phd courses in human resource management

Ph.D. Program in Human Resources

Cornell university’s ilr school: a world leader in human resource management.

Cornell University is among the world’s most prestigious research universities — and its ILR School is the HR Studies leader. Cornell ILR focuses on the world of work with doctoral programs not only in HR, but also related fields such as organizational behavior, dispute resolution, labor relations, public policy and social statistics.

In a 2009 poll posted on the Academy of Management's HR Division listserv, members were asked, “If you were advising a top-notch student interested in pursuing a graduate degree in HR, what three schools would you recommend?” Scholars ranked ILR’s HR program as their top pick , citing Cornell’s program more frequently than any other.

Why Cornell’s Human Resources Ph.D. Program?

• Unmatched program breadth and depth
• Access to top scholars
• Guaranteed full funding
• Academic careers at top-notch universities

An Alumnus Perspective

“I had an awesome experience at Cornell. The professors were terrific, as were my fellow Ph.D. students. I could not have been better prepared to launch my career in teaching and research in human resource management.”

— Jeff Ericksen, Assistant Professor, School of Labor and Industrial Relations, Michigan State University (HR Ph.D. graduate)

Application Deadline: December 15th 

Contact information.

For more information on Cornell's Ph.D. in Human Resources program, please contact:

ILR Graduate Programs Office Cornell University 218 Ives Hall Ithaca, NY 14853

ph: (607) 255-1522 fax: (607) 254-5225 email: [email protected]

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Doctor of Philosophy in Human Resource Management (PhD-HRM)

100% online phd-hrm.

Complete your studies on your own time.

New Start Date Every Monday

Start your first course when it’s convenient for you.

38 Months to your PhD-HRM

Finish your PhD-HRM in just 20 courses.

National and Northcentral have merged, and this program is now offered by NU.  Learn more .

Doctor of Philosophy in Human Resource Management

Enhance global business environments with the 100% online Doctor of Philosophy in Human Resource Management (PhD-HRM) degree program at National University. No GRE/GMAT required. You’ll gain the expert-level knowledge you need to take on leadership positions in the private, public, and non-profit sector. Through this comprehensive doctoral degree, you’ll deepen your understanding of human resource theories and practices, including critical thinking and research skills. 

Advance Your Human Resource Career Completely Online

NU’s PhD-HRM program is centered on the evolution of human resources. You’ll explore extrinsic and intrinsic compensation concepts, how to improve organizational effectiveness, and how to motivate diverse workforces. You’ll also learn how to develop and apply quantitative and qualitative research designs and methodologies. Other focus areas in the PhD in Human Resource Management include working within a unionized environment, legal issues impacting human resources, and how to improve diversity and inclusion. 

NU’s one-to-one learning model will provide you with the guidance, attention, and support you deserve throughout your doctoral education.

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S.

Course Details

• Credit Hours: 60
• Courses: 20
• Estimated Time to Complete: 38 months

The Doctor of Philosophy in Human Resource Management (PhD-HRM) program can be completed in 60 credits. Each foundational course runs 8 weeks, and dissertation courses run 12 weeks.

Course Sequence

This program can be completed with a minimum of 60 credit hours, but may require additional credit hours, depending on the time required to complete the dissertation research. If needed, additional courses will be added to the student degree program in alignment with the SAP and Academic Maximum Time to Completion policies. Students who do not complete their program in accordance with these policies may be dismissed.

Course Name

In this course, you will focus on the development of the human resource function in organizations. From exploring employee recruitment, motivation, performance and various forms of compensation and benefits packages, you will view the human resource function in a strategic role that enhances global business environments.

In this course, you will explore the concepts of extrinsic and intrinsic compensation in the management of today’s diverse and global workforce. The decisions made in these areas, related to compensation and benefits at the Executive and the employee level, can directly impact the strategic nature and direction of the organization.

In this course, you will explore all aspects of labor relations from a human resources perspective. This will include the history, structure, politics, processes, and relationships associated with bargaining units (unions). You will examine how unions can change attitudes and behaviors of both management and employees, as well as the benefits and challenges to working in a human resources position in a unionized environment.

In this course, you will explore how to manage human resources to optimize organizational effectiveness as well as individual outcomes in a global context. You will consider current laws, public policies, recruitment and retention strategies. In addition, you will determine how employees’ concerns and complaints are incorporated into organizational decision-making.

Prerequisites:  *Fundamental requirement in General Management

In this course, you will examine supervisory concepts, laws, regulations and HRM practices used in the 21st Century. You will explore techniques for motivating employees as a supervisor of diverse workforces and evaluate the role of supervisors in organizational planning.

This doctoral course examines the uniqueness of culture and its impact on all areas of organizational operations. This includes such aspects as diversity, global transitioning, accommodations, and cross-national teamwork. The Twenty-First century Human Resources professional must have an open mind and a willingness to suspend judgments, ask questions, and listen to answers.

In this course, you will explore multiple levels of employment, including management, full-time employees, part-time employees, temporary employees, and contracted employees based on the passage and interpretation of laws, whether at the federal, state, or local level. Policies such as employment-at-will, right to work, or termination, and other regulations can change with an act of Congress or a state legislature.

In this course, you will explore how the HRM function creates a more inclusive culture by valuing diversity of its workforce. During the course, you will review organizational decisions on diversity issues in order to learn how to avoid discrimination while improving organizational effectiveness. To gain an awareness of corporate best practices, you will examine HRM’s role in diversity and inclusion cases.

In this course, you will examine how organizational behavior is relevant to HRM. You will explore theories that support and explain causes and outcomes of typical issues in HRM. In addition to individual behaviors in organizations, team dynamics in relation to organizational structures will be discussed in consideration of organizational goals and employee well-being.

In this course, you will explore the strategic role of human resources in organizations. Through an examination of HRM functions, you will determine how these align with the strategic direction of organizations. In addition, you will consider the potential contributions and challenges that HRM might face, especially during organizational change processes. You will then develop HRM initiatives that help achieve organizational goals.

In this course, you will review policy development processes, how these are implemented and the outcomes resulting from policies being deployed. You will consider various forces that affect HR policies including the needs of global environments, organizations, and employees. You will develop policy implementation plans that include the necessary steps, resource allocations, and measurement of outcomes.

In this course, you will engage in the process of scholarly literature reviews and academic writing. With an emphasis on how to (a) conduct effective literature searches, specifically in preparation for the dissertation, (b) develop a plan for writing comprehensive, critical, and synthesized reviews of research literature, and (c) critically review and write about underlying theory/conceptual frameworks, you will develop a foundation for future research. The overarching goal of this course is for you to conduct an exhaustive search of the peer-reviewed research literature in your topic area and identify potential areas of inquiry for your dissertation.

In this course, you will cultivate a statistical mindset through learning and nurturing skills needed to perform and interpret univariate inferential statistics. The course will facilitate building your statistical confidence in assessing and performing statistics. The course will cover univariate parametric and non-parametric statistical tests, interpretation of statistical output, and introduce skills needed to select statistical tests based on quantitative research questions.

During this course, as a scholar-practitioner, you will build the skills essential for designing quantitative studies; analyzing the data collected in these studies, and interpreting the results of data analyses. You will explore designs and statistical techniques to use with their envisioned dissertation research.

During this course, you will examine qualitative methods for studying human behavior including grounded theory, narrative analysis, ethnography, mixed methods, and case studies. You will explore designs and methodologies to use with your envisioned research.

The Pre-Candidacy Prospectus is intended to ensure students have mastered knowledge of their discipline prior to candidacy status and demonstrated the ability to design empirical research as an investigator before moving on to the dissertation research coursework. Students will demonstrate the ability to synthesize empirical, peer-reviewed research to support all assignments in this course. The Pre-Candidacy Prospectus is completed only after all foundation, specialization, and research courses have been completed.

Students in this course will be required to complete Chapter 1 of their dissertation proposal including a review of literature with substantiating evidence of the problem, the research purpose and questions, the intended methodological design and approach, and the significance of the study. A completed, committee approved (against the minimum rubric standards) Chapter 1 is required to pass this course successfully. Students who do not receive approval of Chapter 1 to minimum standards will be able to take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to finalize and gain approval of Chapter .

Students in this course will be required to work on completing Chapters 1-3 of their dissertation proposal and receive committee approval for the Dissertation Proposal (DP) in order to pass the class. Chapter 2 consists of the literature review. Chapter 3 covers the research methodology method and design and to includes population, sample, measurement instruments, data collection and analysis, limitations, and ethical considerations. In this course, a completed, committee-approved Chapters 2 and 3 are required and, by the end of the course, a final approved dissertation proposal (against the minimum rubric standards). Students who do not receive approval of the dissertation proposal will be able to take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to finalize and gain approval of these requirements.

Students in this course will be required to prepare, submit, and obtain approval of their IRB application, collect data, and submit a final study closure form to the IRB. Students still in data collection at the end of the 12-week course will be able to take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to complete data collection and file an IRB study closure form.

In this dissertation course students work on completing Chapters 4 and 5 and the final Dissertation Manuscript. Specifically, students will complete their data analysis, prepare their study results, and present their findings in an Oral Defense and a completed manuscript. A completed, Committee approved (against the minimum rubric standards) Dissertation Manuscript and successful Oral Defense are required to complete the course and graduate. Students who do not receive approval for either or both their Dissertation Manuscript or defense can take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to finalize and gain approval of either or both items as needed.

Degree Requirements

The University may accept a maximum of 12 semester credit hours in transfer toward the doctoral degree for graduate coursework completed at an accredited college or university with a grade of “B” or better. The PHD-HRM degree program in the School of Business has the following graduation requirements:

• A minimum of 48 credit hours of graduate instruction must be completed through NU
• Grade Point Average of 3.0 (letter grade of “B”) or higher
• Satisfactory completion of the PHD-HRM Pre-Candidacy Prospectus
• University Approval of Dissertation Manuscript and Oral Defense completed
• Submission of the approved final dissertation manuscript to the University Registrar, including the original unbound dissertation manuscript and an electronic copy
• Official documents on file for basis of admission: a conferred master’s degree from an accredited academic institution
• Official transcripts on file for all transfer credit hours accepted by the University
• All financial obligations must be met before the student will be issued their diploma and/or degree posted transcript.

Positions  

• Human resource manager or specialist 
• Postsecondary teacher
• Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialist
• Business partner
• Recruitment/placement specialist
• Human resource employee relations manager
• Business intelligence analyst
• Compensation analyst
• Assistant professor of management (college and university professors, faculty members) 

Work Settings

• Public administration (Federal and State governmental agencies, VA, Forest Service Bureau of Prisons, Environmental Protection Agency, etc.)
• Colleges and Universities seeking academic faculty members
• Professional, scientific, and technical services (Management consulting companies like Deloitte, Accenture, or government contractors offering consulting services) 
• Healthcare (Managed care providers, hospitals, medical facilities, residential care facilities)
• Manufacturing (Aerospace, defense, biotech, pharma, and other large private sector corporations)
• Large retailers like Amazon and Wayfair
• Information Technology
• Finance and insurance

*Positions may require additional experience, training, and other factors beyond completing this degree program. Many roles may also require state licensure, and it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all licensure requirements are met.

SOURCE: Emsi Labor Analyst- Report. Emsi research company homepage at https://www.economicmodeling.com/company/ (Report viewed: 4/13/2022). 

DISCLAIMER: The data provided is for informational purposes only. Emsi data and analysis utilizes government sources to provide insights on industries, demographics, employers, in-demand skills, and more to align academic programs with labor market opportunities. Cited projections may not reflect local or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Current and prospective students should use this data with other available economic data to inform their educational decisions.

DISSERTATION PROCESS

Faculty assist each NU Doctoral candidate to reach this academic goal through a systematic process leading to a high-quality completed dissertation. A PhD-HRM dissertation is a scholarly documentation of research that makes an original contribution to the field of study. This process requires care in choosing a topic, documenting its importance, planning the methodology, and conducting the research. These activities lead smoothly into the writing and oral presentation of the dissertation.

A doctoral candidate must be continuously enrolled throughout the series of dissertation courses. Dissertation courses are automatically scheduled and accepted without a break in scheduling to ensure that students remain in continuous enrollment throughout the dissertation course sequence. If additional time is required to complete any of the dissertation courses, students must re-enroll and pay the tuition for that course. Continuous enrollment will only be permitted when students demonstrate progress toward completing dissertation requirements. The Dissertation Committee determines progress.

Program Learning Outcomes

As a graduate of National University’s Doctor of Philosophy in Human Resource Management (PhD-HRM) program, you’ll be able to:

• Evaluate human resource theories, concepts, and scholarly research
• Recommend best practices in hiring, retaining, supporting, and motivating employees
• Determine the impact of employment laws in domestic and multinational organizations
• Contribute to the body of theory and practice in human resource management

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Dissertation Completion Pathway (DCP) is a 100% online pathway helping students “All But Dissertation” finish their doctoral degree.

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• Strategic support and targeted resources to help you finish

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Frequently Asked Questions

With a PhD in HR, you can pursue various career paths. These include academic positions such as teaching and conducting research in universities, research and development roles in government or private organizations, or leadership roles in HR departments in corporations or non-profit organizations.

Pursuing a PhD in HR depends on your career goals and interests. If you want to become a professor, researcher, or hold high-level positions in HR departments, a PhD from National University can be beneficial. It can also lead to higher salaries and job security.

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Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.

Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.

NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.

All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.

National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.

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Earning A Ph.D. In Human Resources: Everything You Need To Know Before Enrolling

Updated: Jul 6, 2023, 12:37pm

A Ph.D. in human resources will allow you to pursue executive,upper-management or academic roles. Read on to learn why you might pursue a Ph.D. in human resources.

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What Is a Doctorate in Human Resources?

A doctorate in human resources, or a Ph.D. in human resources, is the terminal degree in the field, meaning it is the highest degree level you can attain. Doctoral degree holders in human resources are preeminent experts, driving the field forward through research and teaching.

A Ph.D. in human resources takes up to eight years to complete. Doctoral programs begin with two years of intensive coursework before students declare a concentration and focus on developing and defending a dissertation. Ph.D. students spend several years working on their dissertations before graduating.

Degree Finder

What can you do with a doctorate in human resources.

A doctorate in human resources qualifies you for the most advanced and high-level roles in the HR field. You are also qualified to pursue positions in research and academia, setting you apart from master’s degree holders. You can find work as a human resources professor at a university or as an industrial-organizational psychologist . Salary information via the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) .

Below, we cover four careers available for doctoral degree holders in human resources.

Human Resources Professor

Job Growth (2021-2031): +6% Median Annual Salary: $88,790 Job Description: Human resources professors work within business departments at colleges and universities. Job duties include teaching undergraduate students, mentoring Ph.D. candidates and performing research to advance the HR field.

Chief Executive

Job Growth (2021-2031): +6% Median Annual Salary: $189,520 Job Description: Chief executives work at the highest management level within some of the largest companies in the world. Job titles include chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief technology officer or chief information officer. Professionals with a doctorate in human resources bring knowledge of management, leadership and best practices in big-picture company culture.

Human Resources Manager

Job Growth (2021-2031): +7% Median Annual Salary: $130,000 Job Description: Human resources managers take charge of HR departments at any company. They can work in many industries, including the nonprofit sector, healthcare and information technology, where they oversee hiring, firing, compensation, benefits and training.

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Job Growth (2021-2031): +4% Median Annual Salary: $139,280 Job Description: Industrial-organizational psychologists study the effects of applied psychological principles on the business and managerial world. They perform research and provide actionable advice to workplace management. You must have a Ph.D. or doctoral degree to practice independently as a psychologist.

What’s the Difference Between an MBA in Human Resources and a Doctorate in Human Resources?

An MBA in human resources and a Ph.D. in human resources are very different degrees. An MBA with a concentration in human resources covers broad business foundations like marketing, finance and economics alongside HR coursework. An MBA in HR qualifies graduates for many jobs due to their overarching business education.

Where an MBA provides breadth, a Ph.D. in human resources provides depth. A Ph.D. requires students to complete significant research and writing. Ph.D. students become human resources experts as they spend most of their degree conducting HR-specific research.

Compared to MBA graduates, doctoral degree holders are more limited in what business careers they can pursue; however, doctoral degrees qualify graduates to seek nearly any position in the HR field.

Admission Requirements for a Doctorate in Human Resources

Admission requirements for Ph.D. programs in human resources vary widely, moreso than undergraduate and graduate programs. Prospective students must meet a minimum GPA and generally need a master’s degree in the field. They must submit official transcripts, letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose detailing their intended research focus or the faculty members they’d like to research alongside.

Many Ph.D. programs admit small cohorts and require applicants to complete an admission interview. Some programs also require applicants to submit GMAT or GRE scores.

Common Courses in a Human Resources Ph.D. Program

Behavioral sciences.

A behavioral sciences seminar covers major theories and methodologies in psychology, such as cognitive processes and behavioral interactions. This course introduces students to research design and methodologies at the doctoral level.

Current Issues in Organizational Behavior

Organizational behavior and industrial-organizational psychology are key components of a Ph.D. in human resources. This survey course covers the spectrum of contemporary research in organizational behavior and its practical applications to companies around the world.

Organization Theory

This course delves into various theories on organizational performance and how Ph.D. graduates can apply them when entering the HR field. Students discuss, compare and contrast multiple models in organizational theory.

Survey of Social Psychology

This course surveys the major theories and research in the social psychology field. Social psychology studies how thoughts, behaviors and feelings change based on norms and other people and plays a crucial role in human resources.

Dissertation

A dissertation is the culminating requirement for Ph.D. candidates. In most cases, Ph.D. candidates must write a paper based on their original research, after which they must defend their dissertation to a panel of faculty members. This requirement takes years to complete, making it difficult to pinpoint exact completion timelines for Ph.D. programs.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About a Ph.D. in Human Resources

What can you do with a ph.d. in human resources.

A Ph.D. in human resources prepares you for high-level human resources positions or roles in academia, such as research or teaching. In tandem with professional experience, graduates can pursue CEO jobs. Doctoral degree holders can also pursue licensure to practice or conduct research as industrial-organizational psychologists.

Is a doctorate in HR worth it?

Whether a doctorate in HR is worth it depends on your career goals. If you want to pursue careers in academia and research, a Ph.D. in human resources is the right fit for you. These degrees can lead to HR professor and industrial-organizational psychologist positions.

