Human resources, often referenced by its familiar acronym – HR, is a business-related specialty at the heart of most organizations and companies. Human resources professionals are tasked with the responsibility of managing the human resource potential of a business’s personnel. Many human resource professionals begin their careers by earning an online associate in human resources offered by the many available programs throughout the country.
Human resource managers and other professionals manage the human resource process, which includes –
- creating positive relationships,
- hiring the right people for the right job
- increasing employee morale
- negotiating relationship between management and employees, among others.
Earning an online associate in human resources degree allows students to complete coursework in the areas of management, accounting, business operations, and law, to name a few.
One of the primary benefits of earning an online associate in human resources is that the degree requires the completion of general education plus human resource classes but can be finished in two years or less, depending on the program. Note, however, that while earning an online associate in human resources is a great way to enter into the professional most quickly, most of the better paying human resource jobs require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in human resources.
The online associate in human resources programs offer students a low-cost educational option because they provide flexibility and convenience to those students who work or are full-time parents or caregivers. Online classes are available to even the remotest of students, providing educational opportunities to those who were once without any options.
Most associate in human resources programs are offered with an Associate of Arts (AA) degree, with an emphasis that includes liberal arts and critical thinking. Note: however, that some schools offer an Associate of Science (AS) or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, which generally replaces a language or social studies requirements with that of classes more directly related to human resource management.
Best 10 Online Associate in Human Resources Programs
1. South Texas College (STC)
South Texas College (STC) offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program in Human Resource Specialist that can be completed entirely through STC’s distance learning platform. Classes for South Texas College’s online associate in human resources degree program include human resource law, employee relations, benefits & compensation, plus a human resource management practicum, to name a few.
- Total Program/Tuition Fees – $ 4,620 (In-district Resident); $ 5,220 (Texas Resident)
- Credit Units Required – 60 credit units.
- Accreditation – SACSCOC
2. Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC)
Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program in Human Resource Management (HMN) that is accredited by ACBSP and available entirely online. Degree candidates enrolled in LCCC’s online associate in human resources degree program complete classes in business law, labor relations, payroll administration, and human resources law, to name a few.
- Total Program/Tuition Fees – $ 6,720 (LCCC Sponsoring District); 13,440 (Pennsylvania State Resident)
- Credit Units Required – 61 credit units.
- Accreditation – MSCHE & ACBSP
3. Montana State University – (MSU Billings)
Montana State University – (MSU Billings) offers two online associate in human resources programs with it Associate of Science (AS) degree program in Human Resources provided by MSU’s City College and its Articulated Emphasis AS degree offered through the College of Business. Both associate degree programs include classes in financial accounting, employment law and practices, and employment & compensation strategies, to name a few.
- Total Program/Tuition Fees – $ $7,660 for either fully-online program (Montana Resident)
- Credit Units Required – 60 credit units for either online associate in human resources degree program.
- Accreditation – NWCCU
4. Lakeshore Technical College (LTC)
Lakeshore Technical College offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program in Human Resource Administration that permits students to transfer credits earned to more than 30 higher learning institutions. Classes for those enrolled in LTC’s online associate in human resources degree program include economics, labor relations/negotiations, organizational training, and human resource employment law, to name a few.
- Total Program/Tuition Fees – $ 8,190 (Wisconsin Resident)
- Credit Units Required – 60 credit units.
- Accreditation – HLC
5. Herkimer County Community College (SUNY Herkimer)
Herkimer County Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program in Human Resource Management that is available entirely online. Students enrolled in SUNY Herkimer’s online associate in human resources degree program receive the same diploma as the traditional on-campus students. Classes for this associate degree are offered asynchronously, offering convenience to working learners and full-time parents.
- Total Program/Tuition Fees – $ 10,032 (New York Resident)
- Credit Units Required – 63 credit units.
- Accreditation – MSCHE
6. Zane State College (ZSC)
Zane State College offers an Associate of Business (AAB) degree program in Human Resources Management that can be completed in about two years. Students enrolled in Zane State College’s online associate in human resources degree program may apply their earned credits to all universities and colleges within Ohio – towards a bachelor’s degree in human resources.
- Total Program/Tuition Fees – $ 11,098 (Ohio Resident)
- Credit Units Required – 62 credit units.
- Accreditation – HLC, ACBSP
7. James Rhodes State College (JRSC)
James Rhodes State College offers an Associate of Applied Business Degree with an academic emphasis in human resources that is available entirely online through the college’s distance learning platform. This online associate in human resources degree program is structured over four semesters and includes classes in quantitative reasoning, business law, organizational behavior, and labor relations, plus a human resource practicum, to name a few.
- Total Program/Tuition Fees – $ 11,171.78 (Ohio Resident)
- Credit Units Required – 62 credit units.
- Accreditation – HLC
8. Minnesota State Community & Technical College (M State – CTC)
Minnesota State Community and Technical College (MSCTC) offers two of the state’s only online associate in human resources degree programs with its AAS degree in human resources for those who wish to enter the workforce and the AS degree in human resources for those who wish to transfer and complete their four-year baccalaureate degree.
- Total Program/Tuition Fees – $ 11,937 for online program; $ 10,227 for on-campus program
- Credit Units Required – 60 credit units for AAS and for AS degree programs.
- Accreditation – HLC
9. Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC)
Western Iowa Tech Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program in Human Resources Management that is available 100% through WITCC’s distance learning platform. Classes for WITCC’s online associate in human resources degree program includes employment law, managing diversity, business law, and employee development, to name a few.
- Total Program/Tuition Fees – $ 12,480 for online degree
- Credit Units Required – 64 credit units.
- Accreditation – HLC
10. Penn State World Campus
Develop a practical skill set that is applicable to virtually any industry. Penn State World Campus’ Associate in Science in Labor and Human Resources degree can build your knowledge of human resources, economics, law, sociology, and employment relations to help you excel in your current role or transition to a new career.
Earn a degree that can help you qualify for a career in labor, employment relations, and human resources in business, government, or labor organizations. With this online program, you can acquire the skills and knowledge to succeed in roles such as an assistant in labor relations, human resources, or payroll services. An A.S. degree in LHR can give you the ability to work in a broad range of positions, including:
- Tuition: $590/$632 per credit
- Credit Units Required – 60 credit units.
- Accreditation – MSCHE
Our Ranking Methodology
The colleges and schools listed above represent a cross-section of the available online associate in human resources degree programs offered by both public and private institutions of higher education. In developing this list of online associate in human resources degree programs, several factors were considered.
The schools/colleges are ranked based on the costs required to complete the online associate in human resources degree program, with the most cost-effective degree programs listed first. The total tuition costs for these associate degree programs represent the fees charged by these schools for the 2020 to 2021 school year or 2019 to 2020, unless otherwise specifically noted.
Additionally, the number of credit units required to meet each associate degree program’s requirements is provided as it helps potential students understand the depth and breadth of the curriculum required. Finally, the school or program’s accreditation has been noted to help potential program applicants have a full understanding as to which, if any, accrediting agencies have evaluated and accredited the school and programs.
The tuition, semester credits, and accreditation data were collected from the United States’ Federal Government’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) website or the school’s website and online course catalog.
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