Business Management

Business Management - Certificate - Human Resources Specialist

Employment Information

Data are provided on a program (not credential) level

90% BTC graduate placement rate¹

$73,056 starting annual wage²
$99,313 average annual wage²
$143,240 potential annual wage²

Employment and Wage Data Sources

¹Employment data come from the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and reflect WA/OR employment for students enrolled at BTC between 2016-17 and 2018-19. Students are included in the employment rate if they left with a credential. Rates are not shown for programs with fewer than 10 students meeting the above criteria.

²Wage data come from Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) 2020 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates (Washington State wage) and reflect 2015-2018 employment. Wage data represent occupations that BTC faculty have identified as the most relevant career paths for program graduates. Note that these wages reflect employees with varying educational levels/credentials. For cases in which multiple occupations have been identified by faculty, a weighted percentile is calculated using each occupation’s percentile wage and employment size estimate. Wages are not shown for programs for which occupations do not meet the ESD’s minimum thresholds for publishing. If the program has wage data from the Washington SBCTC that involves shift work, these ESD wages reflect the same number of hours used in the annual wage calculation. Starting wage = 25th percentile, median wage = 50^th percentile, wage potential = 75th percentile.

Estimated Program Costs

Tuition Fees and Rates

Entry Information

When Can I Start?

Students may begin this program Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer quarters.

What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?

Admissions application and assessment testing in Reading, Math and Writing is required. Your score on the test and/or your previous transcripts will determine where you begin your course sequence. Contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with academic planning.

What are My Next Steps?

1. Apply to BTC and Financial Aid
2. Assess Your Starting Point
3. Advising & Registration
4. Prepare to Attend

Classes

Total Program Credits: 20

Program Specialty
BUS 137 Introduction to Human Resources 5 CR
Students will be introduced to the field of Human Resources, the roles and impact of Human Resources in the organization, and the principles underlying effective Human Resources. The class will provide an overview of the major functions of the HR field, common acronyms, HR professional certifications and the competencies required of HR professionals to be successful.
Prerequisites:
ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension score of 71 or RDG 085 with a C or better and ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills score of 71 or ENGL 092 with a C or better.
Future Offerings:
Fall 2021-2022
09/20/2021-12/09/2021 Miller Openings: 1
Icon Key
- Online Asynchronous
- Online Synchronous
- Hybrid Asynchronous
- Hybrid Synchronous
- Face-to-Face
- Self-Support
- Definitions
  Online Asynchronous - The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
  Online Synchronous - The class is taught completely online; attendance at scheduled online class meetings at specific times is required. There is no face-to-face instruction.
  Hybrid Asynchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times; all online work is completed asynchronously.
  Hybrid Synchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets both face-to-face and online for scheduled classes at specific times.
  Face-to-Face - This class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times. There is no online instruction, although an online learning platform may be used supplementally.
  
  Self Support - Self-Support classes have different fees and refund policy than state-supported classes. See the Tuition and Fees page for more details.
  
  Synchronous - Online class meetings are scheduled to occur in real time.
  Asynchronous - No required online class meetings are scheduled.
  
  Note: All modalities include regular coursework due dates and require class participation.
BUS 138 Introduction to Compensation & Benefits 5 CR
This course provides an introduction to the total rewards system and describes common employment compensation practices. Students will explore the primary forms of cash and non-cash compensation, the development of compensation strategy and evaluate the use of compensation and benefits in supporting the organization’s goals and objectives.
Prerequisites:
ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension score of 71 or RDG 085 with a C or better and ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills score of 71 or ENGL 092 with a C or better.
Future Offerings:
Winter 2021-2022
01/04/2022-03/24/2022 T 10:30a-12:40p Miller Openings: 26
Icon Key
- Online Asynchronous
- Online Synchronous
- Hybrid Asynchronous
- Hybrid Synchronous
- Face-to-Face
- Self-Support
- Definitions
  Online Asynchronous - The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
  Online Synchronous - The class is taught completely online; attendance at scheduled online class meetings at specific times is required. There is no face-to-face instruction.
  Hybrid Asynchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times; all online work is completed asynchronously.
  Hybrid Synchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets both face-to-face and online for scheduled classes at specific times.
  Face-to-Face - This class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times. There is no online instruction, although an online learning platform may be used supplementally.
  
  Self Support - Self-Support classes have different fees and refund policy than state-supported classes. See the Tuition and Fees page for more details.
  
  Synchronous - Online class meetings are scheduled to occur in real time.
  Asynchronous - No required online class meetings are scheduled.
  
