Master of Science in Human Resources Management
Course Descriptions
MGS 8150 - Business Modeling
3 hours
This course covers the development, implementation, and utilization of business models for managerial decision making. Various techniques for analytical modeling, such as forecasting, optimization, simulation, decision analysis, and classification, are discussed. Students gain mastery in developing complex financial models implemented in decision support systems that cover applications in strategic planning, financial management, operations/project management, and marketing research. These topics are covered in the context of emerging information technology architecture. emerging information technology architecture.
MBA 8165 - Leadership and Organizational Behavior
3 hours
What do managers need to know about organizations and people within organizations. This class will develop an understanding of the key issues managers need to master in order to manage the interface between people and organizations. The course begins with a focus on the individual within the organization, including topics of attitudes, motives, and personality. The course then progresses to a broader focus on the organization as a whole, including topics of power and political concerns, group and organizational leadership, and organizational culture.
MGS 8320 - Legal and Ethical Environment of Human Resource Management
3 hours
This course examines legal issues related to various aspects of human resource management. Students review legislation and case law related to discrimination, employment-at-will, negligence, contingent workers, safety, compensation, and labor. Emphasis is placed on avoiding unnecessary litigation.
MGS 8330 - Performance Management
3 hours
Performance management (PM) is an essential organizational function, rarely done well. PM failure is a major cause of incompetent management. “Sensible” PM includes setting individual expectations tied to organizational goals, accurately measuring relevant performance, providing meaningful feedback, and linking performance data to other talent management processes including employee development. This is an essential course to maximize employee performance and engagement with a PM system that is logical, defensible, fair, practical, and effective.
MGS 8350 - Workforce Sustainability
3 hours
This course focuses on the theories, research, and issues central to the development and maintenance of the healthy workforce. The overarching goal of this course is for students to cultivate the knowledge and tools necessary for HR professionals to be thought leaders and evidence-based practitioners in the optimization of organizational capability via promotion of positive and sustainable workplace cultures, policies, and practices. The five primary practice areas of the psychologically healthy workplace will be emphasized, as well as diversity and inclusion at work.
MGS 8360 - Designing Talent Acquisition And Development Systems
3 hours
This course focuses on the human resource recruitment and selection functions of organizations. Topics covered include methods of recruitment, organizational choice, job analysis, validation, laws pertaining to equal employment opportunity, interviewing, testing, and organizational socialization. Both the theoretical foundations of the recruitment and selection functions as well as the practical application of these activities are presented.
MGS 8390 - Designing Total Rewards System
3 hours
This course focuses on how organizations use pay, benefits, and reward systems to attract, retain, and motivate employees. Linkage between compensation and firm competitiveness is emphasized. This course is relevant for both small and large businesses.
MGS 8396 - Strategic HR Management
3 hours
The course explores human resource management from a strategic perspective with a focus on how HR executives, and the HR function in general, can and should engage in the strategy making and strategy implementation process of organizations. Basically, strategic HR management deals with the fundamental question: how can the HR function help firms to effectively achieve and sustain superior performance? This course provides students with the skills to address this question by integrating the subject matter from business strategy and strategy implementation with key HR concepts and principles.
MGS 8450 - Leading Organizational Change
3 hours
This course is designed to train theorists/researchers/practitioners in organizational development and change. It provides an overview of the theory and practice of making organizations more effective by changing individual attitudes and behaviors, group relationships, and organizational cultures. An experiential approach to organizational development interventions and methods is offered.
MGS 8730 - Project Management
3 hours
This course covers management techniques that are applicable to a wide variety of project types including information systems development, business start-ups, marketing campaigns, facility relocations, construction, research, and special events. Emphasis is on processes for scheduling, budgeting, and controlling projects. The selection and application of project management software are addressed. Other topics include project organizational structures, qualifications and roles of the project manager, project leadership, team building, and the management of conflict and stress in projects.