HR Faculty and Program Resources
Our Faculty:
Program Resources:
Dr. Kirk Smith Scholarship
This scholarship provides support to students in the College of Education and Allied Professions.
Eligibility:
- 3.0 GPA
- Major in the College of Education and Allied Professions
- Preference given to students in the Human Services Department
- Preference given to students with financial need
- This scholarship is renewable to a maximum of three years as long as the recipient continues to meet all eligibility requirements.
Apply at
Lavonda Brown - Human Resources program
Shelvia Ashford - Human Resources program
Receiving the Dr. Kirk Smith Endowed Scholarship has helped reduce some of the financial burdens on me, giving me peace of mind, and will encourage and allow me to proceed with my educational dreams of obtaining a Master’s in Human Resources Management. This scholarship means more to me than just obtaining money; it also means that I am viewed as having potential for the future of our society. I will continuously have individuals to thank for my accomplishments, and I greatly appreciate the generous financial support I have been given to pursue my education. Thank you, Dr. Kirk Smith Endowed Scholarship Committee and ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½. I hope to give back and help mentor the next generation of human resources professionals.
Alexis Harp - Higher Education Student Affairs program
Terrell Taylor - Human Resources program
I’m humbly grateful for being selected as a Dr. Kirk Smith Scholar for this 2022-2023 school year. Growing up in a low-income household, financials had always been of concern. Even after completing my bachelor’s degree, I had been a little concerned about accruing more debt while in graduate school. Being a Dr. Kirk Smith Scholar has alleviated that concern and has motivated me to successfully complete my master’s in human resources degree. Now that I’m at the finish line and due to graduate on May 12, 2023, I’ll continue to remain humbly grateful for being selected, and I know that this scholarship will do a great deal for future recipients.
Erin Waddell - Experiential and Outdoor Education program
I have been given the privilege of being a recipient of the Kirk Smith Scholarship, and I am so thankful for this scholarship. It has helped me every semester during my graduate studies here at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ (four semesters)! I have always been thankful for those who are willing to help students during their academic years, and scholarships like these make a huge difference in students' lives. Personally, having this scholarship was a load off my mind and helped pay for some of my expenses so I could focus on my studies. I am now graduating Spring 2023 as an Experiential and Outdoor Education master's student, and I can't thank this scholarship enough for helping me on my journey. Thank you!
Amanda Allen - Human Resources program
Erin Waddell - Experiential and Outdoor Education program
Amanda Allen - Human Resources program
Military-Friendly:
Human Resources (HR) can be an attractive career if you’re a transitioning veteran. From the beginning of their service, many active military members are put in charge of large numbers of people, taught many of the underlying tenets of HR, such as trusting, listening, record-keeping and disciplining. military service can help veterans develop a variety of supporting HR skills, such as effective communication, conflict resolution and relationship management. Those successfully making the transition to civilian HR typically augment their military experience with additional HR-related education, certifications, and self-study to understand the definitions and terminology of career fields in the civilian sector versus what they learned in the military. This type of upskilling better prepares them for HR success.
If you enjoy working with people, HR is a collaborative job that may be a good fit for you. While there are certainly aspects of leadership to HR, what carries over well from your military experience to HR is working in a compliance-based environment. If you can thrive in a compliance-driven, management and development environment in the military, then you can thrive in human resources.
Strengths that veterans bring to the HR field:
* People-first philosophy - Veterans may feel at home in HR because of its "people-first"
philosophy, which is similar to the military's traditions. HR professionals work to
protect and empower employees so they can best serve the organization and its stakeholders.
* Compliance-based environment - Veterans may be well-suited to HR because it's a
compliance-driven environment, similar to the military, where rules, regulations,
and laws are used in areas like labor relations and training and development.
* Leadership skills - Veterans with leadership skills may be able to transition into
senior HR roles, such as chief learning officer, director of HR, or executive vice
president of HR.
* Relevant experience - Veterans with military HR experience may find the transition
to civilian HR smoother than veterans in other industries. Even if veterans don't
have relevant experience, they can start at an entry-level position, such as recruiting,
or talent acquisition.
Resources
You may find information related to military such as VA benefits, military transfer
credits, tuition assistance information, and frequently asked questions.
HR Program FAQ's
Yes, the employment of human resources, training, and labor relations specialists is expected to grow in the foreseeable future. New jobs will stem from increasing efforts throughout industry to recruit and retain quality employees. Employers are expected to devote greater resources to job-specific training programs in response to the increasing complexity of many jobs, the aging of the work force, and technological advances that can leave employees with obsolete skills.
Earning an M.S. in Human Resources can help you upgrade your HR knowledge and skills and thus improve your current job performance and your chances for being promoted. It can also make you more marketable outside your organization and increase your personal career satisfaction.
Yes, by successfully completing twelve courses online from ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½, you can earn your master’s degree (M.S.) in human resources completely online over the World Wide Web.
No, but all HR students are expected to have access to an up-to-date computer, a fast Internet connection (e.g., DSL or cable connection), and the Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Students should be able to navigate the Web, use MS Office Suite programs, upload and download files, send and receive e-mails with attachments, play streaming media with Windows Media player, zip and unzip files, and maintain a virus-free computer. Students may purchase computers and software through ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ with a student discount.
Part-time students taking two courses per semester (Fall, Spring, Summer) can earn their MSHR degree in as little as two years.
It is possible to transfer in 6 semester hours. The courses must be part of a master's degree program at a fully accredited university. Forms are available from the graduate school (grad.wcu.edu).
HR degree candidates are not required to write a thesis or complete a comprehensive exam.
Costs vary depending on how many courses you are taking. For additional information about tuition, visit
Yes, online students may secure student loans through Review that are available.
Yes, Western's provides many services and events designed to help graduates secure employment in their chosen fields. MSHR program faculty are also committed to sharing any opportunities that they are made aware of with current students and alumni.
For GRE information or to apply to the program, visit the webpage. If you have issues with the application process, please call the Graduate School at 1-800-369-9854. The application deadline for fall semester is April 1; the application deadline for spring semester is November 1.
For answers to additional questions you are encouraged to phone (828.227.2493) or email Dr. Siham Lekchiri, (slekchiri@wcu.edu) HR Program director and associate professor of human resources.