SHRM Aligned Human Resources Degrees in Kansas

The Society for Human Resource Management helps higher-education institutions, like those offering human resources degree programs in Kansas, to align instruction with guidelines for HR competencies recommended by employers.

Trends within the HR industry acknowledge challenges to attract the best qualified personnel to develop the next generation of HR leaders. SHRM guidelines address these challenges by targeting professional competencies for 21st-century HR jobs related to technology-driven math and science proficiencies, written communication skills, collaborative thinking, problem solving techniques and decision making processes. In view of this, aspiring human resources professionals should consider curricular studies, like those from the following human resource degree programs in Kansas, that actively implement SHRM guidelines.

Fort Hays State University

College of Business and Entrepreneurship

Fort Hays State University delivers relevant instruction for 21st-century professions. FHSU integrates academics with innovative experiential learning, state-of-the-art technology, and flexible formats for personalized instruction. According to College Factual, leading degree choices come from business administration and management programs. The university has enjoyed rapid expansion due to its increased use of instructional technology. U.S. News & World Report ranks FHSU at No. 16 and No. 74 respectively for best online bachelor’s and online MBA programs.

Bachelor of Business Administration in Management, Concentration in Human Resource Management

The 124-credit, SHRM-aligned curriculum for this degree encompasses general education classes plus upper-level business, management and HR coursework. Studies stress competencies designed to help HR managers become agents of change and strategic business partners. Graduates can seek immediate employment as training and development managers, HR generalists, compensation and benefits specialists, HR coordinators, senior project managers or recruiters. Studies emphasize these components:

-Business foundations, society and ethics
-Applied management
-Management information systems
-Human resources
-Organizational behavior
-Communication and conflict management
-Labor relations and collective bargaining
-Leadership and team dynamics
-Employment law
-Training and development
-Recruitment, selection and retention
-Total compensation

Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management

This master’s prepares professionals to advance into executive and administrative positions through in-depth studies designed to enhance knowledge about managing personnel, solving business problems and providing leadership to move organizational goals forward. The program encompasses 34 credits covering core classes in economics, marketing, finance and management. Advanced studies explore these topics:

-Management information systems
-Managerial accounting, marketing and economics
-Business research and quantitative methods
-Corporate finance
-Strategic management
-Global contexts for organizational behavior
-Human resource management
-Total compensation
-Training and development
-Recruitment, selection and retention

Accreditations

  • Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (candidacy in progress)

Contact
Fort Hays State University
600 Park Street
Hays, Kansas 67601

Department of Management and Marketing
(785) 628-4201 or (800) 628-FHSU(toll free)
mgt.mkt@fhsu.edu
Website

College of Business and Entrepreneurship
Rachel Dolechek, Graduate Coordinator
(785) 628-5696
rldolechek@fhsu.edu
Website

Friends University

College of Adult and Professional Studies

True to its Quaker heritage, Friends University incorporates ethics and independent thought into trending degree programs that contribute to community well-being through career endeavors. To reach learners from all backgrounds, Friends provides alternative pathways for acquiring degrees such as the SHRM-endorsed bachelor’s in business administration with an HRM concentration. The university consistently appears in Colleges of Distinction for its commitment to educational excellence and innovative learning experiences.

Bachelor of Business Administration in HRM

Learners with any undergraduate degree can earn Friends’ BBA in HRM through traditional or online formats. Since the degree is not industry-specific, graduates can enter HR positions across occupations. It also provides an excellent basis for further graduate studies. Requirements entail 124 credits of university core classes along with the following business foundations and HR coursework:

-Finance, economics, management and accounting
-Business ethics and employment law
-Management information systems
-Strategic HR management techniques
-Compensation and benefits
-Recruitment, assessment and selection
-Employee evaluations, training and development
-Global environments and HRM
-Labor relations
-Occupational health and safety
-Program effectiveness and evaluations

Accreditation

  • Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association

Contact
Friends University
2100 West University Avenue
Wichita, Kansas 67213

Kathy Slemp, PhD
Human Resource Management
(316) 295-5412 or (800)794-6945 (toll free)
kslemp@friends.edu
Program Website

