Human Resources Associate Degree

Get started in human resources jobs with the HR associates

Associate of Business Administration - Human Resource Management (61 credits)

Receive broad exposure to foundational business principles through the associate of business administration (ABA) in human resources management program at Davenport University. This human resources associate degree emphasizes the important strategic role human resources plays in business. You’ll be prepared for human resources associate jobs that involve evaluating organizational needs for the recruitment, staffing, training and development of employees.

You can take classes for the human resource management associates degree in-person on Davenport’s W.A. Lettinga Campus in Grand Rapids as well as on our Lansing campus. You can also earn your human resource associate degree online through our Global Campus or through scheduled classes delivered through our Livestream course format (formerly known as Real-Time Virtual). You may also take a blend of in-person and online classes for your HR associates.

Whichever path you choose for your human resources associate, you’ll learn from faculty who are human resource management (HRMG) directors handling the many functions of HR managers at major corporations, including international businesses.

What is human resource management?

Human resources is critical to sustaining and growing any business. Human resource management focuses on the function of people within organizations, including hiring and managing staff.

Through the human resource management associates degree at Davenport, you’ll be introduced to the HR field through relevant and practical coursework that reflects foundational as well as up-to-date challenges and trends in human resources associate jobs.

Explore courses for Davenport’s human resources associates

Each course in the human resource associate degree offers you the opportunity to apply your new knowledge to real-world situations. For example, through your employee training and development class, you’ll work through creation of a training program, including conception, budgeting and design. Through your staffing organization class, you’ll learn every aspect of recruiting and staffing a business. This hands-on approach prepares you for the work and issues you’ll encounter in entry-level human resource associate jobs.

See Full Course List

Foundations of Excellence		21 Credits
ACES100	AchieveCareer/EducationSuccess This course presents the skills needed for university success and initiates students to career planning and development. Students evaluate their abilities and interests in order to develop career goals and align these goals with an appropriate course of study. Through a career investigation project, students are introduced to research techniques. Students also improve on academic skills necessary to successfully complete university work, such as critical thinking, study techniques, and test taking strategies. In addition, students are introduced to important dynamics of interpersonal communication and conflict resolution. The course also orients students to the University, to the Davenport University Excellence System, and to other elements of the Davenport curriculum. (This course is required for all new business, health, and technology students, except those transferring with 30 or more semester credits.) Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/h	3
COMM120	Presentation Techniques This course introduces and applies the theories and principles of effective communication. Students learn to organize and present clear, logical messages to specific audiences. They develop confidence in public speaking and increase their ability to inform and persuade listeners. They also implement critical thinking and listening skills. Finally, students exhibit the skills and tools necessary to construct, organize, and deliver effective speeches. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.	3
ECON200 or ECON201	Microeconomics or Macroeconomics ECON200 Microeconomics This course introduces students to economics. Students learn the basics of supply and demand; the market economy; elasticity; the foundation of consumer demand; the theory of the business firm and costs of production; the market structures of perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly, and monopolistic competition; theories of labor unions and wages; antitrust policy; and the microeconomic view of international business. Prerequisite(s): ENGL109 and MATH120 or MATH125 ECON201 Macroeconomics This course introduces students to economics, the schools of economic thought, and international economics. Students learn the methodology, concepts, and terminology of macroeconomics, including principles, theories, and tools. They also study banking, money, the Federal Reserve System, and monetary theory. In addition, macroeconomic problems such as inflation, unemployment, economic growth, and globalization are discussed. Prerequisite(s): ENGL109 and MATH120 or MATH125	3.0
ENGL109	Composition This course introduces students to expository and persuasive writing. Employing critical thinking and the writing process, students will compose academic essays utilizing a variety of modes. They will also analyze and respond to a variety of academic and professional readings. Students will evaluate information and audience to improve form and content. Students are also introduced to the research process, including finding, evaluating, and documenting sources, to complete a short research project using the American Psychological Association Style. Note: ENGL109L is a 0 credit hour lab utilized in the Accelerated Learning Program (ALP). Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): Appropriate test scores or successful completion of ENGL021. Student must also complete a diagnostic writing sample.	3
ENGL110	Advanced Composition This course further develops the skills in expository and persuasive writing that were introduced in ENGL109, English Composition. Students develop critical thinking through the creation of essays and documents that use argumentation and persuasion. As a team, students collaborate to present a required assignment to the class. Students learn to research, evaluate, and incorporate information from both primary and secondary sources, to document secondary sources using APA format, and to analyze information and audiences to improve form and content. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): ENGL109	3
SOSC201	Diversity in Society This course introduces students to the complex issues surrounding diversity in U.S. society and to the need for understanding difference in an increasingly globalized world. Students will explore the social-historical context of multiple experiences on individual, cultural and institutional levels. They will analyze the complex interactions regarding diversity in organizations. Students will also evaluate their own thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors in order to understand their roles in a diverse society. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.	3
MATH120	College Mathematics Students in this course will explore and apply college-level mathematical concepts so as to enhance their critical and creative thinking skills. This course aims to increase students' appreciation of the utility and application of mathematics. Topics will include i) problem solving, ii) set theory and real numbers, iii) linear, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic functions, and iv) probability. Other topics of interest will be selected from graph theory, prime numbers, logic, number representation, and voting theory. Fees: Additional course fees apply. Prerequisite(s): Appropriate test scores, placement criteria, or successful completion of MATH 030	3

