BA in Human Resources and Organizational Development

APU’s business economics major gives students analytical skills built on a strong general business foundation.

57 units

The BA in Human Resources and Organizational Development program provides the conceptual knowledge and practical skills for career placement and job advancement in the expanding field of human resources, including the areas of employee life cycle, training and development, and the growing HR generalist field.

This program equips students with all of the necessary foundational knowledge that a human resources professional must have, including best practices and strategies necessary for today’s workplace. Students learn the complexities of managing the benefits and policies of an organization, designing employee development and delivering training, and managing employee relations. This interdisciplinary program prepares students with the organizational theory, ethics, and business management skills to become expert problem solvers in today’s HR climate.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Students in this program build their résumés and portfolios through applied projects, such as designing a training workshop, writing job descriptions, and creating employee development plans. Students also have the option to acquire practical skills and experience in leadership, project management, decision making, and teamwork through internships, student clubs, and honor societies.

This program also offers students the chance to participate in study-away programs, where they engage with topics of globalization, trade, culture, and global management and leadership as they travel the world. Typically, study-away trips include visiting global and international organizations and learning from universities and business leaders around the world.

Certificates, Credentials, and Microcredentials

Today, employers are looking for professionals with technical skills and leadership abilities, and students in this major are prepared to earn industry-valued, internationally recognized certificates, credentials, and microcredentials, such as the Professional in Human Resources certification and the Workplace Ethics Badge, validating their ability to motivate and manage talent and distinguishing them in the HR field. These certifications can be added to résumés and uploaded to online portfolios, showcasing these skills to potential employers.

Career Opportunities

Different areas of the HR field consistently rank high on lists of best careers. Income potential and personal fulfillment are high. Career paths open to human resources majors include HR coordinator/assistant, recruiter/talent acquisition, training and development coordinator, payroll specialist, HR manager, compensation analyst, benefits manager, labor relations manager, human resources generalist, and HR business partner. Human resources professionals who excel can become top executives.

Requirements

Business and Management Core
BUSI 110Business and Entrepreneurship 13
BUSI 120Business Communications 23
BUSI 240Introduction to Information Systems and Business Applications3
BUSI 244Data Analytics, Spreadsheets, and Data Visualization3
BUSI 213Negotiation Strategies and Skills3
BUSI 495Writing 3: Business Ethics 33
MGMT 210Principles of Management 43
MGMT 211Organizational Leadership 53
MGMT 212Managing Diverse Teams and Groups 53
MGMT 214Project Management 43
MGMT 440Business Process Management3
MGMT 445Human Resource Management3
MGMT 448Organizational and Administrative Behavior 13
Human Resources and Organizational Development Courses
HROD 250HR Life Cycle: Hiring to Retiring3
HROD 351Talent Enhancement: Training, Development, and Engagement3
HROD 352Employee Relations3
Select three of the following: 9
MGMT 350
Business Management Internship 4
MGMT 446
Introduction to Organizational Theory and Design
MGMT 467
Introduction to Organizational Development and Change
MGMT 517
Managing Human Capital
MGMT 561
Managing Teams and Conflict
OPSY 505
Individual and Team Assessment
Total Units57
1

Meets the General Education Civic Knowledge and Engagement requirement.

2

Meets the General Education Oral Communication requirement.

3

Meets the General Education Writing 3 requirement.

4

Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.

5

Meets the General Education Social Sciences requirement.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:
  1. Examine the full spectrum of human capital management concepts, including talent acquisition and retention, employee motivation, change management, and organizational culture.
    2.
  2. Apply key HR processes, including talent management, total rewards, performance management, learning and development, employee relations, and HR analytics.
    3.
  3. Create plans to recruit, hire, train, retain, and motivate a diverse and global workforce.
    4.
  4. Benchmark salaries and design effective compensation strategies.
  5. Develop strategies for reducing corporate risk and liability through effective HR practices.
    6.
  6. Incorporate diversity and inclusion practice into all aspects of HR management.
    7.
  7. Evaluate HR practices to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
    8.
  8. Design effective HR and training and development strategies that strengthen organizations.
    9.
  9. Incorporate ethical practice into all aspects of HR management.