MBA Concentration in Human Resources and Organizational Management

Willamette University MBA emphasizes learning by doing. We offer many courses where students collaborate with actual clients and build their resume of professional experience. Students can also take up to three semesters of internship.

At Willamette, we understand the importance of professional development and networking. Our MBA degree includes several student professional organizations. Participating in student organizations connects you with professional managers, events and opportunities to build you real-world management and leadership skills. Students interested in human resources and organizational management are especially encouraged to join the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and/or the Atkinson Consulting and Strategy Association.

The Willamette MBA provides a full program of career services to develop your strategic career management tools and prepare for a successful job search. You can hone your interview skills, attend a career fair, or even join our mentorship program! Our career services also provide on-campus recruiting events and company treks to build your network.

Our curriculum includes several courses tailored to students interested in human resources and organizational Management. Some of the courses include:

• GSM 5104 - Managing Individuals, Teams and Organizations
  • Explore managing individuals and teams in organizations, related HR management processes, organizational design, and change processes in organizations.
• GSM 6013A/B - Philanthropic Investment for Community Impact (two-semester course) 
  • Experience managing a micro-organization. Students will evaluate and award funds to local nonprofit organizations with high-impact social programs.
• GSM 6024 - Managerial Decision Making & Negotiation
  • Explore how managers make decisions in organizations, and learn how to make more effective decisions, both individually and collectively. Practice and develop your decision-making, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• GSM 6211 - Managing Organizational Change
  • Explore the concepts and practices of planned change and development. Discuss methods and strategies for change and learn more about the role of managers in designing and enforcing changes.
• GSM 6249 - Project Management
  • This course views complex projects in organizations from a managerial perspective. The goal of the course is to increase your ability to initiate and manage projects more efficiently and effectively in organizations.
• GSM 7251 - Internship
  • Build your professional experience through our internship course. Apply what you have learned in your MBA program to a real professional setting. Willamette MBA students can complete up to three semesters of internship.