Online MBA in Human Resource Management

Master of Business Administration - Human Resource Management

Work to develop leadership skills to capitalize on human resources with Colorado Technical University’s Master of Business Administration-Human Resource Management concentration. In this Human Resource Management concentration, explore current human resources concepts as they relate to a wide range of industries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of human resources managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033,¹ about as fast as the average for all occupations. Take the opportunity to navigate business fundamentals and human resource principles including employment law, staffing, job design, compensation, benefits, workforce development, diversity management and resource planning. Concentration courses in operational human resource management, and managing development and change are designed to build on the MBA core’s business principles and culminate with a Management Capstone.

¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Human Resources Managers, at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm (visited November 12, 2024).

Program Credits

5 Weeks

Course Length

Online Colorado Springs

Location

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Program Overview

Effective August 2023, this program is no longer available for future enrollments at the Aurora Campus.

The Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management (MBA-HR) is a 48-credit-hour program that is offered online and at the Colorado Springs campus. The program consists of 32 credit hours devoted to the business administration core and 16 credit hours for the human resource management concentration.

Human resource management specialists are expected to navigate the complex system of federal and state regulations to ensure that companies of every size are in compliance with human resource and labor laws. The human resource management concentration is designed for students with a solid business background who want to concentrate specifically on the area of human resource management and advance their knowledge to pursue leadership roles. The program includes problem-based learning that provides real-world scenarios and encourages students to develop feasible business solutions. Students in the concentration focus on understanding how to use strategic HR principles to change organizations and develop innovations.

This program does not lead to additional licensure or certification. As such, CTU has made no determination regarding prerequisites for licensure or certification in any state or jurisdiction.

The mission of the College of Business and Management is to offer professional market-driven business degrees that build business competencies transferrable to all industries. The College of Business and Management accomplishes this mission by offering curriculum that aligns to industry standards, remains relevant, and builds practical skills applicable to the competitive global business environment.

For the eighth consecutive year, CTU’s online Master of Business Administration degree programs are ranked among the Best Online MBA Programs by U.S. News and World Report.*

* CTU programs are ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Online Programs.

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Courses

Courses: Core		Credits
ACCT615 This course focuses on constructing and evaluating financial models to enhance profitability in the manufacturing environment. Students will evaluate the cost structures, pricing, and the role the balanced score card plays in purchasing and manufacturing decisions.	Advanced Cost Accounting	4
ECON616 During this course the student will study the practical aspects of both micro- and macroeconomics and how they are applied to the managerial environment. The students investigate the role of economic principles in management analysis and decision making: the study of demand, cost, and supply concepts from a business viewpoint; and the application of national income measures to strategic planning and the future.	Applied Managerial Economics	4
FINC615 Emphasizes management decision making utilizing accounting and finance concepts. The following subjects are addressed in the course: financial reports and metrics, financial analysis and planning, financial forecasting, financial markets, financial leverage, working capital management, capital budgeting processes, cost of capital and long term financing. The student will apply the knowledge learned by completing a financial strategy report and accomplishing a research report summarizing an application of financial analysis from either the academic or professional literature.	Applied Managerial Finance	4
HRMT620 Human capital management creates a paradigm to strategically look at people as the most valuable asset. This course provides a framework for students to integrate human capital management as part of the overall business strategy. By understanding, evaluating and integrating the human capital management model, the student will also be able to apply these approaches both domestically and globally.	Strategic Human Capital Management	4
INTD600 This course analyzes the concepts of leadership and management for ethical behavior and legal compliance. It also evaluates ethical decision-making processes and cultural competence. A variety of complex ethical issues confronting industry leaders and professionals are explored. Additionally, a code of conduct at work, methods to implement a code of conduct, and issues related to managing conflicts of interest are reviewed.	Leadership and Ethical Decision-Making	4
MGMT601 This course emphasizes the application of descriptive and inferential business statistics to decisions made in a managerial role. Presented with a scenario, students focus on analyzing published research, databases, and statistics to recommend management strategies based upon business metrics.	Business Analytics for Management Decisions	4
MGMT691 This course is focused on advanced management strategies that can maximize opportunities in a changing dynamic environment. Strategic management is linked to successful global projects and is a key part of a sustainable competitive market profile. Course material includes strategies to understand growth and how to implement strategic plans to achieve and sustain a competitive profile in the emerging global marketplace. The balanced scorecard is presented as an approach to understanding an organization’s strategic objectives and performance measures.	Strategic Management in Dynamic Environments	4
MKTG632 This course emphasizes the analysis of marketing concepts, tools, and decision-making processes. It explores how managers use marketing plans, programs, and strategies from an international and culturally competent perspective. Within the marketing strategy framework, it also examines data analytics, digital marketing, brand awareness, promotion, and pricing strategies. As part of the course, a marketing plan will be designed that includes the mission, vision, audience, and promotional strategy of a brand.	Applied Managerial Marketing	4
	Total Credit Hours:	32

