MA or MS Human Resource Management

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by JHatz, Sep 29, 2004.

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  1. JHatz

    JHatz New Member

    I'm trying to find someone in this forum who has experience at a distance learning university in an MA program in Human Resources Management or something similar at the grad level. Anyone with first hand experience at Troy State, UConn, University of Maryland or University of Louisville in an HR program please let me know how the program is/was and if you'd recommend it. I'm sure someone in this discussion forum must have some experience in one of the colleges that I listed above or another HR master's level program.

    Thanks much,
    Jeff
     
  2. tcnixon

    tcnixon Active Member

  3. JHatz

    JHatz New Member

    Thanks

    Thanks Tom,
    that's very helpful

    Jeff
     
  4. Marylars

    Marylars New Member

    Jeff,

    Is there any reason you're not considering an MBA with an emphasis in HR Management? I'm an HR executive and, quite honestly, the MBA will probablay take you a lot further and tends to give you a lot more respect at the senior management level. There are lots of great web-based MBA programs.

    Just my two cents...

    Mary
     
  5. Marylars

    Marylars New Member

    For the spelling and grammar police among us...please don't beat me up for the misspelling of 'probably' above. I know that it was a typo, but hit send instead of preview and by the time I finished the edit, the time had elapsed and it was too late to edit.

    Be gentle...I've seen what a brutal bunch you can be sometimes!
    (One of the reasons I rarely post.)

    Back to your question, Jeff...

    Combine that MBA with a PHR or SPHR and you'll be amazed what a difference it will make in your marketability -- even in this very tight HR market.
     
  6. Splas

    Splas New Member

    They left off the University of Western Carolina's MS in HR.

    Tuition is around $3000 NC/ $16000 out of state.

    3K!!! now thats a deal.
     
  7. Marylars

    Marylars New Member

    Jeff,

    I just read the list that Tom shared and I can provide you with personal info on two of the schools. I am currently enrolled in Amberton's MBA program with an emphasis in Strategic Leadership. A good friend and colleague of mine is enrolled in the MS program in Human Relations and Business. We're both seasoned HR pros and we have both been very pleased with our programs. My next stop will be a PhD in Organizational Leadership or Public Administration (weekend warrior route for that one -- non-DL) and I feel confident that I will be very adequately prepared for my doctoral program by the time I finish up at Amberton.

    I did some of my undergraduate work at UW - Whitewater. Whitewater has a very good reputation in that area for being a strong business school.

    I don't think you could go wrong with either of these schools.
     
  8. JHatz

    JHatz New Member

    "Combine that MBA with a PHR or SPHR and you'll be amazed what a difference it will make in your marketability -- even in this very tight HR market."


    Marylars,
    thanks for your insight and your postings. My wife is actually the one pursuing this. She has a BS in Communications and has a real keen interest in getting into HR. She's a people person. I posted simply because I'm a member but I'm showing her what you guys are sending me.

    What is a PHR or SPHR?

    It sounds like you like Amberton. Is it costly?

    Jeff
     
  9. Marylars

    Marylars New Member

    Jeff,

    The PHR (Professional in Human Resources) and SPHR (Sr. Professional in Human Resources) are the professional certifications for Human Resources. If you take a peek at the classifieds, a lot of the advertised positions will require PHR or SPHR certification. It is definitely a plus in our field. She will need to get some HR experience under her belt or be within a year of completion of her degree program before being eligible to sit for the exams. The best place to take a peek at the certification information is at www.hrci.org. That should help a lot.

    As far as Amberton (www.amberton.edu) goes -- I am really enjoying my coursework. It is challenging (lots and lots and LOTS of writing) but is certainly doable even with a career and a family. I know that there are a few others on this forum who are or have recently been enrolled in the MBA program. Just like anything else, you'll hear pros and cons, but I've got nothing but good things to say about my program.

    As I mentioned above, I'm doing the MBA in Strategic Leadership. I have opted for all of my electives to be HR-related courses (Organizational Staffing, Compensation Management, HR Management, HR Law, etc.) and so far I'm very pleased.

    When I started my MBA, I was paying for everything out of my own pocket, so price was definitely a huge factor. I picked Amberton because it was the least expensive regionally-accredited program that I found with a course selection that looked like it would be worthwhile. It may not be 'the' cheapest, but it's definitely one of the best buys out there. They charge $200/credit hour and my total program will cost me a little over $7k.

    I have a good friend who was (notice the past tense there) doing her MBA through the University of Phoenix and she was shocked at both the coursework and the price. She was paying nearly $30k for her degree and, when we compared programs side by side, she was really impressed with Amberton. (She has since been moving toward transferring her UoP credits to Amberton. )


    Mary
     
  10. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    I agree with Mary. Prior to starting my PhD program I was working in HR and was pursuing my MBA with a specialism in HR. However after quiting my old job and starting looking around, I found that a lot of employers wanted the PHR or SPHR, even to the point where they would rather hire a person without an MBA with a PHR than a person with an MBA and no PHR.

    I was at a SHRM conference and asked why this is and was told with a PHR employers know you at least have the basic HR knowledge they require, but MBA programs are so varied now it's harder for them to tell.
     
  11. JHatz

    JHatz New Member

    interesting insights from Mary and the rest. I'm passing all of this along to Lisa to consider. Appreciate your time and knowledge on this subject and the time you're all taking to give her a heads up. She's got a lot of admin background but wants to break into HR. She's had some basic HR experience assisting the HR person in her last job with some tasks. You are probably right that the MBA would give her a broader ability. Additionally it would allow her to work in some other field or department if HR didn't work out for her.
     
  12. JHatz

    JHatz New Member

    Amberton Courses

    Mary,
    Do you or your friend who is pursuing the MS in Human Relations and Business have any knowledge of Amberton's professors Joe Loyd who teaches Ethics for Decision Making or Michael Trulson who teaches Organizational Behavior?

    My wife Lisa took your advice and signed up at Amberton and is going to register to take her first course. She's a bit intimidated since she hasn't been in school since 1995. Any recommended or stay away from courses you would offer advice on?

    Thanks,

    Jeff
     
  13. Marylars

    Marylars New Member

    Hi Jeff-

    I've not had either of them yet, but I know there are a couple of folks on this site who are a lot further along in their program than I am -- Carl or Ultimale, can you be of any help here?

    Jeff- I just sent you an email on your regular email address. If you get it, just send me a reply and I'll be happy to help you from there, too.

    Mary
     

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