View a complete list of program courses, program-specific and degree-level requirements, recommended previous experience, and more.
This course must be taken within the first 6 credits of study (if required). The UCSP 615 requirement may be waived if you previously earned a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. For more information, contact your academic advisor.
This is our recommended course sequence to progress through this program. This sequence incorporates course prerequisites and program requirements but does not list course alternatives that may be available. We recommend you take a maximum of 6 credits per term. You cannot take a prerequisite with its subsequent course during the same session. Your plan will be unique and dependent on multiple factors, including the number of credits you transfer to this program.
Contact an advisor if you have any questions about this plan, course alternatives, or your course load limit.
If you earned either of these certifications on Jan. 1, 2017 or later, you may be able to earn up to 6 credits for courses that are required as part of UMGC’s curriculum for graduate human resources programs. The certifications articulate to UMGC courses as follows:
SHRM-CP:
SHRM-SCP:
(3 Credits, HRMD 620)
These equivalencies are subject to change without notice. Contact a UMGC academic advisor at studentsfirst@umgc.edu or call (800) 888-8682 to confirm equivalency.
Earn an online graduate certificate in strategic human resource management, and get a head start on your online master’s degree. Once you have successfully completed the certificate, you may be able to apply the coursework from the graduate certificate to this master's concentration.
If you completed your bachelor’s degree in human resource management at UMGC, an accelerated pathway between UMGC's graduate and undergraduate degree programs in that field may allow you to reduce your total coursework for this program.
This program is designed to help prepare you for the following certification exams:
For students who are looking to get SHRM-certified, UMGC is proud to offer non-credit online SHRM prep courses.
This information is for students who enroll in the 2025–2026 academic year. For prior year requirements for this program or to review UMGC's complete program requirements for a specific academic year, visit our program catalog archive.
The workforce of tomorrow will require human resource professionals who are innovative, collaborative, and ready to contribute their knowledge to the workplace. That’s why our online human resource program is designed to help hone your skills in several in-demand areas, including talent acquisition, performance management, data analytics, data-driven and evidence-based business analysis, strategic decision-making, problem-solving, and employee relations.
Our program directors refresh and update the curriculum regularly, with a focus on helping students achieve the following:
Study in a SHRM Academically Aligned Program
This degree program is recognized as SHRM Academically Aligned and as such, is seen as a top choice for students seeking a career in human resources. Students enrolled in a SHRM HR aligned program are provided with the opportunity to earn their SHRM-CP credential prior to graduating, providing them with a competitive advantage in the job market.
Meet the Standards for SHRM Recertification Credits
UMGC is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDC) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities. SHRM Recertification Providers are recognized as a “provider of choice” for SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP credential holders working to maintain their credential. HR/HR-related educational offerings identified with the SHRM Recertification Provider badge let credential holders know the program is pre-approved by SHRM for recertification professional development credits (PDCs).
Prepare for SHRM Exams with an Online Prep Course
If you're looking to take the SHRM Certified Professional® (SHRM-CP®) or SHRM Senior Certified Professional® (SHRM-SCP®) exam, you can register for an online certification prep course at UMGC. This course includes a structured learning experience with a SHRM-certified instructor and both the online and print versions of the SHRM Learning System—the official certification prep tool.
Take Courses Aligned to PHR and SPHR Exam Preparation
UMGC is recognized by the HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®) as a Certification Preparation Provider. This designation indicates that UMGC's HR degree program curriculum aligns with the guidelines for HRCI's Professional in Human Resources® (PHR®) and Senior Professional in Human Resources® (SPHR®) certification exam preparation. PHR® and SPHR® are registered trademarks of the HR Certification Institute.
This program is designed to help you prepare for HR careers in a variety of professional contexts. The skills you learn in this program will translate over to industries in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. UMGC courses are taught by experienced faculty and address competencies that are highly valued by today’s employers.
Throughout your HR curriculum, your instructors will assign coursework that will help you prioritize real-world experience. In past courses, students have been able to complete the following course projects:
Gain insight from our faculty and delve deeper into a range of topics in human resources and beyond.
A master's degree in management with a concentration in human resource management is a graduate program designed to give you the knowledge and skills you need to advance in the HR field. This online program covers topics like employee and labor relations, recruitment and selection, organizational development and change, managing virtual and global teams, and more.
At UMGC, we want you to be happy with the investment you make in your education, and we work hard to keep our programs affordable. When you choose to pursue this degree program, you can rest assured that the quality of our curriculum is backed by the reputation of an accredited state university and a member institution of the University System of Maryland. Deciding whether this graduate-level program is worth it for you ultimately depends on your individual needs and goals. If you're not sure whether this is the right program for you or need help figuring out how to fit the program into your life, don't hesitate to reach out to us—our advisors and success coaches are happy to help.
This online master's concentration is a 36-credit online program with courses offered year-round. If you successfully complete six credits each fall, spring, and summer, you can expect to graduate in as little as two years. If you recently completed a related undergraduate degree at UMGC that included coursework in human resource management, you may be able to apply 6 credits toward your graduate degree and shorten your time to completion by one term.
UMGC is committed to keeping our tuition and fees as affordable as possible. This online master’s concentration follows the standard graduate program tuition rates, which appear at the top of this webpage. We also offer scholarships for qualified students, an interest-free monthly payment plan, and no-cost digital materials in place of most textbooks to help make your education more affordable.
We recommend HR management students join the following student organization:
The UMGC Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management provides opportunities to network with other students, staff, and faculty who are currently working in or are interested in entering the human resource field. It is available to undergraduate and graduate students. To join, please fill out the UMGC SHRM Chapter form. Students may also join SHRM nationally at the student rate via the SHRM website (the UMGC SHRM Chapter number is 5578). UMGC students and alumni are also welcome to join the UMGC SHRM Chapter Facebook group. For more information, please email umgcshrm@umgc.edu.
Gregory W., MS in Human Resource Management Summerfield, NC
