Master of Business Administration with a Specialization in Human Resources Online

Rise as an essential executive leader by earning the online MBA with a Specialization in Human Resources. As the field of human resources has become more complex and sophisticated, professionals with this unique knowledge and specialized skillset have become more valuable to corporations in every industry.

Apply by 2/15/25
Start class 3/10/25 Apply Now
Apply Now

Program Overview

Preview the key benefits of our online MBA in Human Resources

Empower yourself with the strategic thinking and practical skills to create and maintain a positive corporate culture. Learn how to advance organizational initiatives with the online MBA with a Specialization in Human Resources program from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Long gone are the days when employees would spend their entire careers working for just a few companies in exchange for a guaranteed pension upon retirement. As employees have become increasingly mobile and diversely motivated, employers recognize that recruiting, training and retaining a qualified workforce are of paramount importance. In this rigorous, AACSB-accredited Master of Business Administration in Human Resources program, you will learn how to balance the needs and desires of employees and employers and foster collaboration toward achievement of corporate goals.

In addition to developing critical thinking, negotiation, mediation and conflict resolution competencies, you will study issues relevant to today’s workplace, from sexual harassment and racial discrimination to wellness programs and social purpose engagement. Explore organizational behavior as well as ethics and leadership while gaining key insights into compensation, benefits, employment law, talent development and more.

You will also deepen your knowledge in core business management areas, including business law, accounting, information analysis, business analysis, operations management, economics, marketing, strategic management and more.

The Cameron School of Business features full-time professors with terminal degrees and practical management experience in the private sector. Learn from the same distinguished faculty members who teach in the on-campus program.

This AACSB-accredited business master's program requires far less financial investment than comparable MBA programs at other business schools in North Carolina while providing diverse options for customizing your degree to align with your career goals and interests. Benefit from fast 7-week courses, with no prerequisites or foundation courses required.

In this online MBA in Human Resources program, you will:

  • Learn how to analyze existing scales pertaining to workplace performance, training, engagement, employee satisfaction, and turnover intentions
  • Develop your understanding of the concepts and processes that are critical to short-term and long-term organizational decision-making
  • Gain the skills to strategically manage staffing and the selection of human capital worldwide as well as learn to navigate the legal compliance within the U.S. employment context
  • Become fluent in compensation and benefits concepts that contribute to achieving organizational goals
  • Develop your core management skills with a specific look at problem-solving, conflict resolution, communication, team building and leadership
In this online MBA in Human Resources program, you will:
  • Learn how to analyze existing scales pertaining to workplace performance, training, engagement, employee satisfaction, and turnover intentions
  • Develop your understanding of the concepts and processes that are critical to short-term and long-term organizational decision-making
  • Gain the skills to strategically manage staffing and the selection of human capital worldwide as well as learn to navigate the legal compliance within the U.S. employment context
  • Become fluent in compensation and benefits concepts that contribute to achieving organizational goals
  • Develop your core management skills with a specific look at problem-solving, conflict resolution, communication, team building and leadership

Career roles for graduates of this HR MBA program include:

  • Human Resources Manager
  • HR Generalist
  • Recruitment Manager
  • Employee Relations Consultant
Career roles for graduates of this HR MBA program include:
  • Human Resources Manager
  • HR Generalist
  • Recruitment Manager
  • Employee Relations Consultant

Also available:

UNCW offers MBA programs in a variety of in-demand specializations as well as an Executive MBA and an M.S. program. View our business programs.

Total Tuition $19,287*
Duration As few as 12 months*
Credit Hours 36

Accreditation:

AACSB Accredited

UNCW's Cameron School of Business is accredited by AACSB International (AACSB).

Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 855-306-4734

Call 855-306-4734

Tuition

Examine our budget-friendly tuition

Designed to be affordable and convenient, our tuition is an outstanding value and far less of a financial investment than many other North Carolina universities. We also offer pay-by-the-course tuition for our online programs. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.

