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 program requirements.

Year 1 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
  • Two courses (6 cu) to fulfill your 100-level non-COMM elective requirement

Academic tips

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

Create local and global connections

Get career ready

  • Check out Edwards Career Services and meet with a 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 Skills First
  • 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
Featured courses

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 program requirements.

Year 2 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 (6 cu) to fulfill your non-COMM elective requirements
Year 3 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 (3 cu) from any level non-COMM elective OR 300-level or higher COMM elective
  • Two courses (6 cu) as free senior electives (200-level or higher non-COMM OR 300-level or higher COMM)

Academic tips

Add to your major

Choose from a variety of options to complement your major.

Gain relevant experience

Create local and global connections

Get career ready

USask Student Competencies

USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:

  • Engaging in our intercultural society
  • Nuturing successful relationships
  • Leveraging technology
  • Adaptive design and problem solving
  • Communicating meaningfully
  • Cultivating well-being

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 program requirements.

Final year 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 (9 cu) from the Human Resources Major Electives
  • Four courses (12 cu) as free senior electives (200-level or higher non-COMM OR 300-level or higher COMM)

Apply to graduate

Academic tips

Consider applying to a graduate program
Find a program

Gain relevant experience

Create local and global connections

Get career ready

USask Student Competencies

USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:

  • Engaging in our intercultural society
  • Nuturing successful relationships
  • Leveraging technology
  • Adaptive design and problem solving
  • Communicating meaningfully
  • Cultivating well-being

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.

USask alumni career paths

  • Compensation Consultant
  • Consultant, Human Resources
  • Director, Corporate Responsibility
  • Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator
  • Employee & Labour Relations Coordinator
  • Employment Coordinator
  • Executive Compensation Consultant
  • HR Analyst
  • HR Business Partner
  • Human Resources Advisor
  • Labour Relations Consultant
  • Learning & Development Coordinator
  • Manager, Corporate Indigenous Relations
  • Manager, People Advisory Services
  • Manager, Total Rewards
  • Organizational Development Consultant
  • Payroll & Benefits Officer
  • People Development Specialist
  • Recruitment Consultant
  • Risk Management Administrator
  • Senior Vice President, People & Culture
  • Specialist, Workforce Planning
  • Talent Acquisition Coordinator
  • Workforce Development Coordinator

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?

  • 7shifts
  • 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, $57,458 (Edwards School of Business B.Comm. 2023 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