Employees are a vital asset to any business. In the industry of human resources, professionals coordinate, plan, and direct people to help the business reach its full potential. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the human resources position is expected to grow 7 percent between 2018 and 2028, which is faster than average compared to other positions. By going to the right school for human resources, you have the opportunity to work in a demanding, yet rewarding industry.
What is Human Resources?
The field of human resources is very broad and demanding. The work means facing various challenges each day, communicating with others, having a strong understanding of labor law, and incredible patience. In some instances, you must make tough decisions and there are other times when you’ll need to mediate a conflict between employees. As a company has more and more individuals held within it, a human resources manager is tasked with more responsibilities.
Human Resource Manager Responsibilities
Human resources is a term associated with all the work someone does in this field. Managers in this position may do some or all of the tasks related to human resources, depending on their position, personnel, and organization. Some of the responsibilities of a person working in human resources include recruiting, hiring, and training new employees. You help people with compensation, employee benefits, and any employee-related issues.
The benefits of this work are significant. Skilled human resources workers make a difference in their work environment. You not only help people achieve satisfaction in their work environment, but you also help them become their best selves. The best people in human resources achieve greatness, not only for themselves but for others around them.
If you love working with people, creating a good work environment for yourself and others, and have strong communication skills, then human resource management is the right field for you.
Human Resources Accreditations
When choosing a school for your degree, it’s important to research its accreditation. Accreditation shows that a school or program meets the standards set by the accreditation agency. There are two types of accreditation. The first is institutional accreditation, which is provided by national and regional associates of colleges and schools, and one such example is the Higher Learning Commission.
There are six regional associates for accreditation (New England, North Central, Middle States, Northwest, Western, and Southern).
The other form of accreditation is specialized accreditation, which are agencies for human resources degree programs.
International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE): The IACBE accredits business programs for associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Institutions that only provide associate degrees in business are not accredited.
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB): AACSB International accredits degree programs for accounting and business administration at the bachelor’s master’s, and doctoral level.
Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP): The ACBSP accredits business, accounting, and business-related programs at all degree levels. This accreditation is available to institutions all over the world.
Human Resources Degree Types
Finding success in human resources starts with earning your degree. While not every position related to this field requires you to have a degree, there are more career opportunities available to those that do.
Before choosing the right school for human resources, you should select your degree level. Human resources degrees are broken down into four types. Below is a guide to each.
Associate Degree: Associate degrees are the least time-consuming to obtain. They can be earned from a college, technical school, or two-year community college and require around 60 credits. This degree type gives you a foundation in human resource practices. This degree allows you to qualify for entry-level positions in human resources, but you can continue your education at a different school if you wish to earn your bachelor’s degree.
Bachelor’s Degree: A Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources opens up specialized to mid-level career opportunities to you in the field. this program takes four yours to complete and is available at accredited universities and colleges. Bachelor’s degree programs cover the fundamentals of HR, along with intermediate and advanced material for the field. In addition to the coursework, most bachelor’s programs have some form of capstone project or internship you must complete.
Master’s Degree: A master’s degree program is a graduate-level program for people who have already earned their bachelor’s degree. For human resources, this degree qualifies you for upper-management positions in human resource management.
Students in these programs are allowed to focus their efforts on a specific concentration, such as talent development, compensation, and benefits, employment law, labor relations, or organizational psychology. This program is ideal for those that wish to work in a senior human resources management position.
Doctoral Degree: Doctoral degree programs are the highest level of degree available for the field of human resources. Students who complete this program earn their PhD in human resources. This degree is rarely necessary to advance your career.
However, a doctoral degree allows you to start your career in research. In addition to coursework, doctoral programs require students to complete a dissertation and pass an exam to graduate.
Best Schools for Human Resources
Once you’ve chosen the degree type you wish to earn, the next step is finding the right school. A college or university with a good human resources program puts you in the best position to succeed in your career.
The best schools have an excellent curriculum, knowledgeable faculty, and provide resources to students outside of the classroom. Below is our list of the best schools for human resource degrees.
University of Michigan – Dearborn
The University of Michigan at Dearborn offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management through its College of Business. The program was designed for students that have a specific interest in human resource management. This is the ideal program for students that want to participate in more than just standard coursework.
This school’s program has a heavy emphasis on research projects, working with teams, and internships. Courses include labor in the American Economy, International Dimensions of Organization Behavior, and Negotiation and Conflict Management.
