Course Description
Required Courses
(All courses are three (3) credits)
Introductory Course
OMHR 5001 Overview of the Human Resources Field
A survey of and introduction to the field of Human Resources. The course will provide an overview of contemporary human resource issues and address the role and capabilities required of the Human Resource professional.
Core Courses
OMHR 5002 Financial Aspects of Human Resource Management
Introduction to the basic accounting and finance principles that are necessary for Human Resource managers. The course provides the student with an understanding of the corporate balance sheet and income statement, familiarization with basic economic concepts and accounting practices, introduction to financial planning and budgeting, cash management and budgeting for personal and organizational use.
OMHR 5004 Organizational Development and Behavior
An overview of how organizations develop over time and exploration of the issues and techniques involved in analyzing the dynamics of change and growth in organizations. The course draws on knowledge and methods from the behavioral sciences in order to understand organizational performance and effectiveness through planned, systematic, long-range efforts with focus on social change. Case studies are used.
OMHR 5006 Legal Issues in Human Resource Management
Examination of the administrative and institutional aspects of law. This course provides a basic knowledge of the legal environment in which organizations operate. The focus is on the development of informed and just solutions in such areas as affirmative action as it impacts on hiring and promotional practices, privacy rights, personnel record maintenance, OSHA, medical and disability rights and compensation, benefit entitlement including pensions, gifts, rewards and their attendant tax considerations.
OMHR 5007 Research Techniques, Report Writing and Communication Development
Interpersonal and organizational communication dynamics and skills appropriate to Human Resource development. The following skill areas are examined: written and oral communications, interpersonal managerial situations, effective meeting techniques and participation problem solving. Emphasis is placed on transferring these skills to real-life situations. (Every student is required to consult with the director of the program before completing the first weekend of this course.)
OMHR 5008 Human Resource Strategic and Global Planning
Discussion and integration of the relationship between strategic organizational planning and Human Resource management issues. Emphasis is on the importance of the Human Resource role in cross-cultural communication, international business and global issues.
Final Integrative Project (Thesis)
OMHR 5098 Part I
This project is the capstone of the program and offers the opportunity for students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills that they have acquired. Students will identify an actual or theoretical problem in the field of Human Resources and formulate a proposed solution. A detailed research outline must be submitted and approved by the faculty advisor and program director.
OMHR 5099 Part II
The results of the findings are to be reported in a critical and analytical final paper.
Elective Courses
(All courses are three (3) credits)
OMHR 5003 Career Development and Life Work Planning
An overview of the managerial theories and skills of educational planning, career development and work motivation including understanding career decision-making, using appropriate information and assessment techniques, and applying knowledge and skills to the planning and implementation of career development activities in Human Resource settings. Resume development and job seeking skills are taught.
OMHR 5010 Training and Development
Examination of overall training and development process, identification of training needs, training techniques, presentation skills, evaluation of program effectiveness and management of the training function. Techniques and theories of training and development of personnel in organizational settings are explored.
OMHR 5011 The Diverse Workforce
The study of the employment relationships of women and racial, ethnic and religious minorities in the workplace. The course will include an analysis of prejudices and discrimination as they exist in contemporary organizations. The potential positive contributions of various groups will be emphasized.
OMHR 5014 Ethical and Social Issues for Management
An introduction to the development of skills involved in analyzing business problems from an ethical perspective. Questions to be explored are: What is the role of ethics in business? What are the consequences of unethical but legal decisions made in the name of profit? What is the conflict between the bottom line and ethical practices? How should U.S. companies behave in countries where the acceptable business practices differ from those in the United States?
OMHR 5015 Entrepreneurship
Exploration of the entrepreneurial process and introduction to problems and issues involved in creating a new business or in taking an existing company to the next level. Consideration is given not only to stand-alone start-ups, but also to new business ventures within a large corporation. Focus is on identifying promising ideas, developing a business plan and securing financing, as well as on the overall outlook, knowledge and skills required for effective entrepreneurial leadership in today’s highly competitive and global e-commerce marketplace. The team-based case study method is employed, and successful entrepreneurs and corporate leaders who foster innovation are invited as guest speakers to address key topics.
OMHR 5017 Staffing and Recruitment
This course will examine factors, both inside and outside the organization, which influence the successful staffing of organizations. The focus is on theory, research, policies and practices related to job recruitment and selection. Topics include staffing strategy, measurement of staffing effectiveness, legal issues in employment, job/competency analysis, human resource planning, recruitment, internal job movement and internal and external selection practices.
