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Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business

Human Resource Management

Online Master of Arts in Human Resource Management

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$0 Application Fee
$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation

0 Entrance Exams
No GRE/GMAT Required

About This Human Resource Management Master's Degree Program

Employees are the human capital of an organization and vital drivers of its success. With a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management from American Public University (APU), you will explore advanced HR concepts. 

Deepen your knowledge of human resources functions and gain a stronger understanding of how HR managers influence labor relations. APU’s online human resources program thoroughly reviews employment law and other rules, regulations, and issues impacting the global workforce. 

Courses examine the ever-evolving landscape of the HR field. Students discuss talent acquisition strategies and core concepts surrounding employee engagement and retention.  Learners consider how organizations structure their compensation and benefits packages to motivate workers. Moreover, coursework incorporates the latest findings on the efficacy of other employee incentive programs.

Furthermore, you will engage in research to collect insights into the techniques and practices that best support organizational development. To conclude your studies, you will complete a capstone course that demonstrates your mastery of management principles.

This online program is aligned with the core curriculum guidelines from the Society for Human Resource Management® (SHRM®), as well as the standards set by the HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®). 

Society for Human Resource Management® and SHRM® are registered trademarks of Society for Human Resource Management.

HR Certification Institute® and HRCI® are registered trademarks of Human Resource Certification Institute, Inc.

What You Will Do in This Human Resources Program

  1. Understand the difference between individual and group behavior in organizations and their influence in managing human resources
  2. Evaluate laws, rules, regulations, and policies impacting human capital
  3. Design effective compensation packages and employee incentive programs to enhance employee recruitment, retention, and overall job satisfaction
  4. Recommend strategic initiatives involving the HR department that align with the strategic direction of an organization
  5. Examine the effectiveness of internal and external recruitment efforts toward staffing and retention goals

View Program Outcome Assessment Results

Degree at a Glance

Number of Credits
30
Transfer up to 15 credits1
Cost Per Credit
$455 | $250*
$386.75** | $409.50***
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant
***with APUS Opportunity Grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Students must choose a concentration for this degree program:

This concentration focuses on ethics, cross-cultural management, crisis management, and organizational management as it applies to the field of human resource management.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:

  • Assess various approaches used by Global Human Resource Managers and Organizations to staff, training, develop, motivate and lead employees in the workplace of the 21st century.
  • Develop an understanding of the steps and planning necessary to ensure leaders are trained in crisis management.
  • Explain how ethical frameworks shape business decisions.
  • Explain the role of human resource management in the development of a learning organization.

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 2687

|
This course is a comprehensive analysis of how human resource policies are formulated by evaluating the interdependence of human resource and operating functions. Students will have the opportunity to assess policies geared toward high profile HR areas such as talent management, Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) regulations, employee development and compensation. Emphasis will be placed on policies and strategies as they relate to managing an intergenerational workforce. Additional special topics include network security, workplace violence, and bullying.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session
04/28/25 - 10/03/25 10/06/25 - 11/30/25 Fall 2025 Session B 8 Week session
05/26/25 - 10/31/25 11/03/25 - 12/28/25 Fall 2025 Session I 8 Week session
07/28/25 - 01/02/26 01/05/26 - 03/01/26 Winter 2026 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 2762

|
The course examines the techniques, policies, processes, strategies, and practices used by companies and managers to leverage effectively and efficiently their human capital. Students will evaluate how HR practices are aligned with organizational objectives. Additional special topics include workforce planning and succession planning.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session
04/28/25 - 10/03/25 10/06/25 - 11/30/25 Fall 2025 Session B 8 Week session
05/26/25 - 10/31/25 11/03/25 - 12/28/25 Fall 2025 Session I 8 Week session
06/30/25 - 11/28/25 12/01/25 - 01/25/26 Fall 2025 Session D 8 Week session
07/28/25 - 01/02/26 01/05/26 - 03/01/26 Winter 2026 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 2738

|
Students in this class will master the basic concepts, theories, and skills of workforce planning. Workforce planning is a critical human resource function and practice about winning the “war for talent” in today’s workplace. This course will address issues of attracting, staffing, and retaining a high valued and productive workforce. Succession planning is a key concept to be examined as well. Other topics to be addressed in this course include aligning business and staffing needs; retirement and turnover; and developing competency models and the use of these models for staff development. The course will focus on case studies, scenarios, problem resolution, readings, and research.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
04/28/25 - 10/03/25 10/06/25 - 11/30/25 Fall 2025 Session B 8 Week session
06/30/25 - 11/28/25 12/01/25 - 01/25/26 Fall 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 2758

|
This course is an examination of individual dimensions of global executive leadership, organizational behavior, inter-group relations, and strategies for internal corporate communication. Course topics include management and global trade, individual aspects of operating successfully in the global environment, the executive's role in solving conflicts and creating corporations in the world marketplace, cultural aspects of international operations management and international ethical corporate strategies
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session
04/28/25 - 10/03/25 10/06/25 - 11/30/25 Fall 2025 Session B 8 Week session
05/26/25 - 10/31/25 11/03/25 - 12/28/25 Fall 2025 Session I 8 Week session
06/30/25 - 11/28/25 12/01/25 - 01/25/26 Fall 2025 Session D 8 Week session
07/28/25 - 01/02/26 01/05/26 - 03/01/26 Winter 2026 Session B 8 Week session