In contrast, you do not need a doctoral degree to become a human resources manager, although it can help. However, financially, you are likely better off pursuing an MBA in human resources for HR management careers.

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PhD Specialization in Human Resources

The primary goal of the Management and Human Resources PhD program is to develop top-class researchers in the field of management, with specializations in the areas of entrepreneurship, human resource management, international business, organizational behavior and strategic management.

The specialization in Human Resources (HR) is dedicated to understanding how work organizations can perform more effectively by better management of their human resources. That is, we are interested in understanding, identifying, and improving the effectiveness of HR practices (whether in the U.S. or in other countries) in the various functions and activities carried out as part of HR, and determining the optimal fit between these practices and organizational strategies, cultures, and performance.

Important research areas include recruiting, employee selection, performance management, learning, training and development, total rewards (compensation and benefits), and strategic human resource management.

Our faculty studies HR from theoretical perspectives based in economics, psychology, sociology, and management using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Typically, our faculty’s research investigates issues that contribute to the academic discipline as well as inform practice.The emphasis is on studies at the individual, team or group, organizational, and crosslevels of analysis. Our faculty also examines topics that can be considered to be in the realm of organizational behavior including work-family balance, job and work design, and teams. Also, our HR research is not limited to any one type of industry. We study practices within industries such as the middle markets, call centers, the military, restaurants, and hospitals as well as non-profits such as fire departments.

10 Reasons to Choose to Study at OSU

• High Productivity: Our program was ranked #4 in the 2021 TAMUGA management research productivity ranking ( http://www.tamugarankings.com/rankings/2021-2/ ).
• Strong Student-Faculty Ratio: Our PhD program, with 13 faculty members specializing in Organizational Behavior/Human Resources (OB/HR) and a selective cohort of 5-7 doctoral students, ensures personalized attention and mentorship. This structure offers students abundant opportunities to collaborate with a diverse faculty, each contributing unique expertise and skills.
• Benjamin Campbell, Associate Editor at Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal
• Tracy Dumas, Senior Editor at Organization Science
• Jia (Jasmine) Hu, Associate Editor at Journal of Applied Psychology
• Kaifeng Jiang, Associate Editor at Personnel Psychology
• Howard Klein, Editor-in-chief at Human Resource Management
• Tanya Menon, Associate Editor at Management Science
• Raymond Noe, Former Associate Editor at Journal of Organizational Behavior
• Bennett Tepper, Former Associate Editor at Academy of Management Journal
• Steffanie Wilk, Former Senior Editor at Organization Science
• Editorial Board Representation: Our OB/HR faculty members serve on the editorial boards of numerous top-tier outlets, including Academy of Management Journal (2 faculty), Journal of Applied Psychology (3 faculty), Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes (4 faculty), Personnel Psychology (2 faculty), and Journal of Management (4 faculty).
• Five of our esteemed faculty members - Jasmine Hu, Timothy Judge, Howard Klein, Raymond Noe, and Bennett Tepper - have been honored as Fellows of the Academy of Management and/or the Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Each of these distinguished scholars has amassed nearly or over 10,000 citations on Google Scholar.
• Three of our faculty members - Timothy Judge, Howard Klein, and Raymond Noe - hold high rankings on the list of "Most-cited Authors in Popular Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology Textbooks," as per the study by Aguinis et al., 2017.
• Jasmine Hu, Kaifeng Jiang, Timothy Judge, Raymond Noe, Bennet Tepper were recognized as “ World’s Top 2% of the most-cited scholars and scientists ” (2022) 
• Timothy Judge holds the distinction of being the most highly cited academic in the field of business and management among those whose first publication appeared between 1990 and 1999 according to a recent study by Dr. Harzing.
• Jasmine Hu, Timothy Judge, and Bennett Tepper have been recognized as among the most productive and most-cited leadership scholars, as noted in studies by Arici et al., 2021, and Zhao and Li, 2019.
• Our faculty have frequently earned prestigious recognitions such as the 'Best Paper' award (most recently won by Kathleen Keeler in Academy of Management Review in 2021), and the 'Best Reviewer' award (most recently bestowed upon Hun Lee in Journal of Applied Psychology in 2022).
• Our faculty have utilized their expertise to author textbooks in the OB/HR field (e.g., Timothy Judge and Raymond Noe).
• Two of our faculty members, Jasmine Hu and Robert Lount, have been recognized as "Best 40 Under 40 Business School Professors" by Poets and Quants.
• Successful Alumni: Our recent OB/HR alumni hold tenure-track positions at research-intensive institutions, including Sarah Doyle (University of Arizona), Hee Man Park (Penn State University), Seunghoo Chung (Hong Kong Polytechnic University), Carrie Zhang (Wayne State University), and Yuhan Zhan (Florida International University).
• The Fisher Leadership Initiative ( FLI ): With Tim Judge as the executive director, FLI provides additional resources and opportunities for conducting research.
• Networking Opportunities: Our faculty, highly esteemed and well-connected within the field, can assist students in expanding their professional networks. We organize social and professional gatherings on a regular basis.
• Vibrant Location: Columbus is frequently acclaimed as one of the most livable cities in the United States, particularly favored by Millennials and Young Professionals. It is celebrated for its diverse business landscape, dynamic neighborhoods, and an exciting fusion of arts, culture, and culinary delights  (Sources:  Far & Wide , Forbes , NYTimes ,  CommercialCafe ,  ExperienceColumbus ).
• Affordable Living and Strong Financial Support: Residing in Columbus is relatively cost-effective, with the cost of living being lower than the national average. OSU offers a competitive financial support package for PhD students. Furthermore, we have increased the PhD student stipend in 2023, further enhancing the financial benefits of our program.

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Ph.D. in Human Resource Management

Program information.

The doctoral program in human resource management (HRM) prepares students for success in research universities as faculty members specializing in human resources. Doctoral students work closely with faculty to gain research and teaching expertise in the various functions and activities carried out as part of HRM, including the relationship between these practices and organizational strategies, cultures, and performance.

Many HRM scholars specialize or focus on more micro-level work, such as researching the impact of specific HR practices (e.g., selection or training techniques) on individual-level measures of satisfaction or performance. Alternatively, macro-level HR (i.e., “strategic HRM”) scholars study the effects of systems of HR policies and practices on organizational-level outcomes. KU faculty have expertise at both levels, as evidenced by publications in prestigious outlets.

Application deadlines

Priority: December 15

Final: January 10

• Application requirements

Doctoral students work closely with faculty to gain research expertise in the various functions and activities carried out as part of HRM with a focus on the attraction, selection, retention, development, motivation, and utilization of individuals in organizations.

Part of our mission is to develop effective teachers. To that end, all doctoral students are required to teach at least two sections as independent instructors. The school and university prepare and reward doctoral students for excellence in teaching through various programs and awards.

Program details

View degree requirements and a detailed list of courses in the KU Academic Catalog .

Human Resource Management core courses note: BE 917: Business Economics, is preferred. Students coming into the program directly from an undergraduate degree may consider substituting BE 701: Business Economics, or ECON 700: Survey of Microeconomics. In the event a student has taken a graduate economics course prior to enrolling as a KU doctoral student, she/he may waive the requirement and substitute either an elective doctoral content course or a statistics/research methods course for this requirement.

• Comprehensive exams
• Dissertation proposal
• Dissertation defense

Some students can complete the program in four years.

Program faculty

• Howard Fitch/Fred Ball Professor
• Management and Entrepreneurship academic area

• Associate Professor

• Interim Area Director, Management and Entrepreneurship
• Neeli Bendapudi Professor of Management

Human Resource Management doctoral students

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About the Program

The Wisconsin PhD in management and human resources develops scholars in the domain of management.

The program prepares individuals for careers in research and teaching at leading research universities. Our students achieve placements as assistant professors at top research universities.

Core Areas of Research

Student research is supported by faculty in five core areas:

Organizational behavior

Human resources

Organization theory

Students in our PhD program work closely with faculty members to contribute to significant advancements in the theory and practice of management, as evidenced by our recently published journal articles . Our faculty members are renowned scholars, leaders at the Academy of Management and the Strategic Management Society, and editors in top scholarly journals.

Academic Requirements

The admissions process is highly competitive. All students must meet the general PhD requirements of both the UW–Madison Graduate School and the Wisconsin School of Business.

Ideal candidates for our program possess a strong academic background at the undergraduate or graduate level and come from a variety of educational backgrounds. A degree in business is not a prerequisite for doctoral-level study, although such a background may be helpful.

Program Coursework

New students in our PhD program start by taking two years of coursework (a course is typically three credits, and a total of thirty-two credits is required). Courses are selected in consultation with the PhD coordinator and your advisor.

A substantial share of coursework may be undertaken outside of the business school. Students take a diverse array of seminars in the economics, sociology, psychology, statistics, and computer science departments, depending on their specific research interests. These may be theory or methods courses. Required coursework in research methods and statistics includes a minimum of 18 credits.

During the period of coursework, students will work closely with faculty on research projects. These interactions often lead to research collaborations in which the student becomes a co-author on published research.

The Management and Human Resources Department offers a slate of foundational PhD seminars across the group’s core areas of research: strategy, human resource management, organizational behavior, organization theory, and entrepreneurship. The department also offers two research methods seminars. These seminar offerings vary from year to year, although most are offered every second year.

Doctoral students are expected to take all PhD seminars offered by the department. From these courses you will declare primary and secondary concentrations (e.g., strategy is primary and human resources is secondary).

Preliminary exams

Preliminary exams are written at the end of the second year (usually in early summer). The exam takes place over two days and consists of four questions: two regarding your primary concentration, one on your secondary concentration, and one concerning research methods.

Upon passing the preliminary exam, students focus on their own research, developing and defending a dissertation. Throughout the PhD program, students participate as full and active members of our research community. The department runs vibrant internal and external speaker series, with both UW and visiting faculty presenting research. Our PhD students actively participate as speakers, presenting their ongoing research.

See Guide for all course requirements

Faculty Research Interests

Stav Atir Research interests: Knowledge Learning Confidence Judgment and decision making Gender bias View full profile Russell Coff Research interests: Competitive advantage Human capital Strategic management Innovation and creativity View full profile Jonathan Eckhardt Research interests: Student entrepreneurship and technology transfer Technology entrepreneurship Venture finance Entrepreneurship theory View full profile Martin Ganco Research interests: Entrepreneurship Employee mobility Innovation and technology Business strategy Complexity theory View full profile Barry Gerhart Research interests: Compensation Human resource management Incentives Staffing View full profile Florence Honoré Research interests: Entrepreneurship Human capital Employee mobility Strategic alliances Matching models View full profile Anyi Ma Research interests: Agency and community Gender and leadership Choice, control and freedom View full profile Jirs Meuris Research interests: Employee well-being and organizational performance Compensation and benefits Personal finances and financial decision-making Applications of behavioral science to public policy View full profile Alexander Stajkovic Research interests: Leadership and organizational behavior Reinforcement theory Social cognitive theory and self-efficacy Interaction between primed subconscious goals and conscious goals Core confidence View full profile Ann Terlaak Research interests: Business sustainability Corporate social responsibility Organizational learning Behavioral theory of the firm View full profile Charlie Trevor Research interests: Compensation Human resource management Consequences of employee turnover View full profile Chia-Jung Tsay Research interests: Decision-making Implicit biases Performance Expertise Policy View full profile Victoria Zhang Research interests: Social networks Norm-violations Behavioral change Computational social science View full profile Connect With Current Students

We encourage you to contact our doctoral students in management and human resources to hear their perspectives on the Wisconsin PhD Program.

View current student profiles

See Our Placement Results

Graduates of our PhD specialization in management and human resources have accepted tenure-track positions at top research universities.

View recent placements

Chia-Jung Tsay

Organizational Behavior & HR Management

The Mitch Daniels School of Business PhD program in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management (OBHR) will provide you the personalized mentorship and rigorous educational platform from which to launch a successful academic career at a research-oriented university. 

By exposing you to classic and cutting-edge theories , literature streams, research methods, and analytical techniques, we will enable you to conduct exciting and impactful research and to effectively share discovered knowledge with fellow scholars, managers, and students in the U.S. and abroad.  We believe it critical to build your research skills from the outset of your time in our program such that your research record stands out in a highly competitive academic job market.

To that end, we will work one-on-one with you on research projects related to topics such as leadership and teams; work, family, diversity, and personal life; workplace fairness and justice; employee selection; international human resources; stress and burnout; employer branding and recruitment; counterproductive work behaviors; and workplace interventions, training, and employee engagement.

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If you would like to receive more information about doctoral study in OBHR, please contact us and an Admissions Specialist will be in touch to connect you with a department representative!

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Courses Human Resource Management

Doctor of philosophy in business management.

• PhD in Business Management
• Human Resource Management

PhD in Business Management, Human Resource Management

School of business, technology, and health care administration.

The PhD Human Resource Management specialization focuses on knowledge and skills needed to teach, consult, lead, practice, and conduct research in the field of human resource management. Learners evaluate multidisciplinary theories and human resource management strategies and practices for creating flexible and innovative settings in the 21st century’s global workplace. The specialization focuses on key issues related to attracting, developing, and retaining a global workforce. The coursework addresses diverse demographic and cultural perspectives, the influence of new technologies on the workplace, and the impact of the dynamic external work environment on human resource management practices.

Core courses:

In addition, choose one of the following two categories:

For quantitative research:

For qualitative research:

Specialization courses: 

Upon completion of all required coursework:

Learners must register for GBUS9960 a minimum of four times to fulfill their specialization requirements. 

One Elective Course

At least 4 quarter credits

Choose any business management (BMGT) course(s).

At least 90 quarter credits

* Denotes courses that have prerequisite(s). Refer to the descriptions for further details.

Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.

What Can I Expect?

Each unit consists of readings, discussions, and other activities you will be expected to complete throughout the week. Assignments are due on Sundays, though not every course requires an assignment each week.

In each course, you will receive a detailed scoring guide that describes expectations for every graded assignment.

Grades are based on your participation in weekly reading discussions and completion of assignments. You will also be assessed on your ability to demonstrate an understanding of expected outcomes for your program or specialization. These outcomes are based on the needs and performance standards of your field or discipline.

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Online PhD in Human Resources

• Published August 31, 2018
• Last Updated July 19, 2024

Find Your Degree!

This article features the top 15 Online Ph.D. Programs in Human Resources.

An online Ph.D. in human resources is ideal for professionals in the field. On-campus doctoral degree programs require a significant time commitment. And in many cases, candidates need to relocate. However, an online Ph.D. is much more flexible. These programs are still quite rigorous. However, they allow busy working professionals to schedule their human resource studies around prior commitments. 

Human resources is a growing field, and those in HR management can expect to make an average of $126,230 annually. However, management and leadership positions require high-level training. And that’s where an online doctorate comes in. 

In this post, we’ve ranked 15 of the best online PhD programs in human resources. You will note that these programs are affordable. And they offer the same academic experience you would get on campus. Most take three to five years to complete. 

We’ve highlighted a range of online degrees. Some are entirely asynchronous and allow for maximum flexibility. Other programs are more structured and require a few campus visits each year. And a few are hybrid programs combining online and on-campus instruction. 

If you’re considering pursuing an online Ph.D. program in human resources, check out this list. 

You may also like: Top 20 PhD in Human Resources Programs (Online and On-campus)

Online Ph.D. Human Resources Methodology

To identify the top 15 online Ph.D. human resources programs, we started with a search on NCES College Navigator. From there, we created a list of colleges offering online doctoral programs in human resources.

From our list, we created a rating system (seen below) to select the best Ph.D. in human resources online programs. Where there were ties, we favored the doctoral programs with the lower graduate tuition rate. Please note that the tuition rates listed are based on in-state costs per academic year. The costs for non-residents or for online doctorate degree students may differ.

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

• 15:1 or less= 3 Points
• Greater than 15:1= 1 Point

Average Graduate Tuition Rate

• Less than $15,000 per year= 5 Points
• Between $15,000 and $20,000 per year= 3 Point
• More than $20,000 per year= 1 Point

Overall Graduation Rate

• Greater than 80%= 3 Point
• 80% or Less= 1 Point

Below are 15 schools that offer the best Phd in human resources online

Summary of Top 15 Ph.D. Human Resource Online Programs:

Ranking the Top Online Ph.D. Programs in Human Resources 

#15 – regent university – virginia beach, virginia .

Online Doctorate in Human Resources:

Ph.d. in organizational leadership-human resource development .

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $15,590 

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges 

Doctorate in Human Resources Score:  5

Regent University offers an online Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership. There are five concentrations. This allows students to personalize the program to meet their goals and interests. They include: 

• Ecclesial Leadership
• Entrepreneurial Leadership
• Human Resource Development
• Individualized Studies
• Organizational Leadership

This human resources program requires 60 credit hours of graduate studies. This degree prepares students to influence their organizations as teachers, scholars, and leaders. They will learn to analyze the impact of cultural, political, and religious trends. And they will become influential human resource managers in the human resources field. This is a research-based terminal degree that is taught from a Christian worldview. Some of the core courses include: 

• Organizational Theory & Design 
• Organizational Behavior 
• Design of Adult Learning Communities 
• Ethical Human Resource Development 
• Trends in Organizational Leadership Research 

After completing all coursework successfully, students of this Regent University online Phd will have comprehensive exams. They will then begin work on their dissertations. 

#14 – Sullivan University – Louisville, Kentucky 

Ph.D. in Management – Human Resource Leadership 

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $15,840 

Doctorate in Human Resources Score:  7

Sullivan University features an innovative online PhD in Management Program. And students can further customize the program with a Human Resource Leadership concentration. It is ideal for students planning to work in human resources departments or as human resource managers.

Sullivan uses a scholar-practitioner model. This prepares students to become both leaders and scholars in their organizations. No GRE or GMAT is required for admission. And it can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis, allowing for maximum flexibility. Students will take core management courses plus human-resource-related courses. Some of these may include: 

• Workforce Analytics and Technology 
• Organizations and External Environments 
• Proposal Development
• Human Capital Management 
• Human Capital Effectiveness

This PhD in hr management online program is excellent for students who are currently working. And it is also ideal for those with too many commitments to attend a Ph.D. program in person. There are no residencies or on-campus visits required. So it can be completed from anywhere with an internet connection. It is also one of the few doctoral human resource programs that can be completed full or part-time. 

Sullivan features a professional and dedicated faculty that mentors students throughout the human resources program. The school has the lowest student to faculty ratio on our list. And candidates will work with peers from all over the world on research projects. 