  Note: All modalities include regular coursework due dates and require class participation.
BUS 139 Introduction to Employment Law & Labor Relations 5 CR
This course examines the major federal and Washington state employment laws. Students will learn the fundamentals of federal employment laws, including FMLA, FLSA, OSHA, WARN Act, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This course will also provide an overview of Washington state employment laws and regulations, such as unlawful discrimination, wage and hour regulations, and workplace safety. This course will also provide an overview of employee and labor relations, including the rights and responsibilities of employees, employers, and the collective bargaining process.
Prerequisites:
ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension score of 71 or RDG 085 with a C or better and ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills score of 71 or ENGL 092 with a C or better.
Future Offerings:
Spring 2021-2022
04/05/2022-06/22/2022 T 10:30a-12:40p Miller Openings: 26
Icon Key
- Online Asynchronous
- Online Synchronous
- Hybrid Asynchronous
- Hybrid Synchronous
- Face-to-Face
- Self-Support
- Definitions
  Online Asynchronous - The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
  Online Synchronous - The class is taught completely online; attendance at scheduled online class meetings at specific times is required. There is no face-to-face instruction.
  Hybrid Asynchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times; all online work is completed asynchronously.
  Hybrid Synchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets both face-to-face and online for scheduled classes at specific times.
  Face-to-Face - This class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times. There is no online instruction, although an online learning platform may be used supplementally.
  
  Self Support - Self-Support classes have different fees and refund policy than state-supported classes. See the Tuition and Fees page for more details.
  
  Synchronous - Online class meetings are scheduled to occur in real time.
  Asynchronous - No required online class meetings are scheduled.
  
  Note: All modalities include regular coursework due dates and require class participation.
BUS& 101 Introduction to Business 5 CR
Students are introduced to the broad field of business and its organization, operation and management. Business opportunities, ownership, marketing, physical factors, human resource, finance, regulations and decision-making processes are emphasized. Other topics include problems of organization, strategic management and controls. Fulfills the social science requirements at Bellingham Technical College.
Prerequisites:
Recommend experience in Word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
Future Offerings:
Fall 2021-2022
09/20/2021-12/09/2021 Miller Openings: 0
Winter 2021-2022
01/04/2022-03/24/2022 Miller Openings: 26
Spring 2021-2022
04/05/2022-06/22/2022 MW 10:10a-11:30a Miller Openings: 26
Icon Key
- Online Asynchronous
- Online Synchronous
- Hybrid Asynchronous
- Hybrid Synchronous
- Face-to-Face
- Self-Support
- Definitions
  Online Asynchronous - The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
  Online Synchronous - The class is taught completely online; attendance at scheduled online class meetings at specific times is required. There is no face-to-face instruction.
  Hybrid Asynchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times; all online work is completed asynchronously.
  Hybrid Synchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets both face-to-face and online for scheduled classes at specific times.
  Face-to-Face - This class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times. There is no online instruction, although an online learning platform may be used supplementally.
  
  Self Support - Self-Support classes have different fees and refund policy than state-supported classes. See the Tuition and Fees page for more details.
  
  Synchronous - Online class meetings are scheduled to occur in real time.
  Asynchronous - No required online class meetings are scheduled.
  
  Note: All modalities include regular coursework due dates and require class participation.

Program Outcomes

Students will learn core business practices, principles, and theories allowing them to make immediate and significant contributions in the workplace. Students will gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to coordinate human, financial and material resources to achieve organizational objectives while adhering to government guidelines.

Students completing the Human Resources Specialist track will also be able to:

Describe the unique roles of Human Resources professionals and their impact on the organization;
Explain the primary processes of workforce planning, job analysis and design, training and development, compensation and benefits, and performance appraisal;
Identify the key federal and Washington state employment laws, regulations, and terminology;
Develop a written strategic compensation plan.

Employment Outlook

Human Resources Specialist:

Students pursuing the Human Resources Specialist track may begin working as an entry-level Human Resource Specialist, Training and Development Specialist, Benefits Coordinator or Human Resource Generalist. Small and large businesses, healthcare organizations, government agencies, and education are examples of areas that need the expertise of a human resource management specialist. In May, 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an anticipated .5% rise in this occupation with a mean annual wage of $64,890.

This data is supported by ONet’s findings which report an anticipated growth rate range of 5% to 9% and a median annual wage of $59, 180. It is noted that the median annual wage for this occupation in Washington is reported by ONet as $62,010; 5% higher than the national median wage.
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes131071.htm
https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-1071.00

Winter 2021-2022
	01/04/2022-03/24/2022	T	10:30a-12:40p	Miller	Openings: 26

Spring 2021-2022
	04/05/2022-06/22/2022	T	10:30a-12:40p	Miller	Openings: 26

Fall 2021-2022
	09/20/2021-12/09/2021			Miller	Openings: 0
Winter 2021-2022
	01/04/2022-03/24/2022			Miller	Openings: 26
Spring 2021-2022
	04/05/2022-06/22/2022	MW	10:10a-11:30a	Miller	Openings: 26

Business Management

Business Management

Business Management - Certificate - Human Resources Specialist

Employment Information

Estimated Program Costs

Entry Information

When Can I Start?

What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?

What are My Next Steps?

Classes

Total Program Credits: 20

Program Specialty

Program Outcomes

Students completing the Human Resources Specialist track will also be able to:

Employment Outlook

Human Resources Specialist:

Faculty & Support

Elizabeth Miller