Human Resources Management
Human resources managers are integral parts of the leadership teams charged with directing complex organizations and a diverse workforce. Managing people and organizations requires both functional skills in human resources as well as expertise in strategic planning and organizational development. The Master of Arts in Human Resources Management prepares individuals in a variety of employment settings to join other organizational leaders at the table of decision makers.
The Human Resources Management graduate program provides students with skills and information in key operational areas such as human relations and communications, compensation and benefits, training and development, employee and labor relations, and staffing and retention. In addition, the program teaches professionals how to contribute to organizational development, change, risk management and strategic planning.
This program can be completed entirely online.
Contact Info
| Contact: | Kallie Reyes |
| Email: | kallie@wustl.edu |
| Website: | http://caps.wustl.edu/programs/graduate/masters-human-resources-management |
Master of Arts in Human Resources Management
The Master of Arts in Human Resources Management consists of 36 units of graduate course work.
Required courses (21 units):
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CAPS-HRM 5000 | Organizational Behavior and Management | 3 |
| CAPS-HRM 5150 | Human Resources Management | 3 |
| CAPS-HRM 5200 | Compensation Management | 3 |
| CAPS-HRM 5280 | HR Metrics | 3 |
| CAPS-HRM 5285 | Strategy Formation and Organizational Effectiveness | 3 |
| CAPS-HRM 5321 | Legal Aspects of Human Resources Management | 3 |
| CAPS-HRM 5980 | Integrative Capstone for Human Resources | 3 |
| Total Units | 21 | |
In addition, students are required to take a minimum of 15 units of elective courses. Select from the following list:
Elective courses (15 units):
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CAPS-HRM 5015 | Consulting Skills for Human Resources and Organizational Development Professionals | 3 |
| CAPS-HRM 5081 | Coaching and the Modern Organization | 3 |
| CAPS-HRM 5110 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| CAPS-HRM 5205 | Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace | 3 |
| CAPS-HRM 5300 | Organzational Development | 3 |
| CAPS-HRM 5305 | Building High Performance, Team-Based Organizations | 3 |
| CAPS-HRM 5332 | Principles of Finance | 3 |
This program is offered fully online. Students entering the U.S. on an F-1 or J-1 Visa must enroll in a program full time. F-1 students are only permitted to enroll in one online course per semester and J-1 students may only enroll in non-credit online courses that do not count toward their degree program. WashU Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) cannot guarantee face-to-face enrollment options each semester of full time enrollment, therefore cannot issue an I-20 or DS 2019 to F-1 and J-1 students for this program. If you are an F-1 or J-1 student and wish to enroll in a CAPS program while here on a Visa, please contact our recruitment team to discuss your options for face-to-face program enrollment. F-1 and J-1 students should not enroll in online courses or programs without first consulting the university’s Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS).
CAPS-HRM 5000 Organizational Behavior and Management
This is a survey course focusing on the individual, group, organizational and environmental factors relevant to understanding and managing behavior in complex organizations. It considers behavior from structural, human resources, political and symbolic perspectives.
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Summer 4, Summer 3, Summer 2, Summer 1, Summer, Spring, Fall
CAPS-HRM 5002 SHRM Learning System
This course prepares participants to successfully complete the certification examination for the SHRM CP and SHRM SCP which are the standards in the human resources management field. The course covers six major areas that comprise the body of knowledge defined as central to the profession and, accordingly, the information required for certification. These areas, which correspond to the course modules, include: Business Management and Strategy, Workforce Planning and Employment, Human Resource Development, Compensation and Benefits, Employee and Labor Relations, and Risk Assessment.
Credit 3 units. UColl: HRP
CAPS-HRM 5005 Human Resources Management
This course develops a comprehensive understanding of the human resources function in an organization. Particular attention is given to selection, performance management, training, wage and salary administration, career development, human resource planning, and the federal regulations impacting on the function.
Credit 3 units. UColl: HRP
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
CAPS-HRM 5015 Consulting Skills for Human Resources and Organizational Development Professionals
In this course, we will learn essential internal and external consulting skills. Topics include phases in the consulting process, differences in consulting models, creating a business plan, estimating costs, consulting ethics, and cultivating relationships. Students will acquire the skills needed to build strong partnerships within organizations. This course is designed for people who consult within an organization or who are pursuing consulting as a profession.
Credit 3 units. UColl: HRP
Typical periods offered: Fall, Summer
CAPS-HRM 5020 Market Research and Communications Strategies
This course provides an overview of market research techniques with an emphasis on planning for communications campaigns. The course provides a hands-on look at several popular market research techniques used in supporting communications, such as focus groups and phone surveys. No previous knowledge of statistics is necessary. Recent case studies are used to illustrate how research results have influenced communications campaigns.
Credit 3 units.
CAPS-HRM 5025 21st Century Perspectives on Organization and Human Resources
This course explores the attraction, retention, and development of human resources from several broad perspectives, including psychology, sociology, political science, law, philosophy, history, economics, and business. The objective is to expand the student's understanding of the relationship between the organization and the individuals employed in it. Prerequisites: U87-520 and/or permission of the program coordinator.
Credit 3 units.
CAPS-HRM 5065 Executive Coaching
Executive coaching is an effective leadership development tool often focused on high potential middle- to upper-level managers. It is also used by managers at all levels to develop individuals and teams. Coaching is a collaborative partnership designed to facilitate and hasten the individual's learning and achieve identified business results. This course will compare and contrast executive coaching to other types of remedial approaches; personal coaching; and mentoring relationships. It will review the grounding principles that form the foundation of a coaching partnership; outline the steps in the coaching process; and review the expectations and guidelines for each member of the coaching team-which can include the individual, the coach or manager-coach, organizational sponsors and human resources.
