Workforce expectations have changed drastically in recent years, with more workers expecting employers to offer flexibility, prioritize well-being and provide growth opportunities. At the same time, technology, automation and an ever-evolving regulatory landscape have made the workplace more complex than ever before. Consequently, human resources (HR) professionals have become vital to organizational success and talent management.
While HR professionals can take various paths to reach key leadership positions, many choose to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Human Resources. Programs that award this degree typically have a combined focus on developing business acumen and strategic human resources management expertise, uniquely positioning graduates to meet the challenges of modern HR management.
St. Thomas University’s (STU) online Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Human Resource Management program provides a flexible pathway to qualifying for in-demand HR leadership roles. In this guide, you’ll learn about the unique features of the program, general curriculum, essential skills taught, and related career opportunities and salary expectations.
Core Curriculum: How STU Sets HR Professionals Up for Success
STU’s online MBA in Human Resource Management program provides a strong foundation in core business areas like finance, marketing, operations and strategic management. In addition to helping students understand how businesses work, foundational courses offer insight into how each of these departments function so HR specialists can better respond to their hiring, recruiting and development needs.
Courses in talent acquisition, employee relations, compensation and benefits, and organizational development prepare students to excel at workforce planning and people analytics. Program coursework also covers company culture, HR software, change management, employment law and data analytics — areas of critical importance in the modern workplace.
Essential Skills Developed in STU‘s Online MBA Program
Students in STU’s online MBA in HR management program develop their ability to align HR initiatives with organizational goals and business strategy. Graduates emerge with stronger leadership, strategic thinking and communication skills, positioning them to successfully manage teams, facilitate conflict resolution and influence stakeholders.
In addition honing soft skills, the program helps students cultivate hard skills that prepare them for the ongoing digital transformation happening across organizations. By developing expertise in data analysis and HR metrics, graduates are equipped with the skills needed to make evidence-based decisions and demonstrate value to stakeholders. To build their technical competencies, students also gain hands-experience working with HRIS software, recruitment technologies and performance management tools.
Career Opportunities With an MBA in Human Resources Management
Human resources is a broad field that encompasses a range of functions. As a graduate from an MBA in Human Resources Management program, you may pursue positions in:
- Talent management: Leading recruitment and employee development programs in positions like training and development manager or director of learning and development.
- Organizational development: Creating structures and processes to help teams work more effectively in positions such as head of organizational effectiveness, director of culture and transformation and director of change management.
- Employee engagement: Devising and implementing initiatives and programs to boost employee motivation and job satisfaction in roles such as director of employee experience and employee relations manager.
- Total rewards: Setting wages and determining total compensation packages that attract and retain talent in roles such as compensation and benefits manager and global benefits director.
- HR leadership: Overseeing the work of mid-level HR managers and developing overall HR strategy with jobs like director of human resources and senior vice-president of human resources.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for skilled HR professionals is high across industries and sectors. In addition to working for large and small businesses, graduates may also pursue opportunities at educational and healthcare institutions, nonprofit organizations and government agencies. Consulting firms also frequently hire individuals with advanced business education in HR.
Salary Expectations and Return on Investment
According to Payscale, the average salary for individuals with an HR MBA is $78,000 per year (2025), however salaries vary based on industry, company size, geographic location, specialization and work experience. Typically, advanced education positions candidates for upper-level roles with better earning potential.
MBA graduates may pursue leadership roles such as human resources manager. These professionals earned an average annual salary of $140,030 as of May 2024, according to BLS, significantly more than the mean annual salary for human resources specialists, who are less likely to hold a master’s degree. During that same period, the top 10% of human resources managers earned $239,200 per year.
The specialized knowledge and skills gained through graduate-level study prepare MBA graduates for top-level HR leadership roles. Here are examples of such job titles and their average annual salaries, as of 2025:
- Human resources director: $101,115 per year
- Vice-president (VP) of human resources: $152,279 per year
- Chief people officer (CPO): $168,006 per year
- Senior vice-president (SVP) of human resources: $194,249 per year
When considering the return on investment in an MBA in HR management, the cost of the program matters too. That’s why many prospective graduate students choose online degree programs. The cost of these programs, including tuition and fees, is often lower, and many schools offer flexible payment options to reduce the need for borrowing. Plus, studying online eliminates traditional expenses, such as relocation and transportation costs.
Prepare for HR Leadership Roles With an Online MBA From STU
Organizations need knowledgeable, skilled HR professionals to help them source, retain and develop their most powerful resource: their employees. STU’s online MBA in Human Resource Management program equips graduates with comprehensive business and HR expertise, preparing them to assume key leadership roles in a variety of industries.
The program’s accessible online format allows working professionals to study on a flexible schedule while balancing career and personal responsibilities. By combining rigorous business education with specialized HR training, the program opens doors to strategic positions where graduates can make a meaningful impact on both people and business outcomes while advancing their career.
Learn more about STU’s online MBA in Human Resource Management program.
