, decision-making, problem-solving and project management can help you to understand some fundamental and higher-level concepts in your field in order to be a more effective manager.

Online degree programs have made possible the seemingly impossible task of working and attending school at the same time. For those of you who are considering returning to school, this is an ideal situation. Researching programs like this one management masters degree can lead you to the one that’s right for you. Be sure to explore the internet, your community and your own company’s Human Resources Department for grants, scholarships and tuition reimbursement opportunities.