Tuition and fees are subject to change each academic year pending legislative approval. View more information on your cost of attendance.

View additional tuition information+

Program Total Tuition & Fees*
MBA – Human Resources (in-state residents) $19,287
MBA – Human Resources (out-of-state residents) $51,459

*N.C. resident tuition and fees. Part-time tuition rate. Full-time tuition rate may be lower. Consult with your advisor. Total tuition and fees may vary by student and are subject to change. Learn more.

**Students taking a full-time course load throughout the program can complete it in as few as 12 months. Consult with your advisor.

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $19,287*

Calendar

Use these dates to plan your schedule

The online MBA in Human Resources program is delivered in a format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring rolling admission and six start dates each year. Choose the start date that best suits your goals.

View full calendar  + 

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Spring 11/13/2512/14/2412/14/241/15/251/16/253/2/25
Spring 23/10/252/15/252/15/253/12/253/13/254/27/25
Summer 15/12/254/19/254/19/255/14/255/15/256/29/25
Summer 26/30/256/7/256/7/257/2/257/7/258/17/25
Fall 18/25/258/2/258/2/258/27/258/28/2510/12/25
Fall 210/20/259/27/259/27/2510/22/2510/23/2512/7/25

Students must register for courses by 5 p.m. (EST) on the registration deadline date.
Students must remit tuition payment by 10 a.m. (EST) on the tuition deadline date.

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 2/15/25
Class Starts 3/10/25

Admissions

Applying to this MBA in Human Resources online program is simple

To apply for the MBA with a Specialization in Human Resources online, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States or its equivalent at a foreign institution by the first official day of classes for the semester of application. Because UNCW considers applications on a rolling basis, you are urged to apply promptly for your preferred start date.

Admission Requirements:

  • GMAT waived through 2025
  • Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
  • Resume and cover letter
View all admission requirements +

MBA Online Admission Requirements:

Candidates are required to submit the following to the Graduate School:

  • An application for graduate admission.
  • Official transcripts of all college work (graduate and undergraduate). Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended should be mailed directly from the institution(s) to UNCW at the address below. Electronic password protected transcripts are preferred and may be sent directly from the institution to [email protected].
    • UNCW Graduate School
      Attn: Kimberly Goerne Harris
      601 S. College Road
      Wilmington, NC 28403-5955
  • Two online recommendations including one from an employer or supervisor who can comment on the applicant’s work experience and potential for successful completion of a master’s program. Letters of recommendation may be waived if an applicant meets one or more of the following criteria:
    • Five or more years of progressive managerial or military work experience
    • A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher
    • Completion of an advanced degree (graduate level or above) involving some quantitative coursework
  • Resume and cover letter (statement of interest) indicating how your background has prepared you for the MBA program.
    • A minimum of two years full time, post-baccalaureate professional work experience required for MBA programs.
    • A minimum of 5 years full time, post-baccalaureate professional work experience is required for the MBA Executive Concentration.
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in undergraduate work. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 must demonstrate professional experience/advancement that shows progression since graduation and indicates how they will contribute to the program.
  • A GMAT score above 500, or an equivalent GRE. However, the GRE/GMAT is currently waived through the 2025 cycle for all programs.
  • A minimum score of 79 on the internet based TOEFL iBT test or 6.5 on IELTS test is required for all non-native English speakers only, unless applicant earned their baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited US institution. Scores are good for two years from the date the test is administered.
  • Application and all required supplemental documents must be submitted by the published deadline.

Have a question? Call us at 855-306-4734.

Courses

Check out the courses in the online MBA in Human Resources program

The MBA with a Specialization in Human Resources online curriculum is comprised of 12 courses (36 credit hours), including 30 credit hours of MBA core courses and six credit hours of electives.

