HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT MAJOR

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

A.  Subject Matter – SHRM Body of Knowledge* - The categories listed below in numbers one through six are taken from the SHRM Certification Exam to ensure that necessary topics are covered in HRM courses.  Thus, categories are valid indicators of what UW-W HR majors and minors should know in order to obtain their professional credential.

            *Knowledge as used here includes knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis,

              synthesis, and evaluation. 

            Abbreviations used in this section:

            HRM 320 - Human Resource Management

            CM 425     - Compensation Management

            Staff 426   - Staffing

            TD 428      - Training and Development

            EB 429      - Employee Benefits

            LMR 430  - Labor-Management Relations  

            1.   Strategic Management – Knowledge

·       HRM 320 General knowledge of the legal responsibilities for an organization

                                          to comply with various laws and administrative guidelines

·       CM 425     Analysis of the principal federal wage laws (Davis-

                        Bacon, Walsh-Healy, FLSA, Equal Pay Act) and relevant state

                        regulations

·       Staff 426   Application of federal/state/local employment-related laws (Title

                        VII, ADA, ADEA, etc.) and relevant regulations, EEOC Uniform

                        Guide-Lines on Employee Selection Procedures

·       EB 429      Analysis of legally required benefits: COBRA, FMLA,  

                        OWBPA   

·       LMR 430 Comprehensions of the major federal laws and provisions of the

                        Wagner Act, Taft-Hartley Act, and Landrum-Griffith Act 

            2.   Workforce Planning and Employment – Knowledge

·       HRM 320 Knowledge of recruitment methods and sources

·       CM 425& Staff 426

                        Evaluation of staffing alternatives (outsourcing)

                                          Application of selection techniques & recruitment methods

                                          Analysis of performance evaluation methods 

            3.   HR Development – Knowledge

·       HRM 320 & TD 428  

                                          Application of HR development theories & applications (including

                                          career development & leadership development)

                                          Analysis of training methods, programs, and techniques

                                          Application of program evaluation methodology

                                          Comprehension of needs analysis methods

                                          Evaluation of distance learning (computer based) concepts

            4.   Compensation & Benefits – Knowledge

                  Knowledge in Compensation Management

·       HRM 320 & CM 425 

                  Application of job evaluation methods

                                          Comprehension of incentive and variable pay methods

                                          Knowledge of current issues such as equal pay for comparable

                                          work, pay compression, and living wage laws

                  Knowledge in Employee Benefits

·       HRM 320 & EB 429  

                                          Comprehension of strategic benefits planning

                                          Application of discretionary employee benefits, including health

                                          care, PTO programs, SUBs, retirement programs, and employee

                                          services

                                          Comprehension of cost containment issues in health care

            5.   Employment and Labor Relations – Knowledge

·       HRM 320 & LMR 430          

                        Comprehension of the structure, functions and leadership of labor

                                          unions

                                          Application of the collective bargaining process, strategies, and  concepts

                                          Comprehension of public sector labor relations issues and practices

                                          Knowledge of grievance & arbitration processes 

            6.   Occupational Health, Safety & Security – Knowledge

·       HRM 320  General knowledge of safety issues and OSHA 

      B.  Cognitive Development (Data Analysis, Decision Making and Problem Solving)

·       HRM 320  Cases/exercises throughout the course

·       Comp 425 Analysis of salary data from web site sources to determine internal

                        and external pay equity

·       Staff 426   Determination of adverse impact and selection ratios

                        Validity & reliability analysis

·       TD 428      Analysis of training needs and assessment of programs

·       EB 429      Analysis of various health insurance and retirement plans

                        involving determination of coverage and cost variables

·       LMR 430 Analysis of collective bargaining agreements 

      C.  Skills Objectives

            1.   Organization and Time Management Skills

·       Organize information and data into a professional business report or paper

·       Ability to complete tasks and assignments in a timely manner

                  All HR courses require assignments, reports, papers, and exams to meet class

                  deadlines

             2.   Communication Skills

·       Oral Presentations

                        CM-425, TD-428, and EB-429 provide students with an opportunity to

                        develop platform skills by requiring project presentations using a variety of

                        visual aids

·       Written

                        The following courses require major written case analyses and/or project

                        reports:  CM-425, TD-428, EB-429, and LMR-430

·       Interpersonal

                        The following courses require major group project assignments:  CM-425,

                        TD-428, and EB-429 

            3.   Technology Related Skills

Students are required to demonstrate that they have technology skills for data gathering and analysis purposes.

·       CM 425     Use of “on-line” calculators to determine cost of living rates

                                          Use of state of WI database for salary survey analyses

                        Use of spreadsheets for salary survey analyses

·       EB 429      Use of spreadsheets for health care program analyses

                        Use of “on-line” calculators to determine present value of pension

                        payouts, Section 125 tax savings, and social security payouts

·       Staff 426   Use of spreadsheets to analyze adverse impact, reliability, &

                        validity

                        Conduct analysis of electronic recruitment methods

                        Use of government databases for statistical analyses

                        Use of course management system for course projects

·       TD 428      Use of course management system for course projects &

                        discussion

                        Use of search engines for needs analysis & benchmarking

                        Development of group distance learning projects for course

                        management system                                             

·       LMR 430 Use electronic search engines to research periodicals

                        Use Commerce Clearing House to research legal issues & court

                        cases

          INTERNSHIPS 

EMPLOYMENT DATA 

Twenty-eight Human Resource Management graduates completed the Career Services survey for 2006-2007.  75% of the graduates reported placement and all were placed in the HRM field with an average reported salary of $33,836. 

Student Chapter of SHRM

The student chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) won the 2007-2008 Superior Merit Award; this is the 24th consecutive year it has accomplished this achievement.  This is awarded by the national professional SHRM Association and is given to a limited number of student chapters across the U.S.  To be considered for a national merit rating, a chapter must submit a written portfolio of chapter activities and accomplishments during the past year.

The UW-W chapter has 30+ members. The student chapter engages in activities such as a resume workshop and an interview workshop.  HRM student resumes continue to be available on-line, and can be downloaded at the chapter's website.  The on-line resumes assist in placement efforts on a national basis.  SHRM member co-sponsored the Fall and Spring networking sessions that brought together advisory boards, faculty, and students to discuss issues of mutual interest.

SHRM chapter members actively attended meetings of local professional chapters of the national SHRM (Milwaukee, Madison, Janesville, and Jefferson).  The UW-W student SHRM chapter won the Wisconsin State HR Games competition held at the University in March 2008.  Another distinction accruing to SHRM is the fifteen scholarships won by the organizations members for the 2007-2008 academic year.          

Additionally, there are many opportunities available for leadership experience within the SHRM student chapter.