Major map:
Human Resources
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm.)
Learn how to get the most out of your degree and prepare for your future career.
The Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm.) degree is a four-year direct-entry program. The first two years provide you with general business knowledge; all students take an introductory course in each of the major specializations before selecting a major in the middle of year two.
Human Resources is about helping organizations succeed by managing employees and helping them reach their full potential. It serves a strategic function linking talented people with organizational success. The major prepares students to handle human resource concerns in a timely and professional manner relating to all HR competencies including strategy, professional practice, engagement, total rewards, labour and employee relations, health, wellness and safe workplace, learning and development, workforce planning and talent management, HR metrics, reporting and financial management.
Not a USask student?
Learn more about studying human resources at USask and apply for admission.
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all major requirements.
Year 1 COMM courses
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
COMM 100.3 | Business Communication
COMM 101.3 | Introduction to Business
COMM 104.3 | Foundations of Business Statistics
COMM 105.3 | Introduction to Organizational Behaviour
COMM 121.3 | Business Mathematics
COMM 204.3 | Introduction to Marketing
COMM 211.3 | Human Resource Management
COMM 229.3 | Personal Financial Management
You choose
- One course (3cu) to fulfill your english language requirement
- One course (3cu) to fulfill your 100-level non-COMM elective requirement
Academic tips
- Explore information about your major in the course and program catalogue
- Meet with an academic advisor for help choosing your courses and planning your degree
- Visit the student Learning Hub for help developing your academic skills
- Maintain a minimum yearly average of 60% to advance to the next year of the program
- First year marks matter – major acceptance is based on your cumulative average to the end of Year 1 and term 1 of Year 2
- Apply for Edwards scholarships, awards and bursaries
- Check out the Rawlinson Centre for Indigenous Business Students
- Read Edwards weekly e-newsletter “The Latest” sent out every Monday during the academic year
What will I learn?
- Be a business professional ready to build nations
- Understand areas of organizational structure and strategy, training and development, industrial relations, recruitment, engagement, compensation, leadership, employment and labour law, occupational health & safety
- Learn that people are an organization’s most valued asset
- Gain the skills required to be ready to pursue a professional designation (Chartered Professional in Human Resources - CPHR) upon graduation
- Know your work has a direct, immediate impact on your organization
Gain relevant experience
- Consider a study abroad experience to earn credit toward your degree
- Get familiar with the Edwards School of Business Student Site to find opportunties and gain relevant experience as an Edwards undergrad
- Consider enrolling in an experiential learning course
Create local and global connections
- Visit the USask Community Centre to make connections and build community
- Get involved in your campus community through student groups, campus rec, and USask events
- Get to know your faculty and their research interests
- Consider joining a club; visit the Edwards Business Students’ Society (EBSS) website for a full list
- If you are interested in international business, attend an International Business Minor information session
- Get involved with the Edwards International Students’ Society to meet classmates from all over the world
- Consider joining the Indigenous Business Students' Society
Get career ready
- Check out Edwards Career Services and meet with an career advisor to receive guidance and access resources related to achieving your career goals
- View the Edwards School of Business tab within CareerLink to review resources and the calendar of career events as well as part-time summer and job postings
- Build an amazing resume and prepare for upcoming interviews with Edwards Optimal Resume
- Take a career assessment to learn more about your strengths, personality, interests, and values
- Develop your LinkedIn profile to begin building your professional brand
- If you are new to Canada, participate in the Edwards International Career Development Program. Information will be emailed to eligible students in November
- Access USask Career Services for additional support with career exploration and job search
Sample courses
- COMM 343.3 Recruitment Selection and Engagement
- COMM 382.3 Employment Law
- COMM 385.3 Training and Development
- COMM 488.3 Strategic Compensation
- COMM 489.3 Strategic Human Resource Management
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all major requirements.
