Human Resources Management

Overview

Human resources (HR) management programs prepare people to manage employment policies and practices in the work place.

In human resources management programs, students learn:

Personnel and organizational policy
Labor relations
Employment law
Compensation systems
Recruitment and selection

Internships

Internships allow students to develop skills at companies or organizations.

Concentrations

Students in a human resources management program may be able to specialize in:

Organizational development
Labor relations and industrial relations

Schools

A few community colleges offer associate degrees in human resources management. An associate degree is good preparation to work as an assistant in an HR department.

Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in human resources management. A bachelor's degree takes about four years of full-time study.

Colleges and universities also offer graduate degrees in human resources management. In graduate school students can focus on labor relations and organizational behavior. It is also possible to focus on human resources in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Basic Computer
Economics
Introduction to Business
Pre-Calculus
Psychology
Public Speaking

Graduate Admissions

Admission to MBA programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree, good grades, and good test scores. Your bachelor's degree should be in a business field. Otherwise, you should take several courses in human resources management. Other recommended courses are accounting, economics, statistics, and business law. You should also take courses in management information systems and management.

Additional requirements at some schools include:

Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
Letters of recommendation
Interview

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

Business Law
Business Writing
Calculus for Business
Compensation and Benefits
Employment Law
Introduction to Accounting
Introduction to Human Resources Management
Introduction to Management Information Systems
Introduction to Marketing
Labor and Industrial Relations
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Management and Organization
Principles of Microeconomics
Statistics for Business
Training and Development

Things to Know

Because the human resources field deals primarily with people, you should try to gain experience working with people from many different backgrounds.

Good skills in writing, speaking, and critical thinking are needed for advancement in the business world.

Some business courses in high school can be useful preparation for a career in human resources management. You should take only a few, so that your high school transcript shows that you are preparing for a demanding college-level program.