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Rankings

Top 10 Best Online Doctor of Human Resources Degrees

Written by College Cliffs Team At CollegeCliffs.com, our team, comprising seasoned educators and counselors, is committed to supporting students on their journey through graduate studies. Our advisors, holding advanced degrees in diverse fields, provide tailored guidance, current program details, and pragmatic tips on navigating application procedures.

Reviewed by Linda Weems I got started researching colleges and universities about 10 years ago while exploring a second career. While my second career ended up being exactly what I’m doing now, and I didn’t end up going to college, I try to put myself in your shoes every step of the way as I build out College Cliffs as a user-friendly resource for prospective students.

Updated: August 28, 2024, Reading time: 26 minutes

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When people hear about human resources, the first thing that comes to mind is hiring and managing employee relations. However, HR encompasses much more. HR professionals need to be proficient in strategic planning, fostering company culture, and ensuring compliance with labor laws.

The Human Resources department ensures that employees feel safe, valued, and well-supported. Outstanding human resource management ensures the HR department runs smoothly, evolves, and copes with economic changes.

The Labor Statistics Bureau confirms that a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for pursuing human resources positions. But is this really the case? 

HR positions are becoming increasingly diverse and dynamic. Higher-paying and leadership roles in the field might need you to have advanced degrees or certifications.

Earning a Doctor of Human Resources degree helps put you at the top of the field. This degree equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to address tough challenges in the ever-evolving workplace. It provides students with an in-depth understanding of human resource management, employee relations, personnel law, labor relations, organizational behavior, and business strategy.

Quick audio summary:

THE LOWDOWN
There’s no way earning a Doctorate in Human Resources can impede your career… it will only enhance it!

And, even if you choose to focus on a career in something other than Human Resources specifically (such as Business Administration), your online Doctorate in Human Resources can get you that job promotion you need, as well as provide additional earning potential.

The field of Human Resources is versatile and lucrative! Find a HR Management online program below!

College Cliffs is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

What Human Resources Personnel Do

Human Resources are integral to any organization, from employee well-being to risk management. This intricate field of work would lack structure and struggle to evolve if proper management was not in place.

An excellent way to ensure employee satisfaction, productivity, and future growth is to have a strong HR department supported by solid leadership. That is why every company requires an experienced, compassionate manager to oversee its human resources department.

One of the biggest problems of most companies is strong Human Resources. As a result, many business professionals pursue a Doctorate in Human Resources to advance their careers, contribute to research, earn a higher salary, or advance in their industry.

A Doctorate in Human Resources will improve career stability, diversity, and performance.

Career Path for Doctorate in Human Resources Graduates

Methodology

The demand for executive-level human resource management professionals increases as the business world grows and changes.

We considered the comprehensiveness of the following educational institutions offering online Doctorate in Human Resources programs due to their exemplary features, such as:

Includes course options pursuant to an online Doctorate in Human Resources degree program,

In addition, we highlight the online doctorate program details that are unique to each of these online schools. These school rankings are listed in random order, so check them all out!

We hope you find the ideal college for an online Ph.D. program to meet your needs!

Please visit our Methodology page to get in-depth information.


Best Online Human Resources Doctorate Programs

Bellevue University

online doctor of Human Resources

Omaha, Nebraska

Ph.D. in Human Capital Management

Bellevue University is a low-cost, non-profit institution. BU is regarded as one of the best military-friendly universities in the country, with over 50,000 students and alumni worldwide.

Bellevue University offers an online Ph.D. in Human Capital Management through the College of Business, Management, and Leadership.

While the term “Human Capital Management” may be less well-known than “human resources,” rest assured that this degree contains many elements of HRM.

Human capital management (HCM) is a broader term encompassing more aspects of managing people in a business setting.

This degree at Bellevue University may better fit a graduate student looking for more specialized coursework in human capital-related fields.

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This Bellevue University degree equips students with academic understanding and practical skills for influencing culture, leadership, and psychology dedicated to serving company goals. Since this degree covers major psychological topics, graduates will better understand employees.


Regent University

Virginia Beach, VA

Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership – Human Resource (HR) Development

Regent University is one of the top private Christian institutions in the country. Known for its affordability, Regent is about $20,000 less than at other private colleges. With 86% of students receiving financial aid and nearly $24 million awarded last year, costs are manageable.

