MS vs. MBA: Comparing Human Resources Graduate Degrees

If you want to build your future in human resources, deciding which graduate degree best supports your goals can be challenging.

Two options often rise to the top: a Master of Science (MS) in Human Resources Management and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Human Resources Management. Both can help professionals develop advanced HR knowledge and prepare for greater responsibility. However, the programs approach that preparation in different ways.

Generally, an MS typically concentrates more deeply on the practice of human resources, and an MBA combines HR expertise with education across other major business functions. Understanding that distinction can help you decide which graduate degree better supports your goals.

What is an MS in Human Resources Management?

An MS in Human Resources Management is a specialized graduate degree centered on managing people and the workplace. These programs devote much of the curriculum to HR functions and the organizational issues HR professionals encounter.

Depending on the university, coursework may address recruitment, employee development, compensation, labor relations, organizational behavior, strategic HR planning and workplace ethics. Students learn how these areas influence both employees and organizational performance.

This concentrated approach can appeal to people who know they want HR to remain central to their careers. That could include current HR professionals seeking deeper expertise as well as professionals preparing to enter the HR field.

The University of Scranton's online MS in Human Resources Management, for example, requires 33 credits and follows curriculum standards established by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). The program's courses maintain a consistent focus on human resources, giving students the opportunity to explore the field in depth throughout their graduate education.

What is an MBA with a Human Resources Specialization?

An MBA with an HR specialization approaches graduate education from a broader business perspective.

Unlike an HR-focused MS, only a portion of an MBA-HR curriculum is devoted specifically to human resources topics. Students focus on developing knowledge across disciplines such as accounting, finance, economics, operations, analytics and management. Specialized HR courses complement that broader business foundation.

That combination of business knowledge and HR expertise can be valuable because HR professionals regularly work with leaders throughout an organization. A proposed benefits change may involve both employee needs and financial considerations. Hiring plans may depend on growth forecasts. Leadership development efforts may need to support larger organizational priorities.

At Scranton, the 39-credit online MBA in Human Resources Management includes nine courses that make up the general MBA curriculum, followed by four courses focused specifically on human resources. The MBA courses build knowledge across core areas of business, while the specialization allows students to focus on HR topics such as recruitment and staffing, workplace learning and performance, total rewards and employee and labor relations.

MS vs. MBA: What's the Difference for HR Professionals?

When comparing these human resources graduate degrees, the most important differences come down to what you want to learn and how you plan to apply that knowledge in your career.

An MS offers greater depth within HR, which may appeal to professionals who want to build specialized knowledge they can apply across the employee lifecycle and within an HR function. Because the curriculum remains focused on the field, students can examine HR challenges from multiple angles throughout the program.

An MBA in HR offers a wider business perspective. Students develop HR expertise while also learning how areas such as finance, operations, and strategy influence organizational decisions. That broader foundation can help HR professionals understand how workforce decisions connect to business goals.

Both paths can prepare professionals to take on greater responsibility in HR. The better fit depends on whether you want your graduate education to emphasize deeper HR expertise or HR expertise within a broader business context.

How Can Each Degree Support Your HR Career?

Both degrees can support careers in human resources, and many potential roles overlap.

Graduates may pursue opportunities in human resources management, talent acquisition, employee relations, compensation and benefits, organizational development, learning and development, or HR business partnership. Experienced professionals may also use graduate education as they work toward director-level or executive responsibilities.

An MS may appeal to someone who wants to deepen expertise within the HR profession. A student could use graduate study to strengthen an existing specialty or develop knowledge across multiple HR functions.

A specialized MBA can make sense for professionals whose goals involve connecting workforce strategy with larger business decisions. Its broader curriculum may also appeal to people who want flexibility to pursue opportunities outside traditional HR functions later in their careers.

Since both degrees can support a range of HR careers, the distinction between them goes beyond the degree title. Consider how each program's curriculum builds on your existing experience and supports the skills you want to develop next.

How Do the Degrees Approach Leadership?

Leadership is important to both degree paths, but each can develop it from a different perspective.

In an MS program, students may examine leadership through topics such as employee performance, workforce development, organizational culture, and change management. This specialized knowledge can help HR professionals make thoughtful decisions about policies and practices that affect employees.

MBA students study leadership within the larger organization. Understanding finance, operations, and strategy can help an HR professional participate in enterprise-level conversations and connect workforce decisions to organizational priorities.

At The University of Scranton, both programs are also shaped by the University's Jesuit values, including cura personalis, or care for the whole person. This values-based approach encourages students to consider the people affected by their decisions as they prepare to lead responsibly in the workplace.

How to Choose Between an MS in HR and an MBA-HR

Start by considering the knowledge and experience you already have, along with the skills you want to develop next. Someone with a strong business background who wants to build deeper HR expertise may benefit from the concentrated focus of an MS. An experienced HR professional who wants greater exposure to other business functions may find that an MBA-HR helps broaden their perspective.

Your career direction can also help guide the decision. Consider whether your goals call for deeper specialization within HR or a wider business foundation that can help you connect HR strategy to organizational priorities.

As you compare programs, look beyond the degree title to the curriculum and credentials. SHRM alignment can help identify programs that reflect competencies established for the HR profession, while AACSB accreditation is one factor to consider when evaluating an MBA program. Format, cost and time to completion should also factor into your decision.

Find the HR Graduate Degree That Fits Your Goals

Choosing an HR graduate degree is an opportunity to build on what you already know while developing the expertise that can support where you want to go next. Your experience, career goals, and areas for growth can help you determine the right path.

The University of Scranton offers both options online, allowing HR professionals to choose the graduate education that best supports their professional direction.

If you're ready to take the next step, explore Scranton's human resources graduate programs to find the path that best aligns with your future:  

• Online MS in Human Resources Management
• Online MBA with Human Resources Management Specialization