#13 – Capella University – Minneapolis, Minnesota 

Human Resource Management Specialization-PhD in Business Management 

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $14,784 

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission 

Capella University offers an online PhD in Business Management. Students can further customize this program with a concentration in Human Resource Management. This Ph.D. in human resource management online program focuses on the practical applications of HR. Students will learn about emerging trends and new technology from diverse perspectives. And the rigorous curriculum will teach candidates to become effective human resources managers.

This top PhD in human resources features a flexible course load. This allows students to take between one and three courses each quarter. Some of the courses in this 90-credit program include: 

• Foundations of Human Resource Theory and Practice 
• Creating Adaptive, Innovative Workplaces 
• Attracting and Retaining Talent 
• Human Resource Practices for Developing Talent 

Students will complete core coursework, electives, exams, and a dissertation. There is no need to go to the Minneapolis campus. Instead, the required residencies can be completed virtually. The program is also ACBSP-accredited. Some of the skills candidates will learn in this program include: 

• Hiring the best staff 
• Staying current with HR trends 
• Evaluating HR practices 
• Using research-backed strategies in the workplace

Capella uses a GuidedPath format for this program. This format allows students to interact with their peers and faculty. There is a set schedule, and students are required to meet the deadlines. This makes it an ideal program for those who need a structured format. Online students benefit from the same rigorous curriculum as their on-campus counterparts. And they earn the same human resource management degree.

#12 – Bellevue University – Bellevue, Nebraska 

Ph.D. in Human Capital Management 

For more information: Bellevue University  

Average Graduation Tuition Rate: $10,980 

Bellevue University features an online PhD in Human Capital Management. This executive-level program is focused on the latest knowledge in the hr management field. Students will need to complete 51 credit hours to meet the major requirements. And the HR coursework at Bellevue University is divided into easy-to-follow modules.

Students in this human capital management Bellevue program learn the skills to treat employees as valuable assets. This unique approach provides them with a deeper understanding of organizational dynamics. Additionally, candidates at Bellevue University develop strong research and analytical skills. And they collaborate with other PhD human capital management students and faculty throughout the program. This allows them to network with human resource professionals all over the country. Some of the courses in this human resource management online program include: 

• Human Learning and Decision Making
• Economics of Human Capital Valuation Issues
• Research in Organizations
• Qualitative Methods
• Performance Management
• Strategic Human Capital Management
• Assessing Human Capital Effectiveness

This top online human resource management degree program also requires a dissertation and a comprehensive exam. The dissertation involves an extensive research project around human capital management. Students will address and solve a real-world HR program in an organization.

#11 – Colorado State University – Fort Collins, Colorado 

Ph.D. in Education and Human Resource Studies 

For more information: Colorado State University  

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $10,834 

This top HR online PhD from Colorado State University is focused on organizational performance and change. This is a hybrid human resource management degree program designed for working human resource professionals. Students will complete some work online. However, the program also requires candidates to meet biweekly on Saturday mornings. This takes place at the Colorado State University Denver campus.

Faculty are all industry experts with extensive research experience in the hr management field. And they specialize in areas like: 

• Socialization and onboarding 
• Constructivist inquiry 
• Workplace learning systems 
• Leadership scenario planning 
• Political, social, and relational aspects of the workplace 

The curriculum features a blend of coursework. And it is designed to focus on research skills and applied expertise. Students take two courses each semester and move through the program as a cohort. This allows them to develop professional relationships with colleagues in the hr management field. Some of the courses in the online doctorate degree program include: 

• Theory and Practice of Change 
• Organizational Learning, Performance, Change
• Scenario Planning in Organizations
• Social, Cultural, and Political Foundations of the Workplace 

Candidates in this program will work on growth-oriented practical activities. This allows them to walk away with knowledge they can immediately apply to their work. This highly selective program is open to only a few applicants each year.

#10– Old Dominion University – Norfolk, Virginia 

Ph.D. Occupational and Technical Studies Concentration, Human Resources Training Emphasis 

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $10,207 

ODU offers one of the top online PhD in Human Resources programs. This degree has an occupation and technical studies concentration with an HR training emphasis. And it is designed to prepare students for government, industry, and business leadership positions. Through this program, students will develop skills aligned with the following: 

• The Association for Talent Development Standards 
• The International Society for Performance Improvement Standards 

Candidates will need to complete a minimum of 60 credit hours. There are two residencies that require students to be on the Norfolk campus. These are each two weeks long and take place during the summer. Other than these two experiences, no additional campus visits are required. Students will complete core research, HR, and elective courses. They will also need to complete a dissertation. Some of the online courses include for this human resource management degree include:

• Principles and Practices of Human Performance 
• Human Performance Assessment 
• Trends and Issues of Economic and Workforce Development 
• Instructional Systems Design 
• Research Design and Analysis 

Some courses meet at specific times online. However, students can complete much of the coursework on their own schedule. All students have an expert faculty mentor to guide them throughout the program. And they also have access to many online resources. This includes tutoring, the library, a writing center, career coaching, and more. 

See Also: 5 Careers for a Human Resources Ph.D. Graduate  

#9 – Indiana Wesleyan University – Marion, Indiana 

Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership

For more information: Indiana Wesleyan University 

Average Graduation Tuition Rate: $9,715 

Indiana Wesleyan University offers an excellent online PhD degree in Organizational Leadership. This hybrid program is delivered through a blend of onsite and online classes. IWU is a Christian university providing a Christ-centered doctoral program. And it is based on the latest research and best practices in the field. Students can earn their degrees in just 40 months. And all candidates move through the program as a cohort. 

Online PhD students complete three week-long summer institutes in person. During this time, they will attend workshops and events. And they will have plenty of networking opportunities with other human resources managers. Some of the core courses for this popular human resources online PhD program include: 

• Organization Theory and Design 
• Change, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship 
• Organizational and Adult Learning 
• Advanced Research Design 
• Global Perspectives on Leadership 
• Ethics and Leadership 

This program offers a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions. As a result, it is highly flexible. It emphasizes leadership through a multicultural and global lens. And it is specifically focused on integrity, inclusion, and international perspectives. The program is ideal for candidates who want to develop their skills for work in human resources departments, leadership, consulting, and more.

At under $10,000 per academic year, IWU offers one of the best online doctorate programs for affordability. The school has regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission.

#8 – University of Southern Mississippi – Hattiesburg, Mississippi 

Doctor of Philosophy in Human Capital Development 

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $9,094 

The University of Southern Mississippi offers a hybrid Ph.D. in Human Capital Development. This internationally-recognized program combines on-campus learning with online instruction. So students will need to live near the campus to be eligible. Faculty are all experts in the field. And they bring their experience into the classroom. As a result, candidates gain a broad understanding of topics such as: 

• Workforce Development 
• Performance Improvement 
• Human Capital Analytics 
• Organizational Culture 
• Change Leadership 
• Strategic Planning 

To complete the program, students must complete a minimum of 54 hours of graduate study. This includes core, elective, and research courses. Additionally, all candidates are required to complete a comprehensive examination and research dissertation. Some of the courses in this hybrid program may include: 

• Research in Human Capital Development 
• Change Leadership in Human Capital Development 
• Emerging Technologies for Human Capital Development 

The partially online PhD program is offered through the USM School of Leadership. At just over $9,000 per academic year, it’s one of the best online doctorate programs for affordability. Additionally, financial assistance is available. For example, the university has over 900 assistantships available for graduate students. Assistants receive full tuition waivers and stipends. Federal financial aid, scholarships, and grants are also available for this doctoral program. 

Related: Online Master’s in Human Resources in Mississippi  

#7 – Bowling Green State University – Bowling Green, Ohio

Ph.D. in Technology Management-Human Resource Development and Training 

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $8,017 

BGSU offers a high-quality education with it’s online PhD in Technology Management. This program features several concentrations, including one in Human Resource Development and Training. This online degree is delivered in cooperation with five other nationally-accredited universities. And it is designed to teach leadership skills to today’s technical HR professionals.

Students in this program will be equipped for high level roles as training and development managers. The curriculum is rigorous, and the program requires 66 credit hours for completion. Some of the courses include: 

• Internet Research Methods 
• Legal and Ethical Dimensions of HRD Practitioners 
• Management and Coordination of Training and Development 
• Improving Human Performance in Organizations 
• Evaluation of Human Resource Development Programs 

Candidates will also complete nine credit hours of professional studies. These can be independent study courses or electives. Or they may be projects or internships that relate to their specialization. Students will work with their instructors to design the coursework. Internships can also be designed to provide doctoral students with practical experience.

This program is unique, with students participating from all over the country. And it is ideal for students who want to earn a Ph.D. but cannot relocate due to prior commitments. Additionally, at just over $8,000 per academic year, it is one of the best online doctorate programs in terms of affordability.

Related: 10 Best Internships for Human Resource Majors

#6 – University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, Arkansas 

EdD in Human Resource and Workforce Development Education 

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $7,875 

UARK offers an EdD in Human Resource and Workforce Development Education. The university has provided this top online HR doctorate degree for over seven years. As a result, the curriculum has evolved to meet current HR trends. In addition, students can complete the program 100 percent online. And there are no on-campus residency requirements. This makes it an excellent choice for busy working HR professionals and training and development specialists.

New students are admitted each fall, spring, and summer semester. Students must complete at least 96 total semester hours of graduate studies. Some of the courses in this online program include: 

• Qualitative Research Design and Analysis 
• Quantitative Research Design and Analysis 
• Project and Program Evaluation 
• History and Foundations of Human Resources
• Organization Development 
• Human Resource Training & Development 
• Entrepreneurial Development 

Exceptionally promising new students to the doctoral program may qualify for financial assistance. This includes tuition waivers, assistantships, and fellowships. Additionally, some students may be eligible for a stipend. However, this is one of the most affordable human resources doctoral programs online.

Although the program is remote, it requires a significant time commitment. The university allows candidates seven years to complete the doctoral degree. An exam and dissertation are required. Additionally, students must take the GRE to be considered for admission to this workforce development education program.

Related: Online Master’s in Human Resources in Arkansas

#5 – Liberty University – Lynchburg, Virginia 

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Human Resources 

For more information: Liberty University

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $7,847 

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges 

The HR Business Administration program at Liberty University is a fully remote. And it takes just three-and-a-half years to complete. HR courses are delivered in a convenient online format with optional intensives. And because the coursework is asynchronous, you can complete the human resources degree at your own pace. For flexibility, Liberty University has one of the best online HR management doctoral programs on our list. 

Students in the Liberty University program gain practical, real-world knowledge. And this knowledge is designed to carry over from the classroom to the workplace. As a result, candidates will learn to solve complex HR problems in their organizations. Some of the featured HR business administration courses may include: 

• Workforce Planning
• Employment Compensation Management 
• Human Resource Development 
• Strategic Thinking for Decision-Making 

This rigorous and challenging online doctorate human resources degree program sets candidates apart and prepares them for advanced roles in human resources departments. As with most business schools, students will gain specialized knowledge in leadership, finance, accounting, and many other areas. Graduates of this HR business administration program have found satisfying careers as: 

• Recruitment Specialists 
• Development Specialists 
• Compensation and Benefits Managers 
• Human Resources Directors

Professors keep students engaged through hands-on case studies and experiential exercises. All these experiences are designed to prepare students for high-level leadership positions. Liberty University is a leader in providing high-quality education online. As a result, the school has many support resources to help HR business administration students succeed. Liberty also offers a master’s degree in HR.

#4 – University of Texas at Tyler – Tyler, Texas 

Ph.D. in Human Resource Development 

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $6,264 

The University of Texas at Tyler features a hybrid Ph.D. in Human Resource Development. This program requires students to come to campus just five times each semester. And candidates can earn their doctoral human resources degree in only two-and-a-half years of study. Faculty includes Dr. Jerry Gilley, the author of the first textbook on HR development principles. 

Students will work alongside expert professors on a range of research projects in HR. It is offered through the Soules College of Business, one of the best business schools in the country. To be considered, applicants need a master’s degree in HR or a related field. Additionally, they should have a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale on previous master’s degree coursework. Some of the online coursework includes: 

• Talent Management and Development 
• Proposal Development 
• Foundations of Qualitative Research 
• Leadership Theory and Practice 
• Advanced Theoretical Foundations of HRD 
• Advanced Quantitative Research in HRD 

An exam is required after completing all coursework. Then, students will work on a dissertation of original research. Candidates have five years to complete the program after admission. Transfer coursework is not accepted.

At just over $6,000 per academic year, UT Tyler offers one of the best online doctorate programs for affordability. Financial support for this human resources management online program is available. This includes scholarships, grants, loans, and Federal financial aid. Additionally, students may apply for various fellowships and assistantships. 

See also: Online Master’s in Human Resources in Texas

#3 – Johnson & Wales University – Providence, Rhode Island 

Doctor of Business Administration – Organization Development 

For more information: Johnson & Wales University

Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $14,706 

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education Doctorate in Doctorate in Human Resources Doctorate in Human Resources Score:  9

Johnson & Wales offers a DBA with a concentration in Organizational Development. This is a fully remote program with no on-campus residencies. Online students will work with a small group of cohorts, generally under 18 participants. And they will have the opportunity to collaborate on various projects with faculty and other human resources professionals. The curriculum teaches students to solve complex business challenges. And it gives them the practical skills to become innovators within the human resources field. 

Online students work on one eight-week course at a time. And most courses in the human resources management online program are asynchronous. This means there are no set class times. Instead, students can complete their studies on their own schedule. This flexibility is excellent for those who are currently working. Some of the courses in this business administration HR management program include: 

• Innovation and Change 
• Organizational Strategy and Design 
• Leading and Managing Large-Scale Transformation 
• Contemporary Leadership Issues 
• Research Design 
• Executive Decision-Making 

The entire HR business administration program can be completed in three years. Students will also need to complete a dissertation and oral defense. However, Johnson & Wales has a unique lock-step dissertation process. This model guides students methodically through the dissertation. 

The student to faculty ratio at the school is an impressive 15:1. And all faculty at Johnson & Wales hold terminal degrees in their fields. And students will develop relationships with faculty mentors. These instructors will guide them throughout the HR business administration program. Additionally, they will develop a network of HR professionals and colleagues. And this will assist them long after they have completed the program. The college also offers a master’s degree in human resource management.

#2 – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – Champaign, Illinois 

EdD in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership with a concentration in HR Development 

Average Graduation Tuition Rate: $14,635 

Doctorate in Human Resources Score:  9

The University of Illinois College of Education features an online EdD program. This program offers a unique concentration in HR Development. The program is designed to improve individual learning and workplace development in organizations. This top online doctorate in HR management includes courses like: 

• Principles in Human Resource Education
• Instructional and Training System Design
• Learning Technologies
• Organization Development
• Advanced Theories in Human Resource Development

Students in this program will receive a offers a high-quality education from one of the most popular colleges in the country. They will learn to design, implement, and evaluate HR programs. And they will learn to become innovative training and development managers. This online doctorate degree is ideal for those who want to pursue an academic career in employee relations. But graduates of this online education program have also found employment in health care, financial services, and more.

#1 – Northcentral University – San Diego, California 

Doctor of Philosophy in Human Resource Management 

Average Graduation Tuition Rate: $10,260 

Our top choice for a PhD in Human Resources online is Northcentral University. This program is designed for individuals seeking leadership positions or work in academia. And it is one of the most flexible doctoral programs to make our list. Students can earn their degrees from anywhere in the world. There are no group assignments, scheduled lectures, or semester start dates. Faculty have all earned their doctorate degrees. And they are eager to share their knowledge and experience with their students. As a result, candidates receive one-on-one mentoring. Some of the courses include: 

• Labor Relations
• Human Resources Management in the 21st Century
• Organizational Behavior in Human Resources Management
• Legal Issues in Human Resources Management
• Strategic Human Resource Management
• Compensation Management

The program requires 60 credit hours and takes an average of 49 months to complete. However, some students finish in as little as 38 months. In addition, the school offers six full-tuition scholarships to incoming Ph.D. students. Federal financial aid, loans, grants, and other scholarships are also available for this online learning program.

This is a research-based degree human resources program. And it prepares students to contribute their knowledge to the HR field. The unique one-on-one learning model ensures that all students get personalized attention. Northcentral further supports its online students with a wealth of virtual resources.

The school also offers a master’s degree in human resource management.

The work of HR may constitute the most varied “to-do list” among all occupations. It includes a wide range of administrative tasks such as benefits and payroll. But it also involves interacting with personnel, development, and training. 

There has been strong global competition and technological advancements in the field. As a result, organizations have made allowances for inevitable changes. This planning is the backbone of human resources management. And it forms the basis for modern HR management doctoral degree programs.

Online vs. On-Campus Doctorate

Online learning provides a flexible option for professionals in the field. These programs offer the same courses of study and are taught with the same rigor. As a result, they lead to the same professional opportunities after graduation. PhD human resources online programs are ideal for students who have family or other obligations. And they are more hassle-free in regard to commuting or scheduling.

What Courses Will I Take for an Online HR Ph.D. Program?

Prospective students pursuing a Ph.D. in HR management can expect to take a range of courses. Generally, these will be online human resource courses that teach the following objectives: 

• Global Conceptions of Leadership
• Leadership and Individual Development
• Application of Research Methods
• Organizational and Adult Learning
• Team Building

The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the top professional organization in the field. And it lists these disciplines within the industry:

• Health, Safety, and Security of Employees
• Employee Relations
• Rewards, Compensations, and Benefits
• Organizational Development

These topics will likely be covered in online doctorate in human resources programs. Additionally, some colleges and universities offer an array of concentrations. As a result, prospective online students can choose an online learning program that most closely aligns with their goals.

What Is an Accelerated Online Human Resources Ph.D. Degree Program?

An accelerated online Ph.D. program uses shorter teaching sessions. For example, instead of the traditional 16 weeks, students take online education courses in seven, eight, or ten-week increments. If you take extra credits each semester, you can earn your degree faster. Accelerated programs are ideal if your goal is to earn your Ph.D. quickly. However, additional stress accompanies such accelerated programs. So you should consider your strengths and weaknesses before enrolling in an accelerated online phd program.

Can I Still Work While Pursuing My Ph.D. in Human Resources Online?

