To stay ahead of the curve with the most in-demand skill set, pursuing graduate-level education is a great way to go. However, when weighing an MBA in HR or a master’s degree in human resource management, answering one question will guide you: “Are you looking for depth, or are you looking for breadth?”

That’s the question that Sue Oldham, associate dean of MBA operations at Vanderbilt University says determines rigor and program length, while also shaping career prospects.

What is an MBA with a human resources concentration versus a master’s in human resources

Experts agree that earning an MBA with a concentration in HR provides breadth, with a strong foundation in finance, accounting, operations, and marketing—plus the people skills necessary for HR careers. Vanderbilt’s MBA program with a concentration in human and organizational performance (HOP), for example, offers additional graduate-level HR courses for MBA candidates. 

Meanwhile, a master’s degree in HR or adjacent fields of study, such as industrial or organizational (I/O) psychology, can often provide a deeper dive into the science of people. Students who pursue I/O psychology, which focuses on employee behavior, may choose to pursue a research position instead of becoming an HR practitioner.

MBA candidates pursuing HR concentrations are also a rarity—and no matter which route you take, studying HR at a graduate level gives you a better chance of promotions, raises, and future leadership positions, says Jaime Klein, CEO of Inspire HR, an HR consulting firm. “To differentiate yourself in this job market, I think having other feathers in your cap to differentiate you is a smart move.”

There’s no one path that best fits all HR professionals, but if you’re seeking the benefits of an MBA program and want to sharpen your people skills, the HR concentration may be the way to go.

Why an MBA concentration in human resources makes sense

This degree can be the best of both worlds for professionals looking to earn an MBA for the breadth of business education it provides while emphasizing more intangible people skills.

“It’s one thing to have skills in finance, in marketing, in strategy, and in operations. All of those are extremely important; they will never go away,” Oldham says. But there’s also a notion among business leaders that putting their employees first has risen to the top of their priority list.

With a greater emphasis on workplace flexibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion, HR has become a more coveted skill set in prospective employees. 

“Most people don’t find out about HR as a career path until they’ve already graduated,” says Nancy Woolever, vice president of certification operations with the Society for Human Resource Management, a professional association that promotes HR education and certification. “Making the right kind of choice for your career path when you return to school for a master’s degree is increasingly important.”

Business school students may choose to concentrate in HR because doing so shows focus and better aligns with the job search, Oldham says. And an MBA with a concentration in an HR-adjacent field will also help students develop general management skills just like other business school students.

“The fact of the matter is getting an MBA still carries a certain amount of cachet with it,” says Woolever. Plus, with this degree, you’ll be in the pool to be hired for MBA-level jobs with MBA-level salaries, Oldham adds. 

Where you can get an MBA with a human resources concentration

When searching for programs and concentrations, you’ll want to keep an eye out for different keywords because each school uses different phrases, such as:

• Human and organizational performance
• Human and organizational behavior
• HR and strategic management
• HR management
• HR and labor relations
• Human capital
• HR development
• Strategic HR

While dozens of schools offer graduate-level HR and HR management coursework, only a handful of business schools have HR concentrations.

The 10 best full-time MBA programs with human resources concentrations

According to Fortune’s ranking of the best MBA programs:

• Vanderbilt University (Owen) (No. 26 overall)
• Michigan State University (Broad) (No. 31)
• University of Wisconsin–Madison (No. 33)
• University of Florida (Warrington) (No. 34)
• Brigham Young University (Marriott) (No. 42)
• Morgan State University (Graves) (No. 67)
• University of Houston (Bauer) (No. 62)
• University of Cincinnati (Lindner) (No. 68)
• Lindenwood University (No. 69)
• Appalachian State University (Walker) (No. 75)

The 10 best online MBA programs with human resources concentrations

According to Fortune’s ranking of the best online MBA programs:

• University of Pittsburgh (Katz) (No. 14 overall)
• University of Southern Indiana (No. 20)
• University of Texas–Tyler (No. 29)
• Lindenwood University (No. 30)
• Saint Joseph’s University (Haub) (No. 44)
• University of Scranton (No. 60)
• University of Louisiana–Lafayette (No. 70)
• Saint Francis University (No. 76)
• University of Michigan–Dearborn (No. 84)
• Delta State University (No. 86)

What you’ll study in graduate-level human resources courses

“If you’re at the table and you’re in the HR arena, don’t think that you’re not going to be asked to understand a financial statement,” Oldham says.

In Vanderbilt’s HOP program, students take their core MBA classes in strategy, accounting, and operations while also taking HR-centric classes. Some of Vanderbilt’s popular HOP electives include leading change, diversity in organizations, negotiations, and ethics. 

At certain universities, students may take HR courses from schools outside of the business (such as the case with Michigan State and their School of Human Resource and Labor Relations). HR and business topics include:

• International Management
• Social Issues in Management
• Talent Management and Development
• Complex Negotiations

A master’s degree in human resource management (MSHRM) focuses on subjects like the psychology of group dynamics, how adults learn, and moral development. An MBA program with an HR concentration delves into the business aspects of the HR profession, Klein says. It’s more common for people seeking research positions to study I/O psychology, while those looking to grow in the HR profession pursue an MBA with an HR concentration or an MSHRM.

“It’s good business to really understand better how to attract, retain, and motivate people because that’s the secret sauce of the organization,” Klein says.

Human resources careers you can pursue after the MBA

People who earn MBAs with a concentration in HR tend to follow one of two career paths: HR management or HR consulting. Oldham groups them as corporate human resources or human capital consulting.

“From where I sit, I think that anything related to people and HR is really becoming more strategic, more of a coveted skill,” Klein says. 

An HR management career path could include managing certain lines of a business or specializing in benefits, talent, or retention. Many MBA students who concentrate in HR, however, choose to pursue consulting jobs, which tend to offer more flexible schedules and higher salaries, Oldham and Klein agree. 

Large firms like Deloitte or PwC, for example, may hire MBA grads into senior consultants or senior associate roles to focus on organization design, change management and HR technology implementation, Oldeham says. 

Comparing HR-related occupations (data according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Whichever path you choose, employers will look beyond your resume and grades to evaluate your fit for a role in today’s HR world. Employers will interview with an eye for the ability to pivot and adapt, Oldham adds. 

“You need to come across as flexible, open to anything, going any direction,” she says.

And if your end goal is to land the coveted position of chief human resources officer (CHRO), then getting an MBA with an HR concentration can help that dream become a reality. The median compensation for the Fortune 500 CHROs was $2.2 million in 2022.

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Frequently asked questions

Is an MBA worth it for human resources?

Yes, if you want to land a leadership role in HR, then pursuing an MBA with a concentration is a great way to learn the in-demand business leadership skills in the context of human and organizational behavior. 11.5% of Michigan State’s MBA program, which offers an HR concentration, went on to pursue jobs in HR, with mean salaries of just about $122,000.

Is it better to get an MBA with a concentration?

If you already know your desired career path, then yes, getting a concentration is a great idea since it allows you to take specific electives, meet additional peers with similar goals, and indicate to employers your commitment to the field.

Can I get a human resources job with an MBA?

Yes, every company hires HR experts, and having an MBA with an HR concentration in particular can make you stick out of the pack as someone ready for a leadership position. 2023 graduates of Vanderbilt’s MBA program with an HR concentration have median annual salaries of $130,000.

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Check out all of Fortune’s rankings of degree programs, and learn more about specific career paths.