Credit 3 units.
CAPS-HRM 5081 Coaching and the Modern Organization
Coaching overall has seen a dramatic increase in recent years as individuals and organizations have seen the impact coaching can have both personally and professionally. Coaching is a collaborative partnership between the coach and coachee focused on listening and development. It is also used in organizations to support richer conversations and to support ongoing development. In this course you will learn about the ways coaching can be used in modern organizations, the professionalism dedicated to a coaching approach, and the development of your own coaching techniques.
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Spring
CAPS-HRM 5110 Organizational Communication
This course identifies the major theories and methods of communication at the individual, group, and organizational levels. Particular attention is devoted to the role of communication in achieving long-term organizational effectiveness. Strategy and tactics relevant to interpersonal communication, negotiation, and consensus building are also analyzed. (Same as U87 HRM 475).
Credit 3 units.
CAPS-HRM 5120 Principles of Project Management
Online hybrid version of the course U44 324. This course provides students with a foundation in project management centered on developing their skills and capabilities. Students will gain competencies in planning, controlling, scheduling, resource allocation, budgeting, and performance measurements, utilizing tools and techniques to manage challenges throughout the project life cycle. Students will also examine the roles of the project manager, project teams, and stakeholders in the development of the project scope, up to and until project closure. A hands-on group project will provide students with the experience of managing a project.
Credit 3 units.
CAPS-HRM 5125 Impact of an Aging America
Credit 3 units.
CAPS-HRM 5171 Field Methods in the Study of Organizations
How to do field research in the study of organizations. Historical context provided from the work of Arsenberg, MacGregor, and Shyte; contemporary context from the work of Blau, Gouldner, and Scott. Each student carries out a small field study of an organization. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Credit 3 units.
CAPS-HRM 5185 Great Books in Leadership
The definition, role, and impact of leadership is one of the most contested concepts within the organizational behavior, organizational development, and human resources management literature. The objective of this course is to provide students with a forum for discussing the latest books from the leading scholars who are addressing this important topic.
Credit 3 units.
CAPS-HRM 5200 Compensation Management
The methods of rewards for employee availability, capability, and performance. Topics include measures of performance and employment market issues; skill-building and design of compensation packages of money and benefits to improve employees' work quality and productivity.
Credit 3 units. UColl: HRP
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring
CAPS-HRM 5205 Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
In this course, we examine the history of diversity in the workplace and the demographic changes that drive diversity. We will study how inclusion affects business outcomes in areas such as talent, engagement, productivity, and innovation. Students will also explore diversity dimensions and unconscious biases in themselves and then apply these findings to the workplace by developing a business case for diversity and inclusion that includes defining return on investment, strategy, organizational alignment, accountability, and measurement. Successful diversity and inclusion initiatives will be addressed, including best practices for recruitment, development, training, mentoring, resource groups, benefits, and policies.
Credit 3 units. UColl: HRP
Typical periods offered: Spring, Summer
CAPS-HRM 5280 HR Metrics
This course provides a foundation for measuring the effectiveness of human resources management (HRM) policies, programs, and processes. We will study basic measurement indices and research methods to better demonstrate outcomes such as cost savings, cost avoidance, and return on investment for the major HRM functional areas.
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring
CAPS-HRM 5285 Strategy Formation and Organizational Effectiveness
This course focuses on developing and implementing a strategy to sustain a competitive advantage in business. The process specifies mission, vision, and values, develops projects and programs, and allocates resources to achieve organizational goals. This course will give special attention to the allocation of human resources to achieve organizational effectiveness. Most principles taught in this course are transferable to nonprofit organizations.
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Summer 3, Spring
CAPS-HRM 5293 Human Resource Planning
The linkage between business goals and human resource requirements. Includes environmental scanning, human resource forecasting, strategies, individual assessment, career planning, and individual development techniques.
Credit 3 units.
CAPS-HRM 5295 Group Processes in Organizations
Credit 3 units.
CAPS-HRM 5305 Building High Performance, Team-Based Organizations
This course examines the factors that are most critical in developing high-performance, team-based organizations. We pay particular attention to the assessment of organizational climate, and analyze steps organizational leaders must take to make the transition to a team-based approach. We also examine important systems and processes that support this design.
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Summer
CAPS-HRM 5321 Legal Aspects of Human Resources Management
This course will provide a general legal framework for human resources practices in organizations. Particular attention will be given to legal issues regarding employment, personnel practices, wages and salary, benefits, family and medical leave, workers with disabilities, terminations and unions.
Credit 3 units. UColl: HRP
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring
CAPS-HRM 5323 World-Class Human Resources Practices
Credit 3 units.
CAPS-HRM 5332 Principles of Finance
This course offers HR professionals training in basic financial management methods and evaluation techniques used to assess overall organizational financial and business performance. Students will acquire: an ability to evaluate capital investments, capital acquisitions, and capital budgets; an understanding of uncertainty (risk) and risk management; knowledge of cash and credit management techniques; knowledge of the costs of alternative sources of short-, intermediate-, and long-term financing (both debt and equity); and an understanding of financial statement analysis.
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Summer 3, Spring, Fall, Summer
CAPS-HRM 5980 Integrative Capstone Project for Human Resources
The overall objective of this capstone course is for master's students in Human Resources Management to integrate the program course work through a substantial, independent applied project conducted in a host organization. Students will demonstrate their professionalism through a written and oral presentation of their materials. Students should be in their final semester of study or have permission of the program coordinator.
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Summer 4, Summer 3, Summer 2, Summer 1, Summer, Spring, Fall
CAPS-HRM 5994 Human Resources Internship
Requires signed proposal on file at University College
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Summer
CAPS-HRM 5999 Independent Study in Human Resources Management
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring