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Human Resource Management

A career in human resources promises to be rewarding as well as challenging, offering many opportunities for growth. With the ever changing needs of an organization and expectations of the human resources department, this field proves to be motivating and inspirational to see the positive impact made on lives.

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Program Overview

The Human Resource Management program prepares you to start in entry-level positions in the human resource field. You will gain knowledge and skills in:

  • Basic accounting
  • Business and labor laws
  • Management
  • Interviewing
  • Job placement
  • Needs assessment
  • Strategic planning
  • Compensation and benefits
  • Training techniques
  • Professional document creation

  • Labor relations

Hands-On Learning Opportunities

The Human Resource Management program is very hands-on. Students complete projects, homework, and assignments that often mimic the real world preparing them to do the job when they graduate.

Students will complete a Business Field Experience/Internship where they gain 192 hours of real-world work experience while learning practical skills needed to be successful in an HR roll as well as vital skills to add to their resume.

Transfer Information

An articulation agreement allows you to transfer your Human Resource Management coursework to the Human Resources Management program at Upper Iowa University–Waterloo. Earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources Management with two additional years of study. Courses are offered online or in person.

The University of Northern Iowa's Department of Applied Engineering and Technical Management has a documented pathway between Hawkeye's Human Resource Management AAS degree program and UNI's Technology Management Bachelor of Arts degree. Check out UNI's transfer guide to learn more.

If you plan to transfer, work closely with a program advisor to ensure courses transfer and you meet program requirements.

At A Glance
Award
  • Associate of Applied Science
Length of Study 2 years
Course Format

Face-to-Face, Online

All courses are offered online, many classes are offered face-to-face. Students can choose the course format that best suits their needs.
Program Start Fall, Spring, Summer
Enrollment Full-time, Part-time
Tuition-Free Eligible

This program qualifies for the Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship and will pay up to 100% of your tuition.

Students must apply for, be awarded, and meet the ongoing eligibility requirements for the Last-Dollar Scholarship.
 

Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Karen Reynolds

Karen brings a wealth of knowledge in this field and real world experience to the classroom. Just like the field of HR, classes can include a wide variety of activities, projects, presentations, and methods designed to help create the well-rounded knowledge a student may need in this career.

Karen's advice would be to never stop learning, as she is very active with the local SHRM organization, serving on the board, and attends meetings whenever possible to keep her up-to-date on the newest in this field of HR.

Dr. Karen Reynolds bio.

Video Overview

Human Resource Management program at Hawkeye Community College

The Human Resource Management program offers hands-on learning to prepare you for your career. Hear from students and alumni why they choose the Human Resource Management program.

See More Videos

Graduate Spotlight

As a high school student, Brenda Abarca was unsure which career path was right for her. She started taking Hawkeye classes through the Waterloo Career Center, and after one business class she discovered her interest in Human Resource Management. "I really truly found that human resources was a place where I was able to help people," she said. "I found that’s where I need to be."

Program Pathway

Human Resource Management Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree

Program Details

Award Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Credits 65
Enrollment Full-time, Part-time
Program Start Fall, Spring, Summer
Number of Terms 5
Time to Complete 2 years
Course Format Face-to-Face, Online
Admissions Application Select Academic Program:
Human Resource Management – AAS (Online Program)
See Program Admission

Suggested Sequence of Study and Cost

Program Courses

Term 1
  • Introduction to Business
  • Principles of Management
Term 2
  • Financial Accounting
  • Human Resource Management
  • Introduction to Computers
  • Problems and Issues in Supervision and Management
Term 3 — Summer
  • Business Field Experience
Term 4
  • Business Law
  • Management and Labor Relations
  • Staffing
  • Training and Employee Development
Term 5
  • Business Ethics
  • Employee Compensation and Benefits Management
  • Employment Law
Human Resource Management Electives
  • Composition II
  • HR Certification Prep
  • Managerial Accounting
  • Principles of Macroeconomics
  • Principles of Marketing
  • Principles of Microeconomics
  • Project Management Basics
  • Small Business Management

See the Suggested Sequence of Study for the full list of courses, cost, and additional course details.

You have completed the Human Resource Management Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program. Check out the Business and Professional Development continuing education courses and Computers and Technology continuing education courses to keep up to date in your profession.

Careers

Positions

Graduates are employed in all kinds of industries, from health care and nursing homes to manufacturing and retail.

Some find that they are in entry-level positions in large HR departments, which allows them to grow and move up within the organization.

Others wear many hats when working at small businesses in which they experience a large variety of duties and tasks, also affording them the chance to decide which parts of HR they prefer for their career before moving on to different organizations.

In addition, some graduates gain employment at employment agencies who serve as recruiters/screeners for organizations, also increasing their network of contacts with businesses that may lead to potential employment with those companies in the future.

Graduates start in positions such as HR Assistant, Payroll, HR generalist, Recruiter, HR specialist, and trainers. Many find that they can get promoted quickly into management roles, including HR Manager./p>

Example Careers and Average Wages
Entry Average Experienced
Human Resources Assistants $33,100 $43,000 $48,000
Human Resources Specialists $40,400 $62,800 $74,000

Source: 2022 Iowa Wage Report, Iowa Workforce Development

Employers

The following is a partial list of employers who have hired graduates from this program:
Business Location
AS, Incorporated Staffing Agency Cedar Falls, IA
BerganKDV Waterloo, IA
City of Waterloo Waterloo, IA
Colony Brands Peosta, IL
Express Employment Professionals Cedar Falls, IA
Grand Jivante Ackley, IA
Richelieu Foods, Inc. Grundy Center, IA
Target Human Resources Waterloo, IA and TX
Transamerica Corporation Cedar Rapids, IA
UnityPoint Health—Allen Hospital Waterloo, IA
MercyOne Waterloo, IA
Woodsmall Electric North Liberty, IA

Program Contacts
Admissions
Email Admissions 319-296-4000 Hawkeye Center 114
Academic/College Success Advisor
Last Names A – M
 Student Services Email Student Services 319-296-4014 Hawkeye Center 208
Academic/College Success Advisor
Last Names N – Z
 John Peterson Email John Peterson 319-296-4014 ext.1448 Bremer Hall 136
Faculty Advisor
Karen Reynolds Email Karen Reynolds 319-296-2329 ext.1380 Black Hawk Hall 110

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