Learn how flexible online learning can help HR professionals advance their careers without putting work or family on hold.
Advancing your education with an MBA in Human Resources could be a practical move — especially if you feel like you've reached your full potential with an undergraduate degree alone. At the same time, the thought of returning to school while working full-time can seem daunting.
Enter flexible online MBA programs at Wayne State College, including our online MBA in HR Management for working professionals. This program is designed with the unique needs and scheduling constraints of HR professionals in mind, offering the flexibility you need as you level up your education.
Why Flexible Learning Matters for Working HR Professionals
It's no secret that working professionals in HR already have a lot on their plates. Not only are many human resources professionals working full-time, but they may also have other responsibilities to attend to — including family obligations.
For these busy adults, a flexible learning format isn't just a convenience — it's a non-negotiable. With a flexible online degree program, even those with busy schedules can complete coursework on their own time, free from the typical constraints of an on-campus program.
What an Online HR MBA Actually Looks Like Week to Week
While the exact format of an online HR MBA program will vary from one school to the next, many follow a similar overall cadence and assignment flow.
Weekly Cadence and Assignment Flow
At Wayne State College, our online MBA in HR program consists of 36 total credits, with 24 of those being core MBA courses and the remaining 12 covering human resources management courses. In general, students enrolled in this program can expect to spend around 10 to 20 hours per week completing assigned readings, group work, online discussions, and quizzes/exams.
Live Sessions, Recorded Content, and Discussion Boards
Depending on whether your chosen program is synchronous (live) or asynchronous (on your own time), you might also have occasional live learning sessions to attend via Zoom or another platform. For asynchronous portions, you can expect to learn primarily through recorded content — although discussion boards offer an opportunity to interact and engage in meaningful dialogue with classmates and faculty.
Time Management for Adults: Balancing Work, Family, and School
For busy professionals embarking on a virtual HR MBA program, developing strong online learning time management skills is a must. This is especially true for those juggling school, work, family, and other obligations.
Building a Realistic Weekly Schedule
One of the most important aspects of managing your time while in an online degree program is building (and sticking to) a weekly schedule that is both realistic and sustainable. For many, this means blocking study/school hours into a daily schedule using a planner. Whether your time is focused on weekend hours or spread evenly throughout the week, be sure that your study time is realistic and aligns with the expectations of your program.
Protecting Study Time During Busy Work Periods
As an HR professional, you already know that your work can get busy. At the same time, it's important to stay consistent with your study hours. During especially busy times at work, this may mean implementing non-negotiable study hours in your calendar, eliminating distractions, or finding small fragments of time for micro-study sessions whenever possible.
How Group Projects Work in an Online HR MBA
One common question prospective HR MBA students have about online degree programs is, "How do group projects work?" Group projects are an important aspect of learning, but completing group work in an online setting can pose some unique challenges.
Team Communication and Collaboration Tools
Even with access to the right tools, students in an online HR MBA program are encouraged to set clear roles, expectations, and responsibilities for group work upfront. When everybody understands their part in a group project, there may be less potential for errors.
Faculty Access and Academic Support in an Online Format
Regardless of whether you’re studying on a physical campus or online, you should have access to the academic support, faculty guidance, and resources you need to succeed in a graduate-level program.
Office Hours, Feedback, and Instructor Communication
A reputable online MBA program should offer dedicated resources for busy students, including virtual office hours with instructors at convenient times throughout the week. Likewise, regular communication with instructors in the form of feedback and class discussions may help students get the most out of their learning experience.
Advising, Writing Support, and Student Resources
In addition to guidance and feedback directly from instructors, students in an online HR MBA program may benefit from more specialized resources in the form of academic advising, writing support, and similar online services. At Wayne State College, we're proud to offer a variety of free academic support services to both our on-campus students and online community.
How Online Learning Builds HR Leadership Skills
In many ways, the online learning experience can help HR professionals build valuable leadership skills that may readily translate to their current and/or future work in the field.
Applying Coursework to Real Workplace Challenges
Many students in an online HR MBA program at Wayne State College find that they can immediately apply the concepts and frameworks that they learn in their online coursework directly to their current roles. Not only does this help solve real-world challenges, but it may also help open the door to career advancement.
Strengthening Communication, Strategy, and Decision-Making
Students in an online degree program build their communication, critical-thinking, and strategic decision-making skills through the very nature of online coursework. Learning how to effectively communicate and collaborate with group members in virtual settings, for example, may help HR professionals enhance their written and verbal communication proficiency in the workplace.
