Master of Business Administration - Accounting
The MBA program at the University of the Potomac typically consists of 12 courses, tota...
Master of Business Administration - Human Resource
Washington, D.C., Virginia
INTAKE: Jan, Mar, Apr, Jun, Sep & Oct
Program Overview
The MBA with a Human Resources Management concentration at the University of the Potomac is typically a 36-credit-hour program. It is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in core business principles before delving into specialized human resources knowledge. Students complete eight foundational MBA courses (24 credits) covering essential areas such as managerial accounting, finance, marketing, and strategic management. Following this, they undertake four specialized courses (12 credits) specifically focused on Human Resources Management. This integrated approach ensures graduates develop not only deep expertise in HR practices but also the broader business acumen necessary to make effective strategic decisions and lead diverse teams within any organization. The program is generally designed for completion within approximately two years. The program also highlights preparation for the national Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) exam.
Curriculum: The 36-semester-hour curriculum for the MBA with a Human Resources Management concentration at the University of the Potomac begins with foundational MBA core courses, providing a solid business understanding. These typically include: "BUS 501 Managerial Accounting," "BUS 502 Managerial Economics," "BUS 503 Managerial Finance," "BUS 510 Strategic Management," "BUS 520 Human Resources and Organizational Behavior," "BUS 530 Marketing Management," "BUS 560 Management and Information Systems," and "BUS 570 Business Ethics." After establishing this foundational knowledge, students then transition to the four specialized Human Resources Management concentration courses: "BUS 670 Foundations of Human Resource Management," "BUS 680 Human Resource Law MGMT," "MGMT 675 Human Capital Management MGMT," and "MGMT 680 Organizational Training and Development." This curriculum is designed to provide graduates with a robust understanding of HR legal frameworks, talent management, and organizational learning strategies.
Research Focus: The University of the Potomac's MBA with a Human Resources Management concentration is highly applied, focusing on equipping students with the practical skills to implement and manage strategic HR initiatives, rather than on traditional academic research culminating in a thesis. The program aims to prepare students to "formulate evidenced-based business solutions founded on stakeholder needs and interests" and to "exercise principles of ethical leadership." Courses like "Human Capital Management" and "Organizational Training and Development" involve analyzing current HR practices, evaluating effectiveness, and applying strategic frameworks to solve real-world workplace challenges. The program's emphasis on preparing for the SHRM exam further underscores its practical, industry-driven focus, where students learn to research and apply professional HR standards.
Industry Engagement: The University of the Potomac's MBA with a Human Resources Management concentration demonstrates strong industry engagement by directly aligning its curriculum with the competencies required for modern HR professionals. The program explicitly prepares graduates to sit for the national Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) exam, which is a key industry certification. The curriculum itself includes courses like "Human Resource Law MGMT" and "Organizational Training and Development," directly reflecting critical areas of HR practice. The university emphasizes that its online MBA program offers "personalized instruction from experienced experts, most of whom are SHRM certified," ensuring that faculty bring real-world industry experience into the classroom. This practical approach, coupled with the program's focus on "workforce management skills" and "attracting and retaining top talent," strongly connects the academic learning to current industry demands.
Global Perspective: The MBA with a Human Resources Management concentration at the University of the Potomac implicitly incorporates a global perspective, recognizing that human resources operations often transcend national borders in today's globalized economy. While there might not be a specific dedicated course on "International Human Resources Management" within this particular concentration, the broader MBA framework aims to prepare graduates to "identify problems related to U.S. and foreign businesses and to artfully respond to these challenges." Topics such as managing organizational diversity, talent acquisition in a global market, and navigating varying labor laws and cultural norms can be integrated into courses like "Human Capital Management" and "Human Resources and Organizational Behavior." The university's diverse student body and faculty further contribute to a learning environment that naturally fosters a broader understanding of global HR challenges and best practices.
Location
Washington, D.C., Virginia
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 22250
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 60% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 59 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 100.
The University of the Potomac is dedicated to making education affordable and accessible for international students by offering a variety of scholarship opportunities. These scholarships aim to recognize academic excellence, leadership potential, and financial need, helping reduce the overall cost of education for deserving students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students demonstrating strong academic performance may qualify for merit-based scholarships. These awards reward high GPA, outstanding achievements, and exceptional contributions in previous educational settings. Merit scholarships can significantly lower tuition fees and encourage students to maintain high academic standards throughout their studies.
Need-Based Scholarships: The university also offers need-based scholarships designed to assist international students facing financial challenges. Applicants are encouraged to submit detailed financial information during the admissions process to be considered for these scholarships, which aim to bridge the gap between the cost of education and the student’s financial resources.
Special Program Scholarships: Certain academic programs at the University of the Potomac provide dedicated scholarships for international students, especially in fields such as business administration, information technology, and cybersecurity. These program-specific awards support students pursuing careers in high-demand industries.
Graduates of the University of the Potomac's MBA with a Human Resources concentration are uniquely positioned to serve as strategic partners within organizations. Their comprehensive understanding of business operations, combined with specialized knowledge in human capital management, HR law, and organizational development, makes them invaluable assets in attracting, retaining, and developing top talent. The program's emphasis on preparing for the SHRM exam further validates their expertise and enhances their competitiveness in the job market.
Human Resources Manager: Oversees all aspects of HR functions within an organization, including recruitment, employee relations, compensation, benefits, and HR policy development.
Talent Acquisition Manager/Recruitment Manager: Specializes in attracting, sourcing, and hiring top talent, developing recruitment strategies, and managing the entire hiring process to meet organizational needs.
Compensation and Benefits Manager: Designs, implements, and manages compensation and benefits programs, including salary structures, incentive plans, health benefits, and retirement plans, ensuring competitiveness and compliance.
Learning and Development Manager: Develops and implements training programs, professional development initiatives, and leadership development strategies to enhance employee skills and organizational capabilities.
HR Business Partner (HRBP): Works closely with specific business units or departments to align HR strategies with business objectives, providing strategic advice on human capital issues, organizational design, and change management.
Organizational Development (OD) Consultant: Focuses on improving organizational effectiveness, culture, and employee engagement through strategic interventions, change management initiatives, and leadership development programs.
Employee Relations Specialist/Manager: Manages workplace conflicts, grievances, disciplinary actions, and ensures compliance with labor laws and company policies to foster a fair and productive work environment.
HR Analyst / HR Data Specialist: Utilizes data analytics and HR metrics to provide insights into workforce trends, optimize HR processes, and support data-driven decision-making in areas like retention, recruitment, and performance.
Workforce Planning Manager: Analyzes future talent needs, develops strategies to address skill gaps, and ensures the organization has the right people in the right roles to meet strategic objectives.
HR Consultant: Works independently or for consulting firms, advising various organizations on a wide range of HR issues, including strategic planning, HR policy, talent management, and compliance.