Expand All
As a student in the MBA with a Specialization in Human Resources program, you must take the following core courses.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examination of the constitutional, legislative, judicial, regulatory, and public policy forces exerted on the business environment. Particular focus on contracts, torts, and property law.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An intensive course in principles and theory of financial and managerial accounting, with an emphasis on financial analysis and managerial decision making.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to introduce major information technology (IT) concepts and important issues that business managers face when using, developing and managing information systems (IS). Strategic and tactical issues of information systems and technology are addressed as they support and lead the operations of the organization.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to data driven decision making using descriptive, predictive and prescriptive Business Analytics approaches. Topics included are data visualization, predictive techniques, data mining, simulation, optimization models, and decision analysis.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Survey of the basic concepts, theories, and techniques for the management of operating systems. Development of concepts and decision processes critical to short-run and long range organizational decision making. Topics include product and process design, operations planning, project management, inventory management, capacity planning, quality and scheduling.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course covers principles of micro and macroeconomics. The initial focus is on an analysis of decision making processes and economic equilibrium for consumers and individual firms. Also covered is basic data and measurements used in describing the macro economy.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A broad survey of finance concerned with the money-management decisions of the individual and the firm. Study includes the tools and terms that the corporate and individual financial manager employs as he or she conducts his or her financial affairs. Value-creation for the firm, the use of financial statements, the importance of cash flows, the measurement of risk, investment decision-making, the use of the securities and derivatives markets, asset-pricing models, estimating value of income-producing assets and international financial issues will be reviewed. These topics and the foundation we build in this course will be supplemented with regular reference to contemporary issues in finance.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to the principles of marketing and basic marketing methods and tools needed to make effective marketing decisions. Lectures and projects regarding new product development, customer relationship management, and other key marketing concepts will expose students to marketing principles and require them to formulate marketing tactics and strategies.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Course focus will be on the challenges confronting firms competing domestically and internationally with an emphasis placed on the integration of strategies with the structures and systems needed for successful implementation.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course surveys management theories, research, and concepts about the structure and processes of complex business organizations. Emphasis on the development and assessment of core management skills. Topics include self-awareness, problem solving, conflict resolution, communication, motivation, team building, human resource management, and leadership.
You must choose two of the following courses to complete your degree requirements.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an intermediate human resource analytics class intended to prepare students to create and properly analyze existing scales pertaining to workplace performance, training, engagement, employee satisfaction, turnover intentions and other outcomes from the field of human resource management. The main focus of the class will be on data-driven decision making including the appropriate level of analyses and interpretation of employee data. Special focus will be on the common pitfalls and mistakes regarding the interpretation and application of research findings.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Human resource management is one of the world’s fastest growing fields and presents an unprecedented opportunity for global advancement. This course prepares you to strategically manage the staffing and selection of human capital worldwide as well as to navigate the legal compliance within the US employment context. MBA 555 is a comprehensive study of all aspects of staffing and selection. Particular attention will be focused on HR’s role in legal compliance, planning, job analysis, internal and external recruitment, internal and external selection, measurement, and decision-making. Upon completion of this course, you will be able to navigate the strategic planning, recruitment, and staffing processes globally as well as comply with US employment law.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course prepares students to effectively design and execute compensation strategies to influence organizational success. Students will learn compensation and benefits concepts that contribute to achieving organizational goals. This course incorporates theories and principles that can be used to shape and mold organizations for a competitive advantage. Total rewards is a comprehensive examination of all aspects of employee rewards systems including internal alignment, job based structures, person based structures, external competitiveness, pay for performance plans, benefits, and executive pay. Upon completion students will be able to create a total rewards package that attracts top talent.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Students will examine strategies for managing human resources internationally: structural, cultural, and corporate management methods. Practical examples of global HRM will be explored through organizational case studies. Students will be encouraged to critically evaluate HRM models and assumptions and to question, for example, whether practice matches prescription. The interests in HRM of a range of stakeholders will be discussed: investors, managers, employees, host countries, trade/labor unions, and governments.

**Students taking a full-time course load throughout the program can complete it in as few as 12 months. Consult with your advisor.

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