Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management
Pursue a career in Human Resource Management at UIC Business and help organizations thrive by managing their most valuable asset—people. Are you passionate about maximizing human potential, attracting top talent, and leading organizational change in the digital age? Located in the heart of Chicago, UIC Business connects students with Fortune 500 companies and offers a focused, comprehensive education led by internationally recognized faculty.
Students can also earn the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP®) credential before graduation, giving them a competitive edge in the job market.
Degree-at-a-Glance
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Why Earn Your Bachelor's in Human Resource Management at UIC Business
The Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management develops the necessary skills to successfully manage strategic human resources and facilitate change within organizations. A focused curriculum cover topics that include building effective teams, strategic compensation, global human resources, personal leadership skills, diversity and inclusion, recruitment, training and development, labor laws, and consulting.
- For a full list of curriculum requirements, visit the UIC Catalog.
- For a full list of offered courses, visit the course catalog.
BS in Human Resource Management Careers and Outcomes
Program Outcomes
With a human resource management degree, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to:
- Motivate, lead, and manage a diverse workforce
- Recruit, select, and hire top talent using industry best practices
- Develop and implement strategic compensation systems and a total rewards strategy
- Facilitate effective employee job and performance design
- Create and conduct training and development programs
- Develop change management interventions
- Enhance employee engagement and performance
- Diagnose and solve complex organizational issues
- Apply effective management consulting skills
Top employers hiring UIC Business Human Resource Management Graduates
- Aflac
- A.J. Gallagher
- Chicago Transit Authority
- CNA Financial Corporation
- IBM
- Morningstar
- PepsiCo
- PeopleScout
- Semler Industries
- Target
- Wipfli, LLP
SHRM-CP Eligibility
UIC’s BS in Human Resource Management is aligned with the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) curriculum guidelines, preparing students with essential HR competencies. Qualified seniors can take the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP®) exam in their final year, boosting their resumes with a nationally recognized credential. SHRM reports that over 5,000 employers seek SHRM-certified professionals each month, often offering higher starting salaries and faster career advancement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between general management and human resource management?
General management refers to the overall planning, organizing, and directing of all organizational resources including operations, marketing, finance, and human resource management to achieve organizational goals.
Human resource management focuses on the management of an organization’s workforce and includes recruitment and selection, analysis and design of work, training and development, compensation and benefits, performance management, employee relations, personnel policies, employee data and information systems, legal compliance, and support for organizational strategy.
What are some skills and traits associated with successful HR professionals?
Successful HR professionals demonstrate the following competencies: HR expertise and practice, relationship management, consultation, organizational leadership, global and cultural effectiveness, communication, and ethical practice. Diplomacy and good judgment are also key as they often perform the dual roles of representing management policies to employees and advocating employees’ interests to management.
What internships are available to UIC Business students in human resource management?
Students can access a variety of internship opportunities through the UIC Business Career Center (BCC). BCC staff are available to provide assistance with career coaching, resume writing, interviewing skills, and internship searches. Students who join the Chicago SHRM chapter which totals 1,000 members, will also be able to access internship opportunities offered on the Chicago SHRM website.
What professional certifications are available to students majoring in human resource management at UIC?
Eligible seniors can sit for the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) Certified Professional (SHRM-CP®) exam prior to graduation. Presenting yourself as a SHRM-CP® who has mastered all key content areas and competencies in HR offers a tremendous advantage in the job market. Students can land jobs more quickly and command higher salaries. To learn more, visit About SHRM Certification and Student SHRM-CP Eligibility.
How are academic courses supplemented with experiential learning and industry exposure?
Faculty teaching courses in human resource management regularly enrich their classes with guest speakers who are experts in their fields and with experiential learning experiences. MGMT 453, Introduction to Human Resource Management, recently welcomed speakers via Zoom in four lively, interactive classes on recruitment, training, compensation, and performance management. Students enrolled in MGMT 486, Managerial Consulting, gain hands-on experience working with organizations on real-world cases.
What professional skill development is available to UIC students majoring in human resource management?
All UIC Business students participate in the Institute for Leadership Excellence and Development (iLEAD) Professional Development Program that focuses on key intangible skills in demand by employers. Students practice communication, collaboration, teamwork, problem-solving, and relationship building with the use of improvisational theatre techniques and hands-on learning activities. Internships, community service, mentoring, and advising form part of the four-year program.
What longer-term career opportunities are available in human resource management?
Mid-level positions in HR include managers, team leaders, and specialists in specific roles who oversee entry-level staff and report to senior HR management. Job titles include HR administrator, staffing manager, retention manager, trainer, compensation and benefits manager, manager of labor relations, and HR information management manager. Mid-level positions typically require five years of experience.
Upper-level management positions include HR Director, Talent Acquisition Manager, VP of HR, Chief Diversity Officer, and Chief Human Resource Officer. Upper-level positions usually require at least 10 years of experience.
What is the compensation outlook for HR professionals?
In 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in Occupational Employment Statistics that the average salary in the Chicago area for Human Resource Specialists, Training and Development Specialists and Compensation, Benefits and Job Analysis Specialists requiring less than 5 years of experience, ranged from $66,760 to $76,060 per year. The U.S. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook predicts job growth from 2020 – 2030 to be above average at 10-11% per year.
The average salary in the Chicago area for HR professionals in management positions such as HR Managers, Training and Development Managers and Compensation and Benefits Managers ranged from $125,380 to $135,870. Management positions typically require 5 or more years of experience.
How has the coronavirus pandemic impacted the demand for HR professionals?
The tremendous changes caused by the coronavirus pandemic have increased the demand for HR professionals. Organizations need trained, creative thinkers to develop strategies to manage their workforce remotely while maintaining a sense of community and engagement. The demand will remain high after the restrictions from the pandemic ease and organizations contemplate office reentry.