For many students, undertaking a Ph.D. in human resources is a full-time job. However, sometimes necessity requires that you continue working while earning your Ph.D. in HR management. Ideally, you will find employment in the field. This way, you will see the day-to-day applications of your studies. The workload of traditional vs. online Ph.D. programs is the same. A good rule of thumb is to plan on spending around 40 hours a week studying for your degree. This guideline can help you determine if it will still be feasible to work while pursuing an online education.

What Are the Graduation Requirements for an Online Ph.D. in HR?

Generally, the doctorate degree requirements are between 58 and 66 credit hours. And there is typically a minimum of 20 courses. You must also pass a comprehensive examination and produce your dissertation to earn your degree in HR management.

This concludes our ranking of the best online phd programs human resources

Top 20 PhD Human Resources Management Programs Online 2024

Find your perfect school.

In this article, we profile the top 20 online PhD in HR management degree programs.

The United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that employment for human resources managers will grow nine percent over the next several years. This is a slight increase over the average of all other occupations (7 percent). As new companies form and businesses and organizations expand, the need for human resources managers will increase. To accommodate demand to fill these roles, colleges and universities now offer PhD in HR management programs online via distance education technology.

Top 20 Online PhD in Human Resource Management Degree Programs Methodology

We conducted a program evaluation of approximately 55 colleges and universities listed by the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) College Navigator. These were schools that offered at least one PhD in HR management online or degree programs in a closely related discipline such as organizational leadership or HR development. We narrowed our original pool of human resources programs by applying the following criteria: regional or national accreditation, online or hybrid degree completion pathways, and school rankings with a major publication like U.S. News and World Report. We then listed the PhD programs and schools according to raw affordability.

Featured Programs

Below is our list of the top 20 PhD in human resources programs in management online.

#20 – The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Online phd in organizational leadership, chicago, illinois.

Though not an online PhD program in HR management, Chicago School of Professional Psychology offers a PhD in organizational management with human resources applicable concentrations via distance education. Focus areas for the prospective graduate student include human diversity and ethics, interpersonal dynamics, organizational interventions, strategic change management, and team-building. The doctorate in human resources online is fully online and takes three years to complete. Admission requirements include three or more years of work experience and a 500-750-word essay. Other requirements include a statement of research and official transcripts. U.S. News recognizes the institution among top ranked schools and PhD programs. This coupled with affordable tuition earns the Chicago School of Professional Psychology a spot on our list. Moreover, federal grants and loans may be available to eligible students.

Online PhD Programs in Psychology

Graduate Tuition/Fees : $22,554

#19 – University of Illinois

Online edd in hr development, champaign, illinois.

A public university founded in 1867, the University of Illinois offers an EdD program similar to PhD in HR management online programs. Successful completion of the online education degree earns an EdD in Diversity and Equity in Education with an emphasis in HR development. The program may be completed fully online and requires 64 credit hours. Courses for the online doctorate in human resources include diversity in the workplace, educational statistics and research methods, ethnographic methods in education, historical and social barriers, learning technologies, and organizational and workforce development education. A thesis and dissertation must also be completed for HR development programs. U.S. News ranks University of Illinois #46 in best national universities. Also, the online graduate education programs rank #16 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.

Grad Tuition/Online Cost : $14,635

#18 – Northcentral University

Online phd in hrm, san diego, california.

One of the top online human resource PhD programs for working professionals can be completed 100% online. Northcentral University’s online doctorate degree explores human resources leadership, workforce development education, and interrelationships within an organization. A total of 20 courses that span 45 months make earning a doctoral degree via online education convenient and rigorous. The accelerated pace is ideal for working students, and classes are taught by distinguished faculty members. Online coursework offers complete flexibility and encourage critical thinking. Students enrolled in the program benefit from no scheduled times, no group assignments, and weekly course start dates. U.S. News recognizes Northcentral University among the top unranked national universities. Also, several online graduate programs have earned top 200 and top 300 rankings out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News.

Graduate Tuition/Fees : $16,881

#17 – Sullivan University

Online doctoral degree in management – human resources leadership, louisville, kentucky.

Sullivan University offers an affordable online doctorate degree in HR management. Admission to the PhD program requires no GRE or GMAT testing. The school is considered a teaching university, though research is required for online programs. Curriculum is broken into different cores, including the management core, research core, and concentration area. A total of 16 hours is required for primary concentration, which includes HR leadership. Near the end of the human resources online program, a comprehensive exam is offered, and credits awarded on a pass-fail basis. A minimum of twelve credits are awarded for dissertation research conducted by prospective training and development managers. U.S. News ranks Sullivan University among the pool of top regional universities in the South.

Grad Tuition/Online Cost : $15,840

#16 – California Baptist University

Riverside, california.

Though not an online doctorate in management for human resources, California Baptist University offers an online DBA with courses applicable to the HRM field. The 50-unit program offers an eight-week online course format and follows a cohort model. This model allows students to progress together through coursework and the dissertation process. Courses run eight weeks in length, and residency participation may be required. Some of the courses that appeal to individuals interested in human resources online include ethics in organization and management, succession planning, foundations of organization and management, and topics in human capital and management. U.S. News ranks CBU #32 in best regional universities in the West and #20 in best value schools. Also, the online graduate business programs rank #86 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.

Graduate Tuition/Fees : $13,590

#15 – Regent University

Virginia beach, virginia.

Regent University is one of the few colleges or universities to offer online Ph.D. in human resources programs for working professionals. The PhD in organizational leadership offers an emphasis in human resource development designed to prepare students to join the leadership ranks in human resources. This ACBSP-accredited PhD consists of 60 credits, two four-day residencies, and can be completed entirely online. Online human resource classes encourage critical thinking skills and include advanced analysis, autonomous learning and human resource development, design of adult learning communities, organizational learning, and ethical human resource development. Applicants to human resource development programs must hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. U.S. News ranks Regent #201 in best national universities.

Grad Tuition/Online Cost : $15,590

#14 – Johnson & Wales University

Online dba in org. development, providence, rhode island.

Johnson & Wales University offers a DBA that is ideal for those seeking online human resources PhD programs. The online DBA offers a concentration in organizational development focusing on advancing employee and organizational performance. Flexible online classes run eight weeks in length and are taught by business professors. Students focus on one course at a time and are able to finish the program in three years. To graduate, human resources online students must complete all coursework, achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0, and complete dissertation requirements. U.S. News ranks Johnson & Wales #74 in best regional universities in the North.

Graduate Tuition/Fees : $14,706

#13 – Atlantic International University

Online phd hrm, honolulu, hawaii.

Atlantic International University’s online PhD HR management boasts flexibility and affordability. This fully online PhD program helps students consult, lead, and teach in the field of human resources within a global business environment. Courses include adult learning and motivation, cross-cultural management, diversity in the workplace, strategic management, leadership and communication, managing and organizing people, and theories of leadership. At the culmination of online learning, each PhD candidate completes, or is encouraged to complete, a doctoral dissertation. AIU is accredited by the Accrediting Service for International Schools, Colleges, and Universities (ASIC). AIU offers one of the most affordable web-based programs on our list, and federal financial aid may be available.

Grad Tuition/Online Cost : $13,000

#12 – Wayland Baptist University

Online doctor of management (dmgt), plainview, texas.

One of the best online doctorate in HRM programs on our list is the online doctor of management program (DMGT) at Wayland Baptist University, a non profit university located in Plainview, Texas.. This totally online degree consists of 60 semester hours of coursework in areas of management theory, organizational behavior, and HR practices and management. The program uses a cohort model where students take courses as they are offered. Courses are available in an online format and often run in 11-week terms. Students engage in coursework for this doctorate in human resources that includes group and team processes, human resource development, HR strategy, strategic management, and theories of employee and labor relations. Admission to the program requires that prospective graduate students submit official GMAT or GRE scores and three professional or academic recommendations. U.S. News ranks Wayland Baptist #96-#127 in best regional universities in the West.

Graduate Tuition/Fees : $13,896

#11 – Colorado State University

Online doctorate in human resources studies, fort collins, colorado.

Colorado State University’s online human resources PhD program pushes students to become leaders and researchers in the field through coursework and professional experience. The program takes 3.75 years to complete with most classes offered online and is considered one of the best online doctorate options in the field. Students take two courses per semester, and each course meets eight Saturdays per semester at the Denver Learning Center. Some of the required courses include evaluation and assessment in organizational learning, performance, and change (OLPC); foundations of educational research; scenario planning in organizations; systems leadership; and human capital development. Admission requires GRE or GMAT scores and ten to twelve years of advanced experience in a related discipline. In terms of quality education, U.S. News ranks Colorado State University #140 in best national universities and #141 in best value schools.

Graduate Tuition/Fees : $10,834

#10 – Old Dominion University

Online edd in occupational and technical studies – human resources, norfolk, virginia.

Old Dominion University’s online PhD in HR management is a sixty-hour EdD program. This fully online program focuses on occupational / technical studies and human resources training. Students complete core courses, advanced topics electives, human resources concentration classes, and research projects. Two 2-week summer intensives are required at the main campus in Norfolk, Virginia. Courses include foundations of distance education, foundations of adult education and training, readings in occupational and technical studies, and trends and issues in training – modeling and simulation. U.S. News ranks Old Dominion University as a top national university and public institution offering a quality education in the field. Also, several online graduate programs have received top 50 and top 75 rankings out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.

Graduate Tuition/Online Cost : $10,207

#9 – Removed By Editor

#8 – bellevue university, online ph.d. in human capital management, bellevue, nebraska.

Bellevue University offers an accredited type of online doctorate in human resources degree for HR professionals. The Ph.D. in human capital management online degree equips graduates to be effective leaders in designing human capital development programs. Courses are delivered online and include advance analysis and presentation methods, economics of human derived capital valuation issues, human capital productivity, and research in organizations. An 18-credit dissertation in human resources is also required for the human capital doctorate from Bellevue University. Admission requirements for business schools like this one include a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a 3.0 GPA or better, five years of professional experience, and statement of interest. There is no GRE or GMAT requirement for this Ph.D. in human capital management. U.S. News ranks Bellevue University among the top regional universities in the Midwest.

Graduate Tuition/Fees : $10,980

#7 – Bowling Green State University

Online phd in technology management, bowling green, ohio.

Another alternative to the online doctorate in human resource management is the technology management degree at Bowling Green State University. Students begin by choosing one of five specializations for HR professionals, including human resources development and training. Eighteen hours of specialization courses in HRD & T are required. These courses are offered fully online and include career development theories and techniques in human resource development (HRD), evaluation of HR development programs, performance management and evaluation of learner performance improvement, legal and ethical dimensions in HRD practitioners, and management and coordination of training and development. To apply, the school requires a master’s degree in a relevant field with a strong GPA of at least 3.5. GRE or GMAT scores are also required. Federal financial aid is available to qualified applicants to business schools like this one. U.S. News ranks Bowling Green #215 in best national universities and #121 in top public schools.

Graduate Tuition/Fees : $8,017

#6 – Liberty University

Online dba in human resources, lynchburg, virginia.

Liberty University’s PhD in HRM online degree program requires 60 credits and takes three years to complete. The online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in HR is a 100% online business education program designed to prepare individuals for high leadership roles in HR and business management. Classes are delivered online and include 48 hours of core courses and 12 hours of human resources cognate courses. Transfer credits may be accepted. Some of the courses for the doctorate in human resources include compensation management, contemporary issues in HR management, human capital development, strategic thinking and decision-making, labor relations, and workforce planning and employment. Admission requirements for prospective students include a regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with a 3.0 or higher GPA. Once admitted, students may qualify for financial aid from the federal government. U.S. News ranks Liberty University #230-#301 in best national universities. The school holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Graduate Tuition/Fees : $7,847

#5 – University of Arkansas

Online edd in human resource studies and workplace development education, fayetteville, arkansas.

One alternative to the doctorate in human resources management online degree, like the one University of Arkansas offers, is the online EdD in human resources. This fully online program prepares doctoral students in fields like organizational psychology, organizational behavior, consulting, and the human resources field. Prospective students must take the GRE exam to be considered for admission to online PhD programs like this one. Also, admission requires a complete application, autobiographical sketch, and resumé. Human resource professionals have up to seven years to complete the online doctoral program. To graduate, individuals must also successfully demonstrate skills developed through a candidacy exam and dissertation based on qualitative research skills. In terms of quality education, U.S. News & World Report ranks University of Arkansas #152 in best national universities and #78 in top public schools.

Graduate Tuition/Fees : $7,875

#4 – University of Southern Mississippi

Online ph.d. human capital development, hattiesburg, mississippi.

The University of Southern Mississippi offers a type of online doctorate in human resource management degree known as the Ph.D. in human capital development. Through research and practice, the program prepares students to position themselves as leaders in human capital and organizational strategy and be successful in assessing human capital effectiveness and human capital valuation issues. Classes are delivered mostly online through web-based instruction. Minimal face-to-face meetings or courses may also be required for online students. The human resource leadership coursework you can expect to complete in online PhD programs like this one include advanced workforce analysis, organizational performance, foundations of human capital development, research in human capital development, survey design and administration, strategic human capital management, and workforce development models. U.S. News ranks the school #230-#301 in best national universities. The university holds its regional accreditation from the SACSCOC.

Graduate Tuition/Fees : $9,094

#3 – Indiana State University

Terre haute, indiana.

Indiana State University is one of our top affordable picks for an online doctorate in human resources, PhD, or related doctoral programs. The PhD in technology management is a 66-credit hour program that offers the option of earning a specialization in a particular area of interest. If HRM is an area you want to pursue, the degree may be personalized to include courses in human resource management or development. Courses are delivered online and include 12 credits in general technology, a minimum of 27 credits in research and dissertation, and a minimum of 18 credits in a technical specialization like HR development, human capital management, or organizational dynamics. Students also take at least nine credits of electives, and a comprehensive examination may be required. U.S. News ranks Indiana State #230-#301 in best national universities.

Graduate Tuition/Fees : $7,776

#2 – The University of Texas

Online phd in hrd, tyler, texas.

The University of Texas offers an accredited online PhD human resource management degree intended primarily as one of the few executive-based doctoral programs. While the program is not fully online, an executive format is used whereby students only meet five times each semester. The curriculum covers topics in human capital management and business administration. Most classes will be delivered online. To apply to the program, certain requirements must be met. Admission requires unofficial transcripts from all universities from which you earned a degree, three letters of recommendation, a master’s degree in human resource development or closely related field, and satisfactory GMAT scores. Federal financial aid is available to qualified applicants. U.S. News ranks UT-Tyler #81 in best regional universities in the West and #27 in top public schools.

Graduate Tuition/Fees : $6,264

#1 – California Miramar University

A Doctor of Business Administration or DBA, like the one offered at California Miramar University, may provide an alternative route for individuals seeking online PhD HR management programs. The online DBA program offers an affordable education as well as various business management specializations that incorporate topics in human resources and organizational development. For example, the international business administration specialization offers courses in leadership theory and international HR management. This program is ideal for those interested in both business and HRM as well as human capital management. The program requires the completion of 66 graduate semester credits beyond the master’s degree. Also, degree candidates must conduct research and pass a comprehensive exam prior to approval of the dissertation proposal. California Miramar is the #1 most affordable school to offer an online doctoral program in HR.

Graduate Tuition/Fees : $7,020

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Frequently Asked Questions

What can i do with an online phd in hr management.

Human resource management professionals work in a variety of business administration settings and HR departments to ensure the organization and workplace is safe and respectful. In the human resources field, HR managers use their advanced skills to implement policies that provide support, recruit new job candidates, and fill vacant positions. With a Ph.D. in human resource management online, leadership roles in HR are available.

Duties of human resources managers vary based on organizational mission, but most oversee the recruiting process, manage human resources personnel, and conduct interviews when hiring new staff. Human resource managers often work closely with top organization executives to coordinate the work of a team of specialists. They serve as consultants to department heads and other organization managers and advise them on issues specific to human resources. Issues involving sexual harassment and equal employment opportunity are typically handled by the human resource manager.

Other function of human resources management focuses on structuring competitive compensation packages. To remain competitive as an organization and attract qualified candidates, an equally attractive compensation package must be offered. HR managers who complete a doctoral program make recommendations on potential policy changes, benefits modifications, and pay scale structures.

With an online PhD in HR management and human resource training, teaching is also an option. Colleges and universities hire qualified instructors and professors to teach students within the human resources program. Some candidates may qualify for the position of labor relations director, benefits managers, or training and development specialists.

What is the career outlook for individuals with an online doctorate degree in HR management?

The United States Department of Labor – Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports employment of managers in HR is projected to grow nine percent through the year 2026. This is a slightly faster growth rate than the average for all other occupations.

Employment growth depends largely on the expansion of companies and organizations over the next several years. As new companies form and businesses expand their services and operations, more human resource services will be needed to oversee hiring and recruitment, as well as day-to-day administrative HR duties.

Also, human resource managers will be in demand as policy changes occur within organizations. Complex employment laws, equal employment opportunities, and changes to retirement plans and healthcare will impact the need for qualified specialists. Candidates with adequate training and education, such as an online PhD in human resources management, will be sought after to fill leadership roles.

Candidates with a master’s degree or PhD should have the best job prospects, as education is highly valued in this field. Although job opportunities are expected, they will vary among industry. Healthcare, education, and tech companies should present the highest demand for HR personnel. Top level HR positions will face the strongest competition. Qualified candidates will be vying for few available positions, thus adequate education and experience are a must. Career services are available to human resource professionals through the National Human Resources Association (NHRA) as well as other professional associations.

What will I earn with a PhD in human resources online management degree?

The median annual wage for managers in the field, according to the BLS, was $126,230 in 2021. Today, the earnings for an individual with a Ph.D. in human resource management may be slightly higher.

PayScale, a global compensation research organization dedicated to gathering data and calculating average salaries, reports the average salary of an individual with a PhD or doctorate in human resources management earns $81,000 per year. The maximum salary reported for an individual with a doctorate in HRM is $117,000.

Education and years of experience impact compensation. The more educated and the more experience an individual has, the higher the earning potential. PayScale reports an experienced HR manager with employees and ten to twenty years of experience earns an average total compensation of $74,990.

Location also impacts earnings. Managers in large cities and urban locations generally earn more than their peers working in small and rural towns. The difference in pay may be offset by cost of living expenses. For example, San Francisco offers one of the highest earning potentials for HR managers but also has one of the highest cost of living indexes in the country.

How long does it take to earn a PhD in human resource management online?

