The Bluffton cohort-based human resource management program is an intensive, accelerated bachelor degree-completion program for adults, which provides students with knowledge and skills in human resource management. In this program, qualified students currently working in business, industry, health and public service sectors who have received some professional or academic training in human resource management can complete their course work in as little as four 18-week semesters.
Objectives
Features
Admission requirements
Admission requirements address the applicant’s ability to perform well in a demanding academic environment, to apply classroom learning in an appropriate work setting and to contribute to the classroom experiences. The following criteria must be met:
Major
HRM 200 Technology Tools and Theory (3)
HRM 301 Group and Organizational Behavior (3)
HRM 304 Principles of Management and Leadership (3)
HRM 306 Business Communication (3)
HRM 310 Employment Policies and Practices (3)
HRM 315 EAP and Occupational Safety, Health, Security (3)
HRM 320 Information Management and Use (3)
HRM 407 Faith and Community (4)
HRM 409 Personal Values and Business Ethics (3)
HRM 410 Living in the Global Community (4)
HRM 415 Financial Analysis and Decision Making (3)
HRM 420 Compensation and Benefits (3)
HRM 425 Research Project I (2)
HRM 430 Human Resource Development (3)
HRM 435 Labor Relations (3)
HRM 440 Strategic Human Resource Management (3)
HRM 445 Research Project II (1)
Liberal arts and sciences core program
The liberal arts and sciences requirements listed below must be met to graduate. This can be done through course work at Bluffton, transfer credit, DSST, CLEP or academic credit by examination. An advisor will work with you to determine the best option. The completion of English composition is required before beginning HRM. It is recommended, but not required, that the remaining liberal arts and sciences core be completed before beginning the program as well.
|
|
semester hours |
|
English composition |
3 |
|
Humanities |
6 |
|
Fine arts appreciation (art, music or theatre) |
3 |
|
Natural science (must be in two areas of science, one must be a lab course) |
6 |
Other objectives of the Bluffton liberal arts and sciences core program, including studies in religion and theology, cross-cultural experience and the social sciences, are met through the human resource management sequence of courses.
Courses
HRM 140 Portfolio Development for Assessment of Prior Learning (2)
Because not all learning takes place in the college classroom, students may earn college credit for professional and technical training associated with their employment and learning associated with work, home, community and other environments. This course teaches students to: 1) identify those areas that warrant college credit; 2) write life-learning essays that articulate prior learning; and 3) gather appropriate documentation to support the petition for college credit. A maximum of 18 semester hours can be earned through the portfolio.
HRM 200 Technology Tools and Theory (3)
This course will provide students with familiarity with the hardware, software and functions of computers. The course introduces students to the operating system, word processing and presentation software. Specific course assignments target the human resource management field of study.
HRM 301 Group and Organizational Behavior (3)
Students will study group and team behavior in organizations. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how the organization context and internal team dynamics impact team and organizational effectiveness.
HRM 304 Principles of Management and Leadership (3)
Students examine motivational theory and its application to individual and group functioning in work situations. Leadership styles related to particular circumstances are analyzed. Negotiation is studied through reading and class practice, with an analysis of the effect on productivity.
HRM 306 Business Communication (3)
Students will be introduced to the communication process with special attention given to building skills in listening, verbal and nonverbal communication, public speaking and written expression.
HRM 310 Employment Policies and Practices (3)
An examination of employment polices and practices, including job descriptions; hiring; performance appraisals; workplace behavior problems; legal and regulatory factors; termination; and downsizing.
HRM 315 EAP and Occupational Safety, Health, Security (3)
The course will cover employee assistance plans, safety issues and occupational health and security.
HRM 320 Information Management and Use (3)
An overview of the critical role that knowledge management plays in an organization and how HR information assists people in the organization to achieve organizational goals. Students will learn to use computer software for data analysis and presentation.
HRM 407 Faith and Community (4)
Students will discover the historical and biblical roots of faith, articulate the claims of faith and analyze the role of faith in their lives. The role of the Christian community in developing moral values and assisting in the decision-making process will be explored.
HRM 409 Personal Values and Business Ethics (3)
Students explore the intricacies of business and personal ethics through the study of the basic philosophical theories of ethics. Application is made to business and personal situations through case study analysis.
HRM 410 Living in the Global Community (4)
An interdisciplinary examination of issues concerning the economic, environmental and social sustainability. Students relate their own lives and actions, and those of their organizations, to the global context and understand some implications of their global citizenship.
HRM 415 Financial Analysis and Decision Making (3)
Students will develop analytical and critical thinking skills in financial decision making.
HRM 420 Compensation and Benefits (3)
Students will analyze, develop, implement and evaluate the total compensation and benefits system for employee benefit programs.
HRM 425 Research Project I (2)
Students identify and research a human resource problem that exists in an organization with which they are familiar. Course products are an oral report and an eight to ten page paper that includes problem identification, review of literature and recommendations for action.
HRM 430 Human Resource Development (3)
This course will cover employee education topics, including developing a needs analysis; basic learning principles; designing and delivering effective training; evaluating training; and developing, implementing and evaluating change management programs.
HRM 435 Labor Relations (3)
An examination of labor relations issues, including dispute resolution; union representation of employees; union relations; collective bargaining process; unfair labor practices; labor negotiations; and history of labor relations.
HRM 440 Strategic Human Resource Management (3)
Through this course, students will learn to develop HR strategies to support organization needs. They will participate in an organizational strategic planning process.
HRM 445 Research Project II (1)
Students perform a human resource-related needs assessment of an organization and develop a one hour employee training plan related to one of the needs identified. Course products are a four to five page report of the needs assessment, an employee training lesson plan and a class presentation of the assessment and plan.
