The Bachelor of Human Resource Management provides a different focus from other HRM degrees. The degree explores the management of people and change in contemporary workplaces. A strong emphasis in this degree is placed on the psychology of learning and the processes and techniques of developing a learning organisation. Students will also gain a strong understanding of the sociology of work and organisational behaviour in the workplace. Contemporary managers need to analyse global work structures and how individual and organisation needs are managed across global boundaries and global cultures.

The degree is also designed to develop change agent skills. The capacity to analyse and interpret different change environments is fundamental to success in this area. Modern HR managers require coaching and consulting skills as the traditional HRM function has shifted in recent years. The program of study has a final work experience unit where students spend time in an organisation practising and working on an HRM project and refining their skills and competencies. The practical component thus provides students with working experience in HR before completing their degree and is an added bonus of the new structure. The course is run over 3 years of full time study but also has a part time mode of study over 6 years. The first year of the program is a fixed course of study covering fundamental human resource issues coupled with introductory psychology units. Students however can study 4 units of electives equal to 12 credit points however over the full program.

Options for Study

Students will be able to study elective units in sociology, business, and psychology. Generally, the areas of study in the degree relate to:

• Business
• Sociology
• Organisation Behaviour
• Psychology

Career Options

There are many are varied careers available for students with this qualification. Some of these include:

• Human resource manager
• Employee relations managers
• Human resource development manager
• Occupational Health and Safety Manager/Officers
• Learning and Development Managers
• Training Officers/Managers
• Recruitment Officers
• HRM Consultants
• HRM roles in Government Organisations
• Change agents or change manager roles
• Coaching consultants
• Life coaching roles
• Small Business Owners

Major Employers

Macquarie University already has access to many large companies that are actively involved with university programs. Some of these will be participants in the work-study program in the final year. Opportunities may be available as a result of these placements although in every case, graduates will be responsible for promoting their own careers. Many large organisations also have graduate programs in HRM and it is envisaged that graduates will be well positioned to take advantage of such opportunities.

Further Information on the Human Resource Management Subject Area

For further Human Resources Information you are invited to visit the Labour-Management Studies Foundation website where you will find valuable research in the following HR subject areas:

Further Information on the degree of Bachelor of Human Resource Management 

For further information on this degree, the programs of study and other degrees on offer by the department please visit the Degrees on Offer page. If you have further enquiries please contact Dr Peter Murray or email business@efs.mq.edu.au.