Human Resources

Edward S. Ageno School of Business

The Human Resources Program

Golden Gate University is pleased to announce that the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has acknowledged the Master of Science in Human Resource Management is fully aligned with SHRM's HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates. Worldwide, only 42 programs in 38 educational institutions have been acknowledged by SHRM as being in alignment with its suggested guides and templates. The HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates were developed by SHRM to define the minimum HR content areas that should be studied by HR students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. They are part of SHRM's Academic Initiative, created in 2006 to help the Society define HR education standards taught in university business schools across the nation and help universities develop degree programs that follow these standards.

SHRM Certification

The global marketplace and rapidly-evolving technology are creating a new and more competitive business environment where the effective, strategic use of human resources is critical to success. Business profitability requires increasingly versatile skill sets that are regularly updated. Companies need more innovative and creative employees. Employees need companies that make effective use of their talents and abilities. Global teams need to interact and work across cultures to attain competitive advantage. In this new business climate, there are abundant challenges and rich opportunities for human resource professionals.

At Golden Gate University, our leading-edge human resources program is carefully structured to give you the foundation and in depth training you'll need for the contemporary marketplace as a human resource or personnel manager. Through our innovative curriculum and knowledgeable faculty, you'll gain a thorough, hands-on understanding of what is happening in the marketplace; why it is happening; what the future trends may be; and how to positively affect the leading and managing of human resources in a changing, international business climate.

Your classes will be dynamic laboratories where you discuss theory and practice from real-life situations and problems. You'll learn to understand the problems of today's changing human resource industry and what techniques are most effective in managing personnel and organizational structures.

Program Description

Our foundation program concentrates on international, general and strategic human resources, employment law and human resource information systems. In classes taught by experienced professors, many of whom are currently working in the field, you'll study the dynamics of effective human resource management. You'll learn how to consider the perspectives of both employees and employers; the causes and effects of downsizing; the importance of upgrading skills; and how people react to change. You'll look at what managers and employees are likely to face in the future, and how to ascertain that companies follow legal requirements in dealing with employees. You'll get an ever-deepening understanding of how to interact with people an asset not only in business but in every aspect of your life.

Our courses are taught using a variety of modern techniques. We combine theory and application through case studies, which help you hone your analytical, critical thinking and logic skills. Most classes also incorporate the latest human resource management software and are Web enhanced.

You may earn course credit and experience by participating in the human resource internship program (3 units maximum). Internships are also an avenue that some students use to secure career positions.

Professional Faculty

All faculty possess advanced degrees in human resource management or business, and the majority are practicing professionals with national HR certification. They work in the field of human resources for public and private businesses such as Bank of America, Chevron Corporation, SBC and NCHRA. Together, our full-time and adjunct faculty members regularly review and upgrade our curriculum to bring current issues into the classroom.

Your Next Step

Choosing Golden Gate University's human resources program is a major step toward preparing yourself for a successful career in the field of human resource management. Classes average 15 students, maximizing student and teacher interaction. Classes are held year-round in the evenings and on the weekends in a variety of weekly formats, including CyberCampus. The average student attends part time. Students can enroll year-round.