Kansas State University

College of Business Administration

As a public research university of high regard, K-State offers state-of-the-art instruction in trending fields such as human resource management. The university’s SHRM-aligned B.S. in Business Administration with a Human Resource Management specialization emphasizes 21st-century management techniques to improve employee performance and enhance business goals. K-State regularly lands among the best national, public and research schools in rankings compiled by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Forbes.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in the Human Resource Management track

The 126-credit BSBA with an HRM emphasis includes pre-professional, business and concentrated HRM studies. Graduates can enter professional HRM positions in a wide variety of occupational settings or advance into master’s programs. The following courses define the curriculum:

-Foundations of business principles
-Finance and accounting theory
-Marketing principles
-Management and business strategies
-Organizational behavior
-Quantitative management
-Human resources management
-Employment law
-Compensation and performance
-Staffing organizations
-Labor and industrial relations
-Training and development
-Diversity in the workplace
-International management

Accreditations

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

Contact
College of Business Administration
Kansas State University
107 Calvin Hall
Manhattan, Kansas 66506

Breana Boger, Recruitment Coordinator
(785) 532-6030 or (800) 432-8270 (toll free)
bboger@k-state.edu
BSBA-HRM
Catalog

Ottawa University

School of Business – Adult, Residential and Online Studies

Ottawa University’s historical relationship with the Ottawa tribe speaks to the empowerment of education for all citizens. Today, this legacy drives innovative academic programs that assist adults from all backgrounds to succeed. A prime example is the SHRM-endorsed BA with a human resources concentration that prepares graduates for positions across business platforms or to pursue further master’s studies. Ottawa University ranks at No. 59 among regional colleges in the Midwest and at No. 19 for best colleges for veterans according to U.S. News & World Report.

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration: Human Resource Concentration

This versatile 124-credit degree can be completed in traditional or online settings to accommodate busy schedules. Upper-level studies involve business administration and human resource courses designed to build SHRM competencies for 21st-century HRM positions. Content explores the following subjects:

-Business operations accounting
-Economics, finance and investments
-Business statistics
-Business law and ethics
-Employment law and policies
-Management and marketing
-Organizational communication
-Administrative strategies and policies
-Human resources administration
-Staffing, training and development
-Performance appraisals
-Compensation and benefits
-Conflict resolution

Accreditations

  • Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association
  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (candidacy in progress)

Contact
Ottawa University
Office of the Registrar
1001 South Cedar Street. Box 5
Ottawa, Kansas 66067

Residential Campus: (855) 774-7713
Adult Campuses and Online: (855) 774-7714
Website

Wichita State University

W. Frank Barton School of Business

From telegraph machines to cutting-edge technology, Wichita State University has changed with the times to provide students with relevant academic programs grounded in research and innovative studies such as those in human resource management. The HRM program follows SHRM guidelines to prepare graduates for the skills and competencies that will be expected of them in professional settings. WSU earns recognition from Forbes and College Factual for academic excellence, research activities, and affordability.

Bachelor of Business Administration, Human Resource Management major

Encompassing 124 credits, the BBA with an HRM major covers breadth and depth of knowledge in curricular studies of business, management and HR content. The program includes general education, core business, and human resource management courses along with related electives to personalize the degree. Upper-level HRM content explores these issues:

-HRM fundamentals
-HR staffing
Labor relations
-Training and development
-Compensation
-Employment law
-Leading Organizations and teams
-Program development
-Effective communication
-Workplace diversity
-Mentoring and coaching

Accreditations

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

Contact
Department of Management
Wichita State University
1845 Fairmount
Wichita, Kansas 67260

Dr. James Jordan-Wagner, Interim Dean
(316) 978-3200 or (316) 978-3214
james.jordan-wagner@wichita.edu
Website

Achieving a career as an HR professional requires educational foundations that match up with SHRM guidelines targeting best industry practices. These foundations provide the framework for acquiring professional competencies that lead to competitive employment opportunities and form the basis for further graduate studies and career advancements. For those interested in attending schools where curricular studies align with SHRM standards, human resource degree programs in Kansas offer some outstanding options to consider.