Plan on taking time to earn the proper education needed to land a top-level HR management job. Candidates need a bachelor’s, master’s, and in some cases a PhD to secure management roles. Due to competition for the highest leadership positions in HR management, a PhD will add value to your resumé.

Earning a doctorate in human resources management online takes time. There are no shortcuts to earning a PhD, but online programs generally offer a work-at-your-own pace environment. Many of the PhD in HR management programs on our list take two to four years to complete on average.

Completion time varies with enrollment. If you plan to enroll in a full-time program, you may shave months off your completion time. A full load of classes means you will not take as long to complete your degree as a person taking few classes each year in a part-time program. However, there are benefits to enrolling part-time. Less class time, more freedom to balance outside obligations, and more time to focus on research adds value to a part-time program. This is something you must consider before enrolling in a PhD in HR management program online.

What are the admission requirements for a PhD in HR management online?

As with all PhD and doctoral programs, qualified individuals with academic promise are considered for admission. Programs vary in terms of requirements for admission, but for doctoral degrees in human resources management online, similar criteria apply.

The majority of programs look for the basics. Does the applicant have the required education for admission? Programs may ask for an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, while others ask for a master’s degree. Not all programs require an undergraduate or graduate degree in human resources. Programs select candidates from all academic backgrounds. This means an applicant for a PhD in human resource management online program may hold an undergraduate degree in business or related field, not just a degree in human resources.

GRE or GMAT test scores are often required by top ranked programs and highly ranked institutions. If a program asks for GRE scores or other graduate examination scores, an average may be required. Most programs publish the average GRE or GMAT scores of accepted applicants, though not always. Also, some programs may offer a range or give no indication of qualifying test scores. Most programs do review the application as a whole.

Additional requirements vary among programs. Letters of recommendation from individuals at a professional organization who can attest to your academic and research potential, a statement of purpose, writing sample, and official transcripts are among the most common application requirements.

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook
• National Center for Education Statistics: College Navigator
• US News & World Report: Best Colleges

Related Resources

• Online Graduate Degrees
• Cheapest Online Colleges
• Highest Paying PhD
• Doctorate Organizational Leadership Online
• Cheapest Online PhD in Finance
• Online PhD Programs in Management Information Systems

This concludes our list of the top 20 PhD in human resource management programs online.

PhD in Human Resource Management

The SHRM PhD program is designed to provide our graduates with the necessary training to become successful researchers and educators at any major educational institution around the world. Our full-time PhD program in HRM is distinguished by its diverse methodological approaches to research and emphasis on pedagogical training. Graduates of our program will acquire sophisticated skills in academic scholarship, and possess the competencies required to teach at the post-secondary level.

Why join the PhD program at the School of HRM?

Graduate Program in HRM—PhD degree (.pdf)

Impactful.  The PhD program in the Human Resource Management at the School of HRM is designed to prepare future academics who wish to conduct impactful research and teach at major research-oriented institutions. Our students are exposed to major theories, research methods, and work-related and organizational literature.

Engaging.  You will study in a vibrant and intellectually stimulating environment designed for those wishing to develop the skills necessary for a successful academic career.

Customized.  As a PhD student you will work closely with faculty who share your research interests, are working on similar areas of research, or can provide a new perspective. Our diverse faculty members in HRM are well known for their research and scholarly insights on a wide range of topics.

Life in the PhD program:

• Study in small classes (seminars) and form close working relationships with other students and faculty
• Engage in rigorous scholarly training to develop high-quality research skills
• Experience leading-edge research training
• Participate at academic conferences that provide opportunities for doctoral students to share ideas and to network
• Receive the academic guidance necessary to successfully complete the program in a timely manner.

Our Graduates

In an increasingly complex global economy, our PhD graduates are ideally equipped to think through the challenges of people management and contemporary business. Our PhD graduates are an extremely diverse group of scholars from many cultures and backgrounds, and are sought after by universities, government, and industry worldwide. 86% of our graduates in the last 3 years obtained reputable tenure track academic positions in Canada, the United States, and Europe.

The Graduate Program in Human Resource Management at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.

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PhD Program

Wharton’s PhD program in Management is flexible and interdisciplinary, applying social science disciplines and research methods to management problems. It offers specializations in strategy, international business, organizational behavior and theory, and human resource management.

The faculty has a broad range of interests ranging from the behavior of individuals and groups to organizational strategy. Major areas of faculty research currently include: human resources and competitiveness; foreign strategic investments and international cooperative relationships; organizational learning and adaptation; technology adoption, diffusion, and transfer within and across organizations; and new venture formation, growth, and corporate entrepreneurship.

Each student draws on the faculty’s diverse expertise and varied interests to develop a program uniquely suited to his or her interests. The program encourages students to gain research experience by working closely with faculty on a variety of projects. Recent placements include the Harvard Business School, INSEAD, New York University, University of Illinois, University of Maryland, University of Michigan and the University of Texas.

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Organizational Behavior & Human Resources Management

The objective of the doctoral program coursework is to provide students with the knowledge of their chosen major field through exposure to the current literature as well as to acquaint the student with research methodologies and designs. Students in the PhD program are expected to dedicate themselves to the program full time.

The coursework for a PhD in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources Management consists of six seminars in the student’s major (three required and three elective courses), three courses in research methodology and statistics, and three courses in a minor field of the student's choice. The minor field must be approved by the advisor for the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship and the minor field department. Each doctoral student is also required to take a teaching development seminar. 

Degree Requirements

Required courses.

Students are required to take all three courses.

• Z601 Doctoral Seminar in Organizational Behavior
• Z615 Seminar in Human Resource (HR) Management
• Z798 Seminar in Research Methods

Elective Courses

Students must select three from the following:

• D620 Seminar in International Business
• J601 Seminar in Strategic Management I
• J602 Theoretical Foundations of Strategy II
• W601 Organization Theory
• W610 Theoretical Foundations of Entrepreneurship
• Independent study courses as approved by the advisor

Research Methods and Statistics

Students must take three courses.

• X610 Statistics for Research
• X611 Statistics for Research
• One other relevant methods or statistics class

Minor Field

Students take at least three courses in the minor field.

Many students take their minor within the Department of Management & Entrepreneurship, in the field of Entrepreneurship or in the field of Strategic Management and Organizational Theory. Students may not “double count” courses toward the minor and major. Students may also take their minor from a related field inside or outside the Kelley School of Business (e.g., psychology, economics, or sociology).

Teaching Course Requirement

X630 Teaching Development Seminar

Qualifying Exam

All doctoral candidates are required to successfully complete a qualifying examination during the second summer of their residency in the program. This exam will cover both Research Methods and Organizational Behavior/Human Resources Management.

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Doctor of Philosophy

Ph.D. Human Capital Management

Deepen your authority as a leader who invests strategically in people.

No GMAT or GRE Required

Learn 100% Online

Build a stronger workforce and stronger culture with human capital management.

Investing in your team—particularly in complex organizations—requires more than a robust HR department. It requires an ability to see employees as assets that need both investment and development.

You’ll find that what you learn at Bellevue University will have immediate applicability to the workplace. In this Ph.D. in Human Capital Management program, you’ll move through four curriculum modules—each designed to build upon the last — and develop relevant career skills that you can put into practice, now.

Advance your HR knowledge and skills with a Ph.D. in human capital management.

By earning your executive-level Ph.D. in Human Capital Management, you’ll gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to influence culture and leadership to better serve business goals. With a Ph.D. in the human resources field, you’ll practice the quantitative and qualitative research skills you need to influence key stakeholders and defend your findings as a thought leader in human capital management.

Network and collaborate with experienced HR and business leaders.

Everyone in this program enters with at least 5 years of professional experience and a master’s degree. That means you won’t just get feedback from expert faculty. You’ll also collaborate with expert peers from across the country who can broaden your perspective on strategic leadership.

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Build executive-level skills in a Ph.D. program that fits your life.

What You’ll Learn

• Demonstrate knowledge of current and emerging human capital related-theories, constructs, public policy and issues.
• Demonstrate knowledge of current and emerging quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Demonstrate knowledge and practical application of univariate and multivariate statistics.
• Design and conduct assessments and measurements regarding individual differences.
• Demonstrate knowledge of social theories, team processes and outcomes, organizational climate, and multi-level issues.
• Demonstrate fluency with theories related to self-regulation, values, rewards, attitudes, motivation and power.
• Demonstrate writing, communication, presentation and publication proficiency.
• Demonstrate knowledge of leadership theories, issues related to the management of employees and the science of influence.
• Demonstrate fluency with problem solving, strategy and creativity literature.
• Create, test and apply financial and accounting models and associated metrics to evaluate the efficacy of human capital.

Career-focused deliverables that have practical application and build to your dissertation.

The dissertation is essential to any Ph.D. program—heightening your skills in research, communication and presentation so you can advance as a thought leader in your field. But, at Bellevue University, we also want you to walk away ready to apply these skills immediately in the workplace. These projects do just that.

Example 1: Business Plan Proposal

During your Human Capital Development and Productivity course (PCAP 720), you’ll deliver a business plan that outlines human capital initiatives to implement to serve business problems.

Example 2: Strategy to Improve Value Congruence, Productivity, and Retention

Your seminar in Technology, Social Learning and Innovation (course PCAP 760) offers a deep dive into how latent human capital variables can be enhanced to improve learning and drive creativity and innovation.

Example 3: Written Report Summarizing Your Studies

The Advanced Analysis and Presentation Methods course (PCAP 850) develops your research and analysis skills as you deliver an executive-caliber report. This will receive both peer and instructor feedback to hone your communication skills for professional publication.

Dissertation: Applied Research Project for an Organization of Choice

Use your Ph.D. dissertation to address a real-world business problem for your organization. You’ll work with a dissertation chair and committee to develop a research topic and plan.

Ph.D. Human Capital Management Courses

Current students please login to BRUIN and select “ Academic Progress ” for your curriculum requirements.

PhD Requirements (51 Credit Hours)

(Click a course name below to view course details)

Residency 1

This course serves as an introduction to the PhD program. Students will receive an overview of the program, as well as an introduction to faculty and staff. Tutorials are provided for software that is used in the program. Students will be introduced to coursework for PCAP 712 and PCAP 720. Pre-Req: Acceptance into PHD program

Learning Module 1

This course focuses on strategically aligning the management of human-derived capital with organizational objectives. The course will introduce a broad spectrum of topics concerning, human, intellectual, structural, social, and psychological capital. Emphasis will be given to the role and management of organizational knowledge and how such knowledge works in service to the organizational mission.

This course focuses on human capital productivity, Internal and external factors that Impact productivity, data gathering that Informs human capital management. Students will learn to align learning programs and other human capital initiatives with associated business problems, therefore creating an actionable business plan for learning. The Culminating Project for Module 1 is Completion of a written Business Plan for Learning. Pre-req: Acceptance into PHD or Module 1 Certificate

Learning Module 2

This course focuses on the economic principles that are the foundation of human capital management and theory. Differing methods of determining value will be introduced. Emphasis will be placed on financial and accounting practices and their applicability in human capital investment decisions.

This course focuses on the science of influence. Students will become knowledgeable on common styles of leadership and their theoretical underpinnings and assumptions. Topics include what leadership is, the challenge leaders face, the effect leadership has, and how leaders build key relationships. Emphasis is placed on leadership knowledge, approach, and application.

This course covers topics in human learning theory, organizational learning theory, decision making, problem solving, and critical thinking. Organizational learning topics include knowledge creation and transfer, learning effectiveness, socio-psychology learning, cultural-learning, and leadership influences. In addition, the course examines the use of critical thinking methods, qualitative and quantitative decision-making, and problem solving methods. Lastly, the course emphasizes skill development in the areas of independent reasoning and impartial judgment.

This course examines how people and technology can be used to increase organizational value by increasing the various forms of capital (human, social, intellectual, structural, and psychological). Emphasis is placed on organizational strategies, particularly human resources strategies that spur innovation and sustain competitive advantage. Pre-req: PCAP 712, 720, 732, 742

This course will guide the student through the development of a research proposal that incorporates theoretical, empirical and practitioner research in the area of human capital management. Students will work directly with peers and scholarly mentor in order to understand a broad spectrum of research approaches. The skills that you will develop in this course are essential for your doctoral completion. Without these skills, neither will you be able to integrate and link your advanced knowledge into organizational practices and culture, nor will you be able to contribute to the academic and professional literature. Pre-req: PCAP 712, 720, 732, 742, 752, 760

Residency 2

This course provides a thorough introduction to coursework in PCAP 810 as well as summaries of other remaining courses in the program. In additions, students will receive individual program progress reviews. Students also will learn about the comprehensive exam and dissertation phases of the program. Advice is provided to enhance progress for the remainder of the program. Pre-Req: PCAP 712, 720, 732, 742, 752, 760, and 772

Learning Module 3

This course focuses on the research process in human capital management. Skills developed include reading and synthesizing existing research, conducting literature reviews, formulating research question, propositions, and hypotheses, assessing appropriate research methods in an organizational setting, collecting primary and secondary data from multiple sources, and using software to analyze data. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methodologies will be discussed. Pre-req: PCAP 712, 720, 732, 742, 752, 760, 772

This course concentrates on leadership and its effect on making human capital management decisions. Topics such as leader styles, ethics, leader emergence, psychopathy in leaders, incentives/motivation/influence, and value creation through leadership will be discussed. Participants will learn about their own leadership style, how to mentor direct reports, communicate across functional areas of the organization, and how to network effectively to achieve organizational change. Pre-req: PCAP 712, 720, 732, 742, 752, 760, 772, 810

This course introduces students to the basic tools and concepts of qualitative research. With this epistemological grounding, the seminar will then explore the core issues in case study research design, ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, case study and narrative including methods of structured and focused comparisons of cases, typological theory, case selection, and the use of counterfactual analysis. Next, the seminar will look at the epistemological assumptions, comparative strengths and weaknesses, and proper domain of qualitative study methods and alternative methods. Pre-req: PCAP 712, 720, 732, 742, 752, 760, 772, 810

Learning Module 4

This course examines the linkages between performance, human capital incentives and key performance indicators. Optimization of human capital investments will be analyzed using holistic diagnostic skills. Pre-req: PCAP 712, 720, 732, 742, 752, 760, 772, 810, 820, 832

This course examines selected methods of qualitative and quantitative research methods and design. The course introduces the science and art of collecting, summarizing, analyzing, and describing descriptive data. Selected topics include quasi-experimental design, observational studies, binary logistic regression, exploratory factor analysis, multiple regression, and cluster analysis. Emphasis is placed on presentation techniques that are appropriate for academic and/or practitioner stakeholders. Pre-req: PCAP 712, 720, 732, 742, 752, 760, 772, 810, 820, 832

Students pursuing their Ph.D. in Human Capital Management must successfully pass a formal assessment of learning in the PCAP Program. Pre-req: PCAP 712, 720, 732, 742, 752, 760, 772, 810, 820, 832, 840, 850

Ph.D. Dissertation (18 Credit Hours)

The Dissertation for the Ph.D. in Human Capital Management is an original research project involving the collection and analysis of qualitative or quantitative data. Sources of data may include an existing dataset, collaboration with an organization, or the use of a commercially available survey company. The dissertation chair and committee provide help and guidance in developing a research plan, executing the plan, and writing the results. The dissertation topic and research plan must be approved by the student’s dissertation Chair. The written dissertation must be successfully defended to confer the Ph.D. Degree. Pre-req: PCAP 712, 720, 732, 742, 752, 760, 772, 810, 820, 832, 840, 850, 862

What is the difference between a Ph.D. in Human Capital Management and a Ph.D. in Human Resource Management?

Human resources management focuses on policies and practices to manage a workforce and ensure teams are resourced properly while adhering to employment and labor laws. In contrast, human capital management approaches employees as valuable assets that need investment and development to best serve them in alignment with business objectives.

While both are valuable areas of study, this Ph.D. in Human Capital Management program focuses on the latter—developing a student’s research and analytical capabilities as well as the psychological and cultural understanding of how leadership and organizational dynamics can be designed and influenced to serve an organization’s needs.

University Accreditation

Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission ( hlcommission.org) .

Whether a college, university, or program is accredited is important to students with financial aid, employers who provide tuition assistance, donors, and the federal government.

This program is considered a non-licensure degree/certificate program and is not intended for those seeking licensure or the practice of licensed profession. This program may be relevant to multiple occupations that do not require licensure and was not designed to meet educational requirements for any specific professional license or certification.

*Consult with an admissions counselor to determine your eligible credits, as well as to verify minimum graduation requirements for this degree. Transfer credits must be from a regionally accredited college or university. Bellevue University makes no promises to prospective students regarding the acceptance of credit awarded by examination, credit for prior learning, or credit for transfer until an evaluation has been conducted.

Become an expert who can impact your business.

100% Online learning that works for your life and your goals.

Our flexible online courses are designed to bring quality learning into a format that fits your schedule, without sacrificing meaningful faculty feedback and collaboration with peers across the country. Stay on track with the help of your Student Coach — with you from day one to graduation.

Find out more about the online experience >

Learn from expert faculty.

Gregory Ashley, Ph.D.

Dr. Greg Ashley brings extensive experience in building curriculum, instruction, and teaching business, economics, and industrial-organizational psychology courses at all academic levels. His special research interests involve social capital, self-awareness, humility, and psychometrics. Dr. Ashley also directs the Bellevue University Ph.D. program in Human Capital.

Lucy Franks, Ph.D.

Dr. Lucy Franks teaches courses in Leadership and Qualitative Methods and supervises dissertations. She is also the Program Director for the Entrepreneurship concentration in the Master of Science in Management Program. For over twenty years she worked in industry, running an Organization Development & Training unit for a major energy firm, and also as an independent consultant to organizations in the human resources area. Her main research interests are in andragogy, curriculum design, and issues of aging in human resources.

Stephen J. Linenberger, Ph.D.

With many years of teaching, course development, research, and training experience, Dr. Linenberger offers expertise in leadership education and practice. He has created and taught courses in social psychology of leadership, leadership ethics, human capital, and organizational leadership. Dr. Linenberger has presented his research at academic conferences and won an international award for his research in leadership education for medical schools. He also has leadership experience from his prior work in human services and retail management.

Paul Poppler, Ph.D.

Dr. Paul Poppler's extensive experience in research, publication, speaking and program/course development enhances the dynamic aspect of the DBA program. His research interests include business policy and strategy, human capital, human resource management, and ethics.

David Vance, Ph.D.

