The human resource management 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 human resource management major prepares students for work in business administration and human resources. Through the proper selection of courses, the student can prepare for the certification examinations for Human Resource Professional, Senior Human Resource Professional, and International Human Resource Professional, which are offered by the Society of Human Resource Management. In addition to the focus on human resource functions, the major includes courses in management and organization theory, organizational behavior and development approaches, labor relations theory and practice, interpersonal skill development, and women’s perspectives in management.

The student who graduates with a Major in Human Resource Management will be able to

• Apply critical-thinking skills to human resource processes, including job analysis, staffing, appraisal, compensation, training and development, performance appraisal systems, bargaining, negotiating, and resolving disputes.



• Use appropriate information technology to analyze human resource problems and recommend plans for resolution.



• Use quantitative and qualitative analytical research methods to evaluate human resource management initiatives.



• Evaluate ethical, social, civic, cultural, and political issues in the human resource management processes.



• Use effective written and oral communication skills consistent with the business and professional environment in the practice of human resource management.



• Interpret and apply human resource principles in a global setting.



• Discuss union/management interaction and relations between management, labor, and governmental agencies on federal, state, and local legislation; executive orders; and court decisions.

A degree with a major in Human Resource Management requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 36 credits for the major (indicated by Δ), 41 credits in general education requirements (GERs), 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).

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

• Required foundation courses (9 credits): BMGT 110 (or prior business experience and an additional supplemental course), ACCT 221 (or ACCT 301), and STAT 230
• Required core courses (15 credits): BMGT 364 and HRMN 300, 362 (or 395 or 406), 400, and 408
• Supplemental major courses (9 credits): Chosen from BMGT 380, 381, 391, 464, 465, and 484; FINC 330; MRKT 310; and any upper-level HRMN courses
• Required capstone course (3 credits): HRMN 495
• Required related courses (12 credits), which may be applied anywhere in the degree: ACCT 326 (or IFSM 300), ECON 201 and 203, and MATH 107 or MATH 106

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the Major in Human Resource Management. Since some recommended courses fill 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. Information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues) may be found on the GER page.

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)
Note: Placement tests required for MATH and WRTG courses.

LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)

WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)

MATH 107 College Algebra (3)
or MATH 106 or a higher-level math course

Δ BMGT 110 Introduction to Business and Management (3)
(students with business experience should substitute supplemental major course in the last 60 hours of study)

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

ECON 201 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
(related requirement for the major; also satisfies the first behavioral and social sciences requirement)

NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
and NSCI 101 Physical Science Laboratory (1)
or other course(s) to satisfy the biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement

WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to satisfy the communications writing requirement

IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3)
or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software

PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
or a foreign language course
or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, or literature course to satisfy the arts and humanities requirement

Δ STAT 230 Business Statistics (3)
or STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics

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

PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology
or other course to satisfy the second behavioral and social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first)

Δ ACCT 301 Accounting for Nonaccounting Majors (3)
or ACCT 221 Principles of Accounting II
(students should note prerequisite)

BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other course to satisfy the biological and physical sciences lecture requirement

ECON 203 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
(related requirement for major)

HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3)
or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865
or other ARTH or HIST course to satisfy the arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course) and the historical perspective requirement

IFSM 300 Information Systems in Organizations (3)
or ACCT 326 Accounting Information Systems
(related requirement for major; also satisfies the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement; students should note prerequisite)

SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3)
or WRTG 390 Writing for Managers
or other course to satisfy the communications/writing or speech requirement

Δ BMGT 364 Management and Organization Theory (3)

Δ HRMN 300 Human Resource Management (3)

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

WRTG 394 Advanced Business Writing (3)
or other course to satisfy the communications/upper-level intensive writing requirement

BMGT 392 Global Business Management (3)
(recommended elective)

Δ HRMN 400 Human Resource Management: Analysis and Problems (3)

Δ HRMN 408 Employment Law for Business (3)

Δ HRMN 362 Labor Relations (3)
or HRMN 395 A Total Rewards Approach to Compensation Management
or HRMN 406 Employee Training and Development

Δ FINC 330 Business Finance (3)
(or other supplemental major course)

Δ MRKT 310 Marketing Principles (3)
(or other supplemental major course)

BMGT 496 Business Ethics (3)
(recommended elective)

Δ BMGT 380 Business Law I (3)
(or other supplemental major course)

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

Δ HRMN 495 Contemporary Issues in Human Resource Management (3)

Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (34)

Recommended Elective
MATH 140 Calculus 1

Recommended Minor
Business administration, finance, or other discipline related to business

Total credits for BS in Human Resource Management: 120