Last Updated on March 3, 2023 by MBA Gateway Team
This article is a part-of ‘MBA Careers’ Series
Best MBA programs for a Career in HR
If you’re interested in a career in human resources (HR), obtaining a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree can provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this field. HR professionals play a vital role in organizations, from hiring and training employees to managing benefits and compensation programs. If you’re considering pursuing an MBA with a focus on HR, here are some of the best programs to consider:
- Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania – Wharton’s MBA in Human Resources Management program offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers a range of HR-related topics, including organizational behavior, negotiations, and staffing. The program also includes a variety of experiential learning opportunities, such as internships and consulting projects with real-world companies.
- Harvard Business School – Harvard’s MBA program emphasizes leadership and management skills, which are particularly relevant for HR professionals. Students can take electives in HR-related topics, such as talent management and leadership development. The program also includes a required course on organizational behavior, which is essential for understanding how individuals and teams interact in the workplace.
- Sloan School of Management at MIT – Sloan’s MBA program offers a concentration in Organizational and Social Psychology, which covers topics such as motivation, group dynamics, and leadership. Students can also take electives in HR-related areas such as negotiation and conflict resolution.
- Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University – Kellogg’s MBA program offers a Human Resources Management major, which includes courses such as Strategic Human Resource Management and Managing the Employee Relationship. The program also offers opportunities for experiential learning, such as internships and case competitions.
- Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan – Ross’s MBA program offers a Human Resource Management concentration, which covers topics such as talent management, employee relations, and HR strategy. The program also includes experiential learning opportunities, such as consulting projects and internships with real-world companies.
In summary, obtaining an MBA with a focus on HR can provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this field. The above-listed programs are some of the best MBA programs for a career in HR, offering a comprehensive curriculum and a range of experiential learning opportunities. When choosing a program, consider your career goals and which program best aligns with your interests and aspirations.
Table: Top 20 Business Schools for HR
| Business School | % Students going into HR | # Students going into HR |
|---|---|---|
| Stanford Graduate School of Business | 5.5% | 13 |
| Yale School of Management | 5.3% | 12 |
| Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University | 5.1% | 22 |
| Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley | 5.0% | 15 |
| Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College | 4.8% | 9 |
| Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan | 4.7% | 23 |
| Columbia Business School | 4.6% | 20 |
| The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania | 4.4% | 27 |
| Harvard Business School | 4.3% | 22 |
| Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University | 4.2% | 13 |
| Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago | 4.1% | 15 |
| Sloan School of Management at MIT | 4.1% | 10 |
| Fuqua School of Business at Duke University | 4.0% | 13 |
| Kelley School of Business at Indiana University | 4.0% | 13 |
| UCLA Anderson School of Management | 3.9% | 12 |
| McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin | 3.8% | 10 |
| NYU Stern School of Business | 3.7% | 14 |
| Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC Chapel Hill | 3.5% | 8 |
| Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University | 3.5% | 5 |
| McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University | 3.3% | 6 |