Common Misconceptions About Online Learning for HR Professionals
Before you decide whether an online degree program may be right for you, here are a few common myths and misunderstandings to be aware of:
- Myth 1: Online courses are easier than in-person classes. In reality, online courses typically have the same rigor as on-campus courses — with the added challenge that students need to actively integrate learning into their own busy schedules.
- Myth 2: Online classes lack interaction with instructors and classmates. Both asynchronous and synchronous classes provide plenty of opportunities for interaction — whether through live class meetings on Zoom or ongoing discussion threads.
- Myth 3: Employers won't respect an online HR MBA. Today, online degrees are largely regarded at the same level as "traditional" degrees, provided they come from an accredited and reputable school.
- Myth 4: An MBA in HR won't pay off. The return on investment (ROI) of this type of degree can be large. The average HR manager salary in the United States is more than $140,000 per year; while a bachelor’s degree is the typical minimum requirement, many advanced and higher-paying positions require a master’s degree.
What to Look for in an Online HR MBA Program
If you're interested in advancing your education with an online HR MBA program, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Flexibility, Structure, and Course Design
Start by deciding on the type of learning format that will best suit your needs, comparing the pros and cons of asynchronous vs. synchronous classes. Some programs offer a combination of these options, which could be the best of both worlds for students who value live interaction but still need flexibility.
Career Relevance, Networking, and Support Services
Don't overlook any available networking opportunities or support services. Building a stronger professional network while in school could help you leverage your connections into new opportunities, whereas academic resources (like online tutoring and academic advising) could help you stay on track with your goals.
How to Succeed in an Online HR MBA While Working Full Time
At the end of the day, choosing a program that aligns with your unique learning needs and career goals is the best way to set yourself up for success. The right program, combined with a strong sense of self-discipline and time management skills, can help you get the most out of your education and prepare for rewarding HR careers.
Additionally, be sure to check with your employer to determine whether you may be eligible for employer tuition reimbursement, which can offset the cost of advancing your education.
Explore What Wayne State College Has to Offer
At Wayne State College School of Business and Technology, our academic programs are designed to prepare students for rewarding careers in business, industry, and education. More specifically, our online MBA for working professionals offers the flexibility and accessibility that students need to balance the demands of school with other responsibilities. Meanwhile, career-focused coursework prepares graduates to tackle workplace challenges and opportunities with confidence.
Get in touch to request more information about our online Human Resources MBA at Wayne State College. You can also learn more about what to expect from our admissions process or get started with your application for admission here.
FAQs: Online HR MBA for Working Professionals
Still have questions about Wayne State College's MBA in HR Management program? We've got answers.
How many hours a week does an online HR MBA usually take?
This can vary based on class format, course load, and how quickly you move through assignments. However, most professionals can expect to spend between 10 and 20 hours per week on coursework in an HR MBA program.
Are online HR MBA programs really flexible for parents and full-time employees?
Yes, online HR MBA programs, including the one offered at Wayne State College, are designed with busy schedules in mind. Whether you have a full-time job, family obligations, or a combination of both, the program’s online format offers unrivaled flexibility — especially when it comes to completing work on your own schedule without the hassle of strict class meeting times.
How do group projects work in an online program?
This can vary from one program to the next. However, many online HR MBA programs rely on tools and technologies that include shared documents, messaging platforms, and scheduled check-ins to divide work fairly among students. Even with these tools facilitating group projects, students still need to maintain clear communication and set clear roles/responsibilities for each group member to increase their chances of success.
Will I be able to interact with faculty in an online HR MBA?
Any reputable program, such as Wayne State College's HR Management degree online, should include opportunities to interact with faculty as needed. If you have a question or need help understanding an assignment, for example, you may be able to meet virtually with instructors via office hours or email. Meanwhile, ongoing discussion board interaction and detailed assignment feedback provide valuable guidance and can improve the student experience.
What skills can working professionals build through an online HR MBA?
Students in an HR MBA online program can expect to develop foundational skills in leadership, HR strategy, organizational decision-making, communication, and analytics. During their time in school, many working professionals also find that they're able to apply what they learn through their coursework directly to real-world workplace challenges.
How can I avoid falling behind in an online program?
One of the inherent challenges of a flexible online program is keeping yourself motivated and on track. If you begin to fall behind, it's important to communicate with your instructors and groupmates sooner rather than later. From there, many students find success with setting a strict weekly study routine and keeping track of all assignment deadlines/due dates in a weekly planner.
Sources
- https://www.wsc.edu/hr-management-mba-online
- https://www.wsc.edu/business-technology-school
- https://www.wsc.edu/mba/mba-program-admission
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm#tab-1
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11967054/
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm#tab-3
- https://www.wsc.edu/academic-services