Bachelor of Science
Human Resource Management

Learn how to recruit top talent and improve workplace culture with Oakland University’s accredited HR Management Program.

Human resource management (HRM) demands specialized skills — and few universities teach them better than Oakland University. Our HR management degree, one of only three in Michigan accredited by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), sets you on the path to becoming a sought-after and certified HR professional.

Oakland’s Human Resource Management Program equips you to recruit and develop top talent, cultivate healthy workplace environments and help organizations and employees maximize their potential. With HRM skills valued across all industries, you’ll open doors to a wide range of exciting and rewarding career opportunities. 

Our human resource management degree provides the knowledge and expertise you need to embark on a successful HR career soon after graduation. Impressively, 97 percent of our recent graduates secured HR positions or pursued further education within a year.

Additionally, as an Oakland HRM graduate, you’ll be well-positioned to pursue further credentials as a certified human resource professional, increasing your career potential.

Human resource management (HRM) demands specialized skills — and few universities teach them better than Oakland University. Our HR management degree, one of only three in Michigan accredited by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), sets you on the path to becoming a sought-after and certified HR professional.

Oakland’s Human Resource Management Program equips you to recruit and develop top talent, cultivate healthy workplace environments and help organizations and employees maximize their potential. With HRM skills valued across all industries, you’ll open doors to a wide range of exciting and rewarding career opportunities. 

Our human resource management degree provides the knowledge and expertise you need to embark on a successful HR career soon after graduation. Impressively, 97 percent of our recent graduates secured HR positions or pursued further education within a year.

Additionally, as an Oakland HRM graduate, you’ll be well-positioned to pursue further credentials as a certified human resource professional, increasing your career potential.

Human Resource Management Degree: The Oakland University Advantage

Located in a thriving economic region with diverse employers, Oakland University offers a bachelor’s in human resource management with unique benefits that give you an edge in the job market. Our extensive partnerships across public, private and nonprofit sectors provide advanced opportunities for professional development, ensuring a strong start to your HRM career.

Our HRM degree enables you to:

  • Acquire hands-on experience. Oakland’s human resource management degree includes a required capstone project, which can be either a workplace internship or a portfolio project. Both options allow you to build a track record of achievement and showcase your HRM expertise to potential employers.
  • Build industry connections. Our extensive business relationships allow you to interact with HRM leaders in various settings, including guest lectures, case-based classroom assignments, on-campus recruiting events and student organizations. Notably, the CEO of Kelly Services, the world’s largest provider of staffing and personnel solutions, sits on our School of Business Advisory Board. Additionally, our active chapter of SHRM frequently brings HR professionals to campus for guest lectures, networking events, Q&A sessions and more.
  • Get faculty mentoring and guidance. You’ll take human resource management courses from exceptional professors who combine academic achievement with years of professional HRM experience. Our small class sizes ensure plenty of faculty face time, so you’ll build real relationships with your professors that support your educational and professional development.
  • Earn a rigorous HRM degree. The  Society for Human Resource Management granted accreditation to our HRM degree because we demonstrate educational excellence in key professional competencies, including communication, leadership, ethical practice, cultural effectiveness, relationship management and business acumen. Employers recognize SHRM accreditation as a mark of superior quality, so an Oakland University human resource management degree carries extra value for job-seeking professionals in human resources.
  • Graduate from one of the nation’s top business schools. In addition to our SHRM accreditation, we hold elite dual accreditation (in business and accounting) from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Fewer than 1 percent of the world’s business schools have attained this distinction. And publications such as U.S. News & World Report, CEO Magazine and The Princeton Review routinely include us in their national rankings of the best business schools.

What Can You Do With an HRM Degree?

A degree in HR management from Oakland University unlocks diverse career opportunities, as organizations across all industries rely on skilled professionals in human resources. The job outlook for HRM graduates is also promising.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects faster-than-average job growth of 5 percent for human resource managers by 2032. The BLS also reported a median annual salary for HR managers of $136,350 in 2023, further highlighting the value and demand for well-trained human resource professionals.

Oakland’s comprehensive HRM Program equips you to meet this demand, preparing you for various roles and responsibilities, including:

  • Recruitment
  • Compensation and benefits
  • Training and workforce development
  • Employee retention
  • Leadership development
  • Succession planning
  • Labor relations
  • Executive administration

Human Resource Management Degree: What You’ll Study

OU’s human resource management degree offers a comprehensive curriculum to prepare you for diverse HR roles. Our program includes core courses, electives and a capstone project (either a professional internship or a portfolio project). This blend of theoretical concepts and practical application ensures you are well-prepared for a successful career in human resource management.

The coursework provides you with a broad foundation, covering key topics such as:

  • Organizational behavior
  • Labor/management relations
  • Research methods
  • Compensation and benefits
  • Motivation
  • Leadership
  • Public sector human resource management
  • Personnel psychology
  • Personnel administration

This comprehensive and well-rounded curriculum ensures you have the knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in human resource management. Additionally, our HRM courses provide a solid foundation for pursuing further credentials to become certified in human resources upon graduation.

Human Resource Management Program Resources

Programs Related to the Bachelor’s in HR Management

Not sure if our Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management is right for you? Check out these other undergraduate degree programs at Oakland and contact our admissions team to discuss your options:

Current Human Resource Management Internships