To become an Human Resources (HR) manager, you can best qualify with at least a bachelor’s degree and a few years of experience. Some employers might prefer that HR manager candidates have a master’s degree in human resources or an MBA with an emphasis in human resources.
Some people choose to pursue specialized certificates in human resources. Certifications are not always necessary to become an HR manager; however, they can help you demonstrate your expertise and help you stand out from the competition. There are several types of HR certificates, including:
- Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), available through the HR Certification Institute (HRCI).
- SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) for early- and mid-career professionals and the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) for senior-level practitioners, available through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Discover Herzing's degree pathways in HR
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.