What are Important Components of a Bachelor’s in Human Resources Degree?

Human Resources Management is a well-paid and diverse career that requires at least a Bachelor’s in Human Resources for anything beyond an entry-level position. Students considering becoming human resource managers should select their bachelor degree programs carefully. There are several common components of successful degree programs.

Human Resources is a Career in Business.

Managers should have competencies in other disciplines as well, but business is a primary focus. Bachelor’s degree programs should include a comprehensive business education, including accounting, finance, information technologies and marketing.  Because managers are often tasked with hiring for select positions, a grasp of the skills and traits required for that job is necessary when screening applicants. Training is another aspect of the Human Resource Manager’s job, and managers should be able to assess the areas in which training is needed so that they can bring in appropriate trainers.

Bachelor’s in Human Resources Programs should have Diversity in Electives and Concentrations.

These are the components that allow students to design their career paths. Although generalist education can earn graduates positions in some corporations, larger companies usually have specialized departments. In a small corporation, for instance, the Human Resource Manager may be responsible for all the duties from hiring and training to labor disputes. That requires a broad knowledge of business practices, leadership principles and of legal issues and bargaining techniques, among other skills. In larger corporations, there are managers who specialize in personnel, in training, in compensation and rewards, in health programs and in collective bargaining. There are also management departments that assure the business is following federal guidelines in safety and other concerns. Bachelor’s programs that allow for specialized education contain many electives and concentrations that can be added to the basic degree to ensure graduates have the competencies to earn these more specialized positions.

To help you begin your search of top quality Bachelor’s in HR degrees, we’ve chosen our picks for the Top 25 Best Affordable Bachelor’s in Human Resources Degree Programs 2014.

Programs Should Include Internships.

An internship is important because it gives students real-life experience in the field. That experience counts in the classroom as it increases understanding of the subjects studied, but it also may count for experience hours needed for certifications and licensure. Some schools offer study-abroad internships that can help students grasp the global nature of business. The ideal time to do an internship is during the summer when there is no added pressure from class time and homework. In addition, summer internships allow students to experience regular work hours in the positions.

All Bachelor’s Degree Programs Share Basic Components.

School accreditation is vital to any professional degree. It assures students of the quality of the education and of the faculty. For that reason, scholarships and grants may not be available for students who choose unaccredited colleges. Financial aid will be certainly harder to find. In addition, once students graduate, employers may not hire applicants with degrees from unaccredited schools.