SHRM Aligned Human Resources Degrees in Arkansas

Human resources degree programs in Arkansas and throughout the rest of the country, are becoming increasingly important. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of human resource managers is expected to increase by 13 percent over the next decade. In the state of Arkansas, job growth for human resource degree programs over the next decade is expected to be 16 percent, higher than that anticipated for the rest of the country.

One reason for the increase in need for human resources professionals in Arkansas is that as companies grow and expand, additional human resource managers will be necessary in order to oversee programs. In Arkansas, several industries have shown significant growth. A 2012 report from the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services shows the highest growth industries from 2010 to 2011 were:

  • Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book and Music Stores increased 61.3 percent
  • Oil and Gas Extraction increased 40.6 percent
  • Air Transportation increased 22.5 percent
  • Primary Metal Manufacturing increased 18 percent
  • Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation increased 12.8 percent
  • Pipeline Transportation increased 12.7 percent

There is every possibility that these types of industries will have a need for additional human resource managers to handle their significant growth.

In addition to industry growth, human resource managers must be knowledgeable about changing, complex employment laws. Legislation related to occupational safety, equal employment opportunities, healthcare, wages and retirement plans often change policies and procedures of companies in all industries. It is the responsibility of the human resource manager to be aware of these changes and take steps to be sure the company adheres to the new laws and regulations. For this reason, candidates with human resource degrees in Arkansas are valuable assets to companies.

Arkansas State University

The first classes at Arkansas State University were held in 1910 above a jewelry store in the old Elks Lodge Hall in downtown Jonesboro. The students paid no tuition but were expected to work on the campus. Originally, the school taught agriculture, horticulture and textile manufacturing to high school students, and was known locally as the “Aggie School” with many of the general education courses taught using college-level textbooks. In 1933, one year after the first four-year degrees were issued, the name of the school changed to Arkansas State College. Even throughout the Great Depression, the college grew, mostly due to the ability of the college president, Victor Kays, to attract federal monies to campus. Work-relief programs and Reconstruction Finance Corporation funds allowed residence halls and a new science building to be completed. The college faced financial concerns again during World War II when enrollment dropped. President Kays kept the school going by becoming a training location for the armed forces. In 1967, the college earned university status, becoming Arkansas State University.

College of Business

The College of Business at Arkansas State University provides students with a world-class education designed to meet the challenges in today’s business world. With recent economic and ethical challenges facing businesses of all industries, the college works to provide the business world with intelligent, well-trained, ethical leaders who will help companies reach their goals and objectives. The college understands that today’s business world is global and the curriculum continuously evolves to meet the needs of a changing business environment.

Management Human Resources Management Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science in Management with a Human Resources focus at the College of Business at ASU prepares students to develop and foster employee management. Students gain the knowledge and skills to link management practices to the bottom line using critical decision making skills. Students develop an understanding of workplace diversity, employee development and how to manage talent in an organization.

Accreditation

  • Higher Learning Commission North Central Association
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International

Contact

Arkansas State University
Department of Marketing and Management
College of Business
Room 403
PO Box 59
State University, AR 72467
Telephone: 870-972-3430
Email: admissions@astate.edu
Program Website

University of Arkansas—Fayetteville

In 1871, Arkansas state legislators approved the establishment of the Arkansas Industrial University, and the federal Morrill Land Grant Act provided lands to be sold and the revenues used to pay for the university. Two bids were offered to determine a location, one from Washington County and one from Fayetteville. The Fayetteville bid proved successful as it included 400 acres of land and $130,000. The hilltop farm of William McIlroy was chosen as the site for the new school. After purchasing 160 acres, the university erected a temporary frame building, and classes began on January 22, 1872 with seven boys and one girl in attendance. As more students were enrolled over the spring and summer, it was discovered that few of them had completed the preparatory coursework necessary to succeed in higher education, so the college began offering both preparatory courses and curriculum leading to a college degree. Today, over 25,000 students are enrolled at the University of Arkansas and the university offers 78 undergraduate majors, 82 Master’s, 48 doctorate and specialist programs and 16 graduate certificates.

