Courses

The prescribed courses for the bachelor of arts degree focus on basic studies of labor and human resources and related ethical questions. Additional course work includes instruction in basic research methods, economics, diversity, and organizational behavior. Other course options are available to fulfill the remainder of the degree requirements allowing you to customize the degree to meet your areas of interest or specific needs.

The Bachelor of Arts in Labor and Human Resources requires that you complete a minimum of 123 credits.

The course list includes only courses offered by World Campus. An official degree audit or the recommended academic plan for this program may include additional course options and detailed requirements. All students are expected to complete at least 36 Penn State credits to earn this degree. Please consult an academic adviser for details.

Students must receive a grade of C or better in all courses required for the major. These include prescribed courses, additional courses, and supporting courses.

Online Learning Experience

Courses are structured to allow you to complete assignments when and where it's most convenient for you. While our 100% online courses are autonomous and asynchronous, you will have the opportunity to interact and engage with fellow classmates through integrated experiences. This peer-to-peer interaction enhances your learning experience while strengthening your professional network on a global scale.

Prescribed Courses (18 credits)

3

credits

Introductory analysis of the employment relationship and the interrelated interests of management, workers, unions, and the public.
3

credits

Examination of basic legal principles underlying the employment relationship, and their social, political, and economic bases.
3

credits

The course surveys the main elements of modern labor and employment relations systems in the U.S. and beyond.
3

credits

This course will provide students with an opportunity to understand and apply important concepts concerning human resources in the workplace.
3

credits

The objective of this course is to enhance students' abilities to use a range of methodologies to evaluate and conduct research in the field of employment relations and human resource management.
3

credits

Explores ethics from both a normative and behavioral perspective; four interrelated and mutually reinforcing subject areas will be explored in the course at the individual, organizational and transnational levels business ethics, ethics in unionized firms, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability.

Prerequisite
LHR 100 or fifth-semester standing or 3 other credits of LHR

Additional Courses (9 credits)

- 3
  
  credits
  
  Methods of economic analysis and their use; price determination; theory of the firm; distribution.
- or:
  
  3
  
  credits
  
  National income measurement; aggregate economic models; money and income; policy problems.
- 3
  
  credits
  
  This course will ask how race and gender affect work in the contemporary United States.
- or:
  3
  
  credits
  
  A study of selected problems in the history of work in the United States, especially since 1877.
  
  Prerequisite
  HIST 21 or HIST 156 or LER 100
- 3
  
  credits
  
  The course will be offered at an introductory level. It is designed to encourage students to explore individual and group behavior at work.
- or:
  3
  
  credits
  
  Personnel selection, training, accident prevention, morale, and organizational behavior.
  
  Prerequisite
  PSYCH 100

Supporting Courses and Related Areas (12 credits)

400-Level LHR Courses (select 6 credits)

Select 6 credits from any 400-level LHR courses. A maximum of 3 credits from LHR 495 and 3 credits of LHR 496 may be used to satisfy this requirement.

Additional Courses (select 6 credits)

Select at least 6 credits from the following list in consultation with an adviser.

4

credits

Introduction to the role of accounting numbers in the process of managing a business and in investor decision-making.

Prerequisite
MATH 21 or a higher math course or a satisfactory score on the mathematics placement examination
3

credits

Explore what it means to be Black in America by engaging with questions about identity and authenticity, freedom and unfreedom, radicalism and reform, gender and sexuality, and the role of music in African American life.

GS and US
The credits earned in this course may be applied toward the Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS) requirement and the United States Cultures (US) requirement.
4

credits

Explores the ethical, political, social, legal and regulatory, technological, and demographic diversity environment of business.

Note
A student may not receive credit toward graduation for both BLAW 243 and BA 243.
3

credits

An overview of a body of knowledge that exists concerning the management of modern organizations.

