Human resources manager: bachelor's degree, years as an HR specialist, sometimes a master's or MBA
Human resources managers typically need a bachelor's degree and several years of related work experience, often as human resources or labor relations specialists. Some jobs require a master's in human resources, labor relations or business administration (MBA).
For: Experienced HR people who want to lead a department and shape how an organization hires, pays and treats its staff.
Route 1: Degree → HR specialist → HR manager Typical
Management positions typically require an understanding of compensation and benefits plans, HR software and federal, state and local employment laws.
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Start here
High school diploma
BLS
Human Resources Managers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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About 4 years
Bachelor's in human resources, business, communications or psychology
BLS
Human Resources Managers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Years of work
Human resources or labor relations specialist
HR specialistBLS
Human Resources Managers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Human resources manager
BLS
Human Resources Managers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 2: Master's in HR or an MBA Some jobs require it
Some jobs may require a master's degree in human resources, labor relations or business administration (MBA).
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Start here
Bachelor's degree
BLS
Human Resources Managers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
GMAT or GRE (for an MBA)
The GMAT has three sections (Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Data Insights) and takes 2 hours 15 minutes.
GMAT and GRE exam pagesGMAC
GMAT exam structureGraduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), mba.com- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Graduate
Master's in HR or labor relations, or an MBA
BLS
Human Resources Managers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Human resources manager
BLS
Human Resources Managers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- GRE instead of GMAT
- ETS calls the GRE General Test one test for graduate, business and law school, accepted at thousands of schools.
ETS
The GRE General TestETS- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Licenses, registrations and certifications
Each one is marked: a state or federal license is the law, a registration through an employer comes with the job, and a voluntary certification is one employers may ask for.
- PHR
HR Certification Institute (HRCI) · Voluntary - For HR professionals who implement programs: 1 to 4 years of professional HR experience depending on education.
HRCI
Professional in Human Resources (PHR)HR Certification Institute (HRCI)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- SHRM-CP
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) · Voluntary - For people who perform general HR duties; 134 questions at a Prometric center.
SHRM
SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- HR certification in general
Professional associations · Employer may require - Voluntary, but employers may prefer candidates with certification, and some positions may require it.
BLS
Human Resources Managers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Where to go next
Every career page in this cluster: entry, license, BLS pay and outlook.
What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.