Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences – Emphasis in Human Resources and Employee Relations Online
Earn a bachelor's degree on your schedule in this accelerated online program for AAS graduates. Gain core skills in human resource management and create a positive workplace culture throughout your organization.
Program Overview
Become a leader in human resource management and earn your bachelor’s degree while working full time
The Lamar University online Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences – Emphasis in Human Resources and Employee Relations program prepares you for the future of HR as the nature of work evolves. This accelerated degree completion pathway for AAS graduates builds on your professional success, including course credit for military experience earned as part of your associate degree.
Sharpen your problem-solving and communication skills as you explore the full scope of personnel operations through human resource management courses in organizational behavior, talent cultivation, employment law and compliance training from the respected Lamar University College of Business. Apply your AAS credits and complete your undergraduate degree requirements faster with online courses available 24/7.
Upon graduation, your diploma will reflect the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree. Emphasis areas will not be noted.
In this BAAS – HR and Employee Relations Emphasis program, you will:
- Learn personal productivity concepts to help achieve goals in a professional context
- Create a clear and compelling vision statement and apply strategies to time management in your profession
- Develop and apply strategies for goal setting and task prioritization around various professional roles
- Develop a technology and energy management plan for use in professional environments
- Learn personal productivity concepts to help achieve goals in a professional context
- Create a clear and compelling vision statement and apply strategies to time management in your profession
- Develop and apply strategies for goal setting and task prioritization around various professional roles
- Develop a technology and energy management plan for use in professional environments
Career opportunities in human resource management include:
- HR Manager
- HR Specialist
- Labor Relations Specialist
- Training and Development Manager
- HR Manager
- HR Specialist
- Labor Relations Specialist
- Training and Development Manager
Also available:
Lamar University offers a range of online BAAS degree programs in high-growth professional fields, each built around a distinct emphasis area.
*Price includes distance learning fee.
Tuition
Learn about tuition for the BAAS human resource management degree program
The following is the tuition breakdown for students pursuing the BAAS – Emphasis in Human Resources and Employee Relations degree online. Our affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition helps you keep your education costs in check.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course |
|---|---|---|
| BAAS – HR & Employee Relations Emphasis | $314 | $942 |
*University fees are included in the tuition listed. University fees can be covered by Financial Aid if you choose to apply and are qualified for aid.
Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice due to action by the Board of Regents or The Texas State Legislature.
Total program cost depends upon transfer hours and program advisement relevant to program requirements. For more information, contact a Lamar University enrollment specialist.
Financial Aid
Ready to get started on your degree program online but need help finding ways to fund your education? We can help you discover student financing sources that include grants, loans and other payment options. Learn more about financial aid here.
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
Discover program start dates and deadlines
Our human resource management BAAS program features multiple start dates to accommodate your busy schedule. Choose the application deadline that works best for you and begin earning your degree any time of year.
| 8 week courses | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | 8/18/26 | 7/28/26 | 8/4/26 | 8/11/26 | 10/9/26 |
| Fall 1 | 10/12/26 | 9/21/26 | 9/28/26 | 10/6/26 | 12/10/26 |
Now enrolling:
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?
Admissions
Review admission guidelines for the BAAS – HR and Employee Relations Emphasis program
The human resource management BAAS program has specific requirements that applicants must meet to enroll. Please read the admission guidelines carefully to ensure you qualify.
Admission Requirements:
- AAS Degree in Human Resources
- Official Transcripts
University Admission Requirements
All applicants must complete an application packet, consisting of:
- Complete online application and pay an application fee of $25
- Submit official transcripts from all high schools, colleges and universities you have attended
- All transcripts are required regardless of accreditation. Only regionally accredited institutions will be eligible for transfer credit.
- Verify specific requirements associated with chosen degree program
BAAS – Emphasis in Human Resources and Employee Relations Admission Requirements
- Completed AAS degree from a regionally accredited community college, with a major in human resources
- A course in Elementary Statistical Methods (MATH 1342)
Required statistics coursework may be completed during the program.
