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MHR Undergraduate Program

The Management and Human Resources (MHR) Department provides a program for individuals interested in careers in management or in related fields in private or public organizations. The MHR curriculum provides the student with theory and practical application through hands-on learning in the polytechnic tradition. It includes background in the management functions of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling the use of the organization's human resources, capital, and related activities. While the program gives each student a basic knowledge in modern technologies of business, including computers and quantitative analysis, it emphasizes the role of people in management. It is designed for individuals who prefer the wide horizons of entrepreneurship to the restrictions of a technical specialty in a larger corporate environment. The overarching goal is to prepare people-oriented leaders who can advance in the business world.

Career Emphasis Programs

MHR students develop and apply their management knowledge and skills in one of five Career Emphases Programs. These career programs provide the opportunity to specialize in:

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management

A program for students who prefer to start and manage a business of their own or for those who wish to work for a small business. Students interested in this career program also benefit from the activities of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The Center is dedicated to providing students with entrepreneurial skills. It also provides an opportunity to maintain links with area small businesses and acts as a venue for the exchange of ideas and activities between the university and the surrounding communities. Courses include: New Venture Creation, Entrepreneurship & Business Growth, Family Business, Entrepreneurial Strategies, Creativity & Innovation

Human Resources Management

A program for those who wish to provide administrative staff services in public and private organizations focusing on human factors at work. This emphasis is designed for students who intend to work in the Human Resources department of an organization either as a generalist or specialist in a functional area such as recruiting, training, benefits, etc. Courses include: Recruiting & Staffing, Benefits, Compensation, Training & Development, Union Relations and Human Resource Information Management.

Management

Management offers students the opportunity for a broader course of study in business and management. This emphasis is designed to enhance the students' basic understanding of business skills and to prepare them for leadership positions. Courses include: Introduction to International Business, Organizational Behavior, Advanced Business Communications, Leadership.

Not-for-Profit Management

A program for students seeking careers in the management of efficient and effective organizations whose primary goals are to make significant contributions to society. This emphasis is designed for students who choose to work for not-for-profit organizations and/or local, state or government organizations. Courses include: Management of Not-for-Profit Organizations, Leadership, Entrepreneurship in a Changing Society.

Business Education

A program for students interested in fulfilling California State requirements for teaching credentials as secondary school teachers of business subjects, as well as obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

Careers in MHR

The programs in these five areas may lead to careers such as the following:

  • General Manager in private or public organization.
  • Manager in Human Resources (Human Resources officer and Training Director are typical positions in this area).
  • Entrepreneur starting his or her own business or manager of a small or medium-sized businesses.
  • Manager in a not-for-profit organizations (American Red Croess, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Sierra Club, Unified Schooll Districts, local, state, or federal government).
  • Business teacher in high-school or community college.

Past graduates have assumed these positions and others such as word/information processing manager, staff planner, systems and procedures manager, customer service manager, and administrative analyst.

The Career Emphases programs are designed to provide flexibility to fit the individual student's career objectives. Many students have found that the MHR programs provide them with the flexibility to enter into business occupations besides those in human resources, small business, not-for-profit management, and business education. Department faculty advisor will gladly work with students to design programs to meet their individual needs.

In the first part of the program, MHR students take the core courses required of all business majors. A student may pursue the department's curriculum for the first two years before selecting a specific career emphasis program. These career programs may be tailored to facilitate minors in marketing, international business, or managerial computing.