Foundations of Business		22 Credits
ACCT201	Accounting Foundations I This course is an introduction to accounting principles emphasizing the operation of a business as a sole proprietorship and covers the complete accounting cycle for merchandising and service entities. Partnership accounting is also covered. The application of computer technology to accounting processes is integrated into this course. Grade Note(s): A grade of C or better is required to take the next course in the sequence. Co-requisite(s): BITS 211	4
BITS211	Microcomp Appl Spreadsheet Students create and manipulate spreadsheets with MS Excel to solve business applications. It is expected that students have a familiarity with spreadsheet software, as the course quickly progresses to advanced features, including data validation, linked workbooks, pivot tables, lookup functions, solver, and scenario manager. By the end of the semester, students will have the prerequisite skills to take applicable certification testing. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Recommended Prerequisite(s): MATH120 or MATH125	3
BUSN210	Professional Ethics This course explores applied ethics, focusing on social and professional situations especially in the fields of business, law, and technology. Students learn ethical theory as they examine the complexities of ethical dilemmas. Students also compare and contrast ethical and moral systems. In addition, students apply creative and critical thinking to ethical dilemmas involving professional and social responsibility. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.	3
CISP111	Requirements Planning/Develop This course surveys the main components of the business systems cycle. The five phases of the systems development life cycle (SDLC) (systems planning, system analysis, systems design, systems implementation, and system operation and support) will be investigated. Students will look at how many of the typical business needs are incorporated into a business system. These may include invoicing, accounts receivable, order entry, inventory, accounts payable, payroll, manufacturing, and sales/marketing. Participation in a group project, site visit, or case study will give students a sense of group dynamics in real-world systems development projects. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Recommended Prerequisite(s): CISP100	3
GPMT287	Principles of Project Mgmt Students gain an essential understanding of the discipline and approach to the management of projects in a global environment. Topics explained include project definition, resource planning, project scheduling with Gantt charts, project control, as well as planning and scheduling with limited resources. Topics are explored from both a quantitative and qualitative perspective. Students learn and utilize project software throughout the course. Various techniques used in planning, scheduling, ROI, and controlling projects will be explored and applied through the use of simulations. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): HLTH211, MGMT211 or CISP111	3
MGMT211	Management Foundations This course provides a foundation in basic management principles with special application and focus on the supervisory level of management. The four universal functions of management (planning, organizing, leading, and controlling) are explored. Students learn the theories and study their impact on the history of management practices. Proper case analysis process is also examined and applied through the discussion of various supervisory/managerial case situations. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Co-requisite(s): ENGL109	3
MKTG211	Marketing Foundations This course explores the role of marketing in society and in the success of an organization. Students learn and apply the strategies, tactics and terminology used by market-oriented businesses. Through critical thinking exercises and case analysis, students become familiar with the primary tools of marketing including market segmentation, product, pricing, marketing communication, research, and marketing channel strategies. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Co-requisite(s): ENGL109	3

