SHRM Aligned Human Resources Degrees in Iowa
If you’re looking for human resources degree programs in Iowa, you’re in luck because there are six outstanding degrees approved by the SHRM here.
Whether you’re just starting out with a bachelor’s or advancing with a master’s, it’s advised that you choose a program that follows the SHRM’s curriculum guidelines for excellent career preparation. The Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) is the world’s largest association devoted to HR, which means they know exactly what it takes to succeed in this in-demand field. CNBC has named Iowa as one of the “Top States for Business,” so you’ll have plenty of job prospects after graduation too.
Related: SHRM Student Chapters in Iowa
Check out the following undergraduate and graduate degrees available for aspiring HR managers studying in the “Hawkeye State.”
Briar Cliff University
Department of Business
Initially established in 1930, Briar Cliff University is a senior private liberal arts institution educating just over 1,100 students in the Franciscan and Roman Catholic tradition on its 70-acre urban campus in Sioux City within western Iowa. Highly regarded for being named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, Briar Cliff is ranked as the 38th best regional college and 13th top university for veterans in the Midwest by U.S. News. The Department of Business strives to provide high-quality education that develops leaders within an ethical and socially responsible manner.
Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management
Featuring a flexible online curriculum, the Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management program at Briar Cliff is designed to provide undergraduates with in-depth knowledge on the latest trends and best practices in maximizing an organization’s human capital. Aligned with the SHRM guidelines, the 124-credit program blends compelling course materials and thought-provoking class discussions with real-world practice. Graduates will have expertise in benefits, compensation, employment laws, labor relations, and recruitment for becoming leaders of positive change in today’s diverse workforce.
Accreditation
- North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
3303 Rebecca Street
Sioux City, IA 51104
(712) 279-5200
admissions@briarcliff.edu
Program Website
Drake University
School of Education
Situated on a beautiful 150-acre urban campus in the state’s capital and largest city of Des Moines near the bustling business center, Drake University is a private non-profit co-educational institution serving more than 5,200 students. Recognized by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance as a best value school, Drake is currently ranked as the 3rd best regional college and 1st top university for veterans in the Midwest by U.S. News. Also acclaimed for being the nation’s 158th best education school, the Drake School of Education has an exceptional record of preparing highly effective leaders from the classroom to corporate offices.
Master of Science in Leadership Development: Human Resource Management
At Drake University, the Master of Science in Leadership Development (MSLD) program is designed to provide working adults with a convenient method of better understanding their own leadership strength areas for developing leadership capacity in others. Students have the freedom to select from three emphasis areas: Human Resource Development/Training and Development, Human Resource Management, or Higher Education/Student Services. Built on 21st century leadership competencies, the 36-credit program has a strong practical orientation for applying learned skills. Nearly all classes are offered on weekends in a self-paced format of part-time studies.
Accreditation
- North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
2507 University Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 271-2552
soegradadmission@drake.edu
Program Website
Mount Mercy University
Department of Business
Enrolling more than 1,800 students, Mount Mercy University is a four-year private Catholic liberal arts institution founded by the Sisters of Mercy on a 40-acre park-like urban campus in Cedar Rapids within 20 miles from Iowa City. Boasting a high job placement rate of 95 percent within six months of graduation, Mount Mercy is ranked as the 21st best regional college in the Midwest by U.S. News. The Department of Business has high-tech facilities and full-time teaching faculty to provide quality educational experiences that build professional capability for success in our competitive economy.
Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management
Based on the standards of the SHRM and AACSB, the Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management program at Mount Mercy is focused on providing undergraduate students with the most essential skills for managing and leading employees in any sector. With a unique emphasis on research analysis, the program prepares students for effectively leading productive teams through high-performance work practices. Whether students choose to study online or on-campus in Cedar Rapids, they can expect courses in economics, statistics, employment law, labor relations, finance, business strategy, accounting, marketing, organizational behavior, compensation/benefits, and management. Graduates can utilize their learning in obtaining the PHR or GPHR certification.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
1330 Elmhurst Drive NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
(319) 363-8213
ttunwall@mtmercy.edu
Program Website
University of Northern Iowa
College of Business Administration
As a major public state-supported teaching institution, the University of Northern Iowa is located on a spacious 900-acre urban campus in Cedar Falls to educate the young minds of over 14,100 students. Ranked fourth nationwide in the number of students studying abroad, UNI is currently acclaimed for being the 18th best regional college, 2nd top public school, and 6th best university for veterans in the Midwest by U.S. News. In fact, the College of Business Administration is also distinguished for being one of the Princeton Review’s “Best 296 Business Schools” for eight straight years.
Bachelor of Arts in Management with Human Resource Management Emphasis
Effective leadership is central to business, so the Bachelor of Arts in Management program at UNI is devised to prepare undergraduate students with the sharp business acumen to lead globally complex organizations towards success in a tough market. Within the 120-credit curriculum, students can tailor their studies with an emphasis in Business Administration, Human Resource Management, Organizational Leadership, Supply Chain and Operations, or Information Systems. Students choosing the HR route will build on their management core with electives focused on developing a stellar employee workforce.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
1227 West 27th Street
Cedar Falls, IA 50614
(319) 273-7620
mary.connerley@uni.edu
Program Website
Upper Iowa University
School of Business
Nestled along the banks of the Volga River on a 100-acre rural campus in Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a private non-profit higher learning institution educating more than 6,100 students with plenty of distance education options. Along with being named one of the “Best Buys” by GetEducated.com, UIU is ranked as the 109th best regional college and 40th top university for veterans in the Midwest by U.S. News. Also recognized for having the country’s 87th best online bachelor’s programs and 123rd best online MBA program, the School of Business has the mission of fostering the development of leadership skills for inspiring sustainable business leaders.
Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management
Ideal for undergraduate students wishing to use their natural leadership potential to improve the morale and productivity of an organization’s workforce, the Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management program is offered in a traditional on-campus or online format by UIU. Students are trained with the professional skills needed to effectively handle today’s HR issues, such as employee benefits, recruiting, interviewing, hiring, labor relations, and training. After completing the general education core, students must take 36 credits of business courses and 24 credits of major human resources management coursework. A Human Resources Management Certificate is also available for undergraduates to dip into the field.
Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management
Consisting of 36 credits of advanced graduate studies, the Master of Business Administration program at UIU uses a forward-thinking approach to preparing graduate students as future leaders in meeting the business world’s managerial issues. MBA students can select an emphasis area in one of five areas, including Human Resource Management. Students can choose to obtain their degree for leadership development through asynchronous classes full-time or part-time in Fayette, online, at satellite U.S. centers, or abroad in Malaysia and Hong Kong. In the final term, students are required to participate in a capstone research experience to integrate the knowledge they’ve learned.
Accreditation
- North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
605 Washington Street
Fayette, IA 52142
(800) 553-4150
whitesellb@uiu.edu
Program Website
Earning a degree in HR will provide the diverse business knowledge necessary to resolve key workplace issues, assist with benefits, develop new budding talent, and create a unique office culture that boosts productivity. Of course, you’ll also work up to become a human resources manager and bring home a healthy average six-figure of $114,140 annually. Start cashing in on your interest of coordinating corporate human capital by attending one of these human resources degree programs in Iowa.
