Start or boost your human resources career with an online degree for graduates.
Studying for a Master of Human Resource Management is a way to become a human resources manager or give your current HR career a boost. Programs are open to uni grads (any discipline) and professionals with relevant experience.
Course Overview
HRM is a rewarding career in Australia due to the demand for expertise across virtually every organisation. A master's degree in this field positions you for high-paying roles such as HR manager, HR director, and recruitment manager.
The program can be completed within a reasonable timeframe. With credit for relevant qualifications, the duration can be as short as 18 months part-time. Without prior qualifications and experience, 2 years of part-time study is more typical.
The course will cultivate knowledge and skills for the key activities of HR managers while also offering opportunities for specialisation. Topics may include managing people and organisations, performance management, employee relations, and learning and development.
Best Degrees for an HR Manager
Among the best master's degrees, a few options stand out. You can opt for a professional degree that readies you for diverse HR roles, a leadership HR master's with an emphasis on executive responsibilities, or an MBA to develop broader managerial capacities.
ECU Online - Master of Human Resource Management
The 100% online Master of Human Resource Management from ECU Online is flexible and exam-free. Study is accelerated, meaning you learn part-time throughout the year. You can also fast-track your degree, and skip 3 of the 12 subjects, if you have a major in HR, management, business administration, or employment and/or industrial relations. Students explore the key aspects of being an HR manager, including managing people and organisations, employee relations, managing and rewarding performance, healthy work and wellbeing, and people analytics.
RMIT Online - Master of Human Resource Management
RMIT Online offers an accelerated Master of Human Resource Management degree. The program is forward looking and aims to build leadership expertise for creating better workplaces. Topics include key concepts, professional practices, strategic human resource development, contemporary strategic issues, employment law, and managing for entrepreneurship and innovation. The 100% online program is ideal for working professionals. You study flexibly in an interactive online environment, with each subject delivered in a 7-week study block.
UTS Online - MBA (Organisational Learning)
The flexible MBA from UTS Online has an 'Organisational Learning' specialisation. The program suits HR managers who want to lead and support innovation in how employees learn. The 100% online MBA is made up of 12 subjects, with 8 core subjects and 4 electives. For this specialisation, you have 6 electives to choose from: Designing Innovative Learning, Evaluating Learning and Innovation, Leading Innovative Practices, Leading Learning, Mentoring in the Workplace, and Strategic Learning in Workplaces. The forward-looking MBA also explores business analytics, finance for managers, leading people and change, and strategy and negotiation.
Master of HR Management
Earn a Master of HR Management online with the University of Newcastle. It features trimesters, industry accreditation and practical skills.… Read More
Master of HR Management & Employment Relations
Grow your HR career with Griffith’s online Master of Human Resource Management via OUA. Flexible study, expert-led, industry-relevant skills.… Read More
Why an HR Master's Degree is Worthwhile
While a business bachelor degree with an HR major offers sound career preparation, a master's degree with an HR specialisation is optimal for long-term career success.
A high level of education is anticipated for HR managers, given much of the job is to develop employees and recruit and manage highly qualified candidates. Without a higher level of educational attainment, you might lack relevant experience and authority.
With a masters in HR, you learn how to manage staff strategically. For example, program participants explore how to align employee and company goals to achieve great results for everybody. Online HR masters allow you to do this kind of training as a working professional.
Related: Human Resources (HR) Manager Qualifications in Australia
FAQs
To excel in HR management in Australia, you typically need to complete higher education in HR or related fields.
- Preferred undergraduate degrees include a Bachelor of Business with an HR major.
- Postgraduate credentials, such as a Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management, or a specialist graduate diploma or masters degree, are often in the portfolios of successful HR managers.
- A Master of Human Resource Management is seen as the gold standard. You gain in-depth training and solidify your credentials for senior HR roles.
- MBA qualifications are also quite common for HR professionals, especially those that branch into general corporate leadership.
HR qualifications are a powerful way to boost your competitiveness in the job market, paving the way for more opportunities. These credentials can be beneficial throughout your career.
Related: How to Become an HR Manager: 5 Steps
If you're an experienced HR manager, an MBA might be the right education choice for you. This degree could open up a wider range of career opportunities, even beyond HR, particularly if you're aiming for higher-level leadership roles.
An MBA provides a blend of comprehensive business knowledge and management training. If you're proficient in your HR responsibilities and are geared up for new challenges, the MBA can help you hone broader skills. You may gain fresh insights and tools to enhance your work contributions.
Conversely, a specialised Master's in Human Resource Management is ideal if you aim to deeply explore HR. It sharpens your expertise in theories and practices, preparing you to tackle complex issues and influence strategies. Choose this if you aspire to lead in HR and drive organisational change.
If you're after a rewarding career that allows room for advancement, HR is a great choice. With a well-defined career pathway, you can steadily rise from an assistant role to a lucrative executive position.
Human resources management is one of the highest-earning business specialisations. A masters degree in this field could elevate your career, opening up opportunities for more responsibility and higher salaries.
Ideal for the organised, problem-solving communicator, a career in HR involves smoothing out workplace challenges and positively influencing company culture. It's the backbone of every mid-to-large scale organisation, offering you job security and opportunities across industries and cities.
HR specialist positions
- Employee adviser
- Human resources officer
- Learning and development officer
- Pay/rewards officer
- Recruitment manager
- Trade union officer
- Training facilitator
- Workplace relations officer
Executive HR roles
- Change management consultant
- Employment relations manager
- Human resources director
- Industrial relations manager
- People and culture manager
- Training and development manager
- Work, health and safety manager
- Workplace relations manager
What Graduates Have to Say
Kelly Hallatt, Head of HR and Consulting Services at Harrisons, highlights how her Master of Human Resource Management shaped her career. “A lot of HR professionals lack knowledge around finance and accounting,” she says. “This degree teaches you about the bottom line as well as the people side of things.” She reflects, “One of the things my manager explained was how relevant the course is to what we do daily in HR. That inspired me to take the leap.”
Nessá Wright, COO at Merri Health, reflects on how her Master of Employment Relations helped her career. "Leaders in the past told me about the importance of having the theory behind the practice, and that was really the driver." Flexibility was key to her decision to study online. "I couldn’t afford to take time off work or study on campus full-time." She particularly valued the negotiation and dispute resolution course. "It was so practical, and I use it every single day."