One of the most popular courses for business students to pursue is an MBA in HR, which enables them to gain significant influence in the contemporary corporate world. This in-depth, detailed article aims to highlight the various benefits of pursuing an MBA in HR and how you can make an impactful career in this domain.
Organizations today are becoming aware that human capital is a strategic asset that results in high demand for competent HR professionals. There is no better way for candidates interested and qualified in HR to take advantage of this demand than to pursue an MBA in HR. It will give candidates a high level of advanced education and experience.
Candidates will be in high demand in managing talent acquisition, development, and management. An MBA in HR is different than a traditional Master's in Human Resources, as it provides a good understanding of business management skills. An MBA in HR syllabus will offer skills that provide opportunities for a wider variety of jobs.
What is an MBA in HR?
The MBA in HR Management is a 2-year specialized PG program designed to provide students with the advanced knowledge and practical skills required in business domains. To equip prospective students for leadership roles, the program integrates business acumen and fundamental skills.
Institutions such as IIMs, IITs, and XLRI offer MBAs in Human Resources and will address the need for professional HR leadership. Organizations are recruiting HR to meet increasing challenges in recruitment, employee engagement, compliance, and strategic workplace planning. The demand for people with strong HR skills and understanding will only grow. An MBA in HR education is the best path to follow for career advancement.
Skills Gained after MBA in HR
Students gain knowledge of
- Leadership
- Team management
- Organizational behavior
- Employee engagement,
- Employee relations
- Communication skills
Students who enroll in this program have numerous opportunities to network with well-known individuals worldwide. Finding and hiring the right people for their companies who can bring important skills to make a positive impact on the organization is one of the main responsibilities of HR professionals.
Is an MBA in HR Worth It? Factors to Consider
It is worthwhile to pursue an MBA in human resources because there is a growing need for qualified workers due to the rapid expansion of numerous companies across numerous industries. For those who are passionate about having a significant impact on businesses and want to pursue a career in human resource management, this course is undoubtedly a great option.
As new industries flourish, more companies are looking for HR specialists who can not only find and hire staff members but also have the strategic thinking needed to meet overarching organizational objectives.
- Industry: HR professionals who earn an MBA gain a thorough understanding of how to address and resolve the complexities of today's workplaces effectively. Additionally, this program prepares students to handle challenging business situations and make deft decisions.
- Sector: The sector you work in plays a significant role in the salary you can command as an MBA HR candidate. Some industries have much higher starting packages than others. Typically, the finance, consulting, and IT sectors pay the highest starting salaries.
- Role: The exact role you play in HR can vary in salary, specifically if you have seniority versus a junior role.
- Candidate Performance: Also, based on your interview performance and selection process, your offer could be different from another candidate's.
- Market Demand: If there is a strong candidate demand in the job market, you may get a better salary package.
- Location: Metro cities or tier-one cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi NCR pay more than tier-two and tier-three cities.
- Institute Reputation: Graduates from more recognized business schools, like the IIMs, typically will get better-paying jobs than graduates from lesser-known and recognized business schools.
Also read about other specializations here - MBA Specializations
Why Choose an MBA in HR?
HR professionals can become more competent and have more career options in a range of HR-related fields, such as employee relations, compensation, training, recruiting, and strategy, with an MBA in HR. Most importantly, an MBA with an HR focus can help you pursue the senior manager track if that is one of your career goals. Here are a few advantages that the aspiring candidates can keep in mind -
1. Good Pay
Increased pay is one of the benefits of earning a master's degree. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals who focus on human resources during their advanced degree programs are more capable of holding senior positions within an organization. Human resources managers with an MBA can anticipate earning between INR 10LPA and INR 50LPA annually.
2. More Employment Possibilities
With an MBA, you can pursue a lot of additional career options. In addition to an HR generalist position, you can hold positions as an HR manager, senior HR manager, VP of operations, or HR director. Due to the challenges and opportunities that come with each position, as you progress in your career, the types of jobs you can take on and the companies you can work with will vary.
3. Intense Leadership Positions
If you have an MBA in human resources, you'll have greater hands-on experience and a comprehensive understanding of the field, including its trends, regulatory changes, and improvement strategies. This means you have more opportunities to make a difference in the world. If you have an MBA, you'll be able to influence key business decisions and hold more leadership positions than if you have a bachelor's degree, which might mean spending more time on everyday tasks.
4. Your Level of Insight Will Be Amazing
Getting an MBA in human resources has many advantages, but one of the best is for personal growth. This kind of education can emphasize understanding trends and the causes of human behavior more than other forms of education, even though the courses you take will be more challenging. You will study organizational psychology and workplace learning. You'll discover how to assist other aspirant generalists in human resources in developing their skills. You may want to prioritize staff development and skill development over hiring alone.
5. Recruiting Actively
The frequency with which the human resources department hires fresh talent is the best part about working in the field. HR professionals tend to hire more people and extend a more welcoming attitude to new hires.