Year 2 COMM courses
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
COMM 201.3 | Introduction to Financial Accounting
COMM 203.3 | Introduction to Finance
COMM 205.3 | Introduction to Operations Management
COMM 207.3 | Statistics for Business Decisions
COMM 210.3 | Introduction to Managerial Accounting
COMM 213.3 | Management Information Systems
ECON 111.3 | Introductory Microeconomics
ECON 114.3 | Introductory Macroeconomics
You choose
- Two courses (6cu) to fulfill your non-COMM elective requirements
Year 3 COMM courses
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
COMM 304.3 | Introduction to Business Law
COMM 306.3 | Ethics and Strategic Decision Making
COMM 342.3 | Organization Structure and Design
COMM 343.3 | Recruitment Selection and Engagement
COMM 347.3 | Indigenous Business in Canada
COMM 381.3 | Industrial Relations
COMM 385.3 | Training and Development
You choose
- One course (3cu) from any level non-COMM elective OR 300-level or higher COMM elective
- Two courses (6cu) as free senior electives (200-level or higher non-COMM OR 300-level or higher COMM)
Academic tips
- Review your B.Comm. Degree Audit Report or meet with an academic advisor to ensure your degree is on track
- In Year 2, complete the 200-level COMM course of the major you are planning to declare for in the Fall term
- Attend a Program Planning Session to learn more about your program options
- Access the Program Planning Guide to familiarize yourself with the process
- Attend a Major Feature Session to learn about the B.Comm. majors
- If you are interested in completing a research project alongside a faculty member, apply for the Honours Program by April 30th
- If you are interested in the combined B.Comm/JD program contact an academic advisor
- Apply for Edwards scholarships, awards and bursaries
Add to your major
Choose from a variety of options to complement your major.
- International Business Minor (minor)
- Computing (certificate)
- Ethics, Justice and Law (certificate)
- Indigenous Governance and Politics (certificate)
- Politics and Law (certificate)
- Sustainability (certificate)
Gain relevant experience
- Explore opportunities to study abroad
- Become a peer mentor with the Student Learning Services
- Volunteer for Open House to tell prospective students all about Edwards
- Apply for a case competition or a conference coordinated by the EBSS
- Apply for funding for a competition or conference through the Edwards Co-Curricular Fund
- Tryout for a JDC West Business Case Competition Academic Team
- Attend the Edwards Formal hosted by the EBSS
- Consider attending a workshop ran through Edwards Experiential Learning Initiative (EELI) or Edwards InVenture: Entrepreneurship In Action
Create local and global connections
- Engage with your community through volunteering and Co-Curricular Record activities
- Meet with new people and grow your cultural understanding through Building Bridges and the Global Connections Network
- Consider joining a club; visit the Edwards Business Students’ Society (EBSS) website for a full list
- Consider attending a conference abroad; funding opportunties may be available through the Hanlon Centre
- Engage with business professionals at the #EdwardsConnects Career Fair in January
- Grow your network by joining CPHR Saskatchewan with a student membership
Get career ready
- Check out Edwards Career Services and meet with an career advisor to receive guidance and access resources related to achieving your career goals
- Develop your Career Action Plan. Book a career development appointment with an Edwards career advisor to get your Career Action Plan started
- Take the CareerLeader assessment through Edwards Career Services to recognize how your interests, motivators, and skills relate to your future career success and satisfaction
- View the Edwards CareerLink Events Calendar for upcoming workshops, employer information sessions and additional professional development opportunities
- Discover job opportunities, explore career options, and meet professionals at USask Career Services events and career fairs
- Apply to the Co-op Education Program and gain 8 months of paid work experience in your area of study. Attend a Co-op info-session for more details
- Research careers and related professional associations – consider signing up for a student membership to access additional resources
- Take a look at job postings on CareerLink – new postings are added daily!
- Expand your professional network on LinkedIn
- Book your appointment to get your picture taken using Edwards Professional Self-Serve Headshot Station to use for your LinkedIn profile
- If you are new to Canada, participate in the Edwards International Career Development Program. Information will be emailed to eligible students in November
Career readiness competencies
Career Readiness Competencies are transferable skill sets that will prepare you for the world of work and include the top attributes that employers are looking for:
- Career & Self-Development
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Equity & Inclusion
- Leadership
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
- Technology
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all major requirements.
Final year COMM courses
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
COMM 401.3 | Business Strategy
COMM 447.3 | Entrepreneurship and Venture Development
COMM 488.3 | Strategic Compensation
You choose
- Three courses (9cu) from the Human Resources Major Electives
- Four courses (12cu) as free senior electives (200-level or higher non-COMM OR 300-level or higher COMM)
Academic tips
- Apply for Edwards scholarships, awards and bursaries
- Complete the Graduation Survey and Employment Census
- Update your PAWS contact information upon graduation
Consider applying to a graduate program
- Accounting (M.P.Acc.)
