5 Reasons to get a Human Resources Master’s Degree

2. Specialize to Stand out

Pursuing an advanced degree in human resource management can give you a deeper dive into a specific area that interests you—whether you want to be a generalist or focus on a specialty such as recruitment or compensation and benefits.

How can focusing on your HR master’s help you stand out from the competition?

Specialization is just another way a master’s degree in HR can help you reach your career goals. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) makes the point that candidates with master’s degrees may be preferred for management positions, often because a master’s degree in a specialized field of study can help you stand out in a pool of candidates.
 

3. New and Advanced Opportunities

Putting in the time and effort to earn a master’s degree will open you up to new opportunities and more advanced positions in the HR field. 

What advanced career paths become available with an HR master’s degree?

Graduates are valued for their expertise, often leading to management roles and job duties that allow you to play a higher-touch role in shaping your company’s future. Best of all, in such a dynamic field as human resources, you’ll find a wider variety of positions available to you.
 

4. Expand your Network

What better way to build your network than to have a built-in community of professors, peers, and alumni through a master’s program. 

How does a master’s program help build your HR professional network?

There will be numerous opportunities to meet new people and grow your professional network in and outside the classroom. Those relationships can really pay off when you’re looking to step up your career. Whether it’s connecting you to others in a new industry, sharing tips for navigating the field, or providing references to companies you’re interested in, the advantages only expand as your network does. At Minnesota Carlson, you will have the added benefit of learning from a diverse and international student body, which has a larger population of international students when compared to a typical cohort at peer institutions.
 

5. HR Management is Evergreen

HR is a resilient field with steady growth and long‑term relevance.

Why is HR leadership a safe and sustainable career choice for the future?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, human resource management is expected to grow at a steady rate of 5-6% from 2022 to 2032. This is faster than average for all occupations. Whether through HR firms or internal departments at companies, recruiters, benefits and compensation specialists, and other HR personnel will continue to play integral roles in organizations. Although technological advances have added some automation to duties over the years, the HR profession requires a human touch for a job role that can have an outsize impact on many lives.

Take the Next Step Toward Your HR Career

Now that you’ve seen how a Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations can support your professional goals, it’s time to explore your options. You can schedule a 1:1 appointment with our admissions team to get personalized guidance—or, if you’re ready, start your application today and take the first step toward your future in HR.

^{*Minnesota Carlson Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations Class of 2024 Employment Report}