Lead workforce success as a human resource professional
In the BBA Human Resources concentration, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of key HR functions, including recruitment and selection, employee development, compensation and benefits management and performance management. They will also gain skills in organizational behavior, labor relations and HR policies, equipping them to effectively manage and enhance workforce productivity and foster a postive workplace culture. Students will develop skills and understanding in:
- compensation
- training and development
- occupational health and safety
- mediation
- conflict resolution
- performance management
Students will complete:
- 10 required Level 1 courses (required by all BUS-diploma/BBA students)
- 13 required BBA Level 2 Human Resource Management courses
- 12 required BBA Level 3 and Level 4 Human Resource Management courses
- 5 elective BBA courses from Level 3 and Level 4 (which can include BBA Capstone courses, an in-depth case study with an industry partner)
Program schedule
Our course delivery is flexible, allowing you to take your classes in the daytime, evening or online to suit your schedule. We also have transfer credit and prior learning assessments for those who have done prior post-secondary or other formal training experience.
Student engagement expectations
At NAIT, every 3 credits represent a total of 135 learning hours (note this does not include WIL Courses). This includes scheduled learning hours (classroom time, labs, shops, etc.) in various settings (face-to-face, blended, hyflex, remote-live, and remote on-demand) and student self-directed learning.
Common first year
In the first year of the program, all business students take common foundational courses in order to gain core business knowledge. This allows students to experience a variety of business fields in order to decide which is the best fit. In the second, third and fourth years of studies, you will take the required courses to pursue an concentration in Human Resource Management.
BBA degree with concentration
In the BBA career path with Human Resource Management concentration, you will earn an concentration on your transcript showing that you graduated in a specialized field of studies. This concentration does not appear on your graduation parchment, but will be noted on your official student transcripts.
Apply in APAS
Students applying to any business administration diploma program will choose Bachelor of Business Administration when selecting the program on the Alberta Post-Secondary Application System (APAS). More information can be found under How to Apply.
BBA Co-op
Students in this BBA concentration are also eligible to participate in NAIT's BBA Co-op program. Jumpstart your career by spending 3 semesters gaining valuable hands-on experience in real workplaces.
More information on the Co-op option can be found on the BBA Co-op page.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the BBA in Human Resources concentration are prepared for a variety of roles within the HR field, such as HR manager, recruitment specialist, compensation and benefits analyst and employee relations consultant. They are equipped with the skills to contribute to organizational strategy, enhance workplace culture and manage talent effectively.
Job Opportunities
- HR Generalist
- Personnel or Recruitment Officer
- Compensation Manager
- HR Information System Specialist
- Labour Relations Manager
- Mediator or Arbitrator
Industries
- Profit sector
- Not-for-profit sector
- Public service
Median Starting Salary
The expected starting salary for individuals with a(n) Bachelor of Business Administration Degree is $50,000.
This salary information was based on graduate data from the past 3 years and reflects annual salaries for graduates who claimed they were working more than 30 hours per week. Graduates who quoted salaries below $10,000 and above $200,000 per year have been excluded. Note that NAIT publishes the median salary instead of the average to minimize the potential of outlying salaries distorting the mean. Data represented here may differ from other data sources due to differences in definition or differences in timing.
Grad Employment Rate
Employment rates are reported by NAIT alumni, are for information purposes, and do not guarantee future employment opportunities. Please note that data for newer programs may not be included within this report.
Download report
Take your career planning to the next level
This program can be used as a step toward earning higher credentials and/or certifications.
Certification(s)
The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program is accredited by CPHR Alberta. If you receive a 2.7 overall GPA you may be exempt from writing the knowledge exam to become a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR). CPHR Alberta will provide you with the tools you’ll need to pursue a CPHR Designation.
The Human Resource Management concentration in the BBA program fully aligns with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates. The guidelines are part of SHRM’s Academic Initiative to define HR education standards taught in university business schools and help universities develop degree programs that follow these standards.
Post-secondary articulation agreements within Alberta are approved by the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer (ACAT). To view the details of specific agreements, please visit transferalberta.ca or contact articulations@nait.ca For questions regarding transfer agreements or to obtain a course description/outline that is no longer available on our website, please contact articulations@nait.ca.
Work Experience Placements
Courses and Advanced Credit
Current and recently admitted students can find information and updates about their program on their My Program page in the MyNAIT Portal. To monitor your course progress and the courses still needed to graduate, visit your Academic Progress Report.
Advanced Credit
You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).
Transfer Credit
In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section, your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:
- You must have completed the course or program no more than 10 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
- You must have a minimum mark of D in the course(s) or program
Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition (PLAR)
Please see below for the list of courses that available for PLAR credits in this program. Please click on the specific course for more information on the evidence that is required for each course.
Please refer to the Credit for Work and Life Experience page for more information on how to apply for PLAR credits.
Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.
Scholarships & Awards
NAIT awards over $6 million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 4,000 students each year, with the support of donors and the government. A variety of awards are available, including ones for academics, community involvement, equity/diversity grants, bursaries for financial need, program-specific awards and more!
Learn how to apply for awards
International Applicants
This program accepts international students.
PGWP Eligibility
This program does not meet eligibility criteria for a Post-Grad Work Permit (PGWP), following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) field of study requirement effective November 1, 2024. Students who applied for a study permit before Nov. 1, 2024, are not affected by the new field of study rule and may be eligible for a PGWP.
While graduates are currently ineligible to apply for a PGWP, NAIT still welcomes international students to this program to gain valuable knowledge and skills to pursue your career goals, whether in Canada under another type of permit or in your home country or other international markets.
Co-Op Work Permit
Optional Co-op: Students in this program can choose to move into a co-op pathway, which includes a mandatory co-op work practicum. International students who plan to participate in this option must apply for a co-op work permit and get approval before starting the work placement.
Learn more about PGWP and explore eligible NAIT programs.