Bridgewater College Human Resources Degree Programs

Human Resources Degree Program at Bridgewater College

Bridgewater College Master of Science in Human Resource Management (MSHRM)

The Master of Science in Human Resource Management (MSHRM) program at Bridgewater College is designed to prepare graduates to become innovative strategic partners and “game changers” in the HR industry. The curriculum focuses on exploring key areas such as organizational excellence, international issues, legal and regulatory factors, analytics in HR, and consulting concepts and practices for an increasingly diverse and international workplace.

The program is offered in a flexible “hyflex” format, allowing students to attend classes either in-person or online simultaneously. Evening classes are scheduled to accommodate working professionals, with options for both full-time and part-time enrollment.

Students complete the program by earning 30 credit hours. Full-time students can finish in approximately 12 months (one year), while part-time students have up to five years for completion. The next start date mentioned is May 27.

The curriculum is academically aligned with the latest HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates published by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). The program culminates in a capstone course (HRM 600: Human Resource Management Capstone) involving a consulting project. Other courses listed as examples in the one-year plan include HRM 500: Managing Human Resources, HRM 505: Talent Management, HRM 510: Compensation and Benefits, HRM 520: Managing the Global Workforce, HRM 530: Employment Law and Labor Relations, HRM 540: Human Resource Analytics, HRM 550: Diversity and Inclusion Management, HRM 552: Organizational Development, Behavior and Leadership, and HRM 554: Organizational Consultation.

Faculty are experienced professionals, industry experts, and academic scholars who provide mentorship. Dr. Roslyn Vargas is noted as the Program Director.

The 2024-2025 tuition and fees are listed as $640 per credit hour. A total budget, including direct charges and estimated indirect costs (like books), is available via a separate Graduate Student Tuition and Fees page.

Admissions operate on a rolling admissions process, with applications opening August 1 each year and reviewed until the cohort is full. Early application is recommended.

Graduates are prepared for careers in a field with projected growth and significant annual job openings (over 14,000 annually according to BLS/SHRM). A master’s degree may offer the best prospect for promotion, with HR managers having a median salary of $113,000. The program boasts an 86% job placement rate before or shortly after graduation and a 96% graduation rate. Students in SHRM-aligned programs may be eligible to apply for the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) exam in their final year; all BC graduates who have taken the exam to date reportedly passed on the first attempt. The MSHRM can also assist those seeking to meet the 150 credit hours required for the CPA exam. Students receive free membership to both the Bridgewater College Student Chapter and the local Shenandoah Valley Chapter of SHRM, providing networking and learning opportunities.

The program has received recognition, being voted one of the top three HR Master’s Programs by Human Resource Directors 2022 Reader’s Choice Awards and ranked in the top 20 Best Human Resources Master’s Programs (Campus-Based) by Human Resources MBA.

Bridgewater College Human Resources Degree Program Highlights

• Prepares students to be innovative strategic HR partners in diverse, international workplaces.
• Offered in a flexible “hyflex” format, allowing simultaneous online and in-person attendance.
• Features experienced faculty who provide mentorship.
• Curriculum is academically aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) guidelines.
• Reports a 96% graduation rate and 86% job placement rate before or shortly after graduation.
• Includes a practical capstone consulting project in the local community.
• Provides free membership to Bridgewater College Student and local Shenandoah Valley SHRM chapters.

You can view detailed information about the programs or certificates available at Bridgewater College on the NCES website.