The Master of Arts with a concentration Human Resource Management is designed to provide qualified individuals from any undergraduate major with the conceptual, analytical, and operational knowledge needed to assume a position in human resource management. The program is based on an orientation which provides a proper balance of theoretical and practical knowledge as well as in-depth preparation in human resource management. Philosophically, the program assumes that excellence in human resource management requires an understanding of both the internal aspects of the modern profit or non-profit organization and the external environment in which it functions. To acquire this understanding, students are exposed to courses in the areas of management, accounting, finance, economics, and human resource administration. At the completion of the program, students are expected to possess the sophisticated analytical, verbal, and intellectual skills needed to forecast personnel needs, hire new employees, and create an environment which promotes maximum employee satisfaction and efficiency.

The program curriculum consists of ten (10) courses, which includes eight (8) core, and two (2) elective courses. In addition, two (2) foundation courses are required. Students with appropriate academic background may be permitted to waive the two foundation courses.

Waivers are generally not granted if the corresponding undergraduate course(s) were completed more than seven years prior to application. Waivers are not granted for non-academic prior learning, and are determined solely on the basis of the student's undergraduate or graduate record. All waivers require written approval by advisor.

Students are expected to be familiar with office/management level software.

Students may take courses in any sequence subject to the following general requirements:

1. Students must complete the two foundations courses early in their program as these are prerequisite courses to core courses and electives.
2. Students must observe prerequisites. Courses taken without the proper prerequisites will not be applicable to the student’s degree requirements unless written approval is obtained from the student’s advisor.
3. MGMT 985 Seminar in Human Resource Management is the culminating course in the student’s program. Registration requires prior written permission from the Associate Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education. Students will not be permitted to fulfill this requirement with a course transferred from another institution. The seminar can only be taken in the last semester of study. Exceptions, requiring written advisor approval, may be made for students taking an elective course over the summer.

Additional electives require written advisor approval.

For information on the Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management click here.

Coordinator and Advisor: Dr. Robert Wallace, Economics and Business Administration