Bachelor’s Degree Specialization in Human Resource Management

Human resource management (HRM) refers to the management of people and resources that make up an organization. The process of managing an organization’s employees may involve providing health insurance options and employee assistance programs, as well as working on labor relations issues, workplace safety, hiring, recruiting and other areas.

Within the boundaries of an organization’s human resources department, HR professionals may be engaged in a broad variety of responsibilities dedicated to strengthening the workforce, promoting a positive and safe workplace environment and improving employee performance, morale and engagement. These professionals regularly perform tasks associated with HR planning, recruiting and hiring employees, administering compensation and benefits plans, ensuring compliance with labor laws and handling labor disputes. HR professionals may also be involved in succession planning, employee learning and development or measuring employee performance against established company benchmarks.

Pursuing a degree in HRM will help you acquire essential tactical and leadership skills that human resource professionals use on a daily basis. These include management theory, employment law, the various technologies associated with HR information systems, implementation, planning and measuring the outcomes of employee learning and development initiatives, skills associated with conflict resolution and a range of competencies related to pay systems, compensation and employee benefits.

Graduates of our Bachelor’s Degree with a Specialization in Human Resource Management may pursue a variety of careers in today’s business world, as an HRM generalist or in specialized areas like recruitment, employee benefits, legal compliance or diversity, equity and inclusion. Careers to be considered include Training and Development Manager, Employee Relations Manager, Employee Benefits Specialist and more.

Yes, you can! At DeVry, our Bachelor’s Degree with a Specialization in Human Resource Management can be earned 100% online or in a hybrid format that combines online learning with an on-campus experience.¹

If you wish to advance your education in HRM to enhance existing skills, build new ones or prepare to pursue upper-level management positions, you have several options. At DeVry, our graduate degree programs include our Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management and our MBA with a Specialization in Human Resource Management. If you want to earn a graduate-level credential in less time and at a lower cost than a full degree program, we also offer a Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management with qualifying credits that stack into our master’s or MBA programs should you choose to continue your education with us.⁴

A partial list of industry-recognized credentials you may consider includes the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) by the HR Certification Institute, the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) offered by the Society for Human Resources Management and the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) offered by the Human Resources Professionals Association. Keep in mind that each certification program has its own set of eligibility criteria and certification requirements.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment of human resources specialists to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, with about 78,700 openings for these professionals each year, on average, over the decade.⁵ The BLS attributes this growth to the need for HR specialists to explain increasingly complex employment laws and employee benefit options.

⁵Growth projected on a national level. Local growth will vary by location. BLS projections are not specific to DeVry University students or graduates and may include earners at all stages of their career and not just entry level.

For admission here at DeVry University, specific prior education and educational performance requirements apply to all applicants to our undergraduate programs. Our Admissions Team can answer any questions you may have about the undergraduate admissions process.

At DeVry, your college tuition comes with a package of flexibility, support and personal development resources to fortify your academic journey and career development. And, because your financial situation is unique, our Student Support Advisors can provide a customized plan with a breakdown of all the costs associated with your chosen program and information on resources like scholarships and grants⁶ that can help make college more affordable. Visit our tuition and financial aid page to learn more.