Put your career in motion with an online master’s in human resource management degree

Organizations are composed of groups of people who work together to achieve defined outcomes. Experience has proven time and again that the key factor which differentiates successful companies from those who struggle to survive is people who make up the employee base. While the human resources function is given the specific task of planning for and resolving many employee-related issues and needs, individual managers have direct responsibility and accountability for motivating and leading employees to achieve sustained organizational success. The purpose of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively with human resources to enhance the contributions of all employees to organizational effectiveness. Students will learn about the elements which drive business success, theories of motivation, and methods for creating a plan for maximizing the human capital of an organization.

The primary purpose of this course is to introduce the principle theories and practices in the area of employment and workplace law. Topics include the federal and state laws associated with hiring, firing and discipline, medical leave (including FMLA, ADA and worker's compensation), discrimination, harassment, immigration, labor law, unemployment compensation, workplace privacy. Additional topics may include workplace investigations, workplace violence and employment-related legal processes, including EEOC Charges and lawsuits.

This course examines employment relations from a historical perspective including the creation and rise of unionism, the evolution of collective bargaining, recent civil rights acts affecting the workplace, and concludes by envisioning what the future may hold regarding employee, employer relations. Topics include the role and responsibilities of the HR manager with regard to employment relations, the legal framework of contract negotiations and administration through the lens of the National Labor Relations act and strategies and tactics used for union avoidance.

This course provides an in-depth understanding of performance appraisals and related issues. Topics focus on goal-setting, feedback and the rating process.

This course examines compensation and benefits administration and design of compensation systems, job evaluation, internal and external pay equity, wage and salary surveys, pay-for-performance plans and other forms of financial and non-financial incentives. Topics include the pay model, the role of unions, benefit options, pay for performance plans, appraisals, benefit options, and legal issues surrounding wages and benefits in domestic and international settings.

This course addresses the need for planned change focused on an organization's ability to compete strategically. The framework of consultation as helping organizations reach a level of optimum performance will be applied. Topics addressed include individual, team, and organization-wide interventions that can raise productivity/quality, improve competitiveness, increase skills, morale, and commitment.

The course will introduce students to the field of strategic human resource management (SHRM). Current topics in SHRM that have resulted from environmental and organizational challenges, e.g., technology, globalization, legislation, restructuring, work/life balance, changing labor markets, are discussed Emphasis will be placed on problem solving issues, policies, and practices affecting HR specialists, practitioners, and managers.

This course examines the major factors involved in managing international assignments including strategic selection, training, organizational development, cultural adjustment, repatriation, and immigration.

Directed research allows the students an opportunity to conduct an independent research project or examine a specific area of interest under the mentorship of a professor. This course also equips students to conduct the types of research and information-gathering projects that are a significant part of the organizational life of most HR managers and leaders. Students will submit a proposal to formulate and develop a project.