Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Human Resources Degree Programs

Human Resources Degree Program at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Labor and Human Resources at Penn State provides students with a comprehensive study of work and the employment relationship within a liberal arts framework. The program utilizes a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating perspectives from fields such as industrial relations, economics, history, law, sociology, and psychology. It delves into subjects ranging from globalization and talent management to unions, social justice, gender equity, and workers’ rights, addressing complex social, cultural, and professional issues in modern workplaces.

The B.S. degree requires a minimum of 123 credits (for the Human Resources Option at UP/WC and Commonwealth Campuses) or 126 credits (for the Labor and Employment Relations Option at UP/WC), with 61-62 credits dedicated specifically to major requirements. Students can specialize by choosing between the Human Resources Option and the Labor and Employment Relations Option.

The program is available at the University Park campus, various Commonwealth Campuses, and fully online via Penn State World Campus. Incoming first-year World Campus students may be admitted directly to the major if program requirements are met. For entrance into the major for current Penn State students, a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade-point average and third-semester classification are required. A grade of C or better is required for all major courses.

Core coursework common to both options includes classes like LHR 100 Exploring Work and Employment, LHR 201 Employment Relationship: Law and Policy, LHR 304 Labor and Employment Relations Fundamentals, LHR 305 Human Resources Fundamentals, LHR 312 Research Methods in Labor and Employment Relations, and LHR 460 Ethics in the Workplace, among others.

Graduates are well-prepared for a variety of career paths, including roles as human resource and employment relations specialists, labor union organizers, and professionals in government and non-profit sectors. The program boasts strong job market performance. It also serves as excellent preparation for graduate studies in Human Resource Management, Law, Business, or Sociology, including integrated undergraduate-graduate (IUG) options allowing students to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years.

For further inquiries, students can contact the School of Labor and Employment Relations at 814-865-5425 or lerpsu@psu.edu. World Campus specific advising can be reached at 814-863-3283 or advising@worldcampus.psu.edu.

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Human Resources Degree Program Highlights

• Provides a first-rate liberal arts education focused on work and the employment relationship.
• Offers two options: Human Resources and Labor and Employment Relations.
• Employs a multidisciplinary approach drawing from economics, history, law, sociology, and psychology.
• Equips graduates for diverse careers in business, government, and labor organizations.
• Prepares students for roles as HR specialists, labor relations specialists, researchers, organizers, consultants, mediators, and arbitrators.
• Strong preparation for graduate study and law school, including integrated undergraduate-graduate programs.
• Program is available at University Park, Commonwealth Campuses, and fully online via World Campus.

You can view detailed information about the programs or certificates available at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus on the NCES website.