Dr. David Vance combines his economics and business background with his interest in human capital to explore the concept of running learning like a business and to bring standards and best practices in measurement and reporting to the field. He is the author of The Business of Learning (second edition) and co-author of Measurement Demystified. He was Chief Economist for Caterpillar and President of Caterpillar University before becoming the Executive Director of the Center for Talent Reporting, a nonprofit in the human capital measurement and reporting space.

Nicholas Wolff, Ph.D.

Dr. Nick Wolff brings a practical, entrepreneurial perspective to business education and scholarship. His research interests include entrepreneurship, psychometrics, organizational learning, conflict management, and motivation. Dr. Wolff seeks opportunities to foster scenario or game-based learning in his courses. He has authored/co-authored 6 books and has leadership experience from prior work in engineering and business consulting.

Carolyn Youssef-Morgan, Ph.D.

Dr. Carolyn Youssef-Morgan is the Redding Endowed Chair of Business and a co-founder of the PhD program in human capital. Dr. Youssef-Morgan’s research focuses on developing and managing positivity in the workplace. She specializes in the development of measurable human resource strengths and positive psychological resources such as confidence, hope, optimism, and resilience, which can lead to improved performance, attitudes, and behaviors. She is a leading researcher, author, speaker and consultant on psychological capital. She is the co-author of Psychological Capital: Developing the Human Competitive Edge [Oxford University Press, 2007], and Psychological Capital and Beyond [Oxford University Press, 2015]. Her authoritative and seminal work on psychological capital has been published in prestigious journals, presented at national and international conferences, and applied in organizations worldwide.

Enter a rigorous Ph.D. program, led by supportive faculty.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Doctoral degrees can be more affordable than you think..

Earning a degree is an investment in yourself. We want to help you make sure it’s a wise one.

2024 / 2025 Academic Year

$810 In-Class or Online Cost Per Credit

(Additional fees may apply to individual courses within your major requirements)

Curious about financial aid? We’ve got the answers.

As a graduate student, you may be eligible for up to $20,500 per year in unsubsidized Direct Student Loans.

And, students often apply for graduate program scholarships through Bellevue University or tuition reimbursement through their employers. Talk to us and we’ll help you explore your options.

Learn more about financial aid >

See how career-focused outcomes make this Ph.D. in human capital worth more than the cost of tuition.

How to apply for the Ph.D. in Human Capital Management program.

An applicant holding a master’s degree with an interest in pursuing a Ph.D. through Bellevue University’s Human Capital Management Program, may enroll as either a certificate of completion student or Ph.D. degree-seeking student. All admission materials must be submitted for review by the Program Director prior to admittance into the Ph.D. program.

• 1. Students can take Modules 1 and 2, which will be correlated to Certificates of Completion if the student chooses not to pursue their Ph.D. Modules 1 and 2 prerequisites for admission into Modules 3 and 4 and full Ph.D. program.
• 2. Possess a graduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or a U.S. equivalent degree from a nationally or internationally accredited college or university.
• 3. All applicants for graduate admission to Bellevue University are required to submit an Application for Admission accompanied by a one-time application fee of $100 for graduate programs (This fee is waived for Bellevue University Alumni).
• 4. Provide all official transcripts for Undergraduate and Graduate coursework.
• 5. Have maintained a GPA of 3.0 or better in previous graduate level coursework earned toward the graduate degree.
• 6. Have five years of professional experience.
• 7. International students who do not possess a degree from a postsecondary institution where English is the principal language of instruction must have a minimum score of 575 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
• 8. International credentials must be submitted to World Educational Services (at the applicant's expense) for a formal evaluation.
• 9. GMAT or GRE – not required

Application materials required when applying for the Ph.D. program are outlined below and must be completed prior to admittance into the program:

• 10. Submit a resume.

Please submit all materials to Graduate Admissions at [email protected] .

For Students Seeking Certificates of Completion

An applicant holding a master’s degree may enroll as either a certificate of completion student or PhD degree-seeking student.

Students must complete modules 1 and 2 of the curriculum for admission into the full PhD program (modules 3 and 4). If a student completes the first two modules but chooses not to pursue their PhD, they can receive Certificates of Completion for the first two modules.

Ready to get started? Reach out to admissions.

• Get your questions answered about the Ph.D. Human Capital Management
• Understand your financial aid and scholarship options
• Map out a schedule that fits with your priorities

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College of Professional Studies

Human resources management.

The Master of Science in Human Resources Management is a comprehensive degree program designed to enhance students' understanding of human resources management and related technology while providing the experience needed to advance in the field.

Northeastern University’s Master of Science in Human Resources Management program prepares students to connect an organization’s strategy and its people, providing a specific focus on the new technologies that are profoundly changing the workplace and the role of HR professionals.

Students examine the trends influencing the future of human resources. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of diversity and equity within the workplace and their correlation to greater business success. Through workforce analytics and strategic workforce planning coursework, students also learn to make business decisions based on understanding and interpreting workplace data.

Students can earn their degree online or on the Boston campus, choosing from leading-edge concentrations that align with trends reshaping the human resources field. Through Northeastern’s signature experience-powered learning model, students integrate coursework with real-world practice—graduating fully prepared to be effective strategic business partners in their organization.

More Details

Unique features.

• The degree features a flexible learning format offered online or on the Boston campus. Students can work while earning their degree or study full time and complete the program in as little as a year.
• Students gain real-world experience through Northeastern’s experiential learning model and a 12-week capstone course that allows them to work on a virtual HR consulting project with a leading company or their current employer.
• The curriculum features in-demand competencies shaping the future of human resources, including digital HR, artificial intelligence, global talent management, leadership, and organizational communication. Students can tailor their studies to fit career objectives.
• Courses are taught by expert faculty with a wide range of human resources expertise.
• The program has a Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) student chapter connected to the largest global HR association. Students gain access to membership discounts, materials, events, and a connection to a worldwide professional community.

Unique Transfer Credit Opportunities

Students with HR Certification Institute and the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) certificates can receive between three to 12 transfer credit quarter hours toward their MS, allowing students to accelerate program completion.

About the SHRM, HRCI, and AIHR Certification Transfer Credit Opportunities:

Why consider a graduate degree in Human Resources Management from Northeastern University? We recognize the knowledge and HR competencies demonstrated by those who have earned their SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR or AIHR certifications. As a result, credential-holders have the unique opportunity to accelerate through a Northeastern University degree.

Successful applicants for a master's degree program with their SHRM-CP or PHR:

• Will receive 3 quarter hours of transfer credit - a 6% savings in tuition.
• Will be able to earn a master’s degree by completing 14 courses, rather than 15.
• Transfer credit is awarded for the following course: HRM 6015 Introduction to Human Resources Management.

Successful applicants for a master's degree program with their SHRM-SCP or SPHR:

• Will receive 6 quarter hours of transfer credit - a 13% savings in tuition.
• Will be able to earn a master’s degree by completing 13 courses, rather than 15.
• Transfer credit is awarded for the following courses: HRM 6015 Introduction to Human Resources Management and HRM 6005 Creating a High-Performance Organization.

Successful applicants for a master's degree program with their AIHR:

• Will receive up to 12 quarter hours of transfer credit - a 27% savings in tuition.
• Will be able to earn a master’s degree by completing 11 courses, rather than 15.
• Transfer credit is awarded for the following courses: HRM 6025 Workforce Analytics, HRM 6035 Digital HR, HRM 6042 Strategic Workforce Planning, HRM 6020 Talent Acquisition.

Testimonials

–carl zangerl, phd, program lead, human resources management, –dorian yablin, current student, human resources management, looking for something different.

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-ranked university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.

How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.

Requirements

• Online application
• Statement of purpose (500–1000 words): Identify your educational goals and expectations of the program. Please be aware that Northeastern University's academic policy on plagiarism applies to your statement of purpose.
• Professional resumé
• The Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) is a required assessment of all transcripts and documents from non-U.S. accredited post-secondary education institutions. (Review the FCE requirements by country.)
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals who have either academic or professional knowledge of your capabilities such as a faculty member, colleague, or mentor, preferably one from your current employer
• Official associate or bachelor's degree transcript from an accredited college or university in the U.S., stating degree conferral and date
• TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo, or NU Global Exam scores
• GPA of at least 2.7

Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.

Admissions Details Learn more about the College of Professional Studies admissions process, policies, and required materials.

Admissions Dates

Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis; however, we do recommend the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term:

Domestic Application Guidelines

International Application Guidelines *

*International deadlines are only applicable if the program is F1 compliant.

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.

For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

View curriculum

Students gain real-world experience through Northeastern’s signature experiential learning model, which gives them a competitive advantage in the growing job market.

In a 12-week capstone course, students have the opportunity to work on a virtual HR consulting project with a leading company or collaborate with their current employer to develop a relevant on-the-ground project that supports their HR function.

Our Faculty

Northeastern University faculty represents a broad cross-section of professional practices and fields, including finance, education, biomedical science, management, and the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside you to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

Jacqueline Shannon

Carl Zangerl, PhD

Brendan D. Bannister

Adrienne Isakovic

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll be connected to students at our 13 campuses, as well as 300,000-plus alumni and more than 3,500 employer partners around the world. Our global university system provides you with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally and serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

Below is a look at where our Management alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.

Where They Work

• State Street
• Fidelity Investments
• Liberty Mutual Insurance

What They Do

• Business Development
• Entrepreneurship

What They're Skilled At

• Customer Service
• Microsoft Office
• Project Management

Learn more about Northeastern Alumni on  Linkedin .

Related Articles

4 Tips on How to Become a Human Resources Manager

Advance Your Career with a Master’s Degree in Human Resources

7 Top Careers in Human Resources

Graduate Programs

Take your education to the next level.

Pursuing a graduate degree at The University of Scranton is not just about earning a credential—it's about transforming yourself into a more knowledgeable, skilled, and confident professional prepared to make a meaningful impact in your field. 

Why Scranton?

Whether you prefer to study full-time or part-time, on campus or online, Scranton provides opportunities to earn your degree while accommodating your personal and professional commitments.

• Our 30+ programs are designed to provide the necessary foundation and expertise to advance in your current field or transition to a new one.
• With classes capped at 20 students, you’ll join a community of highly motivated peers, as well as study alongside faculty who are experts in their fields and bring real-world relevance, industry connections, and mentorship and guidance to every class.
• Our commitment to the Jesuit values of ethics and social responsibility not only shapes the educational experience at Scranton but also prepares graduates to lead meaningful lives of purpose, service, and leadership in their chosen fields and communities.

It's a significant investment in yourself that can lead to increased marketability and earnings, as well as open doors to new career possibilities.

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"I learned so much during my time at Scranton that I was able to use immediately in my current position. All of the professors were very helpful, and my advisor was amazing - always quick to respond and give helpful advice." – KRISTA PANCO, G'22

Explore Fields of Study

Business analytics, finance / accounting, health administration, health informatics, health sciences, human resources.

Learn how to succeed and drive your organization’s HR performance in areas, such as decision-making, strategic planning, compensation, benefits, and more.

Operations Management

Learn about forecasting, staffing, work measurement, capacity/aggregate planning, inventory management and more from faculty with years of experience in their fields.

Social Sciences

Gain knowledge that will enable you to better understand the depths of the human condition through our graduate programs in the social sciences. 

Conduct research while working closely alongside faculty members who are leaders in their fields, in top-notch facilities, such as the state-of-the-art Loyola Science Center.

Accreditations and Accolades

The University of Scranton was named a   Best College for 2024   (ranked No. 5) by   U.S. News & World Report   and has been among the 10 top master’s universities in the North for more than 30 consecutive years.

Scranton is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education   (MSCHE).   The University has been recognized for its excellence by numerous national publications and organizations.

Scranton’s Kania School of Management is accredited by Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business   (AACSB) , a distinction received by only five percent of business schools worldwide.

Financing Your Graduate Education

We understand that choosing a graduate school is a big decision, often influenced by various factors, including financial considerations. We're here to help you understand all of your options.

Join Our Community

As you enroll and pursue your degree, you’ll have help from our dedicated support team. They will provide you with a consistent, personal bridge to the school, answering any questions you have and helping you achieve your goals while pursuing your degree.

We're Here to Support You

© 2024 University of Scranton

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The online Human Resource Management (HRM) graduate certificate is designed to allow HR professionals with bachelor’s degrees in a non-HR area to acquire specific Human Resource Management knowledge in five broad areas.

Note:   Students in the Human Resource Management graduate certificate program may enroll in the Master of Business Administration at UW-Whitewater if they meet the normal criteria for that program. Certificate courses that are part of the MBA program can count toward completion of that degree at a later date.

Individuals that complete the Human Resource Management certificate program will be knowledgeable in the following areas:

• Employment, safety, and administration of personnel
• Compensation and benefit structures in profit and nonprofit organizations
• Design of quality training and development programs for employees
• Contract negotiation, establishing a positive relationship with all parties of a labor contract, and conflict resolution as mediation or arbitration
• Strategic HR management and its role in sustaining competitive advantages for the organization
• International management
• Influences on organizational effectiveness and the social responsibilities that an organization holds

Certificate Requirements:

The Human Resource Management graduate certificate program requires completion of five courses (14 to 15 credits) that are all available online. For course list and descriptions, visit the Graduate Catalog .

Admission Requirements:

No GMAT required.

To qualify for admission to the certificate program in good standing, you must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with an overall grade point average (G.P.A.) of 2.75 or above. Applicants must also demonstrate evidence of ability to succeed in graduate-level HR coursework. Evidence of this could include relevant work experience, GMAT scores, or professional certification (e.g., PHR or SPHR).

What if you do not meet the admission requirements? Please email or call us at (262) 472-1945 to see if you could be admitted on a conditional basis.

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Human Resource Management BSc (Hons)

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What is human resource management? A Human Resource Management degree equips you to strategically manage and develop an organisation's most valuable asset: its people. Skilled HR professionals are in high demand across industries so graduating with a human resources degree will ensure you are career-ready.

UEL's BSc (Hons) Human Resource Management degree will provide you with a thorough understanding of human resource management, focusing on people, processes, and organisational performance.

• You can choose from a range of optional modules 
• You will explore specialisms in areas such as International HRM and study in a practical way including a work placement module, working as an HR professional in a real organisation.
• The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development to ensure your skills are relevant and recognised by employers, preparing you for a career in human resource management.
• Book for an open day
• Apply for accommodation
• Order a prospectus
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This course is in Clearing

Call our Clearing number today to apply through Clearing. Our call centre is open between 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday

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Join us on Thursday

For our Open Day Our from 6pm - 7pm, we will showcase our facilities and give you an opportunity to ask questions of staff

Course options

• September 2024
• January 2025

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements, accepted qualifications.

112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification listed on the UCAS tariff calculator , including:

• A Levels in at least two subjects
• BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM
• BTEC Diploma – D*D*
• Access to HE Diploma
• International Baccalaureate – 24 points including a minimum of 15 points at Higher Level

We also welcome applications from students who are taking Level 3 or higher qualifications not on the UCAS tariff calculator and will assess the suitability, on a case-by-case basis.

In addition to one of the above, you should have:

• GCSE English Grade 4/C or Level 2 Functional Skills in English
• GCSE Mathematics Grade 4/C or Level 2 Functional Skills in Mathematics  

International qualifications

We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications. Please visit our International page for full details.

English Language requirements

• IELTS 5.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking (or recognised equivalent).

If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol on a Pre-sessional English course . The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 11-week pre-sessional course.

Mature applicants and those without formal qualifications

As an inclusive university, we recognise those who have been out of education for some time may not have the formal qualifications usually required. We welcome applications from those who can demonstrate their enthusiasm and commitment to study and have the relevant life/work experience that equips them to succeed on the course. We will assess this from the information provided in your application or may request additional information such as a CV or attendance at an interview. Please note that some courses require applicants to meet the entry requirements outlined.

You may also be a suitable candidate to access one of our courses by completing a UEL Pre-Entry programme (for mature learners). For more information and eligibility, please contact our Pre-entry Information, Advice and Guidance team .

Admissions policy

We are committed to fair admissions and access by recruiting students regardless of their social, cultural or economic background. Our admissions policy sets out the principles and procedures we use to admit new students for all courses offered by the university and its partners.

Further advice and guidance

You can speak to a member of our Applicant Engagement team on +44 (0)20 8223 3333, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Alternatively, you can visit our Information, Advice and Guidance centre.

BSc (Hons) Human Resource Management

Bsc (hons) human resource management, home applicant, full time.

• Home Applicant
• Full time, 3/4 years
• 9250 per year Pound 9250 per year

BSc (Hons) Human Resource Management, home applicant, part time

• pro-rata full time fee pro-rata full time fee

Degree with foundation year

Accepted qualifications.

64 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification listed on the UCAS tariff calculator , including:

• BTEC Extended Diploma – MPP
• BTEC Diploma – MM

We also welcome applications from students who are taking Level 3 or higher qualifications not on the UCAS tariff calculator and will assess the suitability, on a case by case basis.

International Qualifications

If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol onto a Pre-sessional English course . The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 11-week pre-sessional course.

You may also be a suitable candidate to access one of our courses by completion of a UEL Pre-Entry programme (for mature learners). For more information and eligibility, please contact our Pre-entry Information, Advice and Guidance team .

You can speak to a member of our Applicant Enquiries team on +44 (0)20 8223 3333, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Alternatively, you can visit our Information, Advice and Guidance centre.

• Full time, 4/5 years

BSc (Hons) Human Resource Management, international applicant, full time

• International Applicant
• 14820 per year Pound 14820 per year

Fees, funding and additional costs

Uk/home students.

You don't need to pay the fees upfront.

Find out more about paying your fees. 

Fee status after Brexit

EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course from September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees.

However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fee regulations. 

Further information can be found at UKCISA .

*Tuition fees are subject to annual change. Fees for future years will be published in due course.

UK fee status holders

Find out all the ways you can receive funding for your studies:

Government funding

UEL funding

External funding

The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate your finances while you are a student at the University of East London.

We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.

• Phone: 020 8223 4444, M onday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm
• Live chat: Click the live chat icon in the bottom left of the screen

International fee status holders

• UEL scholarships
• Ways to pay

Our International team at UEL are available for advice and guidance on studying in London, fees, scholarships and visa requirements.

• Email:  [email protected]

Additional costs

Additional funding for taking part in optional residential field trips (More detailed information can be found in the course specification).

Learn about applying

Important information about your application, uk full-time starting sept.