Regent offers an online Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership – Human Resource Development. The program’s curriculum prepares you to shape the future of HR as a scholar, educator, or leader. Offered online, this program focuses on the dynamics of human resources growth from a Christian perspective. Accreditation:

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At Regent, you’ll get a top-notch education with a Christian viewpoint, helping you grow both academically and personally. This supportive community will enrich your HR studies with ethical and faith-based values, shaping your leadership and human resource management approach. You’ll also have chances to grow spiritually.


Capella University

online doctor of Human Resources

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Human Resource Management Specialization-PhD in Business Management

Capella University is a for-profit, private online university. Unlike many online Human Resources programs, CU has a purposeful structure to meet the needs of students who thrive in that environment.

Capella’s blended Ph.D. in Business Management with a specialization in human resource management is one of its many online degree programs.

The Ph.D. in Human Resources program with a Management specialization focuses on the knowledge and skills required to teach, consult, lead, practice, and conduct research in human resource management.

Learners assess multidisciplinary theories and human resource management strategies and practices for creating flexible and innovative settings in the global workplace of the twenty-first century.

The course covers a wide range of demographic and cultural perspectives, the impact of new technologies in the workplace, and the impact of a dynamic external work environment on human resource management practices.

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Capella University has a one-of-a-kind synchronous 10-week quarter system called GuidedPath, in which students can take up to three classes per quarter with a $5,000 quarter tuition maximum.


National University

San Diego, California

Doctor Of Philosophy In Human Resource Management

National University is a for-profit online school. Because National University is solely an online graduate university, it can focus on specific areas of study and provide a quality, innovative education that prepares passionate professionals to excel in their respective careers.

National University provides an online, research-based Doctor of Philosophy in Human Resource Management program designed to produce HR experts.

The Ph.D.-HRM degree is a research-based program designed to provide students with the expert-level knowledge required to assume leadership roles in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. This degree is intended for human resource professionals who want to research and prepare for leadership positions in this field.

Graduates with a doctorate in human resources management degree will have the opportunity to apply what they have learned academically to current challenges and opportunities in this field through coursework and dissertation writing.

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National University’s Doctorate in Human Resources program is perhaps the most adaptable, with start dates every Monday and a one-to-one learning model to support all online students.

Furthermore, you will be able to turn in your assignments as early as you want during the week, allowing you to fit school into your schedule rather than the other way around.


University of Arkansas

online doctor of Human Resources

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Ed.D. in Human Resources and Workforce Development Education

For Arkansas online doctorates in education, the University of Arkansas reigns supreme. The university provides plenty of financial assistance, is CAEP-accredited, and actively participates in the Arkansas Leadership Academy.

Furthermore, per-credit tuition for the University of Arizona online doctorates is highly affordable for in-state and out-of-state students.

An online Ed.D. in Human Resources and Workforce Development Education is one of the university’s many online degrees. The program will delve into advanced human resources topics such as training, management development, customer service, and total quality management.

It should be noted that the GRE must be taken before admission. The Global Campus at the University of Arkansas employs a self-paced online model in which students set their schedules for their education.

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The University of Arkansas takes pleasure in offering high-quality education and its dedication to all students, conventional and non-traditional.

Online students are also awarded the same degree as their on-campus counterparts. Their names will be etched on the Senior Walk, a 3-mile-long pathway that honors Arkansas’ 175,000 graduates.


Liberty University

online doctor of Human Resources

Lynchburg, Virginia

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Human Resources

Liberty University is a non-profit Christian institution that aspires to global impact through its commitment to comprehensive, high-quality education. Liberty University, which has the lowest graduate tuition on this list, offers a fully online DBA degree with a Human Resources concentration.

Prospective students will get advanced training in business fundamentals as part of this program’s business degree but will additionally focus on the HR viewpoint within that framework.

As a result, this degree may be better suited for students pursuing a career in the corporate discipline of human resources rather than the academic field.

At Liberty University, the program’s coursework encompasses current human resource management, workforce planning, employment, human resource development, and pay management.

Graduates will be well-prepared for pay and benefits managers, development experts, human resources directors, and recruiting specialists.

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Tuition for all doctorate programs has been unchanged for the past six years. While many other online universities have hiked tuition, Liberty University, as a non-profit university, has been able to keep fees low.


The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

online doctor of Human Resources

Champaign, Illinois

EdD in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership with a concentration in HR Development

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a popular public, land-grant research institution, offers one of the best EdD programs in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership, focusing on Human Resource Development.

