Date: Feb. 13, 2009
Contact: Carol Connelly, Director,
Media & Communication Services, ext. 5267, cconnelly@pnc.edu
PNC Adds New Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources
WESTVILLE – The Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE) has granted approval to Purdue University North Central for the College of Business to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources. PNC students will have the opportunity to enroll in these bachelor's degree classes for the Fall of 2009.
Purdue North Central now offers its students 18 baccalaureate programs.
“PNC is committed to offering bachelor's degrees programs that will lead to relevant, stable careers,” said PNC Chancellor Dr. James B. Dworkin. “Our research shows that there is a growing demand for degreed human resource professionals. Our alumni will be able to put their Purdue degrees to work.”
This degree will allow graduates to sit for the national certification exam offered by the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI). According to Dr. Alan Krabbenhoft, dean of the PNC College of Business, increasing numbers of employers require their human resource personnel to have this certification. HRCI is the credentialing body for human resource professionals and is affiliated with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the world's largest organization dedicated exclusively to the human resource profession. PNC alumni who previously earned an Associate degree in Organizational Leadership & Supervision will be able to continue their studies to earn the Bachelor's degree in Human Resources. Also, graduates of the IVY Tech Community College Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration program may transition their degrees to the PNC Bachelor of Science in Human Resources program.
“We also surveyed businesses and professionals in Northwest Indiana and received an overwhelmingly positive response to this degree program,” said Karen Schmid, vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.
Research indicates that there is a high demand for human resource professionals in Indiana . According to “Hoosier Hot Jobs,” a research report developed by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development,
employment, recruitment and placement specialists are considered one of the top 50 “hot jobs” in the state, with a projected 31 percent growth rate. The position of training and development specialist, which falls within the area of human resources, is ranked with a projected growth rate of 17 percent.
The U.S. Department of Labor also projects a growing demand for human resource professionals with employment projected to grow by 17 percent through 2016, faster than average for all occupations.
“Human resource professionals are required to be knowledgeable in current legislation, occupational safety and health, equal employment opportunity, wages, health care, pensions and the like. Employers want to staff their human resource departments with degreed individuals with the appropriate knowledge, expertise and interests for the profession,” said Cynthia Roberts, chair of the Department of Business and Organizational Leadership.
Further information on the PNC Bachelor's degree in Human Resources can be obtained by contacting the PNC College of Business at 219-785-5200, ext. 5263.
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