Online MBA in HR Management: Fees, Eligibility & Career Scope

Human resources management was once a "soft" specialty - recruiting, payroll, administrative tasks. These days, it has transformed into a multi-faceted discipline encompassing talent acquisition, employee experience, performance management systems, and organizational culture, and businesses are willing to pay top dollar for individuals with comprehensive people and business skills. 

That's why an online MBA in hr management is one of the most viable specializations if you want to pivot to a more influential role while balancing career and studies. Here's everything you need to know before embarking on the program.

What does an Online MBA in HR Management mean?

In addition to general MBA modules (finance, marketing, operations), an online MBA course with a specialization in human resource management delves into personnel management, compensation and benefits, labour laws, organizational behaviour, and performance management. 

The last two points are particularly important since many modern-day HR managers rely on data analytics to make informed hiring and retention decisions, which is why most updated online MBA in hr management also include a section on analytical tools.

Who Should Go for an Online MBA in HR Management?

This specialization is suited for:

Working professionals in human resource management or other support departments seeking to climb up the corporate ladder. Individuals currently working in non-HR roles but wishing to transition to the human resource management function. Managers or owners of small-scale businesses with direct supervisory responsibility over employees. The aforesaid candidates generally benefit from the theoretical and strategic underpinnings of the specialization which they would not receive on the job.

Eligibility Criteria for an Online MBA in Human Resource Management

Eligibility criteria are generally uniform across universities offering the course:

• Graduation in any stream with a minimum 50% aggregate marks (45% for reserved categories) from a UGC-recognized university

• Preference, though not always mandatory, is given to candidates with at least two years of work experience

• Entrance examinations such as CAT, MAT, etc., are generally not required (in contrast to full-time MBA programs)

Fees Structure for an Online MBA in Human Resource Management

• Course

• Duration

• Estimated Fees

• Online MBA in HR Management

• 2 years

• Between ₹80000 and ₹250000, depending on the university.

A government-approved, UGC-recognized private university will generally have more competitive pricing than a top-tier institute with excellent campus recruitment support

Additionally, most universities offer the flexibility to pay fees in installments over the course of four semesters, with EMI options starting at an affordable ₹6000. It is advisable to compare fees across two to three universities since there is unlikely to be a significant difference in syllabi and the fee difference could be exploitative.

Career Prospects of an Online MBA in Human Resource Management

There is a robust job market for online MBA courses both within individual companies and at consulting firms. Some common designations include HR Manager, Talent Acquisition Manager, HR Business Partner, Compensation and Benefits Specialist, Learning and Development Manager, and HR Analytics (in larger firms). Starting salaries tend to range between ₹4 LPA and ₹8 LPA for freshers with some work experience, with the potential to earn more in Tier-I cities.

In addition, working professionals in the human resource management field can leverage the degree to negotiate a managerial designation and salary increment since the additional qualification provides a competitive advantage in the industry.

Why Study an Online MBA in Human Resource Management?

The single most important consideration for most working professionals contemplating an MBA is the opportunity cost in terms of time and effort. An online mode of education is ideal in this context because it allows students to watch lecture recordings at their convenience and submit assignments without having to juggle with hostel stays and other inconveniences associated with a full-time program. 

Moreover, most programs only require in-person examination centers (rather than rigorous personal interviews and written tests) for final evaluations, thus saving the student the stress of appearing in front of a panel. In short, the online mode is an ideal choice if you are considering an MBA but do not have the bandwidth to commit to a full-time program.

The qualification obtained from a UGC-approved university also carries the same weight as a traditional MBA in terms of enhanced career prospects and earning capacity.

Final Thoughts

An online MBA in hr management is a particularly viable choice if you wish to climb up the corporate ladder in your current company, pivot to a human resource management role from another discipline, or simply upgrade your qualification to obtain greater credibility and remuneration in the same specialty.

If you are unsure which of the aforesaid universities would be the best fit given your budget and professional aspirations, seeking assistance from an independent third party can help you avoid the risk of selecting an overly expensive program with poor placement support. College Vidya offers zero-fee counseling to compare fees and syllabi of various online MBA courses, including assistance with university selection in order to maximize benefits.