Header logo

Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management

The process of hiring, training, managing and retaining talented employees is integral to any company, and business owners rely heavily on human resource managers to assure success in those areas. Developed with the input of faculty members with academic and practical business experience, Alvernia University’s Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management program teaches students how to develop and evaluate resources necessary to sustain a positive return of the people investment in an organization.


Human Resource Management majors at Alvernia’s Header School of Business will delve into areas such as recruiting and employing staff, training and development, compensation management, benefit analysis and employee assistance. The learning experience expands far beyond textbooks, strengthened by a state-of-the-art business lab featuring the Bloomberg Terminal, and the O'Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, which offers resources to students and businesses to assist with economic development.


Alvernia's award-winning and nationally recognized SHRM program has been approved for renewal as a Society of Human Resource Management-aligned program.

 

SHRM

In This Section
College of Business, Communication and Leadership

Getting Started

General Notes
  • A minimum of 123 credits are required for graduation.
  • Credits earned for COM 100 and MAT 100 do not count toward the 123 credits required for graduation; however, COM 100 students may petition for elective credit.
  • Where appropriate, courses required for the major can be used to satisfy General Education requirements. However, the credits earned for these courses are applied to either Gen Ed requirements or the major, not both.
  • Paths of Knowledge coursework may count towards major or minor requirements, but may not fulfill a second Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration requirement.
  • Students are expected to follow the catalog requirements for General Education, the major, and additional requirements.
  • A minor or second major within the areas listed under Paths of Knowledge automatically fulfills that area of the Gen Ed requirements.
Application Instructions

Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the Alvernia web portal or The Common Application. To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.

Financing Your Education

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

Request More Information
Loading...
Students on the quad
Why Choose Alvernia?
• A nationally ranked comprehensive regional university, Alvernia offers more than 50 majors and minors.
• An ever-expanding number of experiential learning opportunities includes internships, field experiences, co-ops, research projects and study/service abroad programs.
• A rich campus life allows students to enjoy a full calendar of activities and events, more than 50 clubs, intramural sport and student leadership and governance opportunities.
• In growth mode, Alvernia continues to add value to its student experience: expanding academic programming in new facilities; adding student living space and updating residence halls; partnering with a community health provider; and adding amenities including a game room and new performance space.


Program Overview

Curriculum: General Education

Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. You’ll need to complete 54-56 liberal arts core credits and complete community service hours. In addition, Human Resource Management majors must complete 61 credits in the major.

First Year Curriculum: Enduring Questions

  • SEARCH Seminar-Enduring Questions or Honor Search-Enduring Questions (3 credits: SRH 101 or HNR 160)
  • COM 101 Composition & Research: Must earn a C or higher (3 credits)
  • THE 105 Foundations of Theology (3 credits)
  • PHI 105 Introduction to Philosophy (3 credits)


Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration Credits

  • Exploring the Natural World (6-8 credits)
    • Lab Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
    • Math: Must earn a "C" or higher (Other than MAT 100, MAT 208, or MAT 209; MAT 110 is recommended.)
  • Individuals & Communities (6 credits)
    • History or Political Science
    • PSY 101, HIS, POS, SOC, SSC, or ECON 3
  • Culture & Language (9 credits)
    • Communication (Not COM 100 or 101, may be met with COM 344)
    • World Language – 2 courses in sequence
  • Creative Expressions (6 credits)
    • Literature (ENG)
    • Art, Music, or Theatre


Ethical Leaders and Followers Credits

  • Theology or Philosophy (200-400 level) (3 credits)
  • Theology or Philosophy (Ethics/Morality @ 200 level) (3 credits)
Curriculum: Paths of Knowledge

Paths of Knowledge may count towards minor or Related Requirements, but not Mid-Level Arts Exploration requirements. Choose one path.

PATH 1: Interdisciplinary Study (IS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level from the interdisciplinary minors of Women & Gender Studies, Digital Media, Community & Environmental Sustainability, Community Engagement, Cultural Studies, Leadership Studies or Pre-Law.

PATH 2: Multi-disciplinary Study (MS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level employing multiple disciplinary perspectives to explore the Enduring Questions in one of the following themes: Cultural & Global Studies, Imagination & Creativity, Peace & Conflict, Poverty & Wealth or Sustainability, Science & Technology.

PATH 3: In-depth Disciplinary Study (DS)

Three courses at the 200-400 level in one Liberal Arts discipline other than one’s major, guided by common ideas and methods of inquiry. Students choose from Art, Biology, Chemistry, Communication, Computer Science, Economics, English, History, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Theology, Theatre or World Languages. This path may be used to give students a firm foundation in a discipline supporting their chosen major, or to pursue an interest in one of the Liberal Arts disciplines.

Curriculum: Major Requirements

Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. You’ll need to complete 54-56 liberal arts core credits and complete community service hours. In addition, Human Resource Management majors must complete 61 credits in the major.


Required Business Core (33 credits)

  • BUS 101: Financial Accounting*
  • Choose between BUS 200 and BUS 250:
    • BUS 200: Managerial Accounting (pre-requisite: BUS 101)
    • BUS 250: Accounting Principals (pre-requisite: BUS 101; this course is recommended for students considering an ACCT major: consult with BUS 101 professor)
  • BUS 206: Management Principles*
  • BUS 207: Marketing Principles*
  • Choose between MAT 208 and MAT 209
    • MAT 208: Introductory Statistics (pre-requisite: satisfactory score math placement)
    • MAT 209: Probability & Statistics (pre-requisite: HS algebra and satisfactory score math placement)
  • BUS 315: Business Data and Information Analysis
  • BUS 342: Business Law
  • BUS 410: Financial Markets (pre-requisite: ECON 248 or ECON 249)
  • BUS 411: Corporate Finance (pre-requisite: BUS 200 or 250)
  • BUS 426: Strategic Management (pre-requisite: BUS 200 or 250; pre- or co-requisite: BUS 411; senior-level standing)


