SHRM Aligned Human Resources Degrees in West Virginia

Human Resources degree programs in West Virginia can provide individuals with the skills necessary to gain employment in advanced positions in human resources. According to reports, West Virginia’s employment increased 3.9 percent between 2009 and 2013. The state is noted for mountains, which provide outlets for recreational caving and scientific research. This has led to growth in jobs related to tourism and research facilities throughout the state. As these industries grow, there is an increased need for advanced level human resource managers who must help employees navigate the complicated world of benefits, wages and other factors related to their employment.

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is an organization dedicated to human resource management with more than 275,000 members. The organization addresses legal issues facing the human resource industry as well as providing information related to education and certification of human resource managers. Colleges offering SHRM aligned degrees provide students with the knowledge and skills based on recommendations by those who work in the field on a daily basis. Using the SHRM Curriculum Guidebook and Template, curriculum is based on common, minimum skill sets developed by leaders in the Human Resource industry, adding an additional level of expertise to the education a student receives at the college offering the degree.

American Public University

American Public University began in 1991 as the American Military Institute, established by a retired Marine Corps officer, James P. Etter. The focus of the university was to offer career-based education to military learners who had unique needs when it came to furthering their education. The college was originally located in Manassas, Virginia, but moved to Charles Town, West Virginia in 2003 after being reorganized as the American Public University System. Today, the university offers affordable, quality education to working adults, focusing on public service disciplines.

Bachelor of Arts in Management with a Concentration in Human Resource Management

American Public University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Management with a Human Resource concentration. Students explore many management theories, concepts and practices to lead employees in private, public and military environments. Students who enter the human resource management concentration not only gain knowledge in institutional and general education, but also learn:

To evaluate functions and applications of planning, organizing, staffing, directing, leading and controlling management processes.
To develop strategies that address organizational challenges through knowledge in theories, principles and practices.
To understand and analyze the impact of legal, social, economic, political, technological and international issues as the pertain to behavior in terms of individuals and groups.
To understand the importance of ethical behavior in all aspects of business.
To demonstrate critical thinking, data interpretation and decision making skills related to human capital in order to achieve organizational goals.

The program requires 121 credit hours that include core, concentration, institutional and general education requirements. Upon completion, students will be able to understand laws, rules and regulations affecting employees in today’s workplace. In addition, students will be able to compare and contrast compensation and incentive packages used to recruit highly-qualified employees for various positions. Students will also assess trends in Human Resource Management in order to successfully manage the human capital within an organization.

Master of Arts in Management

American Public University offers a Master of Arts in Management with a Human Resource Management focus. The program requires an additional 36 credit hours, which include 21 hours in Core courses and 12 hours in Concentration Requirements. In addition, students must obtain three credit hours in electives. Program objectives include:

Ability to conduct research, collect and analyze data in order to communicate findings.
Learn to develop strategic business plans using theories and practices recommended by SHRM.
Use a variety of approaches to apply leadership and management theory to address challenges.
Use analysis to examine complex organizations in order to provide assistance to individuals, groups and organizations within the company.
Evaluate management issues related to ethics, technology, structure, culture and environmental factors.

Students must provide an official transcript that indicates the awarding of a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution. The Transfer Credit Evaluation (TCE) fee for all military personnel is waived for those who wish to transfer credits from another college or university.

Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs

Contact

American Public University System
111 West Congress Street
Charles Town, WV 25414
Telephone: 877-777-9081
Email: info@apus.edu
Program Website

West Virginia University

West Virginia University was founded in 1867 after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Morrill Act, which offered land grants to each state that agreed to establish a college of agriculture and engineering. The following year, the state of West Virginia was formed, later accepting the terms of the Morrill Act in order to begin the Agricultural College of West Virginia. Originally, the school was an all-male, all-white institution. Women were admitted in 1889, and African-Americans were admitted not long after the December 1938 Gaines v. Canada Decision. The name of the school was changed in 1968 to West Virginia University. Today, West Virginia University has an enrollment of over 29,000 students. There have been 24 Rhodes Scholars, 22 Truman Scholars and 39 Goldwater Scholars among students at WVU.

College of Business and Economics

The College of Business and Economics at WVU focuses on quality, preparing students for advanced careers in the business world. The graduate programs provide technical skills and knowledge to succeed in the workplace.

Master of Science in Human Resources and Industrial Relations

One of the earliest human resource programs established in the country, WVU positions graduates for a wide range of management careers. Students are able to analyze and solve problems using leadership and interpersonal skills. The curriculum focuses on issues facing the business world today in an effort to identify fair and efficient ways to meet the needs of employees while keeping the interests of the employer in mind. The curriculum has a global focus, a necessity in today’s global business world. Students must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. In addition, students must provide either Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) scores. A resume, statement of purpose and up to three letters of recommendation must also be provided in order to apply for the program.

Resource: How Long Does it Take to Get a Master’s in Human Resources?