An organization is only as good as its people. Human resource professionals have the responsibility of recruiting, training, motivating, and retaining key workforce talent and are therefore vital to the success of any organization. In this course, students develop skills in HR management that can translate across multiple fields and contexts. They take on the role of an HR professional and apply their skills to meet a career-related challenge for a fictional organization. Students have the opportunity to earn a micro-credential in human resource management upon successful completion of the course.

Despite common misperceptions, human resource (HR) managers are tasked with more than hiring, firing, and managing employee benefits. In this course, students learn why it important for a company to adjust to the varying needs of both domestic and international clients as well as how HR management helps to ensure this happens through various activities, including sourcing in a global environment. Students examine how HR management functions and activities can be the key to long-term business success, strategically aligning corporate goals with those of stakeholders and all major areas of a business, including marketing, finance, technology, and operations. They compare and contrast HR management strategies, such as incentive cash and/or stock compensation programs, employee ownership, and nonmonetary rewards. Students also evaluate the impact such strategies have on employee motivation and retention.

Growth and innovation are important aspects of all organizations. To achieve this, companies must provide an environment conducive to diversity and change. They must also provide the opportunity for employees to learn the goals and mission of the organization. In this course, students learn how to promote and maintain such an environment through the process of human resource development and organizational change, including training and development, leadership development, and performance improvement. Students engage in discussions, reflections, and group case studies, which focus on a variety of topics, such as learning principles, interventions, employee orientation and socialization, performance management and coaching, and diversity.

Human resource (HR) managers possess a dual role with the responsibility of ensuring well-being of employees while maintaining the goals of company. To fulfill this role, HR managers must have a thorough understanding of the federal laws and regulations governing the workplace as well as compliance guidelines regarding employee regulations. In this course, students examine and discuss the role of federal regulations, including equal opportunity, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other employee-related regulations. They also explore the role of human resource management in regard to performance appraisal systems, compensation, and labor-management issues.