Eastern Mennonite University

What you'll study

This degree blends core business and liberal arts courses with specialised human resources subjects. You will study the foundations of organisational behaviour and management alongside HR-focused modules that cover the lifecycle of employment, legal and ethical issues, and workforce development.

Typical modules and topics

• Foundations: Principles of Management, Organisational Behaviour, Business Communication, and Business Ethics.
• HR Core: Introduction to Human Resources Management, Recruitment and Selection, Employment Law and Compliance, Compensation and Benefits, and Performance Management.
• Development and Relations: Training and Development, Leadership and Team Development, Employee Relations and Labour/Union Relations.
• Analytical and Emerging Areas: HR Information Systems, HR Analytics and Metrics, Diversity and Inclusion, and Talent Management.
• Practical Experience: Internship/practicum in an organisational setting, applied projects with local employers, and a capstone or senior seminar synthesising HR strategy and practice.
• Liberal arts requirements: General education courses in writing, quantitative reasoning, social sciences and humanities to develop critical thinking and communication skills.
• Electives and minors: Options to pursue complementary studies such as psychology, business analytics, non-profit management or leadership studies.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised secondary school diploma or equivalent. Admissions typically consider academic transcripts, personal statements, and references; applicants with relevant work experience, transfer credits or demonstrated community involvement are also welcome.

• Recommended preparatory subjects: English (composition), mathematics and courses that develop critical thinking or social understanding.
• Typical materials: high school transcript or college transcript for transfer students, personal statement, and a letter of recommendation.
• Mature and transfer applicants: prior college coursework, professional experience, or workplace training in related areas may be assessed for admission and credit.
• Placement and advising: incoming students receive academic advising to map general education, major requirements and internship options.

Career prospects

Graduates enter a wide range of people-focused roles across the public, private and non-profit sectors. The programme emphasises both practical skills and ethical leadership, preparing students for entry-level HR responsibilities and for continued professional development.

• Common entry roles: HR assistant, recruiting coordinator, training and development specialist, benefits administrator, and payroll or HR operations associate.
• Progression opportunities: HR generalist, talent acquisition specialist, compensation and benefits analyst, organisational development practitioner, or HR business partner.
• Sector opportunities: corporations, small and medium enterprises, educational institutions, healthcare, faith-based and community organisations, and government agencies.
• Further study and credentials: graduates commonly pursue graduate study (MBA or Master’s in Human Resources/Organisational Psychology) or professional certification such as SHRM-CP or other recognised HR credentials to advance their careers.
• Skills developed: interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, employment law awareness, data-informed decision-making, training design, and ethical leadership.

Why study at Eastern Mennonite University

Eastern Mennonite University offers a small, community-oriented learning environment where faculty provide close mentorship and practical guidance. The university integrates a liberal arts approach with career-focused preparation, emphasising ethical decision-making and servant leadership that align well with human-centred work in HR.

• Experiential learning: Internships, practicum placements and project partnerships with local employers help students build workplace experience before graduation.
• Personalised attention: Small class sizes support interactive learning, coaching and applied projects supervised by faculty with experience in business and organisational leadership.
• Values-based approach: The curriculum highlights ethical practice, diversity and community engagement, preparing graduates to lead inclusive and responsible people practices.
• Regional connections: Located in the Shenandoah Valley, the university maintains relationships with regional businesses, non-profits and public-sector organisations that provide internship and employment opportunities.