Finding quality Bachelor’s in Human Resources degree programs in Pennsylvania with approval from the SHRM is simple. Pennsylvania is America’s ninth most densely populated state with plentiful higher learning options. Pennsylvania has the nation’s sixth most productive economy generating over $644 billion each year. Although the Commonwealth is predominantly rural, there are major urban manufacturing centers like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Erie.
Human resources students in Pennsylvania can gain work experience at one of 50 Fortune 500 companies headquartered here, including U.S. Steel and PPG Industries. The “Quaker State” has the fifth highest employment level of HR specialists nationally. Philadelphia has around 7,880 HR specialist jobs providing an average yearly salary of $71,730. Start building your career advocating for employees by reviewing the second half (O-Z) of human resources programs in Pennsylvania. For the first half of our list, click here.
Peirce College
Division of Business Programs
First founded in 1865 by Thomas May Peirce as Union Business College, Peirce College has grown into a private non-profit, four-year higher learning institution offering accelerated seven-week sessions for programs in business, healthcare, information technology, and paralegal studies. Enrolling around 1,800 undergraduates, Peirce is located a one-acre urban campus in the Center City neighborhood of Philadelphia. According to the U.S. News, Peirce hosts the 79th best online bachelor’s programs in America. The Division of Business Programs focuses on transforming students into tomorrow’s strategic leaders in accounting, human resources, integrated leadership, and management.
Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management
Aligned with the SHRM’s guidelines, the Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management program at Peirce is structured to prepare undergraduate students for playing key roles in recruiting, training, and retaining a high-quality employee workforce. Students build a strong foundation in broad-based business principles before moving into specialized courses like employment law, training development, labor relations, compensation and benefits, global diversity, and ethical leadership. All students must complete at least 121 credits, including a co-operative work experience and capstone project. HRM courses are available on-campus in Philadelphia, online, or in a hybrid format for scheduling flexibility.
Accreditations
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
1420 Pine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 545-6400
[email protected]
Program Link
Penn State Harrisburg
School of Business Administration
Also called The Capital College, Penn State Harrisburg is a satellite branch of the flagship public land-grant research institution that enrolls around 4,700 students in more than 33 programs. First opened in 1966, Penn State Harrisburg is located on a 218-acre suburban campus in Lower Swatara Township just nine miles south of Pennsylvania’s capital city. Penn State Harrisburg was named the 216th “Best Bang for the Buck” in America by Washington Monthly magazine. The School of Business Administration features small class sizes, full-time doctoral faculty, and America’s 177th best part-time MBA program according to the USNWR.
Bachelor of Science in Management – Human Resource Management Concentration
Penn State Harrisburg’s Bachelor of Science in Management offers an AACSB-accredited program of study for undergraduates to build the knowledge, skills, and ethical values needed to assume leadership positions in a dynamic business workplace. Requiring at least 120 credits, the degree allows for concentrations in Entrepreneurship, Supply Chain Management, or Human Resource Management. Those selecting the latter will focus on the competencies of managing diversity for the fair treatment of employees. In the seventh semester, it’s suggested that management majors complete a field internship for credit. Graduates will satisfy the requirements to become a Professional in Human Resources (PHR).
Accreditations
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
777 West Harrisburg Pike
Middletown, PA 17057
(717) 948-6158
[email protected]
Program Link
Pennsylvania State University
Smeal College of Business
As the state’s premier public flagship land-grant, sea-grant, space-grant, and sun-grant research institution, Pennsylvania State University is home to over 97,400 students across 24 campuses based from its 5,448-acre headquarters in University Park, or “Happy Valley.” Ranked #1 by corporate recruiters in the Wall Street Journal, Penn State is named the 47th best university, 14th top public school, and 38th best college for veterans by the U.S. News. With AACSB accreditation, the Smeal College of Business is also lauded for being America’s 37th best business school.
Bachelor of Science in Management – Concentration in Human Capital Management
Penn State offers a Bachelor of Science in Management program to give undergraduate students the 21st century knowledge needed to effectively lead and motivate employees as reliable decision-makers. Approved by the SHRM, the Concentration in Human Capital Management can be added by upper-division students to specialize in HR strategy. The 120-credit curriculum will include coursework on statistics, economics, marketing, accounting, supply chain management, organizational behavior, leadership change, social responsibility, business law, strategic planning, performance management, and labor relations. Studies can be globalized with the Minor in International Business. Highly motivated students could join the Schreyer Honors Program.
Accreditations
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
210 Business Building
University Park, PA 16802
(814) 863-0448
[email protected]
Program Link
Point Park University
School of Business
Since its inception in 1933 as a one-room business school, Point Park University has become a comprehensive private non-profit liberal arts institution enrolling over 3,700 students annually on its LEED Platinum Certified campus in the urban hub of Pittsburgh near the Golden Triangle. With a job placement rate over 90 percent, Point Park is ranked the 112th best regional college and 78th best university for veterans in the North by the USNWR. Backed by accreditation from the IACBE, the School of Business has nine bachelor’s and four master’s programs to give students an advantage breaking into the competitive global economy.
