There is no doubt that earning a Master’s in Business Administration puts you at the top of C-suite executives minds, but an MBA in Human Resources Management can help you stand out from the crowded (and at times stuffy) interview waiting room. 

Those who pursue an MBA in Human Resources Management gain more opportunities and expertise in areas such as employee relations, compensation, training, recruiting, and strategy than traditional MBA students —all things C-suite executives seek for growing business.

That’s why Montclair State University created a fully online MBA in Human Resources Management degree program, so you can gain the highly sought after business administration skills companies desperately need. Consider the following ways a specialized MBA boosts your HR leadership capabilities:   

1. Gain Necessary Hard Skills for Better Business Practices

Oftentimes people who are thinking of pursuing a graduate degree in human resources management struggle between choosing a Master of Science in Human Resources Management or a MBA with a specialization in Human Resources Management. 

A MBA in Human Resources Management offers a different set of skills than a Masters in Human Resources. It provides a strong foundation in finance, accounting, operations, management, and marketing—plus the necessary people skills.

The concentration courses for Montclair State University’s online program include:

• Strategic Human Resource Management
• Managing Global Workforce
• Talent Management
• Human Resources Analytics
• Contemporary Topics in Human Resource Management 

Karen Aleck, Staff Recruiter for a leading healthcare company, discusses her experience earning a MBA in Human Resources. 

“The MBA program teaches the hard skills of accounting, finance, and statistics,” Aleck states, “The things a good HR professional will need to know to a) understand the business in order to b) impact the business and c) communicate HR’s impact on the business. In a world where HR still struggles for ‘respectability’, these are the skills that will help you gain credibility and allow you to effectively communicate with peers in other functions.”

2. A Specialized MBA Stands Out to C-Suite Executives

Earning an MBA in Human Resources Management is rare, so there’s no doubt your graduate education will stand out to C-suite executives—it automatically differentiates you from the crowd. 

The knowledge and skill set you’ll learn at the HR graduate level gives you a better chance of promotions, raises, and future leadership opportunities.

In fact, some professionals argue HR should be part of the C-suite, including the Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) as a title among the group. Other titles may include Chief People Officer or Chief Talent Officer.  

Ron Selewach, owner of Human Resources Management Center, writes a compelling argument giving the following reasons a CHRO would help in key decision making efforts:

• Increased employee engagement
• Performance and compensation
• Succession planning
• Bottom-Line results   

3. An MBA in Human Resources Management Gives You Versatility 

Some people believe that most professionals who earn an MBA with a specialization in Human Resources Management opt to transition out of the field. However, most leverage the skills they learn into a versatile career in either HR leadership or HR consulting. 

Within organizations’ human resources departments, there are a variety of leadership roles that an MBA can help you secure. Some of the most common human resources leadership positions include:

• Human resources manager
• Human resources compliance director
• Human resources analytics manager
• Performance consultant
• Hiring Manager

These HR leadership roles are often found in larger organizations and provide a higher salary. For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the average salary a human resources manager makes per year in 2020 is $121,220.   

HR Consulting is typically an entrepreneurial role, in which you can have the freedom to grow your own business and help other businesses grow in the process. 

According to, Introduction to Consulting, “HR consulting is the practice of delivering all aspects of human resource management as an external provider, and with the professional and business issues associated with operating such a practice—including client development, contracts and client management.”

If you choose to go the consulting route, you could end up with a lucrative career and versatile job opportunities as well.

Grow Your HR and Business Skill Set at Montclair State University

There’s never one single path that best fits all HR professionals. 

If you’re interested in the benefits a MBA program provides and you want to sharpen your people skills, then a MBA in Human Resources Management is the choice for you. 

Montclair State University’s fully online program provides the flexibility you need as a working HR professional. The program can be completed in as little as 26 months. Visit our HR Management page to learn more information or reach out to our Student Recruitment Manager in the contact form below.