Online MBA in Human Resources Management

HR Management MBA program overview

The MBA with HR Management focus at Wayne State College is convenient, affordable, and fully accredited and is designed to take you to the next level in business knowledge and your career in human resources. Based on a solid core of graduate-level business topics, the HR management focus also provides more instruction on the management of HR, including how to develop employee training and improve performance; recruitment, selection, and retention strategies; a detailed look at compensation structures; and a study of the workplace relationship between employer and employee.

Student learning outcomes for the MBA program:

Utilize core concepts to make informed business decisions. The core areas include marketing, management, finance, accounting, and strategic integration.
Apply business-related methods and tools to formulate management decision alternatives.
Construct and present effective business communications to reach diverse audiences.
Create a cohesive team environment by building on contributions of members to accomplish a team goal.

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MBA in Human Resource Management program of study

Students must complete the MBA core and Human Resource Management focus area courses. Additionally, students must have satisfactory knowledge covering business topics in the Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). For more information about fulfilling CBKs, please review the MBA program admission requirements.

A total of 36 credit hours are needed to graduate with this degree. Up to 9 credit hours may be transferred in from another regionally accredited graduate institution (subject to evaluation by the dean of the School of Business and Technology). Only transfer credit with a B grade or better is accepted. A B- is not acceptable.

MBA core courses (24 credits)

Credits: 3
Description: A study of financial decision making in the firm; development of a decision-making framework for determining the most efficient allocation of resources within the firm; emphasis placed on the analysis of capital investment projects, long-term sources of funds, and short-term financing problems.
Prerequisite: CBK Accounting, CBK Business Finance
Credits: 3
Description: Application of principles of communication to the managerial setting. The course investigates the influence of organizational climate, manager’s style, and use of motivation on the communication process. Communication strategies appropriate to business reports, speeches, interviews, and conferences are explored along with emphasis on managerial problems with employee communication and conflict management. The course includes a focus on methods of analyzing and resolving communication problems.
Credits: 3
Description: Underlying structure of quantitative business decisions and their solution. The course emphasizes problem recognition, formulation, and analysis, using software to perform necessary calculations. Topics may include linear programming, goal programming, simulation, queuing, and other MS/OR techniques.
Prerequisite: CBK Statistics
Credits: 3
Description: Application of microeconomic theories in private and public managerial decision-making including an analysis of market structure and its effect on price and output determination. The course incorporates a global perspective and estimation of econometric models for business, government, and non-profit organizations.
Prerequisite: CBK Economics
Credits: 3
Description: An examination of management uses of accounting data with particular reference to decision-oriented cost classification, methods of cost estimation, data appropriate for decision models, standards and controls, and special problems.
Prerequisite: CBK Accounting
Credits: 3
Description: A study of concepts useful in understanding marketing systems and buyer behavior and developing skills in making marketing decisions. Topics include marketing strategy, decision models, market segmentation, promotional strategy, and product management.
Credits: 3
Description: Examination and analysis of the organization as a social system and the impact of its various components on work attitudes and behavior; topics include the development of organizational structures, organizational effectiveness, decision-making and policy formulation, leadership, and change.
Credits: 3
Description: Analysis of policy formulation and implementation from a company-wide standpoint; emphasis on integration of knowledge and approaches across functional areas; both endogenous and exogenous factors that affect company policies; and the role of the firm in society.
Prerequisites: All CBK courses and/or foundation courses and satisfactory completion of 24 credit hours in the MBA program or approval of MBA director.

Human Resource Management focus area courses (12 credits)

Credit hours: 3
Description: This course focuses on developing and implementing programs and processes directed toward organizational performance improvement, learning, and change; employee training and development; and addressing the unique needs of a diverse workforce. Students will utilize tools for assessment, analysis and evaluation for the purpose of identifying and establishing priorities and measuring the results of human resource development activities.
Credits: 3
Description: This course focuses on the development and implementation of recruitment, selection, on boarding, succession planning, retention, and organizational exit programs necessary to achieve organizational objectives. Students will apply techniques such as Markov analysis to assess labor (internal and external) supply and demand; and metrics to evaluate recruitment sources and retention strategies, such as return on investment, cost per hire, and time to fill. Further, students will incorporate technology through the application of Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS).
Credits: 3
Description: This course focuses on the design and management of total compensation programs. The course will examine the internal consistency and external competitiveness of wage structures and how organizations assign pay rates to various jobs. Students will apply procedures to conduct job evaluation, and tie pay plans to employee performance and skill development. Further, they will assess and recommend benefits plans, such as healthcare insurance, pensions, and legally mandated benefits; and other incentives, such as tuition reimbursement, flexible schedules.
Credits: 3
Description: This course focuses on the workplace relationship between employer and employee. Students will explore activities that maintain relationships and working conditions that balance employer and employee needs and rights. Further, students will identify plans and policies which provide a safe and secure working environment and protect the organization from liability.

Graduate spotlight: Katie Diediker, MBA '21

Katie Diediker, the human resources director at State Nebraska Bank and Trust in Wayne, entered the online MBA program with an undergraduate degree in communication. Though she did not have a background in business, she says the faculty were excellent in helping her learn new topics in order to complete the program successfully.

Graduate spotlight: Katie Diediker, MBA '21

Meet the professors

Business and Economics Department faculty

Advance your career with an MBA in Human Resources Management.

HR Management MBA program overview

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Next terms start: June 2, 2025 (5- and 10-week summer sessions available)

MBA in Human Resource Management program of study

MBA core courses (24 credits)

Human Resource Management focus area courses (12 credits)

Human Resources Graduate Certificate

Accredited by the IACBE

Graduate spotlight: Katie Diediker, MBA '21

Graduate spotlight: Katie Diediker, MBA '21

An MBA in Human Resources Management that's recognized for excellence and affordability

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Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees

Top Business College of Distinction

A Military Friendly® School

Business and Economics Department faculty

Henry Akaeze, Ph.D.

Mwata Chisha, Ph.D.

Laura Dendinger, J.D.

Joseph Faello, Ph.D.

Trisha Kolterman, Ph.D.

Brian Kufner, Ph.D.

Michelle Laughlin, Ed.D.

Kelly Legler, MBA

Pat Lutt, Ph.D.

Lindsay McLaughlin, Ed.D.

Jeryl Nelson, Ph.D.

Charles Parker, Ph.D.

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