Major		18 Credits
FINC211	Corporate Finance This course covers the fundamental principles of corporate finance. Students will be introduced to various methods of company analysis, the term structure of interest rates, the relationship between risk and return, time value of money principles, security analysis, cost of capital and capital structure, and capital budgeting techniques. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): ACCT201	3
LEGL210	Business Law Foundations This survey course covers the fundamental principles of business law, including the legal system, dispute resolution, government regulation torts, and crimes affecting business, contracts, sales, and agency. Court decisions are used to encourage analytical thinking. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Co-requisite(s): ENGL110	3
HRMG213	Human Resource Management This course is an overview of the responsibilities of a human resource management department in a business setting. The elements of job analysis, recruitment, selection, training and assessment, are described. Additionally, compensation and benefits administration, labor relations and the legislative and legal decisions affecting human resource policy are explored. Various workplace situations are examined through the use of problem solving exercises and discussion. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): HLTH211 or MGMT211	3
HRMG313	Staffing Organizations This application-based course provides students with an in-depth view of the employee selection process. Specific topics covered include selection criteria, recruiting a diverse qualified pool of applicants, evaluating applicants relative to selection criteria that is reliable and employs valid measurements. Emphasis is placed on the reliability and validity of various selection methods to insure regulatory compliance. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): HRMG213	3
HRMG350	Training for Organizations This course is designed to provide students with a solid understanding in the fundamentals of training and development. Students are exposed to the training process, from needs assessment to training methods and the role of evaluation. With the use of a case analysis approach students examine the broadening role of training in assisting organizations in the achievement of business goals. Other topics of study include: e-learning and technology, special challenges in today's workforce and the future of training and development. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): HRMG213	3
MGMT321	Organizational Behavior This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of organizations, by combining theory with application relating to motivation, group behaviors, power, politics, conflict, leadership, decision-making, communications, organizational design, and change. Students examine the application of psychology, sociology, and social psychology to organizational management. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): HLTH211 or MGMT211	3

Which class should I take? When should I take it?

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Complete your human resources associates in just two years

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Why get a human resources associate degree at Davenport?

The HR associates at Davenport is an excellent introduction to the human resources profession. You’ll be prepared for a range of human resources associate jobs, including human resources generalist or assistant positions. You’ll also lay the foundation for the BBA in human resource management and the human resource management MBA at Davenport.

Experience the Davenport difference:

Study with HR experts

Learn from academically trained and industry-experienced faculty who bring their expertise into your HR associates courses.

Small class sizes

Receive the personalized attention you deserve through small class sizes and a 18:1 student-faculty ratio in your HR associates courses.

Put theory into practice

Take the theories you learn in your human resources associate degree classes and apply them to hands-on, HR-related projects.

Network with professionals

Network with HR specialists and open the door to human resources associate jobs by getting involved in Davenport’s SHRM chapter.

Continue on to the BBA

Lay the foundation for Davenport’s BBA in human resource management with your human resources associates degree.

Prepare for HR jobs

Finish your human resource management associates degree in just two years and get to work in human resources associate jobs.

Get started on your human resources associate degree

Take the next step toward earning your human resource management associates degree at Davenport.

Talk to an admissions advisor

Davenport’s admissions team is here to answer your questions. Please call us at 800.686.1600 or email us at info@davenport.edu.

Apply now or request more information

Get to work in human resources associate jobs. Request more information about the HR associates or begin your application.

Davenport programs related to the human resources associates

BBA in Business

BBA in Human Resource Management

BBA in Management

About Davenport University

Davenport is a private, not-for-profit university with more than 150 years of experience preparing students for successful careers.

Offering over 80 degree and certificate programs, we align with top employers to design degree programs that help you gain the skills and real-world experience you need to rise above the rest. With small class sizes and campuses across Michigan or online, you’ll earn a quality education on your schedule at Davenport University.*

Additional resources

Students at long tables looking at a TV screen

New and next in the HR field

When it comes to HR, you’ll want to continue learning even after you complete your human resource management associates degree. Here are just a few of the trends Davenport is predicting for this ever-evolving field.

New program for first-generation students

Davenport’s provost introduced a success program designed for first-generation students — those who are the first in their family to go to college. The initiative includes peer mentoring and other targeted activities to ensure first-generation students succeed.

Some programs require a student to complete a portion of their degree plan off-campus.
View a full list of those programs and courses

Sources:

DU Student Data, Fall 2023
Davenport University, 2023/2024 Catalog