Major in Human Resource Management

Students may seek either an academic major or minor in human resource management.

The human resource major provides 21st-century skills, knowledge, and understanding of human resource functions in private- and public-sector organizational settings. These functions include human resource planning; recruitment, selection, placement, and orientation of employees; training and career development; labor relations; management of performance appraisal, compensation, and benefit programs; and development of personnel policies and procedures. The curriculum also covers management and organization theory, organizational behavior and development approaches, labor relations theory and practice, interpersonal skill development, and special perspectives such as women in management. Students are prepared for work in business administration and human resources in the for-profit, nonprofit, or public sector. Through the proper selection of courses, the student can prepare for the certification examinations for Professional in Human Resources, Senior Professional in Human Resources, and Global Professional in Human Resources, which are offered by the Society for Human Resource Management.

Intended Program Outcomes

The student who graduates with a major in human resource management should be able to

• Apply business knowledge, reflective practices, and ethical leadership skills that drive learning and self-improvement to develop strategic competencies and position the organization competitively.
• Apply knowledge of human behavior, labor relations, and current laws and regulations to produce a working environment that is safe, fair, and compliant with all applicable regulations and where all employees are motivated and valued.
• Develop, implement, and assess training, development, and total rewards programs that foster employee and organizational learning and development.
• Recognize the different cultures and world views that inform human thinking and action and respond constructively to human and global differences in workplaces, communities, and organizations.
• Identify and use technology to research, collect, analyze, and interpret data and effectively communicate information in a professional manner that educates and influences others.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in human resource management requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 36 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 43 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 18 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Requirements for the Human Resource Management Major

Coursework for a major in human resource management includes the following:

• Required foundation courses (12 credits): BMGT 110 (or BMGT 364), ACCT 301 (or ACCT 221), FINC 331 (or any upper-level FINC course except FINC 321 or 322) and MRKT 310
• Required core courses (18 credits): HRMN 300, 362, 395, 400, 406, and 408
• Supplemental major courses (3 credits): Chosen from any HRMN courses or BMGT 365, 465, and 484
• Required capstone course (3 credits): HRMN 495
• Required related course (3 credits), which may be applied anywhere in the degree: IFSM 300 

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BS in human resource management. Coursework for the major is indicated by . Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Human Resource Management Degree Courses

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

• EDCP 100 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3)
  (strongly recommended as first course)
• LIBS 150 Introduction to Research (1)
• WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)
  or WRTG 101S Introduction to Writing (3)
• MATH 106 Finite Mathematics (3)
  or a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

• BMGT 110 Introduction to Business and Management (3)
  or BMGT 364 Management and Organization Theory (3) (for students with business experience) 
• ECON 103 Economics in the Information Age (3)
  or other behavioral and social sciences course 
• BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology (4)
  or other biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory course(s) 
• WRTG 293 Introduction to Professional Writing (3)
  or other writing course 
• IFSM 201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology (3)
  prerequisite to requirements for major
• HUMN 100 Introduction to Humanities (3)
  or other arts and humanities course
  

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

• BEHS 103 Technology in Contemporary Society (3)
  or other behavioral and social sciences course (discipline must differ from first)
• ACCT 301 Accounting for Nonaccounting Majors (3)
  or ACCT 221 Principles of Accounting II (3) (students should note prerequisite)
• NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
  or other biological and physical sciences lecture course
• HIST 125 Technological Transformations (3)
  or other arts and humanities/historical perspective course (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
• IFSM 300 Information Systems in Organizations (3)
  (related requirement for the major; also fulfills the computing requirement)
• COMM 202 Media and Society (3)
  or other communication, writing, or speech course
• MRKT 310 Marketing Principles (3)
• FINC 331 Finance for the Nonfinancial Manager (3)

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

• WRTG 394 Advanced Business Writing (3)
  or other upper-level advanced writing course
• HRMN 300 Human Resource Management (3)
• HRMN 362 Labor Relations (3)
• HRMN 395 The Total Rewards Approach to Compensation Management (3)
• HRMN 400 Human Resource Management: Issues and Problems (3)
• HRMN 406 Employee Training and Development (3)
• HRMN 408 Employment Law for Business (3)
• HRMN 302 Organizational Communication (3)
  or HRMN 367 Organizational Culture (3)
  or other supplemental major course

Capstone Course for Major (to be taken in the last 15 credits)

• HRMN 495 Contemporary Issues in Human Resource Management Practice (3)

Minor and/or Elective Courses (40)
(to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses)

Recommended Electives

• BMGT 365 Organizational Leadership
• BMGT 465 Organizational Development and Transformation
• BMGT 484 Managing Teams in Organizations
• HRMN 365 Conflict Management in Organizations
• HRMN 392 Stress Management in the Workplace
• STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics

Recommended Minors

Business administration, finance, or other business-related minor

Total credits for BS in human resource management: 120

Human Resource Management Degree Planning Worksheet