by Steffanie Lindgren ’10

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) recently acknowledged that Bethel’s Bachelor of Arts in Business with an emphasis in Human Resource Management fully aligns with its recommended guidelines for undergraduate education in human resources.

Joyce LeMay, professor of business and economics, who provided the information needed for SHRM to do a review of Bethel’s program said, “SHRM is the professional organization for human resources worldwide, so basically their recognition acknowledges that we are on track for training future HR professionals.”

SHRM includes people involved in teaching about human resources in business, lobbying on human resources issues, and establishing best practices for human resources business professionals.

SHRM’s in-depth review compared the topics, courses, business context, and delivery methods of Bethel’s human resources degree program courses against the curriculum standards developed by SHRM. 

“Preparedness through knowledge development and credibility are so important in today’s business world. This is just another way to show students and future employers that we have the credibility to help students prepare to enter the workforce,” said LeMay.

This was the first time that Bethel has applied for alignment with SHRM's HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates.

Bethel’s College of Arts & Sciences human resource program has been added to a list of degree programs on SHRM’s website designed to direct students toward HR degree programs following SHRM's guidelines. “This is not an honor that every school receives,” said LeMay. “This validates what we are teaching from an outside source, helps employers to know that we have the credibility, and gives students the confidence to know that they are getting a great education.”

Bethel’s human resources emphasis was established in 1998.