Accelerated Online Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management, BA

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

Your online bachelor’s degree in human resources curriculum is aligned with the guidelines set by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). The guidelines reflect industry standards and best practices to equip students for real-world success in the HR field.

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Essential Skills & Insights

Coursework in this online bachelor’s in human resource management program provides the knowledge and tools to manage people, policies, and organizational processes effectively. You’ll learn how to balance business goals with employee well-being while building leadership and communication skills that drive organizational success.

• Recruitment & Talent Acquisition: Learn strategies to attract, hire, and retain top talent in competitive job markets.
• Employee Relations & Engagement: Develop skills to foster a positive workplace culture, resolve conflicts, and improve retention.
• Compensation & Benefits: Gain expertise in designing and managing compensation packages that align with organizational goals and employee needs.
• Training & Development: Explore how to create programs that support skill development, career growth, and organizational learning.
• Legal & Ethical HR Practices: Understand employment law, compliance, and ethical considerations in managing people and policies.

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AI-Powered Learning, Real-World Impact

Our accelerated online programs integrate opportunities to engage with Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a powerful tool for learning and career preparation. Students apply AI in ways that build authentic skills and mirror how businesses are leveraging it across industries. We emphasize ethical and responsible use, ensuring that students develop the judgment to apply AI appropriately. This approach helps graduates enter the workforce with both technical knowledge and a clear understanding of AI’s role in their discipline.

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Careers in Human Resource Management

Human resource professionals are essential to every industry, ensuring that organizations attract, support, and retain the talent they need to thrive. A bachelor’s degree in human resource management prepares graduates for versatile roles in business, government, nonprofits, and more.

• Human Resources Specialist — Median salary: $72,910
  Support recruitment, onboarding, and employee relations while aligning HR practices with organizational needs.
• Training & Development Specialist — Median salary: $66,290
  Design and deliver programs that build employee skills and support career advancement.
• Human Resources Manager — Median salary: $140,030
  Oversee HR teams, develop policies, and manage compensation, benefits, and workforce planning at the organizational level.

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Admissions Requirements

For admission to your online bachelor’s degree in communications program, you will need to complete your online application and submit the following documents:

1. Complete the Online Application
   Visit apply.lindenwood.edu and submit your undergraduate application.
2. Submit Official Transcripts
   Request your official high school transcripts to be sent directly to Lindenwood Online at the email or mail address below.
   
   If you have completed any college coursework, request official transcripts from those institutions as well.
   
   Transcripts may be submitted:Transcripts may be submitted:
   • Electronically to: [email protected]
   • By Mail to:
     Office of Admissions
     Lindenwood University
     8205 S Priest Dr #11480 Tempe, AZ 85284
3. Complete SmarterMeasure
   The SmarterMeasure Learning Readiness assessment measures student readiness and learning preferences and helps us identify how we can best support you during your program of study. The assessment has three sections: Technical Competency, Technical Knowledge, and Learning Styles. Students who receive a score below 60% on the Technical Competency content are required to take the SmarterMeasure Technology for Success (ORN001) orientation.

Curriculum Overview

Lindenwood University’s Accelerated Online Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management (HRM) offers a robust curriculum that integrates foundational HR principles with contemporary business practices. Courses are taught by expert faculty who will help you develop essential skills in recruiting, hiring, talent management, performance management, HR metrics, compensation, employee benefits, leadership, and more. Upon completion, you will be prepared to make an impact in human resource management roles in all many different healthcare settings.

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Aligned Degree
Lindenwood’s online HR bachelor’s degree is aligned with the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge (BASK), which are recommended for HR professionals. Lindenwood also encourages our students to seek HR trade certifications and join HR trade organizations, like SHRM & the National HR Association (NHRA) with student memberships.

HRM students and graduates can leverage their Lindenwood education to seek certification through exams offered by those external organizations to improve their career outlook. For example, students without any HR work experience can seek the SHRM Certified Professional certification just by being enrolled in our HR degree program.

Health Management Capstone
You are required to complete two 3-credit hour capstone courses: MGMT 46082 Management Policy and HRM 46599 Human Resource Management Capstone at the end of your program of study. These courses help you connect your learning to real world business and human resource management practices.