A notable aspect of this program is that students learn how employee-to-employer relations work and the importance of training programs. The University of Michigan puts focus on students gaining as much real experience as they can before graduating from the program.
San Diego State University
San Diego State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in human resource management through its College of Business Administration.
The program requires students to learn about every facet of human resource management.
Students in the program develop their reasoning and critical thinking skills while being taught about economics, cultural diversity in the workplace, and business law. Courses in the program include Performance Management, International Human Resources Management, and Legal Issues in Human Resources.
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Instructors in the program have varying levels of experience in the field. Some of the faculty continue to research human resources and publish journal articles.
Michigan State University
Michigan State University offers a human resource management bachelor’s degree program to students through its Eli Broad College of Business. This degree was designed for students seeking to work in entry-level positions in business. It also serves as the first step towards a graduate degree in human resources.
This 120-credit hour program includes courses such as International Business Management, Personnel Training and Development, and Diversity in the Workplace. Students must complete a management capstone project in their final semester to graduate.
This program allows students to get a strong understanding of the relationship between employment relations, business, law, and human resources. Courses in the program are designed to show the changing attitudes towards human resources in relation to business. This ensures students stay up to date on the latest developments within the field.
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania has a bachelor’s degree program in human resource management through its Wharton School of Business. This concentration is found under the school’s Bachelor of Arts in Management.
The program includes traditional coursework, along with a senior capstone project for graduation. One of the key differences in the way human resources is taught in this university is that students have the option to choose from four specializations. These specializations are Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Multinational Management, Organizational Effectiveness, and Strategic Management.
This school also allows students to pursue a dual degree. One of the best majors to pursue alongside a human resources major is a degree in psychology, but students are allowed to choose whatever degree they fill best suits their career goals.
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management with a concentration in human resources. This degree program was designed for management students that have an interest in the field.
At this university, students receive an education from the Tippie College of Business, which is nationally ranked among the top 25 public universities in the United States. All students must participate in hands-on learning to get real-world experience for the program. This learning includes internships, research projects, and even study abroad programs.
Courses in the program include Strategic Human Resource Management, Individuals, Teams, and Organizations, and Dynamics of Negotiations.
New York University
New York University offers a Bachelor of Science in Leadership and Management Studies. The program focuses on the role of human resource management places in organizations and businesses.
Students who graduate from the program are fully prepared for positions as consultants, analysts, and managers. The program teaches students how to work in any industry that needs a human resource team. Students typically go into marketing or international business after graduating. Some of the courses related to the program include Managing Diversity in the Global Workplace, Human Resources Management Principles, and International Human Resource Management.
New York University has a unique program where a large amount of credits is allocated towards a student’s interests. All concentration courses for this program are available online as well, which allows students to have more flexibility with their schedule.
Florida International University
Florida International University offers a bachelor’s program for human resources where students major in human resource management. The program is the second most popular in the university. It focuses on improving workplace relations.
Some of the features of the program include a focus on organizational management and its impact on business. Some of the courses include Human Resource Information Systems, Union-Management Relations, and International Human Resources Management.
The degree program was designed for students with an interest in human resources and how it can impact a business. Students gain the skills needed to recruit, hire, and manage personnel.
University of Nebraska
The University of Nebraska has one of the best human resource management programs in the country. The school’s College of Business Administration offers a Bachelor of Arts in Management, Human Resource Option. This program is accredited by both the THLC and the AACSB International.
One of the most notable aspects of this program is the faculty. Combined, sitting instructors at the University of Nebraska have a total of over 400 articles and 80 books that have been written by them. This program is designed for people interested in learning from professionals in their field.
Some of the courses of the program include Strategic Human Resource Management, The Regulatory Environment for Employment and Labor, and Operations and Supply Chain Management.
Conclusion
Human resources is a field that is vital to any business. Creating a positive work environment, where employees feel encouraged to do their very best, is no easy task. It requires strong communication and decision-making skills. Its broad nature means that you could work in any industry you choose and still play a vital role in the day to day tasks of a company.
Whether you wish to work at an entry-level position or in upper-management, the first step is earning your degree. At any degree level, it’s possible to find work in human resources. By choosing the right school for human resources and earning your degree, you make the first steps towards a fulfilling career.
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