Courses: Concentration		Credits
HRMT645 This course examines the importance of developing effective operational policies and the role of organizational decision-making in that process. It also reviews the ramifications of current laws, ethical considerations, the conflicts around decision making styles, and various aspects of organizational behavior that influence operational policy.	Operational Human Resource Management	4
HRMT650 This course provides knowledge of current personnel legal issues impacting the design and development of Human Resource Policy and the impact of these laws on the organization’s bottom line. Emphasis is on affirmative action, labor downsizing, health care coordinated services, international aspects, negotiation, grievance process and diversity.	Current Legal Issues in Human Resource Management	4
HRMT655 Change management and developing the organization is a topic for all managers. This course provides the foundation for managers and human resource professionals to address organizational change, HRM policies and procedures from a process consultation perspective.	Managing Organizational Development and Change	4
MGMT665 This final course allows MBA students to demonstrate competency of integrating applied research by synthesizing ethics, leadership, strategy, critical thinking, and reasoning skills taught throughout the program.	MBA Capstone	4
	Total Credit Hours:	16

Total Credit Hours: 48

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Learning Outcomes

MBA Program Learning Outcomes

Evaluate ethical dilemmas to make informed business decisions.
Develop business communication skills to support organizational interaction.
Interpret data using multiple modalities to solve business problems.
Examine current strategies and methods applicable in major business disciplines.
Review global perspectives used in a diverse business environment.

MBA-HR Concentration Learning Outcomes

Develop strategic Human Resource Management skills necessary to effectively communicate and consult with organizational members to achieve business objectives

Faculty

Catherine McBride, DBA

Executive Program Director

Dr. Catherine McBride has been at CTU since January 2021, serving as an Executive Program Director for the College of Business and Management. Catherine has been in higher education for 22 years, with 18 years of online education experience across a variety of institutions in varying capacities but always serving non-traditional learners.

Dr. David Gliddon

Executive Program Director

Dr. Gliddon is an Executive Program Director in the College of Business and Management. In previous roles at CTU, he was a Program Chair and Lead Faculty. He has taught over 20 courses in the undergraduate, MBA, and doctoral programs. He has provided service to the university on a number of committees and special projects.

For more faculty profiles please visit our Leadership and Faculty page.
For more information visit the College of Business and Management.

Admission Requirements

MBA Foundation Requirements

The Masters of Business Administration (MBA) is built upon the expectation that students will enter the program with a solid business background to succeed in some of the core MBA courses. Therefore the MBA requires students to have prior foundational knowledge in all core business disciplines to be successful. Students entering in the MBA program without an undergraduate degree in business will be required to successfully complete two MBA foundation courses (MGMT502 and MGMT503) covering the following areas of business: accounting; economics; finance; marketing; statistics; management; business law; ethics; business policy; business strategy; information technology; operations management; and global leadership.

