Human Resource Management AAS Degree

Empowering Employees

Use your people skills in human resources to take care of your organization’s most valuable assets—its employees. In this role, you're the face of your company for everything related to personnel including training, pay, hiring, labor relations, and employment laws.

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Human Resource Management AAS Degree At a Glance

Degree
Associate of Applied Science
Length of Study
2 Years
Course Format
Face-to Face, Hybrid, Online
Classes Meet
Daytime, Evening, or Combination
Program Start
Fall, Spring, Summer
192

Hours of Field Experience

100%

Online Option

13:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

$0

Tuition for Eligible Students

Your Human Resource Management Career

Our graduates find jobs in a wide range of industries, including health care, nursing homes, manufacturing, retail, and more.

Some start in entry-level positions within large HR departments, gaining valuable experience and opportunities for growth within the organization.

Others work for small businesses, where they take on a variety of HR responsibilities. This hands-on experience helps them discover which areas of HR they enjoy most before advancing in their careers.

Graduates also find jobs at employment agencies, serving as recruiters or screeners for different companies. This role helps them build industry connections, which can lead to future job opportunities with other organizations.

Common job titles include:

  • HR Assistant
  • Payroll Specialist
  • HR Generalist
  • Recruiter
  • HR Specialist
  • Trainer

With experience and dedication, many quickly advance into management roles like HR Manager.



Program Overview Human Resource Management

Hear from students and alumni why they choose the Human Resource Management program.

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Graduate Spotlight Brenda Abarca

When Brenda Abarca was in high school, she wasn’t sure which career was right for her. She started taking classes at Hawkeye through the Waterloo Career Center, and after just one business class, she found her interest in Human Resource Management. "I realized that human resources is where I can really help people," she said. "I knew that’s where I needed to be."

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Student Success Sadie Hansen

Sadie Hansen wanted to experience college, but wasn't sure if a four year university was right for her. She found Human Resource Management at Hawkeye gave her everything she needed and more.

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Program Overview

You graduate with knowledge and skills in:

  • Basic accounting
  • Business and labor laws
  • Management
  • Interviewing
  • Job placement
  • Needs assessment
  • Strategic planning
  • Compensation and benefits
  • Training techniques
  • Professional document creation
  • Labor relations

By working through real-world scenarios, you make instant connections between what you learn in class and your career. Lectures, assignments, and class projects all replicate the issues and responsibilities you’ll experience as an HR professional.

As part of the program, you’ll complete a Business Field Experience/Internship, gaining 192 hours of real-world work experience. This is your chance to develop practical HR skills while building your resume and preparing for your career.

Since you’ll be responsible for finding your own internship, you’ll also gain valuable experience in job searching—an important skill for after graduation.

This program qualifies for the Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship and will pay up to 100% of your tuition.

You must apply for, be awarded, and meet the ongoing eligibility requirements for the Last-Dollar Scholarship.

This a partial list of employers who have hired Human Resource Management graduates:

  • AS, Incorporated Staffing Agency, Cedar Falls, IA
  • BerganKDV, Waterloo, IA
  • City of Waterloo, Waterloo, IA
  • Colony Brands, Peosta, IL
  • Express Employment Professionals, Cedar Falls, IA
  • Grand Jivante, Ackley, IA
  • Target Human Resources, Waterloo, IA and TX
  • Transamerica Corporation, Cedar Rapids, IA
  • UnityPoint Health — Allen Hospital, Waterloo, IA
  • MercyOne, Waterloo, IA
  • Woodsmall Electric, North Liberty, IA

You can get right to work after your program. Or, if you can transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree, consider your transfer options.

A transfer agreement allows you to transfer your credits to Human Resource Management at Upper Iowa University, Waterloo.

There is also a documented pathway to UNI's Technology Management program. Check out UNI’s transfer guide to learn more.

If you’re interested in transferring, you must work closely with an academic advisor here and at the transfer institution. This is important to ensure courses transfer and you meet program requirements.

Plan your transfer

Explore Courses, Details, and Costs

" At Hawkeye you get to know your professors and can talk to them. You don’t feel like a number – you feel like somebody. "
  • Sydnie Mahoney
  • Human Resource Management ‘19

How to Get Started

It’s simple! Complete these steps:

  1. Apply for admission at Hawkeye.
  2. Send official transcripts to Admissions.
  3. Demonstrate college readiness.

Check the status of your application at any time by logging into your admissions account.

Program Contacts

Admissions

Main Campus
Hawkeye Center 134
319-296-4000
Email Admissions

Regular Hours — Spring 2025

Monday – Friday 8 AM – 4:30 PM

Academic Advisor

Last Names A–L

Last Names M–Z

Faculty Advisor

Karen Reynolds
319-296-2329 ext.1380
Email Karen Reynolds