How to choose a bachelor's in human resource management

By: Amanda Dexter, Edited by: Mitch Jacobson

Published: March 21, 2025

Our rapidly evolving employment landscape means this is the perfect time to pursue a career in human resources. Whether transitioning into human resources (HR) or trying to advance your current HR career to the managerial level, you might wonder how to choose a bachelor's in human resource management program.

Learn what factors to consider when choosing a bachelor's in human resource management program so you can find the one that best aligns with your career goals.

Guide to choosing a bachelor's degree in human resource management

Location and admissions requirements are often the first factors people consider when it comes to choosing an undergraduate institution. But if you want to pursue a bachelor's degree in human resource management, there are some special considerations to include as you research.

Program accreditation

Earning your bachelor's degree in human resource management (HRM) from an accredited institution with an accredited program is essential to receiving a quality education in HR industry standards, laws and regulations, technology, and best practices.

You should verify a school's accreditation status by searching the online directory of institutions recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education (ED).

Additionally, the human resource management program should hold an HR-specific accreditation from an agency approved by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), such as:

• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)

Comprehensive curriculum

The quality of a human resource management program is largely based on the quality of its curriculum. It should cover a broad range of critical topics that reflect both the current and potential industry trends and best practices within the HR field, including:

• Employment law
• Talent planning and acquisition
• Recruitment and hiring
• Compensation and benefits
• Employee and labor relations
• Performance management
• Training and development
• Organizational psychology
• Dispute and conflict resolution
• Business ethics
• Data and performance analytics

Experiential learning

Look for programs that teach through hands-on, real-world learning opportunities, such as:

• Internships: Working under supervision within a company's HR department to gain exposure to various HR functions and roles
• Capstone projects: Completing a large final project requiring synthesis and application of HR concepts to solve complex HR issues within a fictional workplace environment
• Case studies: Analyzing real-life HR situations to explore the challenges and ethics involved in decision-making
• Role-playing: Acting out different HR scenarios, such as employee disciplinary meetings or performance feedback sessions, to practice communication and conflict resolution techniques
• Consulting projects: Partnering with local businesses or organizations to help identify needs within the HR department and strategize possible solutions or recommendations.
• Industry-standard technologies: Practicing with software and tools commonly used in HR, such as:
  • Applicant tracking systems (ATS)
  • Human resources information systems (HRIS)
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) tools
  • Learning management systems (LMS)
  • Talent recruitment and social media platforms
  • Payroll software

Expert faculty

Look for programs with knowledgeable faculty with the appropriate professional qualifications:

• Experience working in HR in various capacities
• Advanced degrees and industry certifications
• Published research or guest speaking appearances
• Knowledge of issues and relevant solutions in the current HR landscape
• Professional network of business and industry leaders

Financial commitment

One of the most prohibitive factors in earning a bachelor's degree is the cost. The average cost of tuition and fees — not including room and board — for a full academic school year at an in-state, four-year, public institution is $9,750, according to 2022–23 data from the National Center for Education Statistics.

As you compare institutions and programs, be sure to also consider the total program cost (not just the price of tuition) and what lifestyle changes you may have to make along the way.

To help offset or reduce your financial burden, consider doing the following:

• Submitting your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you qualify for federal student aid
• Exploring flexible repayment plan options
• Learning about student loan forgiveness programs, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Applying for private and public scholarships, no matter how small the award amount
• Check with your current employer to see if the company offers tuition assistance or reimbursement programs
• Meeting with a private lender or bank to discuss potential financing options
• Assessing local employment opportunities if you chose to work while attending school