6. Job Security
Having a Human Resource Management degree enhances your chances of possessing the skills required to support hiring and staff management needs for any kind of organization. This increases your chances of having a steady job in the future, irrespective of the status of the economy. It also makes you more valuable to the company.
7. Individual Growth
Every kind of education ought to promote growth on some level, including the picking up of new knowledge, abilities, and skills. Create tools that will help you progress your career goals. Ultimately, pursuing further education is always beneficial to both the company you work for and your personal development.
Gaining an MBA makes you more valuable to your employer, and in some situations, it may even inspire you to start your own human resource consulting business. Because of the extensive knowledge and experience, you can make more money, exert more influence, and influence the development and organization of the human resources division. If you enjoy working with people and helping them reach their long-term career goals, getting an MBA is a wise decision.
Related reading -
MBA HR Subjects and Syllabus
Topics essential to comprehending human resource management are covered in the MBA program in human resource management curriculum. The course material gives students the tools they need to handle the complexity of HRM. The MBA human resources courses are listed below:
- Business Communication Skills
- Statistical Approach to Business Problems
- People’s behavior in an organization
- Accounting for management
- Leadership and Ethics in HR
- HR Information Systems
- Compensation and Benefits
- Employee relation
- Creating And Retaining a Motivated Work Force
- Creating an Entrepreneurial Mindset
Read in detail about - MBA HR Syllabus, Subjects, Semester Wise, Year Wise, Core Subjects, Elective, Books
MBA in HR Career Scope and Job Roles
An MBA in Human Resource Management focuses on the effective management of the workforce in an organization, acting as a vital resource between employees and the organization. HR professionals are responsible for recruiting quality talent, negotiating salaries, providing training, and supporting employee welfare.
This role is important in a range of sectors such as IT, FMCG, and construction, as all organizations need skilled HR to nurture their human resources. HR Consulting is another rapidly expanding area as organizations are now using HR consultancies to outsource HR functions, providing a greater variety of opportunities for HR professionals across sectors and functions, and therefore increasing career options.
MBA in HR Salary
Common HR job titles include HR Manager, Recruitment Specialist, Training and Development Manager, Compensation and Benefits Manager, and Employee Relations Executive. Entry-level salaries for HR professionals range from ₹4 LPA to ₹7 LPA, while some professionals may earn between ₹10 LPA and ₹25 LPA or even more, depending on the respective organization, experience, and role.
The higher-level job, especially with known global firms like Accenture, Deloitte, Amazon, and KPMG, offers very lucrative and inspiring opportunities for HR professionals. In India, the average salary for HR professionals is around ₹10.8 LPA, and up to ₹18.6 LPA depending on the level of experience and expertise.
A career in an MBA in HR offers an individual the opportunity to work all over the world and across IT, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance, and more industries. People entering the HR profession have many options and successful, rewarding careers to enjoy.
Job Role | Average Salary |
Human Resource Manager | ₹8- 19 LPA (varies by experience) |
Human Resource Consultant | ₹5- 8 LPA |
International HR Associate | ₹10- 12 LPA |
Human Resource Generalist | ₹8- 10 LPA |
Employee Relations Manager | ₹9.5- 12 LPA |
HR Manager Compliance | ₹6- 8 LPA |
Pros of Doing an MBA in HR
- Comprehensive Knowledge and Skills: An MBA in HR provides a thorough understanding of human resource management through areas of study like employee engagement, talent acquisition, labor and employment laws, and organizational strategy.
- Excellent Career Opportunities: Completing an MBA in HR provides access to jobs in many different industries (IT, healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and much more), giving graduates the edge and making them desirable to a variety of employers.
- Leadership and Growth in Strategic Role: MBA HR prepares students to become leaders and take on strategic roles in which they influence the culture of an organization and can help develop strategies that lead to success.
- Higher Salary Potential: Survey data suggests MBA HR graduates earn more than their non-MBA HR counterparts. Compounding that fact, the average salary and total remuneration package increase with increased experience and job specialization.
- Job Security and Demand: Human resource professionals are wanted in nearly every industry. Therefore, job opportunities for qualified MBA HR graduates are plentiful, as no boss wants HR problems.
- Professional and Personal Development: Not only does an MBA HR program offer professional development in management, leadership, and communication and interpersonal skills, but it also contributes to one's personal development as a human being.
- Networking Opportunities: MBA HR graduates often have access to a global network of professionals. Additionally, they can often work in multinational corporations and therefore have options on the job, and can often pursue international corporate positions.
- Flexibility of Learning: Many universities, like Amity University Online, have flexible, affordable MBA HR programs as a professional program for students or working people who can study a bit each day or week.
Cons of an MBA in HR
- Costly: Getting your MBA can be costly for tuition, books, and other related expenses, which can create a significant financial burden. However, to tackle this issue, many top institutions offer Scholarships and various financial aid during MBA HR admission.