If the student can show evidence of a GMAT score of 500 or above the foundation requirements may be waived. Students continuing from any of CTU’s non-business bachelor programs must complete the MBA Foundation Requirements. The foundation courses are also available to students with an undergraduate business degree who wish to refresh their knowledge in these subject areas. MBA foundation courses must be completed prior to respective MBA required courses that hold MGMT502 or MGMT503 as a prerequisite. Students must successfully complete and pass MGMT502 and MGMT503 prior to the end of the first quarter. Students who do not meet the MBA foundation requirements will be withdrawn, canceled or transferred from the MBA program. Students must be able to exhibit proficiency by successfully completing the foundation course with a minimum 70% passing score. If after 5 attempts (applies to each course separately) students do not pass the foundation course, students are encouraged to work with the Student Advising department if they have questions regarding these foundation courses, timeframes for completion, or for alternative programs of study as needed.

Accreditations and Alignments

This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

As of May 2022, Colorado Technical University aligned its Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates. Throughout the world, over 500 programs in approximately 425 educational institutions have been acknowledged by SHRM as being in alignment with its suggested guides and templates. The HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates were developed by SHRM to define the minimum HR content areas that should be studied by HR students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The guidelines - created in 2006 and revalidated in 2010, 2013, and 2017 - are part of SHRM’s Academic Initiative to define HR education standards taught in university business schools and help universities develop degree programs that follow these standards.

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FAQs

What is a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Human Resource Management degree?

CTU’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Human Resource Management Degree Program is designed to provide knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant for pursuing potential opportunities in the workforce. This business degree program emphasizes current human resources concepts as they relate to a wide range of industries. Students will navigate business fundamentals and human resource principles including employment law, staffing, job design, compensation, benefits, workforce development, diversity management, and resource planning.

What will I study in this MBA degree program?

As you work to complete your MBA, you will be immersed in courses where you will study these topics and much more: developing effective operational policies; human resource policy; the foundation for managers and HR professionals to address organizational change; and aspects of organizational behavior that influence operational policy.

When and where can I begin my classes?

Courses for the Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management start Online and at our Colorado Springs campus approximately every five weeks. Completion of the CTU admissions process will depend on how quickly you complete the steps in the CTU online application process. You may complete the application process over the phone with an advisor or you may go online. Once you’ve completed the online application, you may hear from an advisor within the following 24 hours to discuss the next steps toward starting your degree program. Master’s programs may have additional entrance requirements that take additional processing time

How many credits are required to graduate from a master’s degree program?

The Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management degree program consists of 48 credits. You may be eligible for transfer credit, which is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer.

Why should I pursue an MBA degree at CTU?

As you study topics in business and human resources that are always being evaluated and updated to reflect industry-relevant trends, you will experience a curriculum through classroom learning and hands-on experience that aligns to industry standards and helps you work to develop skills that are applicable to the competitive global business environment.

Is this Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management degree program accredited?

The Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management degree program at CTU is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has acknowledged that Colorado Technical University’s MBA with a concentration in Human Resource Management fully aligns with SHRM’s HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates. The HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates were developed by SHRM to define the minimum HR content areas that should be studied by HR students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The guidelines -- created in 2006 and revalidated in 2010, 2013 and 2017 -- are part of SHRM’s Academic Initiative to define HR education standards taught in university business schools and help universities develop degree programs that follow these standards.

Are there any requirements for pursuing an MBA at CTU?

Students entering in the MBA program without an undergraduate degree in business will be required to successfully complete two MBA foundation courses (MGMT502 and MGMT503). The foundation requirements may be waived if the student can show evidence of a GMAT score of 500 or above. Students continuing from any of CTU’s non-business bachelor programs must complete the MBA Foundation Requirements. MBA foundation courses must be completed prior to respective MBA required courses that hold MGMT502 or MGMT503 as a prerequisite. Students must successfully complete and pass MGMT502 and MGMT503 prior to the end of the first quarter.