Human Resource Management Program

The Human Resources Management (HRM) major provides a high-quality education designed to build the competencies required to be future managers and/or HR professionals in the private, non-profit, and public sector.

Students learn relevant theories, practical knowledge, and useful skills that will help achieve human resource goals. 

What is Human Resource Management?

Many people are unsure of what human resource management actually is. HRM is the effective management of the human resources of an organization, which are critical to the organization’s success. 

The primary goal of human resource management is the efficient use of human resources to achieve the objective of the organization while assisting with the completion of individual goals. 

HRM involves all the decisions and practices that relate to managing people in organizations. 

Some topics that are essential to achieving human resource goals include:

  • Job analysis 
  • Human resource planning 
  • Recruitment 
  • Selection 
  • Training & development
  • Compensation and benefits
  • Human resource management law
  • Labor relations
  • Continuous quality improvement processes

Winona State’s Human Resources Management major will teach students about these focus areas and more. 

Course Requirements 

HRM majors take required coursework in a variety of disciplines, such as accounting, business law, finance, marketing, economics, statistics, human resources, and decision-making. 

Plan your HRM degree with the 4-Year Major Map (PDF).

Future Careers 

The number of HRM professionals is expected to grow rapidly because of an increased awareness of the costs and benefits of effective human resource practices. 

Graduates are prepared to begin their careers in the human resource departments of corporations, government agencies, unions, and other private and public organizations. 

Human Resources graduates pursue a wide variety of careers in management. Recent graduates work in positions such as:

  • Employee Benefit Manager
  • HR Generalist
  • Industrial Relations Representative
  • Job and Occupational Analyst
  • Compensation Specialist
  • Employment and Placement Specialist
  • International Human Resources Manager
  • Training and Development Specialist
  • Recruiters
  • Grievance Handlers
  • Arbitration managers
  • Safety Directors 
Society for Human Resource Management

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management. Representing more than 250,000 members in over 140 countries, the Society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession. 

Founded in 1948, SHRM has more than 575 affiliated chapters within the United States and subsidiary offices in China and India. There is both a professional chapter and a student chapter in Winona.

View the HR Advisory Board.

Contact the Business Administration Department
Business Administration Department

Somsen Hall 324

Office Hours
Monday-Friday: 8am-4:30pm

Liz Schwanke
Advising Specialist
Email Liz Schwanke
Dr. Kubilay Gok
Department Chair

507.457.2560

Email Dr. Kubilay Gok
Alysa Sackreiter
Office Manager

507.457.5170

Email Alysa Sackreiter