- Time-consuming: The program is often two years in length or more, which can be a challenge for individuals who are answerable to many demands like work, family, etc. However, you can also opt for Part-time, online, and Distance MBA programs.
- Stressful: There can be considerable opportunities for high levels of stress in the role given people issues, conflicts, institutional role, etc.
- Depend on Top Management: Having the support of Senior Management is critical because HR might not be able to have a significant impact without the support of senior management, and in essence, will be limited in its effectiveness.
- Job Dislocation Risk: With more traditional work in HR being impacted by automation, machine learning, and AI, there could be a reduced demand for certain jobs in the field if skills are not upgraded in time.
Who Should Pursue an MBA in HR?
Anyone with an eligible bachelor's degree can enroll in an MBA program with a specialization in HRM will give you the breadth of knowledge needed to effectively manage a workforce within a company. People who possess the required skills to thrive in HR typically have well-developed communication skills, emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and analytical skills.
A higher education degree in HR prepares you not only to facilitate employee recruitment and welfare, but to become a strategic influencer, facilitating a bridge between human resources and business outcomes, managing people talent, and applying modern HR technology and analytics.
| Human Resource Skills | Description |
| Strong Communication | HR practitioners must communicate both verbally and in writing in a clear and professional manner with employees and other stakeholders. Clear communication provides an opportunity for the HR practitioner to expedite resolution while bridging an organizational gap. |
| Strong Decision-making | Employees are recruited while also considering their welfare in the workplace through decision-making, which requires an HR professional to think through their options and make informed decisions. |
| Strong Negotiation | Negotiation is essential for many HR professional tasks, including but not limited to discussing salaries and negotiating possible favourable terms between the employee and organization. |
| Strong Emotional Intelligence | An HR professional must possess very high emotional intelligence so that when they are faced with a potentially sensitive or challenging situation, they can efficiently foster a positive working experience while also efficiently responding to the employee's concern. |
For Instance, an MBA in HR graduate from SIBM Bengaluru shared her experience on Quora about who should pursue for HR degree. According to her, a successful HR will need a combination of Interpersonal Communication and Analytical Skills. The desire to understand human behavior is an essential attribute of succeeding in HR, combined with high emotional intelligence, which many employers are looking for.
Excellent verbal and written skills are vital for channeling information and connecting with others productively. An Analytical approach is also important as HR evolves through the use of data-driven tools like AI and Machine Learning, together with analytic tools including Excel, R, Python, and Tableau.
Understanding the terrain will allow HR professionals to optimize the management of recruitment, performance, and employee engagement more strategically. All three sets of skills develop a ready HR professional for an evolving workplace, enabling them to help organizations run smoothly and achieve organizational goals.
What can I study after an MBA in HR?
There are several courses that one can study after an MBA in HR. Moreover, the courses that one can pursue after an MBA in HR are:-
- Certified Talent Management Practitioner Program
- SAP HR Certification
- SHRM Certified Professional
- SHRM Senior Certified Professional
- Society for Human Resource Management Certification
Alternatives to an MBA in HR
The following are some commonly sought substitutes for selecting an MBA in Human Resource Management:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM): Similar to an MBA, this is a hands-on, industry-level course provided by some of the top business schools, such as XLRI, SPJIMR, and MDI. The course structure covers the basics of management with HR, marketing, finance, analytics, etc.
- Master's in Human Resource Development (MHRD): The course is a specific degree geared for people interested in workforce management, labor law, organizational development, and employee relations.
- Master of Arts (MA) in Human Resource and Labour Relations: The MA emphasizes labor rights, industrial relations, and policies governing workforce well-being.
- Professional HR Certifications: PHR (Professional in Human Resources) or SHRM-CP will provide Technical HR knowledge and will help market personal branding without completing an MBA.
- Management Consulting and Administrative Services: Experience gained from consulting firms or administrative services could assist in gaining practical HR learning that encourages a course of study for an MBA.
- Specialized Diplomas and Certifications: Short-term courses and diplomas in talent acquisition, learning and development, compensation management, and HR Analytics are very niche skill sets.
- Master's in Public Policy or Business Analytics: If a course of study geared towards policy-making or HR focused on data analytics, these will build expertise in niche areas relating to HR functions.
Conclusion
To sum it up, several key factors play a significant role in changing salary levels for MBA HR graduates. These factors include the industry of employment, job position, personal performance during recruitment, market demand, location of employment, and the status of the educational institute.
The salary packages for graduates will generally be higher in industries like finance, consulting, and IT, for example. In addition, the salary in senior HR roles is more than the salary in entry-level HR roles. Graduates with good performance during recruitment and those who graduated from premium institutes tend to end up with higher income.
Graduates working in metropolitan cities will generally earn more than the same graduates working in smaller cities and towns. Graduates who understand the factors that affect their employment can plan out a career path strategically with the aim in mind of negotiating their salary package. Therefore, it stands to reason that understanding these factors could help an MBA HR graduate achieve better professional skills and salary packages.
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