The EdD degree program is designed to train scholar-practitioners in human resource development. These individuals generally design, implement, and evaluate HRD programs, relying on scholarly research and established best practices to guide their actions.

The degree program includes courses on understanding the discipline’s foundational and advanced theories and practices and conducting research in applied settings.

Graduates of the EdD program typically work as senior practitioners in various organizational settings, both nationally and internationally.

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Students will work with faculty mentors and have the unique option to participate in research projects while in the program, resulting in a well-rounded, tailored research portfolio.

Influence and negotiation, leading and managing teams and individuals, managing and growing human capital in the organization, and doctorate seminars in meta-analysis and research synthesis are qualities that make this EdD special.


Colorado State University

online doctor of Human Resources

Denver, Colorado

Ph.D. in Education & Human Resource Studies – Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change Specialization

Colorado State University, a Denver-based public, land-grant research university, offers non-traditional students a convenient, flexible, and high-quality online education.

CSU’s School of Education offers an online Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education and Human Resource Studies specializing in organizational learning, performance, and change.

The Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change specialization is intended to prepare you to have a significant impact on the people and processes of your organization.

You’ll be able to apply what you’ve learned to individuals, teams, systems, and processes. You are the catalyst for strategic improvements in your organization – or as a consultant – optimizing workforce and business.

An application component is included in this software. This is essential for going from knowledge to action. You’ll be ready to deal with human capital and organizational performance concerns in the real world. You’ll get access to organizations where you can test out the tools and strategies you’ve learned in class. 

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This doctorate in human resources degree program is quite competitive. The program wants students with various backgrounds and experiences and significant professional experience, a firm conviction in using research to describe issues and develop answers, and a strong desire to apply solutions to better organizations and the people who work in them.


The University of Texas at Tyler

online doctor of Human Resources

Tyler, Texas

Human Resource Development PhD

The University of Texas at Tyler has seven colleges, three regional campuses, and a student body of over 10,000. The university offers a 60-credit hybrid Ph.D. in Human Resource Development through the College of Business and Technology.

While most classes are completed online, students are required to attend classes on campus five times per semester so this program may be best suited for students living in the Tyler, Texas, area. Most on-campus meetings take place on weekends to accommodate working executives in the industry.

Some of the program’s sample courses are advanced theoretical foundations of human resource development, cutting-edge quantitative research in human resource development, and strategic human resource management.

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The College of Business and Technology provides a one-of-a-kind doctorate in human resource development with a concentration in organizational development and change (ODC) in business and industry and a strategic management viewpoint.

The program is delivered online and intended to provide human resource development scholars with a unique grasp of HRD within the business and management framework.


University of Maryland

online doctor of Human Resources

College Park, Maryland

Ph.D. in Human Resources

The University of Maryland has the most affordable Ph.D. in Human Resources online program that we found. It began as a satellite learning center affiliated with the University of Maryland, then evolved into a regional campus before breaking away from that institution and establishing its university system.

The culture of the M&O Ph.D. program promotes both excellence and collegiality—students receive support and advice from faculty and senior students in developing a research identity.

Students are encouraged to present their research ideas in the weekly Student Presentation Series (SPS) from their first semester in the program, a safe yet challenging setting that prepares them for the rigors of academic life and develops their research and presentation skills.

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University of Maryland students work closely with faculty on research assistantships, leading to collaborative publications in the field’s top journals.

Student’s research assistantship assignments rotate throughout the program, allowing flexibility and exposure to various researchers, research subjects, and scientific approaches.

Students graduate with refined interests and form working relationships with instructors based on a personal and professional fit.


What To Expect in a Human Resources Doctoral program?

While each human resource management degree program has its requirements, all HR doctorate programs share some human resources courses.

Courses typically cover qualitative and quantitative research methods and advanced statistics to prepare you to conduct your research and evaluate the research of others.

In a series of practical classes, you will typically learn about human resources’ legal, social, and theoretical aspects. Expect to learn how to evaluate business data, create business strategies, comprehend and manage labor relations in an organization, and other related topics.

There may also be classes on business domains such as global business and issues such as diversity and equality in the human resources workplace.

Workforce Management

This course will teach you how to manage a workforce in a large organization. Typically, you will learn about employee recruitment, retention, and incentives, as well as the legal and policy requirements of higher-level human resource positions.

You could learn about leadership styles and organizational communication and how to effect organizational change.

Quantitative Research Methodologies

How do you design, plan, and carry out data-driven human resource research? This course teaches descriptive and inferential statistical methods for ensuring the usefulness and validity of research data.

