What is a Human Resources MBA, and how can this graduate degree help you throughout your career? These are common questions asked by individuals who are interested in entering the diverse and broad field of human resources or advancing within the field. For those who possess an undergraduate degree and are interested in moving up with an MBA, an MBA with a concentration in human resources is a unique career focus.

What is an MBA?

An MBA is a graduate-level Master of Business Administration degree that is designed to give students knowledge in specific areas of business. If your goal is to specialize in business as a leader or executive, earning an MBA may be in your interest. When you compare different MBA programs, you will find that you can take a generic program or you can choose to take a program with a specific concentration. If you are pursuing a position in human resources, taking a Human Resources MBA program has a specialized focus on topics around human resources administration and human resources management. The program will cover several different topics of business, but will be specifically dedicated to covering real world employment issues and the modern corporate environment.

How Does an MBA Program Differ From a Master of Human Resources Program?

There is a major difference between an MBA in Human Resources and a Master’s degree program in human resources, and understanding which program is best for you based on your goals is important. An MBA is a business degree that helps students recognize and solve problems in human resources systematically for the benefit of an organization and its human capital. This degree program will help students manage, develop and motivate personnel while also evaluating risks and leveraging technology.

A Master’s degree program majoring in human resources is a technical degree that is designed to help you become a technical human resources expert. Rather than focusing on several different real world problems that you will face as a manager or administrator in human resources, a Master of Science degree may teach you how to be a leading researcher in the field. Labeled as a Master of Science/Human Resources program, the program will be centrally focused on human resources rather than business. By enrolling in this program, you will become an human resources expert, where you will learn technical skills you need to later take certification exams to become a professional in human resources. It is up to you to decide which degree is most practical for you to put to use after you complete graduate school.

Related Resource: Executive MBA Program

Human resources is a growing field that has changed dramatically in the recent decade. In this field, you can become a manager and a strategic planner within an organization with the right business degree. You will need to compare different MBA and Master’s degree programs with a focus on human resources to make an informed choice. Once you do this, you can compare tuition costs, curriculum, program performance and job placement rates. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is predicted to grow by 13 percent in human resources, which is faster than average, making a Human Resources MBA program a smart move for any business-minded professional.