What is a Human Resources degree?

A Human Resources (HR) degree provides students with an overview of HR principles and practices as well as business communication and technology training and how these are applied in business.

HR Bachelor’s degrees place a strong emphasis on organizational theory, behavioural science, legal issues in HR management, performance assessment and management, employee training and development, business ethics and reward management. Ethics and social responsibility are an integral part of any HR degree. As future HR professionals, students have to understand the significance of these in relation to individuals, organizations and the community. HR students learn about individual and group behaviour in business settings in order to be able to manage organizational behaviour, change, communication and performance effectively. Business communication knowledge and skills, which cover emails, memos, business letters, reports and other means of communication, developed throughout HR courses contribute towards the effective management of individuals and groups as well. HR courses also include training in core areas of the business field such as accounting, finance, information technology, marketing and other more general modules. Perhaps, one of the most important aspects of such a degree is the fact that it teaches students the significance of aligning HR management with overall business strategies and how to do that in practice.

If students go on to complete an MBA program, they will most likely explore the specifics of corporate management, ethical leadership, organisational behaviour and business strategy as well as dive deeper into HR concepts.

Overall, an HR degree develops students; understanding of how to enhance human capital in the organization by attracting, retaining and improving the skills and competencies of employees in order to aid the achievement of organizational objectives.

It is worth noting that students may be required to have a strong background in English, communications, speech and debate. Such requirements are set in order to ensure that students possess the required skills to be successful in the HR field. Individuals who wish to take an HR postgraduate course need to have attained a Bachelor’s degree which covers the core HR concepts.