You will typically learn how to read and evaluate other quantitative research methods, select your methods, collect primary data, and analyze your data using specialized statistical software.

Labor Relations

This course examines national and international laws, as well as how they affect your role as a human resources professional. Typically, it will cover unions’ history, current state and negotiations, and contract administration.

In addition, you will naturally learn about collective bargaining, risk management, and the structure of a union organization.

Legal Issues

This class typically examines federal, state, and local laws and how they affect employees of all types. You can probably expect to learn about how laws affect human resource professionals, such as hiring, firing, at-will employment, and contracts.

Expect to read the legislation, think about litigation and how to avoid it, and study essential case studies in the field of human resources.

Career Path for Doctorate in Human Resources Graduates

Graduates of online doctorates in human resources programs frequently pursue managerial positions within HR departments or college-level teaching positions.

These high-level positions necessitate strong leadership, communication, and critical-thinking abilities, and HR professionals often work more than 40 hours per week.

Job TitleJob DescriptionAverage Annual Salary
Chief Human Resources OfficerOversees human resource departments, develops and implements policies, and collaborates with other organizational leaders.$168,751
Human Resource ManagerManages recruitment, interviewing, hiring, employee relations, and regulatory compliance.$136,350
Training and Development ManagerOversees training programs, personnel, and budgets. Consults with executives to align training with organizational goals.$125,040
Business Postsecondary TeacherSpecializes in subjects like human resources, conducts research, and teaches courses at colleges or universities.$91,371

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the completion timeline of an online Doctor of Human Resources program?

How long it takes can vary based on the program and personal circumstances. 

Generally, an online Doctor of Human Resources usually takes at least four years to finish and requires 60 credits plus a dissertation. Some programs are cohort-based, meaning you follow a set schedule with a group, while others let you go at your own pace. Nevertheless, most students are expected to complete their degree within ten years.

What typical online coursework is included in a Human Resources Doctoral program?

Are there professional associations for Human Resource professionals?

Many human resource professionals and students join professional organizations to gain networking, education, and career opportunities.

Volunteer, leadership, and mentorship opportunities are available to members. Many professional associations also offer professional certifications, annual conferences, and job boards.

Students may be eligible for reduced membership rates, all designed to foster your interests in human resources and more!

Society for Human Resources Management

SHRM is a global non-profit organization that serves over 300,000 HR professionals and students. Scholarships, networking opportunities, and educational resources are available throughout society.

SHRM also publishes curriculum guidelines for HR programs and offers HR professional credentialing programs.

National Human Resources Association

This organization assists HR professionals by providing opportunities for leadership and career development. The National Human Resources Association (NHRA) offers opportunities for professional networking, and students receive a discounted membership rate.

International Public Management Association for Human Resources

This organization is a global network of HR professionals from government and non-profit organizations. IPMA-HR offers professional certifications and continuing education to HR students. In addition, the organization hosts an annual conference and provides assessment services.

Human Capital Institute

Human Capital Institute (HCI) promotes the skills of a company’s human resources department by providing certification opportunities and various conferences throughout the year.

Webcasts highlight the various challenges that HR departments must deal with in today’s working environment. Members have access to an extensive digital library and a vast online repository of articles and case studies.

An HCI Corporate Membership provides additional benefits to HR professionals, such as the opportunity to collaborate with peers to implement best practices without reinventing the wheel.

Association for Talent Development (ATD)

Like other organizations for HR professionals, the Association for Talent Development (ATD) provides up-to-date and topical training, design, and measurement (among other opportunities).

Two certifications are available through their program types. The emphasis of ATD is on the training and management side of human resources rather than the benefit and payroll supervision side.

The organization’s two appealing offerings are local chapters and a job board. ATD is looking for members who can contribute to their website by writing about their profession. ATD’s stated vision is to “Build a World That Works Better.”

How will earning a Doctoral degree in Human Resources advance my career?

Earning a Doctoral degree in Human Resources can open up many career options. It can enable you to take on higher-level positions, such as working in human resources consulting, executive positions in HR departments, and conducting strategic planning for larger organizations.

It can also provide you with a greater level of expertise in research, helping you to uncover solutions to unique and complex human resources problems.

Having a doctoral degree can help you earn a higher salary and may even help you move up to managerial positions. Finally, you can also become a more valuable asset to current and potential employers.


Summary Points

Are you ready to earn your online Doctorate in Human Resources? Of course, you are!


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