Core Business Coursework: 39 credit hours

Code	Title	Credits
ACCT 21010	Principles of Financial Accounting	3
ACCT 21011	Principles of Managerial Accounting	3
FIN 32000	Principles of Finance	3
HRM 36510	Human Resource Management	3
MGMT 16025	Introduction to Business and Free Enterprise	3
MGMT 24000	Introduction to Information Systems	3
MGMT 26032	Principles of Management	3
MGMT 26061	Business Law I	3
MGMT 36000	Principles of International Business	3
MGMT 36033	Business Analytics I	3
MGMT 36050	Organizational Behavior	3
MGMT 46082	Management Policy	3
MRKT 35010	Principles of Marketing	3

Principles of Financial Accounting

This course introduces students to the accounting information framework used by organizations to collect, maintain, report, and analyze financial information. Special emphasis will be given to business transactions and the resulting analysis of the financial statements. Prerequisite: MTH 14100, MTH 15100, MTH 17500

Principles of Managerial Accounting

This course focuses on the development, analysis, interpretation, and communication of financial information designed to assist managers in achieving the goals of an organization. Students are introduced to spreadsheets and data visualization tools. Topics include discussions about different cost accumulation systems, cost management systems, activity-based costing and management, and planning and control. Prerequisite: ACCT 21010

Principles of Finance

This course introduces the student to the fundamental concepts of financial management including basic financial analysis, working capital management, planning and forecasting, security valuation, capital budgeting, cost of capital, leverage and capital structure, and international financial management. Prerequisite: ACCT 21010

Human Resource Management

This course examines human resource functions related to business organizations, including job descriptions, recruiting and selecting, training and development, performance management, compensation, labor management relations, and strategic planning. Prerequisite: ENGL 17000 and MGMT 26032; MGMT 26032 may be taken concurrently with HRM 36510.

Introduction to Business and Free Enterprise

Introduction to Business and Free Enterprise is an introductory course designed to prepare students to deal effectively with the challenges of contemporary life, including business activities such as management, marketing, teamwork, leadership, globalization, economic implications, as well as future expectations. This course intends to assist students in developing the skills needed to understand the principles and processes of everyday business life. In addition, the seminar will provide information, instruction, exercises, techniques, group interaction, and guidance in the areas of personal growth. Prerequisite: ENGL 11000 or placement into ENGL 15000.

Introduction to Information Systems

This course covers essential components of information systems and the impact of information technology on business organizations. Topics discussed include communications and networking, e-commerce, web technologies, database management, and systems development methodologies. Issues of cybercrime and computer ethics will be discussed. Use of spreadsheet software for decision support is emphasized.

Principles of Management

This survey course explores the development of the understanding of organizations and of the decision making skills required in management positions. The purpose of this course is to examine how management concepts have developed and continue to change. A detailed examination will be conducted of the four basic functions of management: planning, organizing, motivating, and controlling. Particular emphasis will be given to goal planning, managing change, career progression, and the managerial value system. By the end of this course, students will appreciate the changing environment of management. Prerequisite: ENGL 15000.

Business Law I

Business law is an introductory course designed to familiarize the student with the subject matter of the legal environment of business. Particular emphasis will be given to the sources of law; the role of society; the judicial function; and selected areas such as governmental regulation and agencies, crimes and torts, contracts, business organizations, agency, and employment law. Various approaches to understanding legal issues will be used, including case law analysis and the examination of current legal issues affecting business. Prerequisite: ENGL 15000.

Principles of International Business

This course provides students with an overview of global business and trade within the framework of today’s dynamic business environment. The course also looks at how historical perspectives influence and shape current events. Topics to be covered include globalization, trade theories, governmental influence on trade, cross national trade agreements, and an introduction to capital markets and foreign exchange. The course also examines how businesses interact with the cultural, political, ethical, legal, and economic environments of multiple nations. An overview of international business strategies is also provided. This course uses library research, case studies, and current business events to understand the methods and practices that international managers use to address these issues. Prerequisite: ENGL 17000.

Business Analytics I

This course provides an introduction to business analytics, which involves the use of statistical, predictive and optimization models to transform data into insight for making better decisions. An important goal is to encourage a more disciplined thinking process in the way a manager approaches management decision situations and to apply mathematical modeling with spreadsheets to decision making. Topics covered will include data visualization, forecasting, linear optimization, transportation and transshipment problems and simulation modeling. Hands-on projects and cases will relate to problems arising in a variety of functional areas of business, including finance, accounting, economics, marketing, sport management and supply chain management. Prerequisite: MGMT 24000; MTH 14100; MTH 15100 or MTH 17500.

Organizational Behavior

This course explores the behavior of individuals, teams, groups, and organizations, in the workplace. Topics include business trends, globalization, ethics, corporate social responsibility, leadership, team dynamics, change management, performance, morale, power, personalities, desirable competencies, and communication. Prerequisite: ENGL 17000.

