About OU's Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources
Advance your HR career with Ottawa University’s Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources (BAHR) degree. As a student of our accelerated online HR program, you will master the skills needed to take a leadership position in benefits, recruiting, or training for organizations in every industry. Whether it be local government, private corporations or non-profit charities, every business or organization needs a vital HR team of professionals to attract, retain, train, and manage employee benefits and programs.
Every organization wants to attract the most qualified employees and match them to jobs for which they are best suited. In the past, human resources specialists performed the administrative function of an organization, such as handling employee benefits questions or recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new staff in accordance with policies established by top management. Today’s human resources specialists manage these tasks, but, increasingly, they also consult with top executives regarding strategic planning. They have moved from behind-the-scenes staff work to leading the company in suggesting and changing policies.
Education and Qualifications
Most positions in human resources require a bachelor’s degree. However, advanced degrees are increasingly becoming more important, which is why many of our graduates go on to complete their Master of Arts in Human Resources or Master in Business Administration. Additionally, specific certifications for specialty areas, as well as national certification for broader human resource competencies, should be considered.
Four BAHR Concentrations
Ottawa’s bachelor’s degree in human resources offers several concentrations that allow you to tailor your degree in an area of specialization, such as:
Courses
The curriculum for our accelerated, online HR degree prepares graduates for the workforce. Ottawa University’s human resources degree is designed to help you increase your human resources skills to positively impact the lives of others. Students will understand the challenges of employment and staffing; the complexities of compensation and benefits; the policies and programs that promote employee responsibility, production and satisfaction; and the methods to hire, retain, and terminate employees based on legal policies and ethical parameters that protect both the rights of workers and the interests of the company. Courses may include:
Foundation Courses
Accounting for Business Operations
Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
Business Mathematics
Business Statistics
Business Ethics
Required Major Courses
Employment Law and Policies
Human Resources Administration
Employment and Staffing
Compensation and Benefits
Training and Development
Seminar in Applied Human Resources
Planning and Budgeting
Behavior in Organizations
For curriculum and course descriptions, please download our Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources program overview.
Careers in HR
There are many types of human resources, training, and labor relations managers and specialists. In a small organization, a human resources generalist may handle all aspects of human resources work, and thus requires an extensive range of knowledge. In a large corporation, the director of human resources may supervise several departments, each headed by an experienced manager who most likely specializes in one human resources activity, such as employment and placement; compensation and benefits; training and development; or labor relations. The director may report to a top human resources executive.
Career Outlook for the B.A. in Human Resources
There are a number of HR career paths and advancement opportunities in just about every industry imaginable. This is especially true when considering that every organization wants to attract the most qualified employees and match them to jobs for which they are best suited. For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of human resources professionals is projected to grow 7% through 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for human resources specialists was $61,920 in May 2019. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,180, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $105,930.
Human resources workers perform the administrative function of businesses and organizations, such as handling employee benefits questions or recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new staff in accordance with policies established by top management. Career settings in this area can include roles such as a human resource generalist or recruitment specialist. Whichever HR career path you choose to follow, a bachelor’s degree in human resources from Ottawa is the right first step to take.
SHRM-Approved
Ottawa University’s BAHR degree fully aligns with SHRM’s HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates. Throughout the world, only 252 programs in 201 educational institutions have been acknowledged by SHRM as being in alignment with its suggested guides and templates. The HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates were developed by SHRM to define the minimum HR content areas that should be studied by HR students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. They are part of SHRM’s Academic Initiative, created in 2006 and revalidated in 2010, to help the Society define HR education standards taught in university business schools across the nation and help universities develop degree programs that follow these standards.
Perspective on the BAHR
If you’re wondering if it’s worth it and asking yourself, “What can I do with a human resources graduate degree?” think about this: There are a number of HR career paths and advancement opportunities in just about every of industry imaginable. Today, those holding a human resources graduate degree perform beyond the requisite administrative functions, but increasingly consult with top executives regarding strategic planning. They have moved from being behind-the-scenes administrators to leadership roles whereby they are oftentimes involved in changing company policies.
Accreditation
Why Choose Ottawa?
Ottawa University offers fully online courses for our Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources program. We make it easy for you to transfer credits in order to help keep tuition costs down. We also conveniently offer courses in accelerated 8-week terms to get you to the finish line faster. When you study online with Ottawa University, your campus is wherever you need it to be! No matter where you want to study, you will benefit from the support and expertise of our faculty members who are dedicated to your success.
Are you ready to learn more about our Human Resources undergraduate program? Contact us today!
See Also:
Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Management
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Administration
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