OMHR 5018 Strategic Negotiations
A survey of the organizational and economic aspects of manager / employee relationships. This course examines the changing business climate and the conflicting forces of the need for organizations to achieve competitive advantages such as lower costs, increased operational flexibility and improved customer service while employees seek to protect past wage and benefit gains and enhance job security. This course is taught through the prism of labor/management relations but is intended to provide negotiation skills that are transferable to all business settings (unionized and non-unionized).
OMHR 5019 Information Technology Management
This course is designed for the non-technical decision maker. It emphasizes managerial decision-making in a technological age, and focuses on critical issues of management where the need for technology is essential. Participants will learn about new developments in information technology and how they affect organizations and their leaders. This course will focus on helping them apply this knowledge to their day-to-day issues.
OMHR 5020 Consulting in Human Resource Management
Examination of the process and skills required to consult successfully in business organizations. The requirements of both internal and external consulting engagements will be explored. This course will provide information on how to become a collaborative partner with one’s clients in developing creative human resource solutions to people-related business issues. Students will understand the consulting process (from entry to exit), learn basic techniques and interventions, identify and use core consulting skills, and learn how to deal with resistance and rejection. Marketing, proposal writing and pricing will also be addressed.
OMHR 5021 Directed Research in Human Resource Development
Individual research and professional activity in Human Resource development, supervised by a qualified faculty member. The student is required to carry out an organizational development research and change project, including problem identification, research and intervention design, data-gathering and analysis, and implementation. The results of the project are to be reported in a critical and analytical final paper.
OMHR 5022 Creativity & Critical Thinking in Organizations
This course examines creativity and innovation in organizations. Particular emphasis is placed on work environments. Interwoven components focus upon self-management strategies, critical thinking, learning styles, and motivation of oneself and others. A variety of teaching strategies are employed, including class discussions, exercises, films, videos, and written analyses of workplace situations. The development of a personal life management plan and a Current Learning Assessment (CLA) portfolio are important components/outcomes of the course.
OMHR 5023 Leading Change
This course examines the critical success factors for managing organizational change successfully, that is, to become more productive and competitive. Topics to be discussed include: driving forces for change, common approaches to change initiatives, the competencies required to be effective change leaders and managers, the effect of change on an organization’s stakeholders, and the measurement of results. Case studies will be used and there will be a heavy reliance on student experience with change initiatives in their own organizations.
OMHR 5025 Human Capital Issues
This course explores the individual and organizational employee relations issues that management may encounter. Discussion ranges from dealing with the brilliant technical leader who regularly antagonizes subordinates to addressing internal salary equity when the labor market demands extraordinary compensation for certain critical skills. Emphasis is given the roles played by various levels of management as well as Human Resources in assuring that human capital issues are resolved in a way that balances the needs of employees and the needs of the business. Processes such as coaching, and outplacement are featured.
OMHR 5026 Total Rewards Management
An in-depth look at rewarding employees by designing and delivering effective rewards systems within organizations. Focus will be on the theory, concepts and practices of total compensation management with emphasis on current theories of reward and motivation. Consideration will also be given to such topics as job evaluation techniques, the determination of competitive compensation levels, performance appraisals and incentives, wage and salary policy, and compensation and benefit trends. In addition, recognition, work/life balance, and culture will also be considered in terms of their contribution to the total rewards system. .
OMHR 5027 Project Management
The primary premise of this course is that project management concepts are fundamental to most activities undertaken by organizations and individuals. Students will learn the elements of initiating, planning scheduling, resource allocation, executing, controlling and closeout for functional projects and other management initiatives. Team leadership and team dynamics will be explored as essential elements of a successful project. Opportunities to apply technology to project management will also be addressed.
OMHR 5029 HR Information Systems
This course is designed for the HR professional who uses and/or manages an HRIS/HRMS system. The focus of the course will be on Web-based HRIS systems that make use of the technology of the Internet. The course will also cover the life cycle of a system, upgrading or replacing the current system, and how to cost and justify the project. Also covered will be comparisons of different software vendors and products, including the strengths and limitations of each. A framework for managing a conversion to new HRMS systems will be provided. Vendor systems that will be reviewed include PeopleSoft, Oracle, Lawson, Genesys, and Cyborg as well as other vendors.