Many individuals who are considering enrolling in online schools are unsure about their career aspirations. In a struggling economy, some people are choosing to take online college courses in fields that are expected to experience a significant increase in job opportunities in the coming years.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for human resources professionals will grow by about 22 percent by 2018, which is much faster than the average rate for all occupations. New government standards associated with healthcare, retirement plans and occupational safety will contribute to the spike, the agency predicts.

The BLS reports that individuals who have their master's degree in human resources, labor relations or business administration are considered for top management positions. Candidates may consider working toward an online MBA degree in order to prepare for a profitable career opportunity.

A for-profit school based in Minnesota recently announced that it has launched new human resources management degrees online. The institution revealed on Monday that it has added a master's in the field, as well as a human resources specialization to the doctorate in management program.

The master's-level curriculum features three specializations: functional human resources management, organizational strategy as well as integrating functional and strategic human resources management. These concentrations are designed to prepare students to further their career in the field or advance into an executive position.

Scholars who pursue the human resources management specialization to their PhD will be exposed to the latest theories, concepts and tools in the field. These lessons may allow them to conduct research or teach.

A recent podcast on TotalPicture Radio addressed some of the issues facing human resources recruiters in the U.S., including globalization, cross-gendered conflicts, social networks, retention and authenticity. The broadcast, which was hosted by Peter Clayton, featured interviews with prominent executives who are reshaping their hiring practices to keep up in an ever-changing business climate.

Several trends were revealed by industry experts, such as an increase in social media recruitment and international outreach efforts for new professionals.

Due to the high costs and scheduling conflicts that are presented by many traditional schools, web-based college degree programs have gained popularity in recent years. The recent announcement from the for-profit college proves that professionals of all levels can advance their education through distance learning. Many programs have made an effort to bolster their online master's degree and PhD offerings.