College of Business and Economics

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Transform the people-side of business.

Human resource professionals help organizations build their culture and fulfill their mission, while adapting to the many changes that organizations face.

A human resource department’s duties can be wide-ranging and include activities related to attracting, retaining, training, and compensating employees.

A human resource management degree can prepare you for a generalist or specialist role in workplaces of all sizes.

In addition to our on-campus program, we offer the same high-quality curriculum and instruction in an online format.

4-year plan Apply

100% career and graduate school placement

All recent human resource management majors were employed or pursuing an advanced degree after graduation (2021-22 research survey respondents).

Why study HR Management at UW-Whitewater?

We’ve aligned our award-winning program with the Society for Human Resource Management standards for HR education. This means UW-Whitewater graduates leave with an understanding of current best practices and equipped with the skills today’s employers demand.

A key distinction of majoring in human resources at UW-Whitewater is the depth of our education. We’re one of the few HR bachelor’s degree programs to offer stand-alone courses in:

  • Staffing (talent acquisition and management)
  • Compensation and benefits
  • Training and development
  • Labor relations
  • HR capstone (A skill-building course focused on the transition from successful student to effective professional)

Our alumni remain engaged with our program as advisory board members, as well as guest speakers and internship site supervisors.

What our HR students do

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Solve real-world HR challenges in project-based courses

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Gain real-world experience through internships

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Network with HR professionals on campus and at regional and national conferences

Real-world and cross-cultural learning experiences

As a human resources management major at UW-Whitewater, you’ll get to participate in hands-on learning experiences like:

Project-based senior capstone

During your capstone course, you and your classmates will put what you’ve learned into action as you work on a human resources project for a real community or campus client.

Internships

Gaining experience in a professional setting will add tremendous value to your degree in human resource management. Our students find HR internships in businesses, government and nonprofit organizations.

Campus and community involvement

One of the best ways to get involved, meet other HR majors/minors and prepare for your future career is to join our award-winning student chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management.

Other management-related groups include:

  • Association for Operations Management
  • General Management Organization
View a complete list of student organizations

Multicultural Business Program and financial support

The Multicultural Business Program provides a range of academic and social support services to underrepresented students, including the Summer Business Institute, a free, one-week program that helps future business majors transition from high school to college.

What our graduates do

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Human resource managers and directors

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Recruiters and talent acquisition specialists

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Compensation and benefits managers

What can you do with a Human Resource Management degree?

A degree in human resources can take you into businesses and organizations of all sizes and to HR careers in every industry imaginable: If there are employees, you can bet there is a need for a human resources professional. Our graduates are prepared for HR jobs in Wisconsin and beyond, such as:

Example job titles:

  • Associate sourcing specialist
  • Benefits specialist
  • Human resource director
  • Human resource generalist
  • Human resource specialist
  • Labor relations manager
  • Recruiter
  • Talent acquisition manager
  • VP of human resources
  • VP of operations

… at companies and organizations such as:

  • Aerotek
  • American Family Insurance
  • Ball Corporation
  • Colony Brands
  • Discover Financial Services
  • Gap, Inc.
  • Generac Power Systems
  • Godfrey & Kahn
  • Kerry
  • Kohler
  • Metlife
  • Milwaukee Tool
  • Roadrunner Transportation
  • SSM Health
  • TDS Telecom
  • UW Health
  • Wipfli

Our students can climb the ladder in their HR management careers as they gain experience, complete additional HR certifications or even earn advanced degrees, such as an MBA.

Human Resource Management salary information

 

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The starting human resource manager salary varies by industry, company, location, responsibilities, prior experience and other factors. The U.S. Department of Labor shares the 2023 national median human resource salary for a variety of HR jobs:

  • Human resources specialist: $67,750
  • Human resources manager: $136,350
  • Compensation, benefits and job analysis specialist: $74,530
  • Compensation and benefits managers: $136,380
  • Labor relations specialists: $89,980
  • Training and development specialists: $64,340
  • Training and development managers: $125,040

Contact us

Want to learn more about earning an HR management degree?

262-472-3964 | management@uww.edu

Request information about becoming a Warhawk »

Our Faculty

The UW-Whitewater human resources management faculty have expertise in a range of topics including strategic management, corporate governance, organizational behavior and workplace ethics.

Meet our faculty

UW-Whitewater offers the following Human Resource Management undergraduate options:

Minor:

Certificate:

In addition to UW-Whitewater’s general education and BBA core requirements, as an HR management major, you’ll take foundational human resource management courses, such as:

  • Human Resource Management
  • Strategic Compensation and Total Rewards
  • Talent Acquisition and Management
  • Training and Development
  • Labor-Management Relations
  • Capstone in Human Resources

You’ll round out your studies with HR and other business electives.

To apply, you’ll complete the UW-Whitewater standard application for admission and indicate your interest in a human resource management major.

Apply

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