SHRM Aligned Human Resources Degrees in Kentucky
Kentuckians seeking training for diverse HR careers will be happy to learn that there are seven top-notch human resources degree programs in Kentucky aligned with the SHRM’s standards of excellence.
As our nation’s 26th most populous state, Kentucky has a diversified economy that has expanded beyond its bluegrass agricultural roots. In fact, Kentucky ranks 4th in America for car manufacturing and produces nearly one-fourth of the country’s electricity. It’s even been named the United States’ most affordable state to live in. HR managers in Kentucky bring home a high average salary of $89,600 for good ROI too.
The following are the human resources degrees endorsed by the world’s largest HR association for excellence in Kentucky.
Lindsey Wilson College
Business and CIS Division
First founded in 1903 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, Lindsey Wilson College is a senior private four-year Christian liberal arts institution enrolling around 2,600 undergraduates in an open ecumenical community on its 200-acre rural campus in Columbia near Russell Creek. With a low student-faculty ratio of 14:1 for close faculty interaction, LWC offers 10 associate’s, 26 bachelor’s, and three master’s degree programs with full SACS accreditation. The Business and CIS Division is dedicated to providing value-centered education with co-operative learning experiences to awaken students’ potential in management.
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration – Management Emphasis for Human Resources Management
With approval from the IACBE, the Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration program at LWC is structured to equip undergraduate students with the fundamentals of business to lay the foundation for increasing professional responsibility in today’s global economy. Through hands-on classroom instruction, the 78-hour major builds upon a broad-based common core of coursework with three emphasis areas. Students who select the Management Emphasis can further specialize in Human Resources Management to develop the skills for managing their organization’s employees. Courses in this track cover essential topics in workforce planning, personnel management, labor relations, compensation, benefits, public relations, international business, and talent development.
Accreditations
- International Assembly of College Business Education (IACBE)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
210 Lindsey Wilson Street
Columbia, KY 42728
(270) 384-7385
griderl@lindsey.edu
Program Website
Murray State University
Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business
Headquartered on a main 258-acre rural campus in Murray with extension centers in Paducah, Hopkinsville, Henderson, and Madisonville, Murray State University is a major comprehensive four-year public institution enrolling a large community of over 11,200 students. Crowned the South’s 144th best college in Forbes magazine, Murray State is currently ranked as the 26th best regional university, 9th top public school, and 6th best college for veterans in the South in the U.S. News and World Report survey. Backed by elite AACSB accreditation, the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business has the mission of molding students into thoughtful, ethical leaders with a bright future of success.
Bachelor of Arts in Business: Area in Management/Human Resource Track
Rooted in a strong liberal arts foundation, the Bachelor of Arts in Business program is designed to give Murray State undergraduate students the overall business understanding needed to gain entry and advance into middle-level management roles. Within the rigorous 120-credit curriculum, students have the freedom to follow the Area in Management/Human Resource Track, which has been certified by the SHRM for high education standards. The track will include 12 specialized credits in coursework on employee training, compensation management, labor law, occupational safety, labor relations, and organizational development. Graduates will have the credentials to pursue PHR, SPHR, or GPHR professional certification.
Bachelor of Science in Business: Area in Management/Human Resource Track
Featuring a more science-based curriculum of 120 total credits, the Bachelor of Science in Business program at Murray State gives undergraduates the varied business background essential for successfully competing for positions of responsibility in today’s competitive global marketplace. BSB students can even expand their international awareness by receiving a dual degree with the École Supérieure de Commerce in Saint Etienne, France. Student selecting the SHRM-aligned Area in Management/Human Resource Track Will focus on the competencies needed to manage an organization’s most important resource – its people.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
1375 Chestnut Street
Murray, KY 42071
(270) 809-4181
cob@murraystate.edu
Program Website
Northern Kentucky University
Haile/US Bank College of Business
As one of the youngest senior public co-educational research institutions in the state, Northern Kentucky University has grown since 1968 to educate more than 15,400 students from its picturesque 425-acre suburban campus in Highland Heights just seven miles south of Cincinnati, Ohio. According to the U.S. News and World Report, NKU is the 70th best regional college, 31st top public school, and 30th best college for veterans in the South. Also acclaimed for its high academic quality and value in CIO Magazine, the Haile/US Bank College of Business has a supportive learning environment for developing the skills and abilities needed to thrive in business management.
Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resource Management
With an AACSB-accredited, SHRM-aligned curriculum, the Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resource Management program was created at NKU to prepare undergraduate students for handling the complex challenges of managing the diverse workforce of the 21st century. Whether aspiring HR professionals wish to lead the people of small businesses, corporate entities, non-profit organizations, or huge multi-national corporations, the 121-credit curriculum will cover all major functional areas of personnel management. In addition to an off-campus internship, students can engage in NKU’s active SHRM chapter for valuable networking.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
100 Nunn Drive
Highland Heights, KY 41099
(859) 572-5114
greerb@nku.edu
Program Website
Spalding University
School of Business
Affiliated with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Spalding University is a small private non-profit Roman Catholic institution serving just over 2,500 young men and women from its quaint six-acre urban campus in the state’s largest metropolitan hub of Louisville. Well-known for its selectivity with an acceptance rate of 29 percent, Spalding is currently honored as America’s 181st best university by the U.S. News and World Report. Within the IACBE-accredited School of Business, students can interact with experienced faculty and business practitioners to develop the essential skill sets for achieving their professional dreams.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Concentration in Human Resource Management
Ideal for incoming freshmen just starting their business career, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) program at Spalding introduces the major business themes professionals must be aware of for marketing themselves in the modern market. The supportive learning community blends classroom instruction with real-world case studies, collaborative group projects, and hands-on problem solving assignments with business leaders. As one of three customized study areas, the Concentration in Human Resource Management aligns with SHRM’s standards to produce qualified HR specialists. The 120-credit program can be conveniently completed in daytime, evening, or online classes for flexibility.
Accreditations
- International Assembly of College Business Education (IACBE)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
901 South Fourth Street
Louisville, KY 40203
(502) 585-9911
mreiss@spalding.edu
Program Website
University of Louisville
College of Education & Human Development
Since being the first higher learning institute chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains back in 1798, the University of Louisville has become a preeminent senior public metropolitan research school with over 22,200 students based on its main 345-acre urban campus in our nation’s 30th most populous city. Named the 119th best master’s-level institution for social mobility and ethics in Washington Monthly, UofL is ranked the 161th best university, 88th top public school, and 51st top college for veterans nationwide by the U.S. News and World Report. Even more importantly, the College of Education & Human Development is crowned America’s 59th best education school with the 86th best online education-related degrees.
M.S. in Human Resources and Organization Development (HROD)
Offered on-campus at five Kentucky locations and online virtually from anywhere, the M.S. in Human Resources and Organization Development (HROD) at UofL is an innovative master’s program aligned with the SHRM standards to train graduate students in leading the training development of an organization’s personnel. Students are given the freedom to select a concentration in Health Professions Education, Human Resource Leadership, or Workplace Learning and Performance. Each track requires the successful completion of at least 33 credits with a culminating fieldwork experience or master’s thesis. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and/or a combined GRE score over 800.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
2301 South Third Street
Louisville, KY 40292
(502) 852-6475
terri.rowland@exchange.louisville.edu
Program Website
Western Kentucky University
Gordon Ford College of Business
Enlightening the minds of over 21,000 students, Western Kentucky University is a major comprehensive four-year public teaching institution standing proudly on a 200-acre urban campus overlooking the Barren River Valley in beautiful Bowling Green. Placed as the 26th top college in ROI salary potential by PayScale, WKU is currently lauded in the U.S. News and World Report survey as the South’s 31st best regional college, 12th top public school, and 8th best university for veterans. The Gordon Ford College of Business holds a student-faculty ratio of 23:1 to provide global business education accredited by the AACSB International.
Bachelor of Science in Management – Human Resource Management Track
The Bachelor of Science in Management program at WKU is devised for undergraduate students seeking a broad business perspective for climbing the corporate ladder into positions with more responsibility and profit. After completing the majority of the core, students can progress into the Human Resource Management Track, which is SHRM-aligned for high-quality career preparation. Students are given the valuable opportunity to fine-tune skills directly related to the duties of HR managers in maintaining organizational effectiveness. Within the 120-credit curriculum, students will cover cutting-edge issues in conflict management, labor relations, employment law, compensation administration, recruitment, and talent development.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
1906 College Heights Blvd.
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 745-2876
leanne.coder@wku.edu
Program Website
Marketing yourself as a highly trained HR specialist is critical for successfully landing jobs where you’ll efficiently manage an organization’s employees. Attending a program closely aligned with the rigorous curriculum guidelines of the SHRM will ensure you have the professional chops to compete. Check out these accredited human resources degree programs in Kentucky to start maximizing your potential in personnel management.
See also: SHRM Student Chapters in Kentucky