Courses
Explore the BAAS curriculum, including human resource management courses
The BAAS – HR and Employee Relations Emphasis degree is comprised of 120 hours, including up to 42 hours in AAS transfer credit, 27 hours in emphasis-area classes, and general education coursework needed to meet bachelor's degree requirements.
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Define compensation, produce a compensation model and explain the nature of pay strategy
- Explain internal alignment of pay in terms of pay structure, job analysis, job-based and person-based
structures - Relate an organization’s external competitiveness to pay level
- Account for employee contributions which determine individual pay, including pay-for-performance
plans and performance appraisal - Define employee benefits and list benefit options
- Explain the compensation of special groups and describe the union/wage relationship
By the end of this course, students will have:
- Obtained an in-depth understanding of key management theories regarding motivation, leadership, communication, decision-making and personality
- Participated in related exercises and group discussions that teach team building, appreciation of diversity and professionalism
- Studied conflict management, stress management, counseling, appraising, motivating, rewarding and leading personnel
- Recognized current concerns for management in a global economy
- Participated in critical thinking exercises and simulations to understand current management concerns for making ethical decisions
- Developed an understanding of the environmental constraints that influence organizational decision-making, including the legal, social, political and competitive aspects of organizational strategy 21
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
- Describe and interpret trends impacting the management of organizational behavior across borders and how companies develop their overseas business strategies
- Assess the implications of globalization for countries, industries, firms and communities
- Review the major trends in global and regional integration
- Examine the changing balance of global economic power and trade and investment flows among countries
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Understand the key elements of the global business environmen.
- Analyze the impact of political, economic, social and technological factors on international business
- Develop effective cross-cultural communication skills
- Gain insights into how cultural differences can affect business negotiations and relationships
- Gain practical exposure through visits to local businesses and multinational corporations
- Connect theoretical knowledge with real-world business practices
- Enhance language skills relevant to business communication in the host country
- Immerse in the local culture to understand the cultural nuances that impact business interactions
- Foster a global mindset and appreciation for diversity
- Conduct a research project on a relevant international business topic
- Develop analytical and research skills applicable to global business challenges
- Engage with local business professionals and organizations
- Develop networking and professional skills for a global business environment
- Reflect on experiences and learnings throughout the study abroad program
- Foster personal and professional development
Students will be able to:
- Address the most common challenges in human resources
- Utilize best practices for recruitment and hiring
- Understand important concepts around diversity and inclusion and be able to apply techniques to engage in difficult conversations to address diversity and inclusion challenges in the workforce
- Apply knowledge of data evaluation to support human resources decisions and activities
- Develop performance management plans and employee engagement processes to benefit employees and business outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Understand the challenges that human resource professionals face
- Apply concepts learned in class to address challenges covered in the course
- Utilize leadership styles and practices that facilitate team cohesiveness
- Apply strengths-based leadership practices in the workplace
- Understand their own ethical leadership style and what the other styles are
- Collect human resource data utilizing human resource information system software
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Prepare and present effective oral presentations on a number of topics
- Write a concise, clear, neutral email geared to the target audience
- Write a concise, clear, negative email geared to the target audience
- Prepare an e-portfolio, resume and application email for the job-search process
- Create a LinkedIn account
- Demonstrate effective team communication skills
- Establish productive interviewing skills
At the end of this course students will have:
- Obtained an in-depth understanding of key management theories regarding motivation, leadership, communication, decision-making and personality
- Participated in related exercises and group discussions that teach team building, appreciation of diversity and professionalism
- Addressed conflict management, stress management, counseling, appraising, motivating, rewarding and leading personnel
- Recognized current concerns for management in a global economy
- Participated in critical-thinking exercises and simulations to understand current management concerns for making ethical decisions
- Developed an understanding of the environmental constraints that influence organizational decision-making, including the legal, social, political and competitive aspects of organizational strategy
Communication - 6 Hours
Mathematics - 3 Hours
Life and Physical Sciences - 6 Hours
Language, Philosophy and Culture - 3 Hours
Creative Arts - 3 Hours
American History - 6 Hours
Government/Political Science - 6 Hours
Social/Behavioral Sciences - 3 Hours
Component Area Options - 6 Hours
42 hours of technical or academic credit taken as part of completed AAS degree.
