There are several valuable SHRM aligned Bachelor’s in Human Resources degree programs in Pennsylvania to choose from.
As America’s sixth most populous state, Pennsylvania houses over 12.8 million residents in the Mid-Atlantic region. With an average GSP of $644 billion, Pennsylvania has the world’s 18th largest economy. HR jobs are abundant in the big cities of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Erie, Scranton, and Allentown. In fact, Pennsylvania has 50 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in its borders, including Heinz and GE.
According to the BLS, Pennsylvania has the fifth highest employment level of human resources specialists. HR graduates earn a mean yearly salary of $64,720 in the “Keystone State.”
If you’re interested in managing Pennsylvania’s thriving workforce, the following is our first half (A-M) of quality Bachelor’s in Human Resources programs.
Related Resource: What is Workforce Diversity?
Alvernia University
Business Department
Founded by the Bernardine Sisters in 1926, Alvernia University transformed from a teacher’s seminary into a comprehensive private non-profit Roman Catholic institution serving over 2,900 students from its 121-acre suburban campus in Reading, Pennsylvania’s fifth largest city. Rooted in Franciscan values, Alvernia is currently ranked the 109th best regional college and 77th top school for veterans in the North by the USNWR. Capitalizing on resources of the Tri-State area, the Business Department has ACBSP accreditation to produce high-performing, ethical leaders of today’s international business community.
Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management
Aligned with the SHRM’s curriculum guidelines, the Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management program at Alvernia introduces undergraduates to the fundamentals of hiring, training, retaining, and managing a talented workforce. With a student-faculty ratio of 14:1, most classes have fewer than 20 students for valuable, professional relationships. The 123-credit curriculum builds on a liberal arts core to develop the business acumen for strategic HR leadership. Past students have interned at organizations like Citizens Bank, Morgan Stanley, Vanguard, Ernst & Young, and Walt Disney World. Study abroad options span the globe from Spain to New Zealand and China. HR students also benefit from joining the university’s SHRM student chapter.
Accreditations
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
400 St. Bernardine Street
Reading, PA 19607
(610) 796-8269
[email protected]
Program Link
Bloomsburg University
College of Business
Located on a scenic 366-acre rural campus in Bloomsburg along the Susquehanna River at the midway point between Philadelphia and New York, Bloomsburg University is a public senior state-supported institution enrolling over 10,200 students in the PASSHE system. Offering more than 75 academic programs, Bloomsburg is ranked the 104th best regional college and 31st top public school in the North by the U.S. News. Housed in Sutliff Hall, the College of Business focuses on training students to navigate a competitive global economy.
BSBA in Management with a Concentration in Human Resource Management
Featuring elite AACSB accreditation, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) program at Bloomsburg allows students to develop broad-based business knowledge with one of six majors, including Management. Those following this route will learn the latest strategies implemented by executives in modern business organizations. Selecting the Concentration in Human Resource Management will prepare students for working as HR specialists and helping improve employee productivity. The 120-credit curriculum will include courses in public speaking, economics, managerial accounting, decision making, marketing, business law, corporate finance, staffing, training development, etc. Starting in the junior year, BSBA students can complete a HRM internship at an affiliated organization for credit.
Accreditations
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
400 East Second Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 389-5325
[email protected]
Program Link
Cedar Crest College
School of Business, Management and Economics
Historically affiliated with the United Church of Christ, Cedar Crest College is a small private women’s liberal arts institution educating around 1,800 students from its main 84-acre suburban campus in Lehigh Valley’s hub of Allentown. Given a financial grade of C by Forbes, Cedar Crest is currently ranked the 14th best regional college, third top value school, and ninth best college for veterans in the North by the U.S. News. The School of Business, Management and Economics specializes in empowering women for global leadership opportunities.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Human Resources Management Concentration
With an average class size under 20, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) program at Cedar Crest engages students in the rigorous training requisite for competing in today’s international business world. In the 120-credit curriculum, there’s room to add a Human Resources Management Concentration that’s aligned with SHRM standards. Either on-campus in Allentown or online, the program helps students understand how managerial decisions impact a company’s employees. Courses specifically explore employment law, recruitment, compensation, negotiation, labor economics, and team building. An approved internship could count towards concentration requirements. Students can join the college’s Human Resources Club or Lambda Chi chapter too.
Accreditations
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
100 College Drive
Allentown, PA 18104
(610) 437-4471
[email protected]
Program Link
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
College of Business Administration & Information Sciences
As a comprehensive four-year public state teaching institution in the PASSHE system, Clarion University of Pennsylvania is home for over 5,800 undergraduates and 1,000 post-graduates on a beautiful 128-acre rural campus in Clarion north of Pittsburgh. Satellite locations are operated in Oil City, Philadelphia, and West Penn Hospital. With a student-faculty ratio of 19:1, Clarion offers 39 nationally accredited programs across three academic colleges. In particular, the College of Business Administration & Information Sciences houses all programs for accounting, marketing, finance, real estate, management, and human resources.