Prerequisite
ECON 102 or ECON 104
3

credits

Social control through law: courts, basic policies underlying individual and contractual rights in everyday society. May not be used to satisfy Smeal College baccalaureate degree requirements.
3

credits

This class is designed as an opportunity to explore the complexities of interpersonal communication and to develop a repertoire of interpersonal communication skills.
3

credits

Examines the function and structure of communication in both formal and informal situations.
3

credits

Focuses on the study of markets with imperfect competition.
3

credits

This course examines major developments in the history of modern American business and industry from the colonial period to the present.

GH and US
The credits earned in this course may be applied toward the Humanities (GH) requirement and the United States Cultures (US) requirement.
3

credits

Introduction to organizational factors relevant to management processes, including leadership, motivation, job design, technology, organizational design and environments, systems, change.
3

credits

Study of fundamental principles and processes available to the understanding of management.

Prerequisite
(ENGL 015 or ENGL 030) and (ECON 102 or ECON 104) and (MATH 021 or higher or satisfactory score on the mathematics placement examination)
3

credits

Applies organizational behavior theories, concepts, and skills to leading and motivating individuals and groups.
3

credits

This course introduces key leadership concepts and practices based on current theory and research. It is designed to help students to discover the knowledge and skills that are characteristic of effective leaders.

GS
The credits earned in this course may be applied toward the Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS) requirement.
3

credits

The course examines the continuing influence of social and environmental factors in shaping leadership and leadership development.
3

credits

Theory- and research-based communication skills for leaders dealing with work-related problems in contemporary groups and organizations.
3

credits

Application of theories of decision-making to work-related issues in groups and organizations requiring collective resolution and action.
3

credits

This survey course examines racism and sexism as cultural, political and economic processes that shape contemporary social life in the United States.

US
The credits earned in this course may be applied toward the United States Cultures (US) requirement.
3

credits

Changing sex role expectations and behavior for men and women in contemporary society.

GS and US
The credits earned in this course may be applied toward the Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS) requirement and the United States Cultures (US) requirement.
3–4

credits

Focuses on historical patterns and current status of racial, ethnic and cultural groups and issues locally, nationally, and internationally.

GS and US
The credits earned in this course may be applied toward the Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS) requirement and the United States Cultures (US) requirement.

or take 6 credits from any 400-level:

AFAM
CAS
ECON
HIST
LTNST
MGMT
PHIL
PSYCH
SPAN
SOC
WMNST

Elective Courses (select 18–21 credits)

Elective courses should be chosen in consultation with an adviser. Among the degree requirements, students should incorporate at least:

3 credits in U.S. cultures
3 credits in international (IL) cultures
3 credits in writing-across-the-curriculum courses

General Education Requirements

Some General Education requirements may be satisfied by courses required for the major. Students should work with an adviser to select courses.

Arts (GA): 6 credits
Humanities (GH): 6 credits
Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
Natural Sciences (GN): 9 credits
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 6 credits
Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
A student must receive a grade of C or better in GWS courses.
Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
A student must receive a grade of C or better in GQ courses.
Integrative Studies: 6 credits
This requirement only applies to students starting in summer 2018 or later. Learn more about the Integrative Studies options and consult your academic adviser when choosing courses to fulfill these requirements. Integrative Studies credits may be completed within the thirty Knowledge Domain credits and must be completed with either Inter-domain or Linked courses, not a combination of both.

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

Some Bachelor of Arts requirements may be satisfied by courses required for the major, General Education courses, or electives. Students should work with an adviser to select courses.

Foreign Language: 0–12 credits
Student must attain 12th credit level of proficiency in one foreign language.
B.A. Fields: 9 credits
Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arts, Foreign Languages, Natural Sciences, Quantification (cannot be taken in the area of the student's primary major; foreign language credits in this category must be in a second foreign language or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the first language)
Other Cultures: 0–3 credits
Select 3 credits from approved list. Students may count courses in this category in order to meet other major, minor, elective, or General Education requirements, except for the General Education US/IL requirement.

Course Availability

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