Is human resource management for you?

The purpose of this program is to educate human resource management (HRM) and employment relations (ER) professionals. You will learn to make well-informed decisions about motivating and managing people, allowing them to make a significant strategic contribution to their organisations. Read more ...

What and how you will study

We build your confidence and competence by tackling the type of real-world issues you will or currently do face in HRM/ER positions. The program takes a very strong problem-based approach to student learning. Read more ...

Your future

Graduates can start their careers or improve their current positions in specialist human resource management (HRM) or employment relations (ER) roles. Read more ...

Is human resource management for you?

The purpose of this program is to educate human resource management (HRM) and employment relations (ER) professionals. You will learn to make well-informed decisions about motivating and managing people, allowing them to make a significant strategic contribution to their organisations.

The program focuses on how to integrate the human resources function and human resources strategies with larger business strategies. You will also learn about the context in which organisations operate and the challenges that HRM and ER professionals face in balancing competing interests. You will develop specific skills and knowledge necessary for professional competence within the human resources function.

As a commencing student, you do not need to have a background in the disciplines of HRM or ER. However, most students in the masters program have worked for five years or more, and most have management experience. Many of our current domestic students already work in HRM or ER, and many of the international students in the program are working managers sponsored by their governments. This program offers all of them the opportunity to gain a professional qualification of high standing.

What and how you will study

We build your confidence and competence by tackling the type of real-world issues you will or currently do face in HRM/ER positions. The program takes a very strong problem-based approach to student learning.

In the program, you will take two foundation courses - an introductory course on human resource management (HRM) and employment relations (ER), and a general course to help you understand how and why people behave as they do in organisations. These courses cover specialist topics including human resource development, international HRM, leadership, organisational design, employment relations, and negotiation and advocacy. Also included are two other compulsory capstone courses, in organisational change and strategic HRM.

Several courses in the program are elective courses in the MBA and in graduate programs from other Faculties, further increasing the mix of students and having a beneficial effect on class discussion and learning.

Our staff

Our academics are full-time University staff members committed to creating a unique learning experience for our students. Staff members are active researchers in their areas and/or experienced consultants, and are able to use that expertise to enrich the learning experience of our students. The ER/HRM Discipline Group in the Newcastle Business School, which includes two Professors of international standing, has a very strong international reputation for research and teaching.

Your future

Graduates can start their careers or improve their current positions in specialist human resource management (HRM) or employment relations (ER) roles. The program provides the necessary professional knowledge, as well as specific skills training in areas such as negotiation, advocacy, organisational design, research and analysis, training and evaluation, and communication. The Master of HRM prepares graduates for positions in HRM, strategic planning, organisational development, industrial relations, communications, remuneration, learning, program evaluation, and policy development.

Our program is highly regarded. We have an active and distinguished Industry Advisory Committee providing advice on new and existing courses and facilitating our strong professional links to industry and community. Many of our Australian graduates are in senior HRM/ER roles in leading Newcastle and NSW organisations, and many of our international students have returned to impressive careers in their home countries.

The Master of Human Resource Management will prepare you for a career in HRM and ER in business, not-for-profit organisations, government, unions or employer organisations or consulting.