How to apply Apply directly to UEL by clicking on the apply button. For further information read our  Guide to Applying . When to apply Places on many courses are limited and allocated on a first-come first-served basis. We advise you to apply as early as possible to give yourself the best chance of receiving an offer. Advice and guidance Our  Information, Advice and Guidance team  provide impartial advice on courses, entry requirements, pre-entry and access programmes in person and via the telephone. +44 (0)20 8223 4354 Already applied? You can track the progress of your application by contacting our Applicant Engagement team on +44 (0)20 8223 3333 (Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm). Read our  guide to applying  for further information. Need help? Contact our Applicant Engagement team (Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm) +44 (0)20 8223 3333

UK Part-time starting Sept

How to apply Apply directly to UEL by clicking on the apply button. For further information read our  Guide to Applying . When to apply Places on many courses are limited and allocated on a first-come first-served basis. We advise you to apply as early as possible to give yourself the best chance of receiving an offer. Advice and guidance Our  Information, Advice and Guidance team  provide impartial advice on courses, entry requirements, pre-entry and access programmes in person and via the telephone. +44 (0)20 8223 4354 Already applied? You can track the progress of your application by contacting our Applicant Engagement team on +44 (0)20 8223 3333 (Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm). Read our  guide to applying  for further information. Need help? Contact our applicant engagement team (Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm) +44 (0)20 8223 3333

International Full-time starting Sept

Submitting your application please read and consider the entry and visa requirements for this course before you submit your application. for more information please visit our  international student advice pages .  .

How to Apply We accept direct applications for international students. The easiest way to apply is directly to UEL by clicking on the red apply button. Please be sure to  watch our videos  on the application process.

When to Apply Please ensure that you refer to the international admissions deadline . We advise you to apply as early as possible to give yourself the best chance of receiving an offer.

International students who reside overseas Please ensure that you have read and considered the entry requirements for this course before you submit your application. Our enquiries team can provide advice if you are unsure if you are qualified for entry or have any other questions. Please be sure to read about the  Tier 4 visa requirements .

Advice and guidance Our  Information, Advice and Guidance team  provide impartial advice on courses, entry requirements, pre-entry and access programmes in person and via the telephone.

+44 (0)20 8223 4354 Need help? Contact our applicant engagement team (Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm)

+44 (0)20 8223 3333

Placement year

This course offers you the option of a work placement. It's not compulsory but will give you extra credits. You will get professional experience in the workplace, build connections, and perhaps improve your academic performance. It will look good on your CV and help your job prospects.

Please double check the fees section of the course page for details about costs.

About our foundation years

Our Foundation Year courses are perfect for you if you... 

• are returning to education after a long time, or you don't have the qualifications for direct entry into our degree programmes
• are thinking of re-training and would like an introduction to the area
• are an international student wanting an additional year to adapt to the UK academic system
• are still evaluating which degree pathway at UEL is the right one for you

Please note: Foundation years can only be studied full-time. However, you can transfer to part-time delivery once you have completed your foundation year. Please apply to the full-time option if you wish to study in this way.

What makes this course different

Highly rated by our students

93% of students surveyed on this course responded positively to questions on “Learning Resources” in the 2024 National Student Survey. (National Student Survey 2024, Results published 10 July 2024)

HR rooted in Business Management

The degree teaches you the practical principles of HR, and gives you a broader understanding of business - from marketing to economics - to make you a more rounded and versatile employee.

East London location

East London is the most creative, fastest-growing and demographically diverse region in the country – it’s the best place to be a student for career development.

Accreditation

CIPD Accredited

The BSc Human Resource Management is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, ensuring you learn the professional skills that employers really need.

Course modules

• Foundation Year
• Optional Placement

Mental Wealth: Employability in a Changing World Core Module

The main aims of this module is to familiarise you with the qualities required to identify, secure and retain graduate employment in an environment of rapid change.

Developing Academic Skills for Business Core Module

The move from college to university requires the demonstration of skills that many new students find challenging. This module is designed to equip you with the techniques necessary for you to complete your degree.

Developing Academic Literacy Core Module

Your assessments will require you to independently conduct research in a variety of media, develop an academic style of writing and structure your work in a specific format. This module will introduce you to the practices behind the production of successful coursework in order to help you make the most of your studies.

Inside Business Core Module

This module is designed to give you a broad introduction to the main functions within a business and assess how associated decisions are made. The aim is to provide you with an understanding of the relevance of these key topics in preparation for future studies in business or associated specialisms.

Connecting to Business and Employment through Volunteering Core Module

This module provides you with the opportunity to engage in an activity as a volunteer in a social enterprise or charity. The experience will enable you to witness business processes practice and enables you to identify and try different styles of work. The activity itself will offer you valuable networking opportunities, the development of employability skills, and experience that can enhance your CV.

The Global Business Enterprise Core Module

This module aims to offer you a sound base in business and enterprise and support further studies. The module is built around developing your knowledge of the environment within which business, enterprise and entrepreneurship operate and will give you a solid scaffolding for expanding your knowledge of the area.

This human resource management degree course covers a wide range of topics, rooting fundamental HR principles in a contemporary business context. You'll learn about the core functions of a business alongside specific HR themes such as recruitment, professional development, ethics, employee relations, and employment law. The degree will provide you with a thorough understanding of human resource management while allowing you to choose from a range of options. You'll explore specialisms in different areas such as International HRM and study in a highly practical way through the work placement module – HRM Work-Based Reflective Practice. In the first year, you'll study some general business management topics (fundamentals of economics and business accounting, foundation in marketing, business statistics, and data analysis) and receive an introduction to the basics of people management. This will help you understand the role of HR within the larger function of a business, connecting staff management to the successful running of an organisation.

Mental Wealth 1: Academic and Digital Proficiency Core Module

The module will equip you to succeed in both your studies and subsequent career. This includes the development of individual non-cognitive intelligence; digital proficiency; and cultural intelligence.

Fundamentals of Economics Core Module

The module aims to enable you to develop an understanding of the basic economic concepts, theories, ideas and tools and their real-world application.

Business Statistics and Data Analysis Core Module

The module aims to deepen your knowledge of relevant mathematical concepts and statistics used in the business world.

Foundations of Marketing Core Module

The main aims of this module are to introduce you to the fundamentals of the marketing discipline, many of which are developed further in subsequent Level 5 and Level 6 marketing study.

People and Organisations Core Module

This module will introduce you to a variety of work organisations. You will also understand and explore the psychological, sociological and economic explanations of human behaviour in organisations.

Fundamentals of Business Accounting Core Module

This module will develop and prepare you for entry into the professional workplace or further studies in accounting and finance. As part of this module, you will learn and develop a sound basis of theory and principles, accounting techniques and skills necessary as a foundation for further study and practical experience in accounting.

In the second year, you will further develop your understanding of HR in a practical setting. You'll learn about coordinating the HR function within a business as well as rewarding and incentivising staff, employment law, resourcing and talent management, and employment law for HR professionals. There are also several optional modules to choose from in the second year. You can either opt for learning and development or International HRM or HRM work-based reflective practice.

Mental Wealth 2: Graduate Employment Competencies Core Module

This module will provide you with the opportunity to document the development of core employability skills and allow you to acquire tangible evidence to support your employability narrative at interviews.

Managing and Coordinating the HR Function Core Module

The purpose of this unit is to introduce you to human resources (HR) activity and to the role of the HR function in organisations in general terms.

Resourcing and Talent Management Core Module

People resourcing and talent management is a specific field of HRM that is concerned with the mobilisation of the workforce; taking responsibility for ensuring that the organisation is able to access the skills it needs at the time and in the places that it needs them to drive sustained organisation performance. The module's aim is for you to understand and critically evaluate the various strategies employed by organisations for managing people and their performance.

Employment Law Core Module

The purpose of this module is to provide you with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to brief organisations on the consequences of current and future developments in employment law and to give up-to-date, timely and accurate advice concerning the practical application of legal principles at work in different jurisdictions.

The module will provide you with the key principles that underpin UK (or Irish) and EU employment law, their purpose, the major defences that employers are able to deploy when defending cases, and the potential organisational costs and reputational risks associated with losing them. Moreover, the focus is on situations that occur relatively regularly in workplaces rather than on more uncommon or obscure legal scenarios and on advanced knowledge of legislation or case law.

Employment law continues to expand both in terms of volume and complexity and the amount of regulation covering the employment relationship and the workplace has grown substantially in recent years, including additional duties placed on public bodies to actively promote equality. While organisations can source specialist advice on more complex and unprecedented issues from legal advisers, senior human resource (HR) professionals need to be sufficiently aware of major, current and coming developments in the regulatory environment to ensure organisations are fully prepared and also able to anticipate legal problems associated with proposed decisions or plans before they are implemented. In the context of increasing numbers of claims to employment tribunals, they take a leading role in handling issues and disputes at work and in leading an organisation’s response when a formal legal claim is contemplated or pursued, including preparing and presenting responses to employment tribunal claims and they need to fulfill each of these requirements to a professional standard.

The module promotes critical reflection on theory and practice from an ethical and professional standpoint and provides opportunities for applied learning and continuous professional development.

Reward Management Core Module

This module examines total rewards in an organisational and international context. The module provides you with the knowledge of reward professionals plan; and how to implement and evaluate employee reward policies to support strategic organisational goals. You will acquire both a theoretical and normative understanding of the diverse approaches to reward management and you will be able to critically reflect on the strengths and limitations of these approaches in promoting individual and organisational performance in a fair, reasonable and equitable way. You will also be furnished with the knowledge of the foundations for pay and benefits management in modern organisations in the private, public, and third sectors and how these traditions can be integrated into appropriate strategic designs. You will be able to comprehend the relationship between traditional, contingent, and developmental choices of rewards, the use of diagnostic and evaluative skills in designing flexible approaches to reward and the challenges of international and executive pay arrangements. You will be able to critically reflect on theory and practice from an ethical and professional standpoint and for continuous professional development.

Learning and Development Optional Module

The main aims of this module are to provide you with an appreciation of the factors to be considered when implementing and evaluating inclusive learning and development (L&D) activities within varying organisations.

International HRM Optional Module

International human resource management is specifically concerned with managing work and people in an international context. Globalisation and the changing economic, demographic, and political landscape mean that what constitutes effective HRM and how it may best be practised continues to develop and require an international orientation. This module provides critical topics within the realm of IHRM that will enable you to understand the professional development of HR practitioners, which will help you manage across national borders. The module combines the latest theory and research and opportunities for the application of knowledge to real-life, international HR issues. The module's aim is to give you the knowledge, understanding and skills required by HR professionals operating within global organisations. In doing so, the module will introduce you to topics such as MNCs, international assignments and resourcing; training and development: developing global leaders and expatriates; global performance management; work-life balance within an international context; and global rewards management, among others.

HRM Work-Based Reflective Practice Optional Module

To provide you with experience of work including familiarisation with the professional work environment. The module will be underpinned by employability skills training, reflective assessment, and support from the Module Leader. You will reflect through their assessment allowing all parties to engage with the process and progress before, during, and after the placement. During the placement, you will be supported by your module leader to ensure that the aims and outcomes of the placement are met.

Optional placement Optional Module

This course offers the opportunity of year-long placement between years two and three. If you choose to take this option, you’ll spend your third year on a placement with a relevant company or organisation, adding valuable practical experience to your growing academic knowledge.  The extra placement year means it will take four years to complete your studies, instead of three.

In the final year of your HRM degree, you will look at strategic human resource management and leadership in organisations, and business ethics, and develop extra skills in business research. These will be fantastic for your employability prospects and career development in HR. You will study employee engagement, employee relations, and human resource information systems. You will undertake an applied project in HR. These HRM-tailored modules will give you the knowledge that is needed in the global world of work.

Mental Wealth 3: Global Enterprise and Consultancy Core Module

This module will develop core employability skills and allow you to develop and demonstrate skills in (i) the analysis of a problem (ii) planning and organising a task, including time management (iii) exercising judgement in the light of observed and published data (iv) compiling a report, (v) teamwork and collaboration and (vi) use of appropriate technologies.

Applied HR Project Core Module

This project allows you to take a critical and analytical approach to an organisational problem within a rapidly changing and uncertain environment. You will conduct a project from conceptualisation of the problem through to reporting of the problem, and making recommendations for change.

Employee Engagement & Employment Relations Core Module

This module aims to facilitate your critical understanding of the approaches and underlying values of managing people within organisations, through the analysis of models and applications of employee engagement.

Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) Core Module

HRIS plays a key role in the development, implementation and maintenance of systems associated with the collection, retrieval, accessibility and usage of employee information for HR department planning and activities. You will develop skills and competencies to identify areas of opportunity to improve existing HRIS processes, functionality and workflow, and maximize technological capabilities to reduce manual processes (i.e. annual performance review process and other systems) and improve data management and efficiency.

Strategic HRM & Leadership in Organisations Core Module

This module will encourage you to critically evaluate and reflect on Strategic HRM and Leadership in organisations. This will help you to develop an understanding of strategic management with a particular focus on people management. You will critically evaluate the competing perspectives on Strategic HRM within organisations; and explore how leadership can be performed, and with what consequences for those engaging in it and affected by it. This will enable you to reflect on your own preferences and values with regard to leadership. You will also be required to reflect and explore the complexities of leadership in a multi-cultural context.

Business Ethics & Business Research Core Module

The role of business ethics is very important. In this module, you will develop an understanding of the key principles of business ethics, corporate social responsibility/citizenship and sustainability and how these relate to the workplace and to HRM practice. In addition, you will explore how HR professionals can act ethically and contribute to the development of ethical organisations. At level 6, you are increasingly expected to be able to evaluate the academic work that you read and to manage your own research work and projects. You will need certain skills such as critical thinking, critical evaluation and analysis in their professional careers. Although the module is taught by staff from the HR field, the module is a generic one, intended to underpin research across the entire range of business and management subjects. This will cover the basic requirements/understanding of what needs to be understood in order to carry out effective research.

NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.

Download course specification

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Your future career

We offer dedicated careers support, and further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking. Our human resource management course is created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure it accurately reflects the real-life practices of your future career and provides you with the essential skills needed. You can focus on building interpersonal skills through group work and benefit from our investment in the latest cutting-edge technologies and facilities. There’s a fantastic opportunity to travel abroad, where you'll work on a social enterprise project with fellow students from other countries. In previous years, our students have travelled to Bahrain, China, the United States, and Thailand, to name a few.

Industry links

Our course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development to ensure your skills will be relevant and recognised by employers. Our courses offer hands-on experience, leveraging our state-of-the-art facilities. You will network with professionals, learn from guest speakers, and have the chance to take a work placement module. These links will ensure you graduate with the diverse skills needed to be an HR professional.

Graduate employers

Our human resource management alumni have taken on a variety of HR roles in organisations like Acas, East London NHS, Hall Aitken, and Tower Hamlets Council.

Our alumni currently work in roles such as human resource and organisational development manager, HR business partner and payroll administrator, to name a few. With a human resource management degree, you could become a recruiter, trainer, employee relations advisor, or even move into management consultancy or occupational psychology, which we offer as a degree at UEL.

Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the HR sector on our Career Coach portal .

Further study

You could further develop in your HR career by studying for an

• MSc Human Resource Management
• MSc International Business Management
• MSc Marketing
• MSc Occupational and Organisational Psychology

These masters degrees will enable you to transition into leadership roles or become an HR specialist.

How we support your career ambitions

We offer dedicated career support, and further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking. Our courses are created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure they accurately reflect the real-life practices of your future career and provide you with the essential skills needed. You can focus on building interpersonal skills through group work and benefit from our investment in the latest cutting-edge technologies and facilities.

Career Zone

This digital platform provides you with careers and employability resources, including: 

• Jobs board for internships, placements, graduate opportunities, flexible part-time work 
• Mentoring programmes for insight with industry experts 
• 1-2-1 career coaching services
• Careers workshops and employer events 
• Learning pathways to gain new skills and industry insight

Mental Wealth programme

Our Professional Fitness and Mental Wealth programme which issues you with a Careers Passport to track the skills you've mastered. Some of these are externally validated by corporations like Amazon and Microsoft.

We are careers first

Our teaching methods and geographical location put us right up top:

• Work-based projects
• Networking and visits to leading organisations
• Support in starting a new business
• London on our doorstep

How you'll learn

We use a range of teaching methods to help you develop new skills and techniques as well as the specialist HR knowledge you'll need in your career. We care about your employability, so our staff provide exceptional support throughout your degree, equipping you with the communication and interpersonal skills you need to be an HR professional. There’s a fantastic opportunity to travel abroad, where you'll work on a social enterprise project with fellow students from other countries. In previous years, our students have travelled to Bahrain, China, the United States, and Thailand, to name a few. You'll develop key business and strategic HR skills in every module you take and we'll also support you with the latest thinking from our business research centres.

Guided independent study

When not attending timetabled lectures or workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve skills development through online study, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects and preparing coursework assignments and presentations. 

Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, and specialist facilities, such as edit suites, the library, the full Microsoft Office software, including MS Teams, and Moodle: our Virtual Learning Environment.

Academic support

Our academic support team provides help in a range of areas - including learning and disability support.

Dedicated personal tutor

When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of the academic course team who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at UEL and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer.

Here are some of the ways you'll learn throughout the course: 

• Lectures, seminars, tutorials, and workshops. 
• Role-plays: e.g. playing the role of employer/trade union in a mock negotiation. This may be filmed to enable you to reflect and receive feedback. This practical work will prepare you for real-life HR negotiations.
• Practical tasks: e.g. designing, delivering, and evaluating some training, or writing a job description and person specification. Independent study, supported by our specialist business library and a selection of digital materials, handbooks, notes, and other resources.
• Working in a team to share ideas and insights. Guest speakers representing a cross-section of business and HR expertise will share their experience in the field of human resource management.

Your timetable

Your individualised timetable is normally available within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9.00am and 6.00pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.

Class sizes

The size of classes can vary depending on the nature of the course, module and activity. This can range from large groups in a lecture theatre setting, to smaller groups taking part in seminars and collaborative work.

How you'll be assessed

Assessment will be based on practical and vocational skills as well as theoretical knowledge. As a result, you will be assessed through a variety of methods, ensuring different aspects of your skill set are acknowledged and rewarded – these methods include; coursework, essays, examinations, industry-related practice, presentations, project work, practical reports, portfolio development, and group work.

