Human Resource Management
Build Your Interpersonal and Management Skills
An organization can only be as successful as its staff. Major in Human Resource Management at St. Thomas, and you’ll gain a solid foundation in fair and effective employee selection, rewards, training, placement, management and development. Our engaging, practical curriculum will teach you how to increase staff satisfaction and productivity by harnessing employees’ strengths and offering them strategic support.
Our highly engaged faculty and small class sizes ensure that you receive plenty of individual attention, and your faculty advisor supports and guides your student journey. If you want to make your mark in the field of human resource management, take the first step at St. Thomas.
Program Overview
Course Requirements
All undergraduate business students are required to take liberal arts core curriculum courses, foundational and major-specific business courses, and allied courses from outside the College of Business in key areas such as economics, math, and statistics.
Four-Year Plan
Year 1
ACCT 100 Principles of Accounting I
BUSN 100 Business for the Common Good
ENTR 100 Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Begin allied courses in economics, math, and statistics
Year 2
ACCT 200 Principles of Accounting II
BETH 300 Ethical Principles in Business
BLAW 300 Law for Business Leaders I
BUSN 200 Business Learning Through Service
CISC 200 Intro to Computer Technology and Business Application
FINC 310 Core Financial Management
MGMT 200 Working Skillfully in Organizations
MKTG 200 Introduction to Marketing
OPMT 200 Operations and Supply Chain Management
STUDY ABROAD: Your second or third years are ideal for semester-long or short-term (January) international programs.
Years 3 & 4
As a junior and senior, you’ll take upper-level specialized courses specific to your chosen major, as well as business electives.
In addition to your major courses, you’ll also take interdisciplinary liberal arts courses in theSt. Thomas Core Curriculumthroughout your four years.
Degree Awarded
Tutoring
Your professor is always available to help you with your coursework. If you need extra help with your core courses in accounting, finance, or operations, free tutors are also available. Whether you’re stuck on an assignment or want help preparing for an exam, our tutors are always glad to work with you. You can schedule a 30-minute one-on-one appointment, or drop in during open hours.
Internships
St. Thomas maintains a large network of alumni and local business connections, which leads to real-world learning opportunities, internships and—oftentimes—employment after graduation. When you’re ready for an internship, the Career Development Center can help you find a position that supports your professional goals.
Course Requirements
Course Requirements
All undergraduate business students are required to take liberal arts core curriculum courses, foundational and major-specific business courses, and allied courses from outside the College of Business in key areas such as economics, math, and statistics.
Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan
Year 1
ACCT 100 Principles of Accounting I
BUSN 100 Business for the Common Good
ENTR 100 Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Begin allied courses in economics, math, and statistics
Year 2
ACCT 200 Principles of Accounting II
BETH 300 Ethical Principles in Business
BLAW 300 Law for Business Leaders I
BUSN 200 Business Learning Through Service
CISC 200 Intro to Computer Technology and Business Application
FINC 310 Core Financial Management
MGMT 200 Working Skillfully in Organizations
MKTG 200 Introduction to Marketing
OPMT 200 Operations and Supply Chain Management
STUDY ABROAD: Your second or third years are ideal for semester-long or short-term (January) international programs.
Years 3 & 4
As a junior and senior, you’ll take upper-level specialized courses specific to your chosen major, as well as business electives.
In addition to your major courses, you’ll also take interdisciplinary liberal arts courses in theSt. Thomas Core Curriculumthroughout your four years.
Degree Awarded
Degree Awarded
Tutoring
Tutoring
Your professor is always available to help you with your coursework. If you need extra help with your core courses in accounting, finance, or operations, free tutors are also available. Whether you’re stuck on an assignment or want help preparing for an exam, our tutors are always glad to work with you. You can schedule a 30-minute one-on-one appointment, or drop in during open hours.
Internships
Internships
St. Thomas maintains a large network of alumni and local business connections, which leads to real-world learning opportunities, internships and—oftentimes—employment after graduation. When you’re ready for an internship, the Career Development Center can help you find a position that supports your professional goals.
A NETWORK OF SUPPORT
Kelsey Clyborne '20
Kelsey majored in Human Resource Management to follow her passion for working with people. During her junior year, class projects shifted towards experiential-based learning and paired her with a human resources software organization to complete a part-time project during class. This corporate experience, along with guidance from professors, led Kelsey to apply for and accept a summer internship with Medtronic in 2019. She continued this internship through her senior year and led to a full-time job after graduation. The personal connections, business courses, and direct experience she had at the Opus College of Business prepared Kelsey to successfully navigate her career in human resources.
Career Opportunities
People who work in HR have a wide range of responsibilities, which may include forecasting hiring needs, and developing appraisal, compensation and professional development systems. They may also help establish labor relations, analyzing and improving the working environment, and interpreting employment regulations. Typical HR job titles include:
- Benefits Administrator
- Compensation Analyst
- Labor Relations Specialist
- Training Services Coordinator
- Recruiter
- Hiring Manager
- HR Administrator
- Personal Development Specialist
FACULTY AT THE FOREFRONT OF PRACTICE AND THEORY
Erica Diehn, PhD
Erica Diehn's classes are infused with applied case studies and interactive class exercises that emphasize evidence-based management best practices and experience in engaging ways. Diehn finds meaning and purpose in educating and empowering students to advance the common good through principled leadership.
Liz Welsh, PhD
Liz Welsh teaches graduate and undergraduate classes in interpersonal relationships, employee and organizational development and human resources. When conducting research, Welsh chooses projects that either address questions that leaders need answers to, or tries to make research more relevant for leaders.
Mick Sheppeck, PhD
Mick Sheppeck's research focuses on the alignment of human resource management practices with business strategy and how people learn to think and act with a systems perspective. Sheppeck is passionate about combining his subject-matter expertise and prior industry experience in human resource management and organization development to train undergraduate students.
GHR Fellows Programs
GHR Fellows receive:
- Full tuition and fees for four years (and may, pending demonstrated financial need, receive grant funds that cover room and board at St. Thomas)
- A fully funded J-Term study abroad experience
- Professional coaching and mentorship
- Networking opportunities with Fortune 500 business executives and community leaders
Fauth Business Scholarships
The Opus College of Business awards this competitive scholarship to incoming students who intend to major in Business. Each year, up to four $10,000/year scholarships are awarded.
Learning Through Service: Business 200
We believe that businesses need to be socially responsible in the communities where they operate. All undergraduate business majors and minors are required to complete BUSN 200, a zero-credit, tuition-free course that includes 40 hours of community service and a series of reflective seminars. This service learning helps you grow into a highly principled global business professional, and an effective and ethical leader who’s prepared to make positive contributions in both your profession and community.
St. Thomas Career Services
The experts in the Career Development Center can help you find internships, develop job hunting skills, and put you in touch with business leads—both alumni and St. Thomas connections in the broader Twin Cities business scene. We can help you:
- Clarify your strengths and how they relate to majors and career fields
- Map out a career plan
- Create your résumé and prepare for interviews
- Look for internships and jobs
Take the Next Step
There is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.