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Accredited Schools for Human Resources Degrees in California

by · June 5, 2024

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Human Resources is one of the most sought-after careers. It’s one of the fastest-growing careers in the United States, with an average job outlook increase of 6% every year. But, qualifying to become an HR professional is quite a journey.

From qualifying for admissions to earning a degree to finding the best sort of colleges and universities, it’s a career path that takes dedication. So, if you’re looking for the best human resources degree in California then you’ll find them here.

Because you need qualifications from the best schools to pursue this career. You don’t only need to be qualified but also need to hold an accredited degree to work as an HR professional. So, let’s dive right into it and talk about some of the best schools for human resources in California.

Types of Schools for Human Resources Degrees in California 

There are various types of colleges, schools and universities in California that you can sign up for and pursue a degree in Human Resources. Now, the most important aspect is that the college or university you enroll in must be an accredited institution.

However, there are three main options, and each one is ideal for certain cases. The options include:

  • On-Campus
  • Online
  • Community College

Now, let’s begin with on-campus, which is the most common option for students after high school. Usually, high-school graduates tend to find universities and colleges in their near vicinity. The benefit of finding a university within your state includes the following:

  • Lower tuition cost, as there’s no out-of-state fee;
  • Proximity to family, friends, relatives, etc.;
  • Easier access to in-state scholarships;
  • And better chances of financial aid.

These are some of the benefits of finding an on-campus university that offers this degree. But, if you find a human resources degree in California online, then you gain other sorts of benefits. This includes a variety of advantages, such as:

  • No need to travel, as most online degrees are earned completely remotely;
  • At-your-pace studying, as many graduate or undergraduate online degrees allow this option;
  • Flexible scheduling means you can work while earning the degree;
  • And it also means comparatively lower costs.

So, the choice between online and on-campus depends on your preference. Let’s say you’re looking to do a master’s degree in this field, then you’ll be better suited for an online program. However, if you want the full on-campus experience, then choosing a nearby university for a bachelor’s is the right option.

But what about community colleges? They tend to provide full-scale programs, but it’s important to find colleges that are accredited. Now, these programs tend to be cheaper and are usually titled:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Human resource certifications;
  • Or accelerated degrees.

Therefore, if you aim to enroll in a community college, make sure it’s certified and offers a good program. 

How to Get a Human Resources Degree in California (Requirements) 

It’s important to understand how to get a human resources degree, and that’s why you should study every college or university’s admission requirement. Every university has specific requirements, but most of them necessitate the same basic things.

So, to keep things simple for you, here’s how you can get a human resources degree in California:

  1. Graduate high school or get an equivalent diploma.
  2. Attempt and pass the SAT or ACT test—depending on the university/college/.
  3. Pass with a minimum of 2.5-3.0 GPA from high school;
  4. Get letters of recommendation from 1-3 sources.
  5. Enroll in an accredited university with an HR or Business Administration program.

Then, you can pursue internships or additional qualifications, like a master’s degree. So, what degree do you need for a human resources master’s program? Here are some key requirements:

  1. A bachelor’s degree in HR or business administration. 
  2. A GPA of 3.0 or above.
  3. GRE or GMAT standardized tests.
  4. Relevant work experience—depending on the university.

That’s how you can pursue either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the state of California. However, it’s still important to study the university or college’s specific requirements before you move with the process. 

Best Schools for Human Resources Degrees in California

There are quite a few things that make any school ideal for local residents. The average cost is definitely one of the top considerations of a majority of the students. Then, the chances of getting into the university, aka the acceptance rate.

Lastly, the quality of the program offered and the potential for a long and fruitful career. So, bearing those in mind, here are the best schools for human resources degrees in California today: 

1: National University

National University is one of the top names you’ll find when finding institutions in California. Situated in San Diego, this university is known for being an affordable and stellar option. This includes the bachelor’s degree in human resources that we’re talking about today. 

The degree comprises courses like Workforce Planning and Talent Management. But besides that, it also includes various courses, like Labor Relations, and Workplace Ethics. This means the degree is ideal if you’re pursuing a career as an HR Manager or Talent Hunter.

Therefore, this degree is ideal for you if you’re looking for an affordable option. However, a major drawback for some would be the very tough acceptance rate. 

2: La Sierra University 

La Sierra University in Riverside, California is one of the best universities that you can find in The Golden State, not only because of a very high acceptance rate, but also the variety of programs and affordable average cost. 

The university is known for providing full-fledged programs that end with internships. Or, programs that are designed to help students become professionals by the time they end the 4-year degree. However, this university offers two main options, aka a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in human resource management.

So, it’s one of the main universities where you’ll find both undergraduate and post-graduate options. And either degree will allow you to pursue careers like an HR Executive or Hiring Manager. 

3: Golden Gate University

Golden Gate University is another top university that offers a robust human resource management degree. But other than that, it’s also a university that’s known for being quite accepting and provides an affordable average cost. 

But for the program itself, it’s one of the best choices you can pursue if you’re looking for a long and prosperous career in HR. Because, some of the courses include Acquiring and Retaining Human Resources, as well as Ethics in Management People at Work. 

