The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Human Resource Management is a 124-credit program designed to serve students who are interested in pursuing future careers in the field of human resource management.
The B.S. in Human Resource Management includes a set of required courses that all students must take, along with SUNY General Education and other academic requirements, in order to be eligible to receive a degree. The required courses for programs in Human Resource Management can be found on the “Program Details” tab. Students should speak with their mentor to see if any credit earned through individualized Prior Learning Assessment (iPLA) or Professional Learning Evaluation (PLE) might fulfill these course requirements. Courses are offered online, through independent studies, or through a blended approach.
The Human Resource Management (HRM) professional is an essential partner in developing and executing the strategy of the organization. Another important function of the HR manager is to oversee many laws that protect the individual, as well as the organization, from unethical or unsafe conditions. Human Resource managers must carry out many different functions in the organization. The areas of responsibility include recruitment and selection, compensation and benefits, training and development, employee relations, employment and labor law, and other related functions. It is the HRM professional’s responsibility to ensure HRM policies, procedures and practices are matched effectively with the organization’s strategies. This includes functions such as:
- recruiting/staffing
- training
- planning and development
- reward systems including direct and indirect monetary rewards
- workplace safety and health
- employee/labor relations.
To perform these functions, an HR professional needs to interact with people across the organization. The HR professional is in a trusted position; those who serve in this field are held to high standards of integrity, discretion and discernment.
Issues that currently face professionals in this field are numerous and complex. The legal, economic and political environments at the local, state, country and international levels impact how HR strategies can be achieved. In addition to understanding the broad framework of the relevant laws (e.g., for equal opportunity, income security, safety and health, labor-management relations), the HR professional also needs to understand the economic, social and political environments and their impact on HR activities within an organization. Of critical importance are issues such as globalization, rise of knowledge worker and technology. The HR function is frequently asked to implement policies and programs to enhance the organization’s ability to thrive in environments undergoing rapid change.
It is important for any business student to understand the roles and functions of a manager; to understand the basic accounting forms managers use; to understand how economics impact the business environment; to understand the impact of financial risk and debt, and to understand the purpose of marketing initiatives. Students who seek a B.S. in Human Resource Management will eventually work in HR settings that require them to interact with personnel from all departments, and thus, will benefit from understanding the workings of all facets of their organizations.
Human Resource managers are often asked to handle complex problems and collaborate with strategic problems that require ability to synthesize complex material. A capstone course is included in this program so that students have opportunity to practice this kind of synthesis.
