Human Resource Management Major
What is Human Resource Management (HRM)?
The effective management of the human resources of an organization is critical to the organization's success.
Thus, the goals of human resource management are the efficient and effective utilization of human resources in order to achieve the strategic objective of the organization while facilitating the accomplishment of individual goals.
HRM involves all of the decisions and practices that relate to managing people in organizations.
The means to achieving the goals of HRM are accomplished by developing a knowledge base in job analysis, human resource planning, recruitment, selection, training and development, compensation and benefits, human resource management law, labor relations, and continuous quality improvement processes.
Why the WSU Human Resource Management Program?
The HRM program provides a high-quality human resource education designed to help students build the competencies required for future managers and/or HR professionals in the private, non-profit, and public sector by delivering relevant theories as well as practical knowledge and skills.
What kinds of courses will I take?
HRM majors take 66 S.H. of progressive coursework in a variety of disciplines, such as accounting, business law, finance, marketing, economics, statistics, human resources, and decision-making.
In addition to the 11 College of Business core courses (33 S.H.), HRM majors take 8 required courses (24 S.H.) and 3 electives (9 credits) to meet the 66 S.H. credit requirement.
4-Year Major Map (PDF)
Future Career
The number of HRM professionals is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years because of an increased awareness of the costs and benefits of effective human resource practices.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that jobs for HR, training, and labor relations managers and specialists will be increased by 22% between 2008 and 2018 (Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition).
Graduates of the program are prepared to begin their careers in the human resource departments of corporations, government agencies, unions, and other private and public organizations.
They are employed as recruiters, compensation specialists, job analysts, grievance handlers, arbitration managers, negotiators, safety directors, and training coordinators.
According to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Graduate Follow-Up Report FY 2008, 92% of HRM program graduates are working in major field within one year of graduation.
The HRM program at WSU prepares students for careers in management of all types of organizations in the private, non-private, or public sector. Recent graduates have obtained employment as:
- Employee Benefit Manager
- HR Generalist
- Industrial Relations Representative
- Job and Occupational Analyst
- Compensation Specialist
- Employment and Placement Specialist
- International Human Resources Manager
- Training and Development Specialist
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
SHRM is the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management. Representing more than 250,000 members in over 140 countries, the Society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession.
Founded in 1948, SHRM has more than 575 affiliated chapters within the United States and subsidiary offices in China and India. There is a professional chapter and a student chapter in Winona.
Human Resource Certification
HR is becoming more professionalized. Through Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) SHRM offers three HR certificates:
- PHR (professional in HR)
- SPHR (senior professional in HR)
- GPHR (Global professional in HR) certificates
Details on these certifications are available on the HR Certification Institute website.
Relationship with AACSB
Recently, the linkage between SHRM and AACSB has increased in an effort to standardize the HR education programs. SHRM identified 13 HR content areas and 24 learning modules.
The new HRM curriculum at WSU is aligned with the standardized undergraduate HRM program suggested by SHRM.
