Masters of Athletic Training
The Master of Athletic Training at Southern Utah University is a full-time, intensive p...
Master of Business Administration - Human Resource Management
Cedar City, Utah
INTAKE: Mar, May, Jul, Aug & Oct
Program Overview
The MBA with a Human Resource Management emphasis at Southern Utah University is offered entirely online, providing exceptional flexibility for working professionals and those seeking to complete their degree efficiently. With a 7-week class structure, students can potentially finish the 33-credit hour program in as few as 12 months. The program prioritizes experiential learning and strategic problem-solving to deepen understanding of the human resource manager's strategic role. It prepares graduates to understand the global, ethical, and sociopolitical context of business, effectively apply strategic analysis, and integrate knowledge from core business areas like finance, accounting, and marketing into HR decisions.
AACSB Accredited: The Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business at Southern Utah University, which encompasses all MBA programs and their emphases, holds the prestigious accreditation from AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. This accreditation is the highest standard of achievement for business schools globally, attained by only a select percentage of programs worldwide. AACSB accreditation signifies that SUU's business programs, including the MBA with a Human Resource Management emphasis, meet rigorous standards for quality in curriculum, faculty qualifications, research, and student outcomes. This ensures that graduates receive a globally recognized and highly respected degree, significantly enhancing their credibility and competitiveness in the human resources and broader business sectors.
Curriculum: The 33-credit hour MBA curriculum for the Human Resource Management emphasis typically comprises 24 credit hours of core MBA courses and 9 credit hours of specialized HR emphasis courses. Core MBA courses provide a strong foundation in essential business principles, including "Managing People & Organizations," "Operations & Supply Chain Management," "Leadership," "Advanced Managerial Accounting," "Managerial Economics," "Managerial Finance," "Marketing," and a "Capstone Strategy" course. The Human Resource Management emphasis courses delve into critical areas such such as "Human Resource Management I, II, and III," which explore the legal aspects of employment law, union-management relationships, and the successful implementation of ethical and legal HR procedures. This blended curriculum ensures students develop both broad business acumen and specialized expertise in strategic HR.
Research Focus: While the MBA in Human Resource Management is a professional degree focused on practical application, Southern Utah University's curriculum is underpinned by scholarly theory and critical analysis. The program emphasizes strategic problem-solving and the integration of methods and tools to tackle real-world issues. Courses, particularly those related to legal aspects of employment and union-management relationships, require students to research, discuss, and design responses to important strategic questions. Faculty members, who often have both academic credentials and practical industry experience, integrate current research and best practices into their teaching, encouraging students to develop a "growth mindset" and contribute to the evolution of HR practices. The capstone strategy course also involves applying developed methods and tools to solve strategic challenges, often informed by research.
Industry Engagement: Southern Utah University's School of Business, including the MBA with a Human Resource Management emphasis, is highly committed to ensuring its programs are relevant and responsive to industry needs. The program explicitly aims to prepare graduates for human resources management roles such as HR Director, Training and Development Specialist, and Compensation and Benefits Manager, indicating a direct alignment with industry demand. The curriculum's focus on practical application of principles, coupled with experiential learning, directly prepares students for the challenges of today's workplace. SUU also highlights a high employment rate for its MBA graduates (96.5%) and offers a dedicated Career Coach for business students, focusing on employer outreach to facilitate internship and employment opportunities, demonstrating strong ties to the professional HR community.
Global Perspective: Southern Utah University's MBA program, including the Human Resource Management emphasis, inherently fosters a global perspective through its core business curriculum, which aims for graduates to "understand the global, ethical and sociopolitical context of business." Human resource management, particularly in multinational corporations, increasingly requires an understanding of diverse legal frameworks, cultural norms, and global talent acquisition strategies. While specific "global HR" courses are not explicitly detailed in every source, the broader MBA foundation and emphasis on ethical and legal procedures for a diverse workforce implicitly prepare graduates to navigate the complexities of managing human capital across borders. The university's general commitment to supporting international students also enriches the classroom environment with diverse viewpoints, enhancing a global understanding.
Location
Cedar City, Utah
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 16836
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
Southern Utah University (SUU) offers a range of scholarships designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals while making education in the United States more affordable. These scholarships recognize academic excellence, leadership, and unique talents, helping to reduce the financial burden for students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students who demonstrate strong academic performance are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships during the admission process. These awards are based on high school GPA, standardized test scores, and other academic achievements. Merit scholarships can significantly reduce tuition costs and are often renewable each year as long as students maintain the required GPA.
International Student Scholarships: SUU provides dedicated scholarships specifically for international students, including the International Student Achievement Award and other competitive scholarships that encourage diversity and academic excellence. These awards aim to attract talented students globally and foster a vibrant international community on campus.
Departmental and Program-Specific Scholarships: Many academic departments at SUU offer scholarships tailored to students pursuing particular fields of study. These scholarships reward outstanding performance, research potential, or involvement in departmental activities and can supplement other financial aid.
Athletic Scholarships: For international students who excel in sports, Southern Utah University offers athletic scholarships across various NCAA Division I sports programs. These scholarships are awarded based on athletic ability and academic standing.
Graduates of Southern Utah University's MBA with a Human Resource Management emphasis are highly sought-after professionals, equipped with a unique blend of strategic business acumen and specialized HR expertise. The program's AACSB accreditation signifies a rigorous and globally recognized business education, while its curriculum in employment law, union-management relations, and ethical HR practices prepares alumni to effectively manage talent and drive organizational success.
HR Director/Manager: This is a broad management role encompassing various responsibilities, including overseeing HR operations, developing and implementing HR policies, managing employee relations, and ensuring compliance with labor laws. They play a strategic role in aligning HR practices with overall organizational goals.
Compensation and Benefits Manager: Specializing in designing, implementing, and managing competitive compensation structures and comprehensive employee benefits packages. This role involves analyzing market trends, ensuring fairness, and optimizing employee satisfaction and retention through rewards.
Training and Development Manager: Responsible for assessing organizational training needs, designing and delivering learning programs, and evaluating their effectiveness. These managers focus on enhancing employee skills, fostering career growth, and improving overall organizational performance.
Talent Acquisition Manager/Recruitment Manager: Leads and oversees the entire recruitment process, from sourcing and attracting top talent to managing interviews, extending offers, and ensuring a positive candidate experience. They are crucial for building a strong employer brand.
Employee Relations Manager: Focuses on fostering a positive work environment, resolving workplace conflicts, investigating grievances, ensuring fair treatment, and maintaining healthy communication channels between employees and management.
Organizational Development (OD) Consultant/Specialist: Works to improve organizational effectiveness through strategic interventions, focusing on change management, leadership development, team building, and enhancing overall organizational culture and structure.
HR Business Partner (HRBP): Serves as a strategic partner to business units or departments, aligning HR strategies with specific business objectives, providing HR expertise and guidance on talent management, performance, and organizational design.
HR Analyst (Data & Systems): Utilizes data and HR information systems (HRIS) to analyze HR metrics, identify trends, and provide data-driven insights to inform HR strategies, talent management decisions, and operational improvements.
HR Consultant: Works independently or for consulting firms, advising various organizations on a wide range of HR challenges, including talent strategy, organizational design, compensation, and legal compliance.
Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychologist: While often requiring additional specialized study, an MBA in HR provides a strong foundation for this role, which involves applying psychological principles to the workplace to improve productivity, employee well-being, and organizational effectiveness, often in areas like talent assessment, training, and leadership development.