Management Policy

Management Policy is an advanced course designed to apply the theoretical principles of management to the processes of setting, implementing, and evaluating business strategy. This is the capstone course for all business majors, drawing on the information and skills developed over the course of the business program. The course will serve to reinforce the integration of the concepts presented in core business courses with the student’s business degree. Various approaches to understanding these management issues will be used, including examinations and case study analyses. Final semester of senior year. Prerequisite: ENGL 17000

Principles of Marketing

This course is an in-depth introduction to the functional business area of marketing. It examines how goods and services are presented to target customers through the use of the marketing-mix variables: product, price, place, and promotion. Emphasis in this course is on the student developing a working knowledge of the vocabulary, principles, concepts, and theories of contemporary marketing as used in various organizational settings. Prerequisite: ENGL 17000 with a C or better.

Major Coursework – 21 Credit Hours

Code	Title	Credits
HRM 36530	Employee Training and Development	3
HRM 36540	Employment Law	3
HRM 36545	Employee Selection	3
HRM 36550	Compensation and Benefits	3
HRM 46599	Human Resource Management Capstone	3

Employee Training and Development

This course is a specialized study of training in organizations, including needs analysis, learning theory, management development, and development of training objectives and programs. Methods of field-based research techniques and evaluation of training programs are included. Projects and exercises supplement readings. Prerequisite: ENGL 17000 and HRM 36510; HRM 36510 may be taken concurrently with HRM 36530.

Employment Law

This course examines basic law as it applies to personnel situations. Students study equal employment, affirmative action, employment-at-will, constructive and unlawful discharge, wage and hours issues, mandatory benefits, workers compensation, protected classes, disability issues, workplace accommodation, and record-keeping requirements. Prerequisite: ENGL 17000 and MGMT 26032; MGMT 26032 may be taken concurrently with HRM 36540.

Employee Selection

This course covers employee hiring and selection, talent valuation, needs analysis, acquisition, selection, on-boarding, coaching, skill development, training, succession planning, performance management, talent tracking, and leadership development, along with the mechanics of training plans, program design, training methods, and evaluation. Prerequisite: ENGL 17000 and HRM 36510. HRM 36510 may be taken concurrently with HRM 36545.

Compensation and Benefits

This course is an examination of pay structures, pay systems, parity, comparable worth, the relationship between pay and performance, internal and external equity, executive pay, benefits, and legal issues. Prerequisite: ENGL 17000 and MGMT 26032

Human Resource Management Capstone

This is the capstone class for students completing a major in human resource management. The course includes a comprehensive review of HR topics, paired with application and analysis of such topics, including talent management and workforce planning, strategy, training and development, total rewards, employment law, and employee and labor relations. Prerequisite: HRM 36510 and senior standing.

Elective Coursework – 6 credit hours

Code	Title	Credits
HRM 36520	Labor Relations	3
HRM 36535	Talent Management	3

Labor Relations

This introductory course in labor relations covers labor history, legal foundations, growth of unions, certification, governmental roles, legal issues, collective bargaining, contracts, work stoppages, decertification, protected activity, worker-employer rights, grievance administration, NLRB role, and major labor acts. Prerequisite: HRM 36510 or MGMT 26032.

Talent Management

This course covers talent valuation, needs analysis, acquisition, selection, on-boarding, coaching, skill development, training, succession planning, performance management, talent tracking, and leadership development, along with the mechanics of training plans, program design, training methods, and evaluation. Prerequisite: ENGL 17000 and MGMT 26032; MGMT 26032 may be taken concurrently with HRM 36535.

Program Length Options

Lindenwood University’s (LU) Accelerated Online programs offer you choice and flexibility to support your education journey. Time to complete a bachelor’s degree can vary based on course load, transfer credits, and individual pacing. You will tailor a course schedule that keeps you in the driver’s seat

• Personalized Degree Plan: LU academic advisors will work with you to tailor your degree plan to support your education goals while balancing your personal and professional responsibilities.
• Transfer Credit: LU allows 90 transfer credits toward a bachelor’s degree and students can complete their degree in as few as 30 credits.
• Accelerated Courses: LU’s accelerated online programs offer 10 5-week terms per year. By enrolling in two courses per term, you can potentially complete up your bachelor’s degree in two years.
• Frequent Start Dates: LU offers multiple start dates throughout the year so you can begin your studies when you are ready allowing you to graduate sooner.