The variety of assessment techniques also ensures you are exposed to different ways of working that will be useful in your future career; keeping a portfolio and working on projects are natural ways of working in the industry that will be encouraged during your studies.

• Foundation year: 100% coursework

Campus and facilities

Gallery of campus and facilities, our campus and the surrounding area  .

University Square Stratford is one of London's most modern and well-equipped campuses. It serves 3,400 students and is the base for our courses in law and criminology, dance and performing arts, and the Master of Business Administration (MBA).   Modern facilities include: performing arts spaces; three performance studios; the Harvard lecture theatre, with live lecture capture technology; the multimedia Weston Learning Centre; a dedicated MBA suite and teaching space; a 300-seat specialised tiered lecture; and a simulated courtroom for mooting experience.   The campus is close to new Stratford developments such as Westfield Stratford City, and next door to the Theatre Royal and Picturehouse cinema.

Who teaches this course

This course is delivered by Royal Docks School of Business and Law

The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.

Dr Toyin Ajibade Adisa

Gerta Kellici

DiscoverUni

The banner below displays some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).

Statistics for BSc (Hons) Human Resource Management Degree, Full Time

What our students and staff say

UEL is a diverse, multicultural and inclusive place to work, where our passion for learning and sharing lights the path to knowledge and future success."

Dr Alina Vaduva

Lecturer and Interim Associate Director - RDSBL

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS Modal

Terms of Admittance to the University of East London

The Terms of Admittance govern your contractual relationship with the University of East London ("UEL"). A contract between you, the Student, and us, UEL, is entered into once you accept an offer of a place on a programme at UEL and this contract is subject to consumer protection legislation. You are entitled to cancel this contract within 14 days of enrolment onto your programme.

1) Student enrolment

Enrolment at UEL is the process whereby you officially become a UEL student. The enrolment process requires you to:

• Ensure that we are holding the correct personal details for you
• Agree to abide by our regulations and policies
• Pay your tuition fees/confirm who is paying your tuition fees

You are expected to enrol by the first day of your academic year (click on "Discover") which will be notified to you in your enrolment instructions. Failure to enrol by the deadline contained in our Fees Policy (for most students by the end of the second week of teaching) may lead to the cancellation of student status and all rights attached to that status, including attendance and use of UEL's facilities. If you do not complete the formal process of enrolment but, by your actions, are deemed to be undertaking activities compatible with the status of an enrolled student, UEL will formally enrol you and charge the relevant tuition fee. Such activities would include attendance in classes, use of online learning materials, submission of work and frequent use of a student ID card to gain access to university buildings and facilities. Late enrolment charges may be applied if you do not complete your enrolment by the relevant deadline.

2) Tuition fees

Your tuition fee is determined by:

• the programme you are studying;
• if you are studying full or part-time;
• whether you are a UK/EU or International student; and when you started your studies with us.

We will tell you the tuition fee that you are due to pay when we send you an offer as well as confirm any additional costs that will be incurred, such as bench fees or exceptional overseas study trips. Unregulated tuition fees (where the UK government has not set a maximum fee to be charged) are generally charged annually and may increase each year you are on the programme. Any annual increase will be limited to a maximum of 5% of the previous year's fee. Regulated tuition fees (where the UK government has set a maximum fee to be charged) may also be subject to an annual increase. Any annual increase will be in line with the increase determined by the UK government. You will be notified of any increases in tuition fees at re-enrolment in the programme. Further information on tuition fees and payment options is contained in our Fees Policy .

3) Student ID Cards

To produce an ID card, we need a recent photograph of you that is not obscured and is a true likeness. We will either ask you to send us/upload a photograph in advance of enrolment or take one of you at the point of enrolment. The photograph will be held on our student records system for identification purposes by administrative, academic and security/reception staff. By accepting these Terms of Admittance you are confirming that you agree to your photograph being used in this way. If you object to your photograph being used in this way please contact the University Secretary via email at gov&[email protected] . You are required to provide proof of your identity at initial enrolment and prior to the issue of your UEL student ID card. This is usually a full and valid passport but instead of this you may bring two of the following:

• A (full or provisional) driving licence showing current address
• An international driving licence
• An original birth certificate (in English)
• A debit or credit card (one only)
• A benefit book or benefit award letter (dated within the last 3 months)
• An Armed Forces Identity card
• A police warrant card

You are required to carry and display your student ID card whilst on UEL premises and must keep it safe so that it is not misused by others.

4) Proof of qualifications

You are required to produce evidence of having satisfied the entry requirements for your programme. Such evidence must be in the form of the original certificates or certified notification of results from the examining body. All qualifications must be in English or supported by an official certified translation. If you fail to provide evidence of having satisfied the requirements for the programme you are liable to be withdrawn from the programme.

5) Non-academic entry requirements

You may need to demonstrate that you have met non-academic entry requirements prior to enrolment by providing additional information to UEL. For example, if you:-

• are under 18 years of age at the time of initial enrolment,
• are applying to a programme that requires health clearance for study as stated in the programme specification,
• have declared a relevant criminal conviction,
• will be studying a programme that involves contact with children and/or vulnerable adults or leads to membership in a professional body that deals with children and/or vulnerable adults.

You will not be permitted to enrol and any offer will be withdrawn if UEL deems that you are unsuitable for study following assessment of this additional information in line with published policies. These policies will be provided to you when the additional information is requested.

6) Criminal convictions

UEL has a responsibility to safeguard staff, students and the wider community. You are required to inform UEL of any relevant criminal convictions you have and provide further information relating to these as requested. This includes any relevant criminal convictions received whilst studying at UEL. UEL will assess all information received in line with published policies and may remove you from a programme if the conviction makes you unsuitable for study in UEL's opinion. Failure to declare a relevant criminal conviction or provide further information about you may result in expulsion from UEL.

7) Providing false information to UEL

If you are discovered to have falsified or misrepresented information presented to UEL at application, enrolment or during your studies, you may be expelled from UEL.

8) Continued enrolment and student status

You are expected to abide by all UEL policies and regulations, both those in force at the time of first and subsequent enrolment and as later revised and published from time to time. UEL reserves the right to make reasonable changes to its policies and regulations and any substantial amendments will be brought to your attention. You are also required to take personal responsibility for your studies; this includes undertaking all studies in support of your programme as prescribed by UEL. Key policies include: Manual of General Regulations This describes the general regulatory framework of UEL and gives information about how UEL confers its degrees, diplomas and certificates. It includes important information about academic performance requirements for continued study. Engagement Attendance Policy This outlines UEL's expectations of students in relation to attendance on and engagement with taught programmes. These students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and engage fully with learning materials and resources provided to them - failure to do so may result in withdrawal from module(s) and/or the programme. Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Degrees The purpose of this code is to provide a framework for the successful organisation and implementation of good practice in all matters relating to postgraduate research degrees at UEL. It aims to ensure that all students are effectively supported and supervised so that the full scope and potential of their research is realised; that their thesis is submitted within regulatory periods and that they complete their programme with a suitable and sufficient portfolio of research and employment-related skills and competencies. Health and Safety Policy This describes the structures and processes by which UEL protects the health and safety of its staff, students and visitors. It confirms that students will receive sufficient information, instruction and induction in relation to health and safety. All students should take reasonable care of their health and safety. They must abide by UEL’s rules and regulations and cooperate with supervisors to enable them to fulfil their obligations. Students must not interfere intentionally, or recklessly misuse anything provided for health and safety. UEL has consulted with its students and staff and has adopted a No Smoking Policy to safeguard the health and well-being of its community. Students are required to comply with this policy which restricts smoking to designated shelters and prohibits the use of electronic cigarettes within any UEL building or near building entrances. For further information on our Healthy Campus initiatives and support please visit the Health and Safety pages . Student Disciplinary Regulations and Procedures (incorporating the student code of conduct) This code is more than a list of things that we should and should not do: it reminds us that we should always consider how our behaviour affects others. The code applies:

• to all students;
• at all sites throughout our estate, and;
• when we represent UEL on business beyond our campus, both in real (face-to-face) and virtual environments.

And outlines expectations of students:

• verbal and physical behaviour should always be polite and respectful;
• behaviour should not impair the engagement, learning or participation of others;
• anti-social behaviour by individuals and groups will not be tolerated.

9) Changes to scheduled programmes

UEL will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the programme of study that you have accepted will conform to the programme specification published on our website and will ensure that the necessary resources required to enable you to meet the required learning outcomes and pass the relevant assessments are available. In order to ensure that our programmes are current and relevant, they are subject to regular review. From time to time, to ensure the maintenance of academic standards and/or compliance with professional body requirements, it may be necessary to amend a module or make adjustments to programme content. Major changes to programmes that in the reasonable opinion of UEL, will have a significant impact on students will involve consultation with students already enrolled on the programme when the changes are proposed. Once any changes are confirmed, UEL will notify all students and applicants of the changes. When UEL reasonably considers that the change may only impact one or more cohorts on the relevant programme, UEL may decide to only consult with the relevant cohort. In the event that we discontinue a programme, we will normally permit existing students to complete the programme within the typical duration of study. In these circumstances, UEL will use reasonable endeavours to continue the programme for existing students without making major changes. If this is not possible, we will support students in changing to another UEL programme on which a place is available, and for which the student is suitably qualified, or assist with transfer to another HEI to complete the programme elsewhere.

10) Changes to these terms

We may change these terms from time to time where, in UEL's opinion, it will assist in the proper delivery of any programme of study or in order to:- (a) Comply with any changes in relevant laws and regulatory requirements; (b) Implement legal advice, national guidance or good practice; (c) Provide for new or improved delivery of any programme of study; (d) Reflect market practice; (e) In our opinion make them clearer or more favourable to you; (f) Rectify any error or mistake; or (g) Incorporate existing arrangements or practices. No variation or amendment to these Terms of Admittance may be made without our prior written agreement. In the event that we agree to transfer you to an alternative programme of study, the transfer will be considered to be a variation to the Terms of Admittance, which shall otherwise remain in full force and existence. If we revise the Terms of Admittance, we will publish the amended Terms of Admittance by such means as we consider reasonably appropriate. We will use reasonable endeavours to give you notice of any changes before they take effect.

11) Data Protection

UEL is committed to adhering to its obligations under the Data Protection Act 2018 and will act as a Data Controller when it processes your personal data. You can find our registration to the Data controller register on ico.org.uk . UEL processes your personal data to fulfil its contractual and legal obligations to students. Personal data that we process about you includes:

• Your contact details and other information submitted during the application and enrolment processes;
• Details of courses, modules, timetables and room bookings, assessment marks and examinations related to your study;
• Financial and personal information collected for the purposes of administering fees and charges, loans, grants, scholarships and hardship funds;
• Photographs, and video recordings for the purpose of recording lectures, student assessments and examinations and for the purposes of university promotion that is in our legitimate interest but still fair to you;
• Information about your engagement with the University such as attendance data and use of electronic services such as Moodle, Civitas and YourTutor;
• Contact details for next of kin to be used in an emergency;
• Details of those with looked-after status or those who have left the care system for the provision of support;
• Information related to the prevention and detection of crime and the safety and security of staff and students, including, but not limited to, CCTV recording and data relating to breaches of University regulations;

This is not an exhaustive list, for further information please refer to our fair processing notice pages on uel.ac.uk. In all of its data processing activities, UEL is committed to ensuring that the personal data it collects stores and uses will be processed in line with the data protection principles which can be summarised as:

• Being processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner;
• Collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes;
• Adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary;
• Accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date;
• Kept in a form which permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary;
• Processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal information;
• Be accountable for, and be able to demonstrate compliance with, the six principles above.

Student Responsibilities You must ensure that:

• All personal data provided to UEL is accurate and up-to-date. You must ensure that changes of address etc. are notified to the Student Hub.
• Students who use UEL's computing facilities may process personal data as part of their studies. If the processing of personal data takes place, students must take responsibility for that processing activity to ensure that it is in line with the data protection principles above.
• Students who are undertaking research projects using personal data must ensure that:
• The research subject is informed of the nature of the research and is given a copy of UEL's Fair Processing Notice and this Data Protection Policy.

12) Legal basis for use of data

By agreeing to these Terms of Admittance and enrolling at UEL, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of a contract for the use of your personal data relating to your enrolment, and if appropriate, registration and ongoing participation in a programme of study. Your personal or special category data will be collected, processed, published and used by UEL, its online learning and teaching services and/or its partners and agents in ways which support the effective management of UEL and your programme of study, to allow for the delivery of bursary schemes and to support improvements to student experience and progression, and are consistent with: The terms of the Data Protection Act 2018; Any notification submitted to the Information Commissioner in accordance with this legislation; and compliance with any other relevant legislation. You have fundamental rights associated with how organisations use your personal data. Further information on data protection and use of your personal data can be found in our Data Protection Policy and on uel.ac.uk.

13) Intellectual property

You are entitled to the intellectual property rights created during your time studying at UEL that would belong to you under the applicable law. There are some programmes where the assignment of certain types of intellectual property to UEL is appropriate. UEL will require the assignment to it of intellectual property rights relating to postgraduate research that is part of an ongoing research programme. Where the nature of the research programme means that some assignment of intellectual property rights to UEL is appropriate, we will take what steps that we can to ensure that your interests are protected. UEL will take reasonable endeavours to ensure:-

• the scope of the assignment is narrow, and is restricted to what is necessary, for example, to protect UEL’s legitimate interests in the intellectual property created as party to a research programme;
• the application of the assignment is clearly defined so that it is clear to you in which circumstances the assignment will apply;
• where the assignment of the intellectual property is appropriate in the circumstances, we will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the rights of the parties are evenly balanced (for example, your work being acknowledged in a publication and, where appropriate, subject to an appropriate revenue sharing scheme)
• where UEL claims ownership of intellectual property rights in relation to a taught programme of study, such treatment of those rights will be made clear in the published information relating to that programme.

14) How we communicate with you

UEL will communicate with you via a variety of channels, including postal letters, e-mail, SMS text messages and online notices. To enable this, we request that you provide us with your e-mail address, postal address, and contact telephone number when you first enrol. Throughout your studies, it is important that you keep your contact details up to date. You can view and edit this information by logging into our student portal, UEL Direct at https://uel.ac.uk/Direct . We will create a UEL e-mail account for you after you enrol. Your e-mail address will be your student number, prefixed with a ‘u’ and followed by ‘@uel.ac.uk’ – e.g.: [email protected]. UEL will use this e-mail address to communicate with you and it is important that you regularly check and manage this mailbox for important updates and information. You can access your email account, plus information about our services, news and events by logging into our Intranet, intranet.uel.ac.uk. At the login screen, enter your email address (as above) and password. Your default UEL password will be your date of birth, formulated as DD-MMM-YY, e.g. 31-jan-84. Your UEL email account and associated UEL IT accounts will be deleted not more than 6 months after you graduate or withdraw from your programme of study (if earlier).  

15) University of East London Students' Union

The University of East London Students' Union (UELSU) represents students at UEL. By enrolling at UEL you are automatically granted membership of both UELSU and the National Union of Students (NUS). If you wish to opt out from this membership, please inform UELSU in writing at either [email protected]  or by writing to Chief Executive, UELSU, University of East London, Docklands Campus, 4-6 University Way, London E16 2RD. UELSU provides a range of services and support to students and can provide advice and representation on any matter affecting the contract between you and UEL. For further information on this support, please visit www.uelunion.org

16) Students studying at partner institutions

If you are undertaking a programme of study at a partner institution you will need to generally abide by the above terms and also those of the partner institution. Further information and support in understanding these terms is available from the Academic Partnership Office -  [email protected] .

17) International students - additional responsibilities

All international students must also comply with UK Visa and Immigration requirements. All international students are required to hold a valid visa which permits study in the UK or hold a Tier 4 visa/have applied for a Tier 4 visa with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies issued by UEL. Students who are being sponsored under a Tier 4 student visa must also understand and comply with the responsibilities of their student visa and cooperate with UEL in fulfilling our Tier 4 duties .

18) Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

UEL is committed to working together to build a learning community founded on equality of opportunity – a learning community which celebrates the rich diversity of our student and staff populations and one in which discriminatory behaviour is challenged and not tolerated within our community. Within the spirit of respecting difference, our equality and diversity policies promise fair treatment and equality of opportunity for all regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, disability or religion/belief (or lack of). In pursuing this aim, we want our community to value and to be at ease with its own diversity and to reflect the needs of the wider community within which we operate. For further information on this inclusive approach to education please visit our Student Policies page .

19) Complaints

We welcome feedback on our programmes and services and facilitate this in a variety of ways, including programme committees, module evaluation forms and surveys. However, if you are dissatisfied with a particular service or programme or the manner in which it has been delivered, you must let the person responsible for that service know as we will always try to resolve matters at the earliest opportunity via informal conciliation. If you are unsure who to approach, please e-mail The Hub who will be able to direct your concerns appropriately. If you remain dissatisfied with a service or programme, or the manner in which it is delivered, you should refer to our formal complaints procedure to have the matter formally addressed. In addition, once you have enrolled on your programme, you will also have access to the Advice and Information Service offered by UELSU. This access is not available to students studying at partner institutions.

20) Cancellation

If you wish to cancel this contract within 14 days of enrolment in your programme, you must do so in writing. Any fees that you have paid will be refunded – please see the Fees Policy for further information on obtaining a refund.

21) Further guidance

If any of the information in these Terms of Admittance or related policies is unclear or if you have any questions, please contact The Hub for guidance on +44 (0) 208 223 4444 .

22) Right to advice

This is a consumer contract and you are able to obtain independent advice in relation to its terms and conditions from UELSU as well as your local Citizens Advice Bureau.  

23) General

Neither you nor UEL will be liable for failure to perform their obligations under these Terms of Admittance if such failure arises from unforeseeable events, circumstances or causes outside of that party's reasonable control. Examples of such events include, but are not limited to, war, terrorism, industrial disputes, natural disasters, fire and national emergencies. Only you and UEL are parties to these Terms of Admittance. No other person shall have any rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of these Terms of Admittance. Failure or delay by you or UEL to exercise any right or remedy provided under this contract shall not constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy, nor shall it prevent or restrict the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy. No single or partial exercise of such right or remedy shall prevent or restrict the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy. These Terms of Admittance are governed by the law of England and Wales and you and UEL agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

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Explore Programs

Find your program here.

Explore the diverse array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs supporting over 200 degrees in 13 faculties at Dalhousie University.

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Already decided on a program? Learn how to apply .