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 5298

|
This course examines issues and functions that business managers face within the context of day-to-day operations and long-term planning for an organization. Topics covered in this course include the tools used in business operations, the global dimensions of business, financial statement analysis, capital budgeting, legal and ethical behavior, and economic analysis for decision makers.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session
04/28/25 - 10/03/25 10/06/25 - 11/30/25 Fall 2025 Session B 8 Week session
05/26/25 - 10/31/25 11/03/25 - 12/28/25 Fall 2025 Session I 8 Week session
06/30/25 - 11/28/25 12/01/25 - 01/25/26 Fall 2025 Session D 8 Week session
07/28/25 - 01/02/26 01/05/26 - 03/01/26 Winter 2026 Session B 8 Week session

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 2665

|
This course serves as an advanced course in human resource management with particular emphasis on the strategic planning process for each of the functions. Students will explore the historical evolution and philosophical foundation of the field as well as evaluate the current practices that are being used to support Human Resources in the workplace. Future human resource management challenges will be examined, and the emerging concept of strategic Human Resource professionals as business partners will be highlighted.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session
04/28/25 - 10/03/25 10/06/25 - 11/30/25 Fall 2025 Session B 8 Week session
05/26/25 - 10/31/25 11/03/25 - 12/28/25 Fall 2025 Session I 8 Week session
06/30/25 - 11/28/25 12/01/25 - 01/25/26 Fall 2025 Session D 8 Week session
07/28/25 - 01/02/26 01/05/26 - 03/01/26 Winter 2026 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 2685

|
This course serves as an advanced course in compensation and benefits with particular emphasis on global compensation and benefit issues. Students will explore strategic, operational and tactical approaches to global compensation and benefits as they relate to an overall corporate multinational strategy. There will be an examination of expatriate and local staff compensation and benefit practices as students prepare effective compensation and benefits strategies through case studies, class discussions and other assignments.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
04/28/25 - 10/03/25 10/06/25 - 11/30/25 Fall 2025 Session B 8 Week session
06/30/25 - 11/28/25 12/01/25 - 01/25/26 Fall 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 2686

|
This course analyzes the legal framework and principles of employment law from a managerial perspective. Students will develop decision-making skills through scenarios involving various workplace situations. Topics include the agency-employment relationship, discrimination laws, bona fide occupational qualifications, employer negligence in hiring, background checks, employment tests, vicarious liability, sexual harassment, workplace violence, labor relations, working standards, and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session
04/28/25 - 10/03/25 10/06/25 - 11/30/25 Fall 2025 Session B 8 Week session
05/26/25 - 10/31/25 11/03/25 - 12/28/25 Fall 2025 Session I 8 Week session
06/30/25 - 11/28/25 12/01/25 - 01/25/26 Fall 2025 Session D 8 Week session
07/28/25 - 01/02/26 01/05/26 - 03/01/26 Winter 2026 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 2763

|
Required first course in the Management program. This course will provide a framework for assessing individual and group behaviors in organizational settings. The primary emphasis will be on developing practical administrative/managerial skills in improving employee performance.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session
04/28/25 - 10/03/25 10/06/25 - 11/30/25 Fall 2025 Session B 8 Week session
05/26/25 - 10/31/25 11/03/25 - 12/28/25 Fall 2025 Session I 8 Week session
06/30/25 - 11/28/25 12/01/25 - 01/25/26 Fall 2025 Session D 8 Week session
07/28/25 - 01/02/26 01/05/26 - 03/01/26 Winter 2026 Session B 8 Week session
Select any courses that have not been used to fulfill major requirements. Credits applied toward a minor or certificate in an unrelated field may be used to fulfill elective credit for the major.

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 4939

|
This MGMT696, M.A. in Management Capstone: Portfolio, course is the final course in the Master’s Program. This course will prepare graduate student to reflect on their graduate experience by compiling and revising artifacts from previous courses in the program into an organize e-portfolio. The e-portfolio will reflect the student’s educational growth from entry in the graduate program. In addition, the graduate student will develop the skills necessary to successfully transition to and navigate post-graduate life as well as understand the civic and social responsibilities of being educated citizens. Finally, students will be given the resources to connect with APU/AMU in an ongoing relationship.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session
04/28/25 - 10/03/25 10/06/25 - 11/30/25 Fall 2025 Session B 8 Week session
05/26/25 - 10/31/25 11/03/25 - 12/28/25 Fall 2025 Session I 8 Week session
06/30/25 - 11/28/25 12/01/25 - 01/25/26 Fall 2025 Session D 8 Week session
07/28/25 - 01/02/26 01/05/26 - 03/01/26 Winter 2026 Session B 8 Week session

Admission Requirements

  • All APU master's degree/graduate certificate programs require a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
  • Students are required to take BUSN604 as their first required course. If you have a bachelor's degree that is accredited by ACBSP, AACSB, or IACBE, you are NOT required to take the course listed above, and instead may take one graduate-level elective course.
  • There is no fee to complete the APU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.

Materials Cost

Technology fee: $85 per course 

Need Help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions representative at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].

Quality Education Should Be Affordable

So you can focus on the opportunities ahead, without the financial burden of more expensive schools who are not as invested in your success. Learn more about paying for school.

Consumer Information

Disclosures

Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.

 

1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.

*Cost Per Credit Hour

The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.

See all military student benefits.

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about American Public University's cost components and full cost of attendance. 

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