Southwestern College Professional Studies

Is an HR Major For Me?

In today’s organizations, every human resource-related decision has the potential to result in litigation, whether it is made by a production line supervisor, a senior leader, or a business partner. Southwestern College’s bachelor of science degree with a major in human resource development helps learners gain the knowledge and awareness of potential compliance issues in dealing with EEOC, employment/employee or labor relations issues.

A human resource development major will also provide valuable, applicable skills: *Leadership for coaching and mentoring employees *Development assistance to help employees advance in their careers *Performance management to assist employees in setting and meeting goals and objectives *Strategic planning to help process improvements, production levels, and retention *Compensation and benefits training to keep organizations competitive *Staffing and selection preparation to recruit the right talent

Human resource development is offered both in the classroom and online.

Required and Core Courses

Required Major Courses

HRD 310 Legal & Regulatory Enviro. of Human Resources
HRD 330 Microsoft Office Applications
HRD 338 Human Resources Technology
HRD 323 Finance for Non-Financial Managers
HRD 345 Managing Human Resources
HRD 321 Compensation and Benefits
BUS 328 Organizational Behavior
HRD 324 Performance Management
CAPS 495 Senior Capstone

Required Core Courses

HRD 210 Building Academic Success
CLO 320 Critical Thinking
CLO 340 Ethics in Today’s Organization
CLO 410 Decision Sciences
CLO 415 Professional Communication
CLO 499 Responsibility for the Future

Recommended Electives

HRD 325 Developing Workforce Talent
SOCS 320 Adults in Transition
HRD 322 Training and Development
HRD 327 Employee and Labor Relations
All classes are 3 credit hours unless otherwise indicated.

Course Descriptions

HRD 310 Legal and Regulatory Environment of Human Resources

A survey of the various levels of government statutes and regulations as they affect the human resource function in modern organizations.

HRD 330 Microsoft Office Applications

The applications involved in Microsoft Office Professional (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Schedule) will be surveyed individually as well as their interaction. Emphasis will be on applications that typically benefit the small business or departmental computing.

HRD 338 Human Resource Technology

An understanding of the role of application systems software in supporting the business functions of human resource management. The course will address the strategies and methodologies utilized in the design, development, and deployment of information technology solutions including vendor evaluations and user involvement.

HRD 323 Finance for Non-Financial Managers

The course will develop an understanding of the role of finance in the business organization. Topics include ratio analysis, creation of financial statements, sources of funds for financial operations, managing the cash flow process, the cost of capital and capital budgeting. In addition, the financial impacts of international operations will be explored.

HRD 345 Managing Human Resources

A study of the development of the personnel management role, the organization of work, staffing the organization, developing human resources, creating favorable work environment, management labor relations, compensation, and benefit administration.

HRD 321 Compensation and Benefits

Analyzes the labor market, insights into socioeconomic and political events that influence wage and salary administration, methods of building an adequate and equitable compensation package in order to attract and retain competent employees, reward for merit and accomplishments, and providing incentives for development.

HRD 324 Performance Management

The student is introduced to the application of the principles and techniques of behavior modification to the performance of individuals and groups in organizations. The course includes application of the ABC analysis and the study of antecedents, behaviors and consequences that can be used to successfully sustain individual and group performance

BUS 328 Organizational Behavior

Individual and work group behavior in organizations. Exercises in the dynamics of power, developing leadership, facilitating quality and change, and interpersonal communication skills will be emphasized.

HRD210 Building Academic Success

Introduces academic success topics and tools that are intended to establish and strengthen understanding of the learner and academic success coach relationship, critical thinking and reading, institutional policies and procedures, and the basics of online research and academic writing while experiencing the Southwestern College Professional Studies course format on the way to becoming a Southwestern College Moundbuilder.

CLO 320 Critical Thinking

This course prepares learners to critically interpret, synthesize, analyze and evaluate information. It is designed to introduce learners to complex problems and help them come to well reasoned conclusions and solutions.

CLO 340 Ethics in Today’s Organizations

This course will utilize the expertise of professionals working in the various disciplines as well as the moral reasoning of ethicists. An approach to the ethical challenges of a modern society is developed.

CLO 410 Decision Sciences

This course introduces the learner to utilizing and applying both quantitative and qualitative methods for individual, organizational, and societal decision making. A variety of tools and techniques will be examined as the foundation for the development and interpretation of attributes and variables in addition to the use of data sources for the purpose of improving processes and organizational environments.

CLO 415 Professional Communication

A study of the communication processes in situations encountered in organizations and professional environments. Analysis of simulated and real life situations will include the creation of professional documents and various functions of written, oral, and interpersonal communications.

CLO 499 Responsibility for the Future

Seniors with various majors will share learning and approaches from their different disciplines toward dealing holistically with issues that shape the future, seeking to integrate disciplines and to synthesize knowing, caring, and doing.

CAPS 495 Senior Capstone

Learners will be required to develop a portfolio project that demonstrates their knowledge, skills, and abilities in their major discipline. Particular attention will be given to the presentation of evidence and artifacts from their major courses as well as recent research relevant to their specific program outcomes. The purpose of the final portfolio project is to document learner achievement and to ensure learning outcomes are met.

All classes are 3 credit hours unless otherwise indicated.

Admission Requirements

Entering students must have earned at least 30 college credits from previous college coursework or ACE evaluated military training, a GPA of 2.0, and have three years of work experience. Transfer hours accepted for Professional Studies admittance should include English Composition I and II, and mathematics (college algebra preferred). These courses may be considered in transfer or completed at Southwestern College.

Contact a program representative to evaluate your options.

Graduation Requirements

A total of 124 credit hours must be earned to graduate. You must have at least 60 credit hours from a four-year university or college and at least 30 hours from Southwestern College (does not include prior learning experience credits). Of the 30 hours required from Southwestern, 15 of the last 30 hours earned toward your degree must be at Southwestern College. See your advisor for more information.

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A human resource degree from Southwestern College helps our learners gain knowledge and awareness of potential compliance issues in dealing with EEOC, employment/employee or labor relations issues.