BSBA Human Resource Management
In a traditional, face-to-face format in Clarion, the BSBA Human Resource Management program is available for undergrad business students wishing to specialize in establishing the effective terms and conditions of employer-employee relationships. Using the SHRM guidelines, the program lays the foundation for future HR managers to enhance interactions in the workplace for productivity and profitability. Students must complete at least 48 general education credits, 30 business credits, and 24 major credits with five electives. Great emphasis is placed on labor relations and collective bargaining. Since 1989, the university has regularly won awards for its strong Society for Advancement of Management (SAM) chapter.
Accreditations
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
909 East Wood Street
Clarion, PA 16214
(814) 393-2600
[email protected]
Program Link
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Eberly College of Business & Information Technology
Situated on a 350-acre suburban campus in the small city of Indiana within 55 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, Indiana University of Pennsylvania is a public co-educational research institution with branch locations in Monroeville, Northpointe, and Punxsutawney. Consisting included on the Princeton Review’s “Best in the Northeast” list, IUP ranked among America’s top 100 institutions producing minority degree recipients by Diverse Issues in Higher Education. The Eberly College of Business & Information Technology has around 2,500 students studying various business disciplines in its new, high-tech $10 million complex.
Human Resource Management B.S.
Using real-life case studies, the Human Resource Management B.S. program at IUP puts undergraduate students in situations to better understand the principles that affect employee retention, satisfaction, and productivity. The well-rounded program builds on a business core to learn both theoretical and applied aspects of HR. At least 120 credits must be completed, including a senior seminar in human resource management. Students can benefit from declaring a minor in Management. There’s a highly selective Eberly Business Honors Program available. Internships and job placements can be provided with the university’s SHRM student chapter. Once each year, IUP brings in CEOs and corporate executives for a “Business Day” too.
Accreditations
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
664 Pratt Drive
Indiana, PA 15705
(724) 357-7889
[email protected]
Program Link
King’s College
William G. McGowan School of Business
Opened in 1946, King’s College is a private non-profit Roman Catholic liberal arts institution affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross to educate 2,700 students from a 48-acre urban campus in Wilkes-Barre. Highly regarded for being on the Templeton Foundation’s Honor Roll for Character-Building Colleges, King’s is ranked the 53rd best regional college and 39th top school for veterans in the North by U.S. News. Named for the CEO of MCI Communications Corporation, the William G. McGowan School of Business offers quality, AACSB-accredited education from a Christian prescriptive to produce managers for sound ethical leadership.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) in Human Resources Management
Focused on the humanistic side of business, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) in Human Resources Management program gives King’s undergraduate students the knowledge to develop an organization’s most valuable resource – people. Meeting the SHRM’s standards, the 120-credit program unlocks entry-level opportunities for students in human resources, training and development, industrial relations, employee recruitment, etc. Students are strongly encouraged to take an internship during their junior or senior year. HRM majors can study abroad in affiliated business programs in England, Ireland, Spain, Australia, China, and South Africa. Students should also join the college’s Human Resource Management Association and/or Beta Gamma Sigma chapter.
Accreditations
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
133 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
(888) 546-4772
[email protected]
Program Link
Messiah College
Department of Management and Business
Established in 1909 by the Brethren in Christ Church, Messiah College is a four-year private non-denominational Christian liberal arts institution educating over 3,300 men and women from its 471-acre suburban campus in Grantham, just west of the state’s capital. Named to the “Great School at a Great Price” list,” Messiah is ranked the fifth best regional college and second top college for veterans in the North by USNWR. The Department of Management and Business is committed to rigor, relevance, and reverence in preparing students to serve Christ.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with HRM Concentration
Requiring at least 123 credits, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program at Messiah College uses a Christian worldview to provide a customized program of study across all key business principles. To accent their career path, students can select the HRM Concentration and receive the training for becoming an effective steward of human capital. Students are taught the best evidence-based practices for staffing, compensation, benefits, labor relations, and workplace diversity. All students are required to take three semesters of foreign language for global business. In fact, the college’s International Business Institute (IBI) offers 10 weeks of travel with over 20 corporate visits. Courses are held in Frey Hall with over 18,000 square feet of project space.
Accreditations
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
1 College Avenue
Grantham, PA 17055
(717) 766-2511
[email protected]
Program Link
Obtaining a bachelor’s degree is crucial to achieve your dream of becoming a human resources professional in today’s competitive market. Businesses have increased their expectations on HR departments, so you’ll need to be trained to measure up. Choosing an accredited business school that’s aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) will provide the best education. With over 75,000 members, the SHRM is the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management. Having an aligned bachelor’s degree will help you fulfill HR certification and add dazzling credentials to your resume. Start your career on the right foot by considering one of these Bachelor’s in Human Resources degree programs in Pennsylvania.
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