The focus of these courses indicates the main purpose of the degree, which is to ensure the student is qualified enough to lead hiring talents, the HR department itself, or train new employees. 

4: Azusa Pacific University

Azusa Pacific University is another good choice and stands out for offering a unique human resource program. The university also sports a hefty acceptance rate and a very reasonable annual fee. However, the program itself stands out cause of the exclusive focus. 

Compared to other programs of the same ilk, this one focuses on the organizational development of HR departments. So, ideally, the holder of this degree would help companies develop HR strategies, create tactics to find and hire talent, etc.

This is apparent in courses like HR Management, Organizational Leadership, and Managing Diverse Teams and Groups. That’s why it’s an ideal program for those who wish to pursue executive positions in HR departments. 

5: California State University, Bakersfield

California State University in Bakersfield is another incredible option simply because it offers a robust program. Besides that, it’s also one of the most affordable options on this list. And, the promising acceptance rate also pushes it toward the top.

As for the program itself, it’s a business administration program with a concentration on our titular field. The courses in this degree include Human Resource Management, Compensation and Benefits Administration as well as Staffing, Selection, and Workforce Development. 

Therefore, this program has all the tools to help you develop the right skills and get qualified to lead HR for businesses. So, you can easily eye job titles like HR Executive, Hiring Manager, HR Specialist, HR Analyst, etc. 

6: Chico State (CSUC)

Chico State (CSUC), or California State University in Chico, California, is another university under the CSU system. And it’s one of the best options for those looking for an easy-to-get-into university with an affordable tuition fee. 

The program here is called the BSBA, but it’s in HR Management concentration. The courses in this degree include HR Strategy and Information Systems, Recruitment and Selection, as well as Training and Development. 

The university is also known for providing various internship opportunities post-graduation. So, you’ll be set for a career in HR management or recruitment. 

7: UMass Global

UMass Global is a university under the University of Massachusetts system, but it’s in Aliso Viejo, California. Now the university was formerly known as Brandman University. And, one of the major reasons it stands out is the online programs that it offers. 

The nature of the online HR program here means you don’t have to travel, and you pay a fraction of the price yearly. On top of that, the high acceptance rate makes it an ideal degree for students who have to work and study.

The courses in this human resources-focused program include Workforce Planning and Employment, Human Resource Studies, as well as Labor Relations. Therefore, it has all the tools to make you an ideal HR candidate for any job position. 

8: Claremont Lincoln University

Claremont Lincoln University is another top university that offers quite a few programs. It has one of the best online graduate programs for those who wish to move up the HR hierarchy. The university is also quite affordable and almost guarantees entry upon enrollment. 

The online master’s with an HR concentration helps you become even more skillful in HR matters. The courses in this degree include Critical Issues in HR Ethics and Law and Workplace Diversity and Inclusion. Thus ensuring you can climb up the ladder and pursue higher roles. 

9: Claremont Graduate University

Claremont Graduate University is one of the best universities to go to if you’re looking for a cheap graduate degree. The master’s degree here is quite outstanding, but the university can be difficult to get into. 

The degree itself is a human resource management master of science and helps you develop leadership skills for an HR setting. Besides, courses like Training & Development, Workforce Planning & Talent Management, as well as Organizational Development make it an ideal follow-up to a bachelor’s degree.

10: Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University is another popular university in the state of California. While it may be on the expensive side, the university is one of the best options to pursue online programs. But, the acceptance rate can be a bit challenging too. 

Now, if you’ve got a bachelor’s degree and are already working in an HR capacity, this degree is ideal for you. It can catapult your career to the next level, as it focuses on leadership skills and strategizing HR departments. 

Other than that, the university also provides internships and other opportunities at Amazon, Oracle, Bank of America, and many more. Thus, this is perhaps the perfect flow-up if you’ve already acquired a bachelor’s degree. 

What Degree Do You Need for A Human Resources Career In California? 

You need to qualify for either a bachelor’s or master’s degree to pursue a human resources career in California. As mentioned before, you will have to earn a bachelor’s degree in the field to qualify for work as a professional HR specialist or manager.

Besides, you will also need to get additional certifications to work in HR. Now, what you have to do includes:

  1. Get a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources with a 3.0 GPA or above.
  2. Work on key curriculum courses and strengthen your foundation.
  3. Get certifications, such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, etc.
  4. Get letters of recommendation from your teachers.

After that, you’ll be open to work opportunities, which include a hefty job outlook. California happens to have 96,900+ HR specialists and around 27,000 HR managers working as of this writing. Besides that, BLS says there’s a 6% increase in job outlook for this field every year. 

This makes it one of the leading job titles in the state of California. Now, what sort of jobs can you pursue after getting a degree in HR? According to BLS, here are a few common job titles:

  • Compensation and Benefits Managers
  • Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists
  • Human Resources Managers
  • Labor Relations Specialists
  • Training and Development Managers
  • Training and Development Specialists

Besides that, HR specialists are also involved in hiring and recruitment management. 

Conclusions 

These are some of the best human resources degrees that you can pursue at the top institutions in California. All of the schools we discussed are unique in their way and would be ideal for students looking to pursue different careers in human resources. So, pick the university or program that aligns with your goals, then get additional certifications to pursue a successful career in the field. 

 

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