Human Resource Management
Human Resource majors help organizations manage employees. They learn to recruit employees, develop training programs, manage pay systems and benefit plans, motivate and reward desired behaviors and help set strategic direction. Human resource managers are at the heart of dynamic events and changes such as mergers, downsizing, entering international business and adopting quality management processes. They implement and often lead to cultural changes associated with these steps.
Awards and Distinctions
- The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) has received the Superior Merit Award from the National SHRM in seven of the last 10 years.
- Management professor J. Ben Arbaugh has received three consecutive top research awards from the Academy of Management. No other professor in the nation has achieved this outstanding honor.
Career Opportunities
- HR generalists
- Benefits or training specialist
- Creating HR management in a growing firm
- HR manager involved with mergers, downsizing, international business and quality management processes
- HR manager implementing cultural changes associated with mergers, downsizing
Professional Certification
The Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) is affiliated with the national Society for Human Resource Management. There are two levels of Certification, the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Both are based on a combination of performance on a national standardized test of human resource knowledge and skills and specified levels of experience in human resource jobs. The number of certified Human Resource Professionals is over 60,000 and growing.
Human Resource Management Curriculum Information
Suggested electives for those students pursuing an HR major (May 2011)
