American Public University System Catalog
2026 - 2027 Catalog
Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management
Program Description
The Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management is designed for human resource professionals interested in understanding all of the functions within the field. The program will provide an overview of issues impacting the global workforce from a generalist and specialist perspective. While in the program, students will explore strategies to motivate, compensate, recruit, appraise, and develop an organization's talent base. Collaboration and case studies will support the importance of the human resource function to the strategic direction and effectiveness of an organization.
This program has been designed in consultation with industry business leaders and is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP®).
ACBSP® is a registered trademark of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
Degree Program Objectives
In addition to the institutional and degree level learning objectives, graduates of this program are expected to achieve these learning outcomes:
- Apply human resource management principles in recruitment, selection, training, and development, ensuring ethical standards.
- Assess employment laws and regulations, including labor standards and workplace safety, to ensure compliance.
- Utilize human resources technology, data analytics, and HR systems to enhance HR functions and support ethical decision making.
- Create strategic human resource management plans that align with organizational goals, incorporating ethical considerations and global HR principles, including cultural awareness and international labor standards.
- Design fair and competitive compensation and benefits programs that comply with legal standards.
Degree at a Glance
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General Education Requirements
30
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Major Required
51
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Select one of the following concentrations:
9
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Final Program Requirement
3
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Elective Requirements
27
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Total Semester Hours
120
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Degree Program Requirements
General Education (30 semester hours)
| Arts & Humanities (6 semester hours) 1 |
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Select 2 courses from the following:
6 |
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Arabic I
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Arabic II
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Art Appreciation
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Survey of Photography
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Film and Literature
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Image Enhancement using Adobe Photoshop®
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Literature of American Encounters, Revolution, and Rebellion
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From Abolition to #MeToo: Literature of the American Civil Rights Movement
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Pivotal Figures in Early British Literature
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British Literature from Wordsworth through the Wasteland
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Leadership in World Literature: Antiquity to the Early Modern Period
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Literature of the Newly Globalized World: The Individual’s Struggle to Adapt
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Music Appreciation
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Jazz and Rock
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World Music and Cultures
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Introduction to Philosophy
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Critical Thinking
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Introduction to Ethics
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Philosophy of Science
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Thinking & Acting Ethically
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Introduction to the Study of Religion
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Introduction to World Religions
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Spanish I
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Spanish II
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| Civics, Political & Social Sciences (6 semester hours) |
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Select 1 course from the following:
3 |
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Planning Your Future with Purpose in Business
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Macroeconomics
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Select 1 course from the following:
3 |
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Introduction to Anthropology
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World Archaeology
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Human Sexuality
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Social Media and Society
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Intercultural Communication
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Microeconomics
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Humane Education: A Global Interdisciplinary Perspective
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Exploring Society & Cultures via Science Fiction
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Introduction to Geography
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Practical Food Safety and Awareness
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International Relations I
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Introduction to Political Science
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American Government I
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Introduction to Psychology
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Death and Dying
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Hope and Resilience
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Introduction to Sociology
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Social Problems
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American Popular Culture
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| Communication: Writing, Oral, and Multimedia (9 semester hours) |
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Select 1 course from the following:
3 |
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Emerging Technology for College Success
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Public Speaking
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Interpersonal Communications
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Proficiency in Writing
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Argumentation and Rhetoric
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Introduction to Literature
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Technical Writing
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Scientific Writing
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Effective Business Communication
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Human Relations Communication
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Information Literacy and Global Citizenship
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Introduction to Information Technology Writing
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Human Relations
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| History (3 semester hours) |
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Select 1 course from the following:
3 |
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American History to 1877
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American History since 1877
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World Civilization before 1650
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World Civilization since 1650
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Western Civilization before The Thirty Years War
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Western Civilization since The Thirty Years War
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African-American History before 1877
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African-American History since 1877
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History of the American Indian
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History of Science
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| Mathematics and Applied Reasoning (3 semester hours) |
| Natural Sciences (3 semester hours) |
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Select 1 course from the following:
3 |
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Introduction to Biology
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Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology
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Introduction to Chemistry
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Introduction to Meteorology
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Introduction to Geology
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Introduction to Environmental Science
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Introduction to Physics
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Introduction to Astronomy
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Total Semester Hours 30 |
Major Required (51 semester hours)
Total Semester Hours 51 |
Students must choose a concentration for this degree program and may select from a General Concentration, Concentration in Leadership and Development, or Concentration in Workplace Conflict Management.
General Concentration (9 semester hours)
The General Concentration provides students with the opportunity to customize their educational journey by selecting courses that are in accordance with their specific career aspirations and interests. By completing 9 semester hours from a wide array of courses, students can attain a comprehensive understanding pertinent to their professional goals and personal interests.
Students must select 9 semester hours from undergraduate courses that have the following prefixes and have not already been used to fulfill their degree requirements: ACCT, ANLY, BUSN, DEFM, ECON, ENTR, FINC, HOSP, HRMT, MGMT, MKTG, RLMT, RTMG, SCMG and TLMT.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines to address complex challenges and make well-informed decisions in their professional environments.
Concentration Requirements (9 semester hours)
Total Semester Hours 9 |
Concentration in Leadership and Development (9 semester hours)
The Leadership and Development concentration equips students with the ability to build leadership skills and foster leadership development programs within organizations. Students will learn to apply concepts in organizational development, motivation, and human resource management to cultivate talent and improve performance. Emphasis is placed on professional development, coaching, and succession planning as tools for developing leaders who can positively impact organizational growth. Graduates will be prepared for roles in leadership and development, performance management, and human resources.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate the skills and knowledge to effectively lead, motivate, and develop human capital, driving organizational success and fostering a positive work environment.
Concentration Requirements (9 semester hours)
Total Semester Hours 9 |
Concentration in Workplace Conflict Management (9 semester hours)
The Workplace Conflict Management concentration prepares students to address conflict resolution and dispute resolution in organizational settings. Students gain essential skills in managing interpersonal conflict, negotiation, and mediation, while applying human resource management principles. The curriculum explores the impact of employment and labor laws, organizational culture, and communication strategies on conflict dynamics. By emphasizing conflict management skills, students will be prepared for career opportunities in HR departments, government agencies, or other organizations where effective workplace conflict management drives positive change.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Resolve workplace conflicts using advanced techniques
- Understand employment and labor laws to create a collaborative and productive work environment
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills to manage diverse teams and drive positive organizational change.
Concentration Requirements (9 semester hours)
Total Semester Hours 9 |
Final Program Requirement (3 semester hours)
Total Semester Hours 3 |
Elective Requirements (27 semester hours)
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Select any courses that have not been used to fulfill requirements listed above. Credits applied toward a minor or certificate in an unrelated field may be used to fulfill elective credit for the major. 27 |
Total Semester Hours 27 |
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All literature courses require successful completion of ENGL101-Proficiency in Writing or ENGL110-Making Writing Relevant.
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Prerequisite: Senior Standing and completion of all major courses prior to enrollment.