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

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 Management Accounting
COMM 213.3 | Management Information Systems
ECON 111.3 | Introductory Microeconomics
ECON 114.3 | Introductory Macroeconomics

You choose
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

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

  • Check out Edwards Career Services and meet with a career advisor to receive guidance and access resources related to achieving your career goals
  • Check out all the career resources and information available through the Edwards Career Services Canvas resources page
  • 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 Photo 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
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
  • Nurturing 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

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
  • Nurturing 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

Earning my B.Comm has opened doors and given me the flexibility to explore diverse career paths. I’ve worked at an Indigenous Economic Development Corporation, consulting organizations on how to create inclusive workplaces for Indigenous employees. I also worked as a Human Resources Coordinator for a Non-Profit, where I helped develop onboarding training. Now, I’m back at the Edwards School of Business as an Indigenous Achievement Advisor which is proof that your B.Comm gives you the freedom to carve your own journey and go wherever you want to go.

—Sara, Bachelor of Commerce '23 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, $55,843 (Edwards School of Business B.Comm. 2024 Employment Statistics).

"I chose to major in Human Resources because I believe that people are at the heart of every successful organization. As an Indigenous student, I also wanted to contribute to creating more equitable and culturally aware workplaces. Whether we’re learning through case studies or community projects, I love seeing how theory translates into positive change for individuals and organizations. I’m excited by the possibility of driving meaningful change; helping businesses recognize the value of different perspectives and building workplaces where everyone feels they belong."

—Malcolm, third-year human resources student

"I had been working in HR for 3 years and wanted to further advance my knowledge and my career into HR.  I have learned about the recruiting techniques to find the most suitable candidate for the organization that you work in, the retention techniques to keep valuable employees, contributing to the organization’s growth and how we as people in HR can influence the workplace culture."

—Leona-Grace, Bachelor of Commerce ’25 in human resources

"I chose to major in Human Resources after working in an office and becoming fascinated by the role that the Human Resources team played in managing the people side of the business. I was also intrigued by the versatility of this field – it offers a diverse range of functions and career paths, all of which I gained valuable insight into through my courses at Edwards!"

—Shelby, Bachelor of Commerce '20 in human resources