* must earn a grade of "C" or better


Required Human Management Courses (18 credits)

  • BUS 280: Human Resource Management (pre-requisite: BUS 206)
  • BUS 320: Stakeholder Relations
  • Choose between BUS 322 and BUS 450
    • BUS 322: Current Issues in Human Resource Management (pre-requisite: BUS 280)
    • BUS 450: Organizational Leadership, Governance and Accountability
  • BUS 420: Employment Law
  • BUS 427: International Human Resource Management
  • BUS 443: Compensation & Benefit Management (pre-requisite: BUS 320)


Required Related Area Courses (9 credits)

  • ECON 248: Macroeconomics (met in required ECON courses)
  • ECON 249: Microeconomics (met in required ECON courses)
  • COM 344: Writing for the Workplace


High Performer Development Series (3 credits)

  • BUS 251: High Performer Development Series I
  • BUS 351 :High Performer Development Series II (pre-requisite: BUS 251)
  • BUS 451 :High Performer Development Series III (pre-requisite: BUS 351)


Recommended Cooperative Education (credits vary)

  • BUS 441: Cooperative Education in Business (pre-requisites: senior standing, completed 90 credits)
  • BUS 442: Cooperative Education in Business II (pre-requisites: senior standing, completed 90 credits; BUS 441)
Major Notes

To graduate with a Business degree, students must:

  • Have earned and maintain an overall grade point average of 2.0
  • Have earned 60 credits
  • Earn a “C” or higher in BUS 101, BUS 206, BUS 207 and the math course taken to fulfill the Liberal  Arts General Education.
  • There is a 75 Hour Experiential Learning Graduation Requirement for all business majors. Please consult with your academic advisor for more information. 
Experiential Learning Opportunities
  • In the John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne, our business lab and Bloomberg Terminals provide financial real time, historical data, market moving news and analytics.
  • The O'Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship provides a support system that can elevate aspiring and existing entrepreneurs as well as provide experiential learning opportunities for students, clients and mentors. Services
    are delivered through an integrated network of partners, mentors, staff and student expertise. Fields include accounting, business development, communications, digital design, engineering and marketing.
  • The Future Business Leaders of America, Inc. (FBLA) is the largest business career and technical student organization in the
    world. FBLA Collegiate is the collegiate division of FBLA and is dedicated to inspiring and developing the next generation of
    leaders by preparing members for careers in business and business-related fields.
Accreditation Statements
Career Outlook

After earning your Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management, you can pursue a variety of careers, including:

  • Benefits Analyst
  • Change Manager
  • Compensation Manager
  • Director of Employee Relations
  • Human Resources Analyst
  • Human Resources Director
  • Human Resources Specialist
  • Organizational Developer
  • Payroll Manager
  • Human Resources Director
  • Recruiter
  • Trainer
  • Vice President, Human Resources
  • Workforce Diversity Specialist


According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of human resource managers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2021 to 2031, about the average for all occupations. The median annual wage in 2021 was $126,230.

Opportunities for Majors

Phi Beta Lambda

Phi Beta Lambda provides opportunities students to develop vocational competencies for business and office occupations and business teacher education. The specific goals are to promote competent, aggressive business leadership, understand American business enterprise, establish career goals, encourage scholarship, promote sound financial management, and develop character and self-confidence and to facilitate transition from school to work. The Alvernia College PBL Chapter has won many awards on both state and national levels. In competitions, the Alvernia PBL Chapter regularly participates in state and national workshops and conferences, is active in campus projects and completes community service projects.
 

The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)

IMA is the world's largest organization devoted to management accountants, financial management and information management professionals. IMA Student Chapters promote careers in those areas and helps to develop leadership skills.
 

Internship Opportunities

Internship placements for our students have included Citizen’s Bank, Walt Disney World, Rohm & Haas, Vanguard, GVA Smith Mack, Haines & Kibblehouse, US Department of Treasury, US Department of Finance, Stroehmann/Maier’s Bakery, Webb Insurance, InRoads, Reading Royals, Olsen/DeTurck, Philadelphia Eagles, Cott Beverage, Four Seasons Produce, Morgan Stanley, Ernst & Young and the Camden Riversharks.
 

The Washington Center Experience

Alvernia students have an opportunity to earn college credit by spending a semester or summer in Washington, D.C. where they serve as interns in a congressional office, government agency, major corporation, newspaper or news network, or agencies devoted to legal affairs, international relations, or business and economics. Participants are customarily juniors or seniors who have achieved grade point averages of 2.5 or better and who have the endorsement of the appropriate academic area. In addition to their internship, students select one seminar dealing with the arts and humanities, communication, public policy, the legal system, business, and government. Interested students should see their academic advisor.
 

Delta Mu Delta

Delta Mu Delta is a business honor society that recognizes and encourages academic excellence of students to create a community that fosters the well-being of its individual members and the business community through life-time membership.

John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne
College of Business, Communication, and Leadership
Developing High Performers. Inspiring Action. Delivering Value. Learn more about the College of Business, Communication, and Leadership. Because you matter.
CollegeTowne Business Lab
Student experience bolstered by Bloomberg Terminal
Alvernia scholars have access to the software used by leading business and finance leaders, which provides real-time and historical data, market-moving news and analytics.


Get to Know Your Faculty

For more information about Alvernia’s Human Resource Management program contact the Admissions Office at 610-796-8269 or admissions@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to Business Department Chair Tufan Tiglioglu at 610-796-8278 or tufan.tiglioglu@alvernia.edu. To see a list of lecturers in the College of Business, Communication, and Leadership, click here.