Sam M. Walton College of Business

The Walton College is named in honor of the founder of the Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club department stores, Sam Walton. The school was founded in 1926 to meet the growing need for commercial education in the area. The first four degrees were awarded in 1927, and the Master of Science in Business Administration was added in 1930. In 1998, the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation gave $50 million to the university, the largest upfront cash gift given to a public business college, to establish the Sam M. Walton College of Business Administration. In 2000, the name of the college was shortened to the Sam M. Walton College of Business.

Bachelor of Science in Management

The Bachelor of Science in Management with a Human Resource concentration prepares students for careers in the human resource professions. All management students are required to complete Ethics and Corporate Responsibility. In addition, students must take an additional 21 credit hours with six of those hours in human resource related courses. The program emphasizes integrating individual goals with the objectives of an organization.

Accreditation

  • Higher Learning Commission North Central Association
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International

Contact

Department of Management
Sam Walton School of Business
University of Arkansas
Business Building
Fayetteville, AR 73701
Telephone: 479-575-4007
Email: uofa@uark.edu
Program Website

University of Arkansas–Little Rock

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock opened in 1927 as the Little Rock Junior College. Originally known as “Jaycee” by the students that attended the school, the first classes were held at Little Rock Senior High School with students paying five dollars per semester to earn a two-year college degree. In 1929, the school was named by former Governor George W. Donaghey as the sole beneficiary of a trust worth more than $2 million. The school has been committed to public service since the beginning, adjusting curriculum to meet the needs of the surrounding area. Vocational instruction in areas such as surveying and pattern-making were added when industries in the area needed those skills in employees. In addition, the school offered adult education courses to non-traditional students in art history, sketching and literature. In 1957, the school began offering a four-year degree program, changing the name to Little Rock University. Little Rock businessman Raymond Rebsamen donated an 80-acre tract of land on Hayes Street, and the campus moved to the new location, where it remains today. In 1969, the university merged with the University of Arkansas to become the University of Arkansas Little Rock.

College of Business

The College of Business at the University of Arkansas Little Rock prepares students to succeed as professionals in their chosen industry. The college is aware that to contribute to the growth and viability of the local region, students must learn to think globally. The college offers an application-oriented curriculum using applied research techniques and community outreach to provide students with a well-rounded education in all aspects of business.

Human Resource Management

The Human Resource Management emphasis for an undergraduate business degree at the College of Business at the University of Arkansas Little Rock prepares students for careers related to managing human resources in a variety of industries. Focus is on personnel, workplace management and training. Students study:

  • Legal environment of employee relations
  • Job analysis and design
  • Employee planning
  • Recruitment and selection
  • Employee productivity improvement
  • Compensation
  • Other reward systems
  • Union-management relations (See also: What Does a Labor Relations Manager Do?)
  • Quality of work life
  • Goals of the program include:
    • Help students understand and integrate appropriate strategic management concepts,
    • Develop skills in defining an organizational purpose or mission, set objectives to meet those goals, determine opportunities and threats, monitor competitors and implement policies to insure company success.
    • Provide an understanding of the principles of planning, directing and controlling human resources in an organization.
    • Develop skills for creating the components of a human resource program including recruitment, development, evaluation, compensation and motivation.
    • Develop an understanding of interpersonal relationships using group leadership skills in order to assign, empower, praise and coach others. These skills are also necessary in evaluating, disciplining and resolving conflict.

Accreditation

  • Higher Learning Commission North Central Association
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International

Contact

University of Arkansas at Little Rock
2801 South University Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72204
Telephone: 501-569-3000
Email: admissions@ualr.edu
Program Website

As the need for employees who have successfully completed human resources degree programs in Arkansas grows due to industry growth and stricter regulations, job prospects for those with degrees will increase as well. These human resources degree programs in Arkansas use the SHRM Guidebook and Templates as further evidence that students who complete the program could have greater success in their field.