- Business Administration (M.B.A.)
- Finance (M.Sc.)
- Marketing (M.Sc.)
Gain relevant experience
- Consider running for a leadership position with the USask Students' Union (USSU) or the Edwards Business Students' Society (EBSS)
- Apply for funding for a competition or conference through the Edwards Co-Curricular Fund
- Consider becoming a tutor – watch for opportunties in “The Latest” e-newsletter at the beginning of each term
Create local and global connections
- Stay connected with Edwards Alumni and Friends
- Join the USask Alumni and Friends community
- Consider attending a conference abroad; funding opportunties may be available through the Hanlon Centre
- Grow your network by joining CPHR Saskatchewan with a student membership
Get career ready
- Check out Edwards Career Services and meet with an career advisor to receive guidance and access resources related to achieving your career goals
- Develop your Career Action Plan. Book a career development appointment with an Edwards career advisor to get your Career Action Plan started
- Edwards Career Services provides resume books to interested employers. For more information, including how to participate, email: careers@edwards.usask.ca
- View the Edwards CareerLink Events Calendar for upcoming workshops, employer information sessions and additional professional development opportunities
- Learn about how to search for a job in Canada
- Ensure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and reflective of your career goals
- Book your appointment to get your picture taken using Edwards Professional Self-Serve Headshot Station to use for your LinkedIn profile
- If you are new to Canada, participate in the Edwards International Career Development Program. Information will be emailed to eligible students in November
Career readiness competencies
Career Readiness Competencies are transferable skill sets that will prepare you for the world of work and include the top attributes that employers are looking for:
- Career & Self-Development
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Equity & Inclusion
- Leadership
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
- Technology
Possible destinations
People with a human resources degree take their knowledge and skills into many different industries and occupations. Note that some of the career paths listed here require further education and training.
Designations
Students who major in human resources may opt to pursue a professional designation after completing a B.Comm. degree.
The Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) Saskatchewan is the premiere professional association for human resource professionals. The association is the granting body of the Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation within the Province of Saskatchewan. CPHR Saskatchewan recognizes the Edwards School of Business human resource major as an accredited post-secondary program.
Graduates from April 2015 and onward may be eligible to apply for a waiver for the National Knowledge Exam (NKE) with an overall cumulative average of 70% or higher.
Career paths
- Compensation & Benefits
- Consulting
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Employee Relations
- Employee Wellness Specialist
- Facilitator
- Human Resource Information System Specialist
- Human Resources Analyst
- Human Resources Generalist
- Human Resources Policy Analyst
- Job Analyst
- Labour Relations
- Mediator
- Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Specialist
- Organizational Development
- People & Culture
- Recruitment & Talent Acquisition
- Talent Management
- Total Rewards Specialist
- Training & Development
- Workforce Planning
If it were not for the opportunities I was given at Edwards through networking and student involvement, I would not be in the role I am in today! Human resources is such a diverse field where you get the opportunity to work with business leaders to do what is best for the organization's people. If you are passionate about making the workforce a better place, then human resources is for you.
—Steffany, Bachelor of Commerce '19 in human resources
Where do USask alumni work?
- Cameco
- Canpotex
- City of Saskatoon
- Correctional Services of Canada
- Des Nedhe Developments
- Federated Co-operatives Limited
- Government of Alberta
- Government of Saskatchewan
- Nutrien
- RBC
- Saskatchewan Blue Cross
- Saskatchewan Health Authority
- Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority
- Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies
- Saskatchewan Teachers Federation
- Saskatoon Co-operative Association
- SaskTel
- University of Saskatchewan
- Vendasta
- Virtus Group
- Viterra
Recent graduates with a bachelor of commerce degree in human resources earn, on average, $51,152 (Edwards School of Business B.Comm. 2021 Employment Statistics).
"The human resources major is interesting and challenging, which I highly recommend to students who want to play a lead role in managing an organization’s most important asset: its people. This field of study was a rewarding experience that provided a balance of academic and practical insight, and instruction on people management."
—Kathryn, Bachelor of Commerce '16 in human resources
"I majored in human resources because of my compassion for people. Through my education in human resources, I have learnt how I can play a role in the pursuit of a more equitable and inclusive workplace and society."
—Jeana, third-year human resources student