by 350.org

Question by hangten040: What’s more marketable: an HR certification or a Master’s Degree in HR?
I am unsure whether I should pursue a certification or Master’s Degree in Human Resources. I have 4 years experience in Manpower but no direct experience with HR? What is the starting salary for someone with a Master’s degree but minimal experience?

Best answer:

Answer by dalenjen
I would go for the certification. Less costly and time consuming and you will meet more contacts likely to give you an opportunity w/minimal experience. Employers tend to not consider experience in staffing industry as “right HR”…go for the networking prospect!

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by TalentEgg

Question by Smgrey: Should I pursue an MA in School Analysis or MS in Human Resources?
I have been in HR for three years now. I have my BS in HRD. I am not sure I want to continue my education and career in Human Resources. I have always pictured myself in an academic setting, but I’m not sure teaching is for me. I feel I would delight in a School Analysis role and it would blend many of the attributes of my job that I DO like while also providing some flexibility in hours and a better background.

Best answer:

Answer by jannsody
They say to go with one’s passion. ‘If you like what you do, you’ll never have to work a day in your life’ If not interested in HR, perhaps consider moving towards the field that would bring fulfillment. The main glitch with school analysis is whether there is a job market with so many guidance counselors staying in their jobs until retirement I’m not certain if one still needs a teaching degree as well as the counselor training though here are a couple of sites for more info:

http://www.bls.gov/oco and can search ‘counselors’ or such.

http://www.schoolcounselor.org

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by Ken Lund

Question by A E: What kinds of jobs are available in Human Resources?
What kinds of jobs are available for those with a Masters in Human Resources? Also what kind of wage can be associated with the positions? Is there a better region of the country to look in for a well paying Human Resources position?

Best answer:

Answer by Mandy11
Depends on how much HR experience you have? If you’ve been working in HR as a coordinator or supporter and now have your Masters, then you can try to find a job as a junior generalist or recruiter, or something along those lines.

Large companies typically always have a HR department in their corporate offices, so I’ve found the higher-paying HR salaries are typically in large cities. And the actual pay really varies, depending on the title. A excellent website to check out is the Occupational Outlook. They have median salary ranges for all levels of HR.

Another factor is what your HR degree focused on – was it benefits administration, recruiting, or something else? If you took accounting classes as well, you are pretty set for a benefits/payroll administrator position.

I would say it depends more on just your degree – a lot of companies want to see your work experience too (which I’m sure you’ve noticed). The combination of excellent HR work experience + degree in HR is what will equal a excellent, high salaried job.

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Question by Press M: Is H.R. CERTIFICATION as excellent as a Bachelors degree?
I have been an Office Manager and executive administration professional for 14 years.

I have chose to pursue Human Resources in my career and am trying to choose which schooling to take. I need to take online schooling only.

I can either get CERTIFICATION in Human Resources or get a BACHELORS DEGREE with a focus on Human Resources.

Which is better??

Is there any downside to getting Certification in this day and age? When you question people about this their opinions are all over the place. Thanks much.

Best answer:

Answer by Jerry
A certification won’t hurt, but a Bachelors or higher is so much better. The BA/BS won’t necessarily make your smarter but it will certainly make you more well rounded and employers like that.

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by brewbooks

Question by Karen M: How many years is a Masters degree in Human Resources?
Human resources is not offered at my university, and I plot to work right after my undergraduate studies, but if a Masters does not require up to four years, then I can a relative program in undergraduate, and then obtain my Masters in HR

Best answer:

Answer by Doc “N”
I did mine at night and worked a full time job. Took me two years.

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by brewbooks

Question by Steven H: HR managers. Would you hire an individual with an University I phoenix online masters in human resources?

Best answer:

Answer by RoaringMice
To be entirely honest with you, no, I would not. I’d strongly, strongly, strongly prefer a person who did their masters degree in person from a sound university – a state university is fine. An online masters degree of any type would be… well, I might consider it, but only if the school is sound, and the candidate was otherwise 100% solid.

U of P would not be acceptable to my company, not for a masters degree.

If you can’t go to school in person due to your life circumstances, see if there isn’t an online masters degree in HR, or an MBA with an HR concentration, offered by one of these sound “offline” schools: UMass Amherst, U Maryland, Penn State, U Florida, Northeastern, Boston University, Drexel, U Nebraska, Iowa State, Ball State, Southern New Hampshire University, Ithaca College, Worcester Polytechnic. Also check the schools local to you to see if they offer online masters degrees in your field. A lot of them do now, but you usually have to check with them directly. Start with their website.

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Question by Lori S: Masters in Mangement and Leadership or Masters in Human Resources?
Im not sure if I should change my major. Does anyone have any advice or hints in these fields that could help me make a choice? My undergrad is in Social Work.

Best answer:

Answer by Dick B
Lori,

I will not give you a concrete answer. My thoughts are that a Masters degree will help you in the long run. I have been in H.R. for a long time and picked up my MBA in H.R. back in the 70′s when I was already working. Without the comparison of what classes are required for each program taking a guess on what is the right path would for me be foolish.

Maybe the better question is what type of jobs / projects interest me in H.R? How will my MS degree help me land a job in that discipline?
While grass always looks green on the other side of the fence….doing some research and networking with H.R. folks seems to me to be a excellent start in answering your question. Asking the question of the school if they have alum who have the degree and would network with you might also be a path to chase down.

Excellent luck,

Dick Bruggeman
hhe98@msn.com

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by 350.org

Question by youraddresshere: What are the advatages/disdvatages of getting a B.A. in Human Resources vs. a certificate in H.R.?
I am trying to figure out if I should get a B.A. in Human Resouces or just get a certification in H.R. Some relvant info: I already have a B.A. in Sociology. HR degree would be less than 2 years to complete, certification would be about 1 year. Also this is in California.

So what are the major differences between a degree and certification? Is one worth siginificantly more to the employer? Will one get me further in my carrer? Should I try to get a B.A. and certification? What other things should I be thinking about?

Best answer:

Answer by Knowbody
I can only answer you as an employer. I used to be VP and Area Director for North & South America for a global company, with over 1,000 employees in my region. I now own my own small consultation firm.

If 2 candidates are equal in how they present themselves during the interview, the candidate with a degree in HR will get the job over one with a certificate.

What do you reckon? Answer below!

Question by I despise you: What kind of salary does someone with a human resources degree start out making?

Best answer:

Answer by Soula3
It depends what kind of degree, and what you are looking for.

don’t expect to get a six figure salary off the bat, you need work experience and if you didn’t intern during summer vacations, you can expect to start at the bottom…
from what i’ve seen a Human Resources Coordinator makes between 42,000 -46,000 in larger metropolitan cities.

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by Ken Lund

Question by tony p: What kind of communtiy service will best support a human resources degree?
I want to gain more knowledge and experience working with people outside the office. What kind of community service would be most suitable to place my skills into use?

Best answer:

Answer by Jackie Smith
The best website to go to to find that sort of thing is www.Idealist.org/ and there you will find all kinds of opportunities. Try searching by putting in your criteria and that will lead you to what you were looking for. It’s an exceptional resource. Excellent luck!

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