B.S. in Human Resource Management
The B.S. in Human Resource Management program offers a traditional, four-year degree for Point Park undergraduates preparing for HR-related professions with solid training in psychology, business, sociology, and education. Great emphasis is placed on the specialized skills required to lead effective personnel management policies. Two concentration options are available in Compliance/Legal or Strategic Planning/Management. Students build on a 42-credit core with coursework that fully aligns with the HR Curriculum Guidebook from the SHRM. Previous students have interned with Del Monte Foods, Waddell & Reed, Empyrean Services, and other downtown Pittsburgh companies.
Post-Baccalaureate B.S. in Human Resource Management
Point Park also grants a unique Post-Baccalaureate B.S. in Human Resource Management program for students who already hold an accredited bachelor’s degree in a non-HR degree and wish to enter the rapidly growing profession. Requiring just 39 credits, the program will catch students up with fundamental knowledge in business ethics, organizational leadership, strategic planning, labor relations, compensation, taxation, and workplace regulations. As part of the SHRM’s Academic Initiative, the program helps students prepare a portfolio of their learning in human resources. There’s also a Human Resource Management Certificate for current HR professionals to earn CPE credits.
Accreditations
International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
201 Wood Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 391-3940
[email protected]
Program Link
Robert Morris University
School of Business
Established in 1921 as the Pittsburgh School of Accountancy, Robert Morris University has evolved into a comprehensive private co-educational teaching institution with over 5,100 students from its main 230-acre suburban campus in Moon Township near Pittsburgh International Airport. Named one of Victory Media’s “Military Friendly” schools, RMU is ranked the 66th best regional university and 50th best college for veterans in the North by the U.S. News. Featuring elite AACSB accreditation, the School of Business’s sophisticated technology, including the PNC Trading Center, has helped students achieve a 86 percent job placement rate.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Human Resource Management Concentration
Grounded in an ethical approach, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) program at RMU strives to provide undergraduates with everything they’ll need to successfully enter virtually every business discipline. The program fuses instruction with technology and globalization to emphasize 21st century international business skills. Students can select from seven majors, including Management. Those going this route can specialize further with a Human Resource Management Concentration that’s aligned with the SHRM standards. The 120-credit curriculum builds real-world experience with internships, simulations, case studies, and experiential learning. A myriad of business courses are available conveniently online.
Accreditations
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
6001 University Blvd.
Moon Township, PA 15108
(412) 397-5200
[email protected]
Program Link
Shippensburg University
John L. Grove College of Business
Enrolling more than 8,200 students, Shippensburg University is a mid-sized senior public non-profit institution in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) with a main 200-acre rural campus in Shippensburg just 40 miles from Harrisburg. Crowned one of America’s 100 best public values in Kiplinger’s, Shippensburg is ranked the 92nd best regional college, 27th top public school, and 66th best university for veterans in the North by the U.S. News. The John L. Grove College of Business was also honored among the Princeton Review’s “Best 296 Business Schools” in 2015.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Management with Human Resource Management Concentration
Shippensburg’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) program features a balanced liberal arts base for building a strong, well-rounded common core covering all functional areas of business. All BSBA students complete the same courses in the first two years before specializing in one of six majors. Students majoring in Management can select from three concentrations, including Human Resource Management. The 120-credit curriculum will then include HRM courses studying personnel, labor, and industrial relations. Students can join the university’s Human Resources Management Club. Management majors can also participate in the semester-long Business Internship Program.
Accreditations
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
1871 Old Main Drive
Shippensburg, PA 17257
(717) 477-1435
[email protected]
Program Link
Temple University
Fox School of Business
Located on a main 115-acre urban campus in Philadelphia with seven extensive sites across Pennsylvania, Temple University is a major public state-funded doctoral research institution educating more than 37,700 students annually. Ranked 94th by the National Science Foundation (NSF) for research funding, Temple is named the 115th best university, 55th top public school, and 94th best college for veterans in America by the U.S. News. The Fox School of Business is also recognized as the 41st best business school with the fifth best risk management program nationwide.
BBA in Human Resource Management
At Temple University, the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program uses a results-oriented approach to seamlessly blend essential business theories and practices for a thorough understanding of today’s complex market. Currently, 13 majors are offered from Actuarial Science to Real Estate and Human Resource Management. HRM majors focus on the “people” side of business to handle the recruiting, hiring, payment, benefits, and training functions of organizations. Students can engage in two award-winning SHRM chapters at the Philadelphia and Ambler campuses. Most complete the 120-credit program is four years full-time, but highly motivated students can choose the accelerated, three-year BBA option.
Accreditations
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
1801 Liacouras Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19122
(215) 204-4226
[email protected]
Program Link
Selecting a business program properly aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is always smart. Founded in 1948, the SHRM is the world’s single largest organization devoted to serving human resources professionals. The SHRM has over 275,000 members and 575 affiliated chapters across 160 global countries. Choosing an aligned program will ensure you’re receiving a quality education and eligible for SHRM certifications after graduation. If you’re studying in the “Keystone State,” unlock your career potential with these Bachelor’s in Human Resources degree programs in Pennsylvania.
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