Bachelor's degree programs in labor relations and human resource management

Labor relations managers play an increasingly important role in business. These human resources professionals must have extensive knowledge of labor law, collective bargaining procedures, grievance resolution practices, economic and wage data. If you practice in the field of labor relations, you'll be on the cutting edge of efforts to attract, motivate and retain quality workers.

What to expect from a bachelor's degree in labor relations

A bachelor's degree in labor relations teaches you to handle a variety of workplace issues related to employee performance, satisfaction and turnover. Ultimately, your efforts can help improve a company's bottom line and boost employee morale. Depending on the degree you choose, you might take interesting courses in:

• Human resources management and industrial relations
• Conflict and dispute resolution
• Contract administration and negotiation
• Staffing and selection
• Training and development
• Union organizing and labor relations
• Compensation: theory and practice
• Diversity in the workplace
• Personnel and industrial relations law
• Employee performance: appraisal and management
• Public policy regarding work and pay

While no degree program can guarantee a salary, in 2009, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showed healthy wages for graduates with a bachelor's degree in labor relations or a human resource management bachelor's degree. Such employees handle collective bargaining, labor law and employee grievance procedures.

Labor relations and human resources management: Career Outlook

Graduates with a bachelor's degree in labor relations or a human resources management bachelor's degree can enter the field in a variety of ways. These business professionals hold interesting and important positions, such as these described by the BLS:

Human resources generalists cover a wide range of responsibilities within a human resources department. Thus, they need to have a broad base of knowledge in the field. Salary.com provides median salaries of $48,710-$72,424 for HR generalists, depending upon number of years experience.

Employment and placement managers oversee the hiring, recruitment and separation of employees. They also supervise employment, recruitment and placement specialists. May 2009 median salary for human resources managers, as reported by the BLS: $105,510

Compensation, benefits and job analysis specialists collect and examine detailed information about job duties in order to create accurate job descriptions, determine duties, training and skills necessary to perform a job effectively. They administer compensation, benefits and retirement programs, as well. May 2009 median salary (BLS): $58,520. Compensation and benefits managers earned a median salary of $95,230.

Training and development managers and specialists create and conduct training programs for employees at all levels of a business or organization. May 2009 median salary reported by the BLS: $48,340. Training and development managers earned a median salary of $94,360.

The human resources and labor relations positions described above are just a sampling of meaningful positions with growth potential that graduates who hold a campus or online bachelor's degree in human resource management or labor relations can obtain.

For more information on pursuing an undergraduate degree in labor relations visit WorldWideLearn.com's Guide to College Majors, where you will also find in-depth research on degree programs in human resources management, business degree programs, majors in international business and more.

Boost your business savvy by learning how to train and hire the best employees with a human resource management bachelor's degree. Your career will thank you for it.

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