Let's Talk Human Resource Management (HRM) Grad Programs!

[dfrecore]

So - at this point - here's where my thoughts are leaning (and still subject to change over the weeks and months ahead...)

On 12/13/18, I'll complete my last UExcel exam, and my degree should be conferred March 2019.

Starting in early January, I'll get to work on my PHR. As dfrecore stated, it is THE certification in the HR world, and I do believe I need to have it. I'll work on that through the first half of the year, and take the exam no later than 6/30/19.

On 7/1/2019, I'm strongly considering enrolling in WGU's MSML program, and utilizing my employer's tuition reimbursement program (up to $5,250 per year). Here's my reasoning for that:

1. I have 20 years of HR experience right now, and I'll have my professional certification in HR as well.
   
2. My undergraduate degree in Psychology gave me a better understanding of why people do what they do, which is a vital skill to have in HR.
   
3. A graduate degree in Management and Leadership helps me fill in a huge gap in my education/experience profile - I've never been a Manager at any level (the closest I ever came was 6 months as a Management Trainee in an auto parts store when I was 20 years old).
   

The reason for the 7/1 start is because it will take me two terms to finish, and that will allow me to start the second term on 1/1/20, which is when my employer's tuition reimbursement program will reset, giving me a fresh $5,250 to work with, and allowing me to complete my Master's Degree for free. 

So when all is said and done, my experience/education profile would look like this:

• 21 years of HR experience
  
• Professional in Human Resources certification
  
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
  
• Master of Science in Management & Leadership
  

All completed right around my 50th birthday. 

(Time does play a role here. If I were younger, I might approach this differently. But I need to find the highest impact of time taken and usefulness of my education, and I think this is it.)

As I mentioned previously, my aspirations aren't insanely high. The above feels like it should be plenty to land me an HR Manager job in a small company, in nearly any economy - good or bad.

That's all I want - to never hear another "we can't consider you based on your educational profile" and to simply feel like I *belong* in a role because I've earned it - based on both education and experience. 

I think this is both practical, reasonable, and smart!  I love the idea of not paying for the MA degree, that's a win.  Splitting it up between 2 years in a great way to do that.  We have heard nothing but good things from WGU here on this forum, so again, a huge win.  I think with those qualifications, you are right in thinking that your resume and experience will make a good hedge against a bad economy.

Good luck and keep us posted!  I want to know how the PHR is.  I would love to get my CCP, but it's expensive, so I won't spend the money.  But if I ended up back in HR someday, and the company would pay, I'd do it in a heartbeat.