A Guide to the
BSBA / MHRM Combined Degree Program
The Ohio State University
Fisher College of Business
BSBA/MHRM Combined Degree Program
Document Date:December 2012
1
CONTENTS
1. What is the BSBA / MHRM combined degree program?
Page 2
2. The BSBA / MHRM combined degree program curriculum
Page 4
3. Applying to the program
Page 6
4. Information for honors students
Page 8
5. FAQs
Page 9
6. Steps to take (after deciding to apply)
Page 10
WHAT IS THE BSBA / MHRM COMBINED DEGREE PROGRAM?
As the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the leading professional association in
human resources (HR) notes:
“Continuous professional development will be required to establish credibility and create value in
the fast-changing global business environment. Obtaining a graduate degree in human resource
management is one way to prepare for a higher-level career in strategic HRM. A graduate degree
can supplement existing HR knowledge while providing a solid foundation in the more strategic
aspects of human capital management.”
“For traditional full-time day students, the value of an advanced degree in an HR-related subject is
immediately tangible: An HR professional with a master's degree has a starting salary of up to
twice the starting salary of someone with a bachelor's degree. A master's degree also affords
graduates greater opportunity to compete in a global labor market where their careers will have
few boundaries. A master's degree will lead to more challenging work assignments and greater
opportunities for advancement.”
The Masters of Human Resource Management (MHRM) program at The Ohio State University is one of
the foremost in the country. The program is designed to give students the advanced skills and abilities
needed to take a quicker path to higher-level positions in the HR field across various industries and
organizations. By emphasizing general business knowledge and analytical skills, HR functional
knowledge, and leadership skills, the MHRM program trains graduates to pursue a career in strategic
human capital management. The MHRM program has been consistently ranked among the top ten
programs of its kind in the nation. Graduates are regularly placed at highly reputed organizations such
as Exxon Mobil, Shell Oil, Raytheon, Whirlpool, General Electric, Nationwide, Exel Logistics and more.
The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree program prepares students to
meet the challenges of today's complex business environment. Graduates of the BSBA program who
specialize in Human Resource Management experience state-of-the-art instruction on the
BSBA/MHRM Combined Degree Program
Document Date:December 2012
2
fundamentals of HR. Paired with general business instruction in such areas as marketing, strategy,
and operations, HR students are poised to develop successful careers as HR professionals.
The BSBA / MHRM combined degree program integrates the strengths of both programs to offer
highly competent undergraduate students an opportunity to complete both degrees in 5 years.
Combined students will typically complete their undergraduate course requirements in 3 years and
then the graduate course requirements in 2 years. In doing so, students have the ability to gain the
skills necessary for success and growth in the field at an accelerated pace.
Some of the benefits of choosing to complete the combined degree program are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
The ability to earn both a Bachelors and Masters degree in 5 years as opposed to the typical 6
years
The opportunity to take a broader range of courses in Human Resource Management
Continued access to world class business faculty
Tuition cost savings
The ability to be more competitive in the HR job market
Higher starting salaries
Admitted combined degree candidates would have completed their freshman, sophomore and junior
courses upon which they would matriculate into the Masters program. Upon completion of the
curriculum requirements for the Masters program, both degrees will be simultaneously conferred on
the students.
BSBA/MHRM Combined Degree Program
Document Date:December 2012
3
THE BSBA / MHRM COMBINED DEGREE PROGRAM CURRICULUM
The program curriculum is a combination of general education courses, business core courses, and
specialized coursework in the area of HR. Instead of completing the required undergraduate HR
specialization coursework through standard undergraduate course offerings, combined degree
students complete the specialization requirements by taking graduate-level MHRM courses.
Since combined degree students receive two degrees, they must complete a certain number of both
undergraduate and graduate credits. The combined program requirements are as follows:
Student Status
Undergraduate
Area of Focus
st
1 Year
Requirements
Social Sciences
Natural Sciences
Arts and Humanities
Open Options
nd
2 Year
Requirements
Business Core
Requirements
Course Requirements
English 1110.01: First Year English Composition
Math 1130: College Algebra for Business
Math 1131: Calculus for Business
CSE 2111: Modeling & Problem Solving
BUS-ADM 1110: College of Business Survey
Economics 2001.01: Principles of Microeconomics
Economics 2002.01: Principles of Macroeconomics
Biological Science
Physical Science
Biological or Physical Science with Lab
History
Literature
Arts
Culture and ideas, history, or language
GE course
GE course
STAT 1430: Statistics for the Business Sciences
BUS-MGT 2320: Decision Sciences: Statistical Techniques
BUS-MGT 2321: Business Analytics
ACCTMIS 2200: Introduction to Accounting I
ACCTMIS 2300: Introduction to Accounting II
nd
2 writing course
BUS-MHR 2290: Applied Business Skills and Environment I
BUS-MHR 2291: Applied Business Skills and Environment II
BUS-MHR 2000: Introduction to International Business
BUS-FIN 3500: Legal Environment of Business
BUS-FIN 3220: Business Finance
BUS-MGT 3230: Introduction to Operations Management
BUS-M&L 3250: Marketing Management
BUS-M&L 3380: Logistics Management
BUS-MHR 3200: Organizational Behavior
BUS-ADM 4490: Strategic Management
Total undergraduate credits
Credits
3
4
5
3
1
3
3
3
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
1.5
3
3
3
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
3
3
3
1.5
3
3
90
BSBA/MHRM Combined Degree Program
Document Date:December 2012
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Graduate
Core HR Skills
MHR 7301: Conceptual & Historical Foundations
MHR 7311: Staffing Organizations
MHR 7313: Total Rewards/Compensation
MHR 7314: Designing Effective Organizational Learning Systems
MHR 7325: Human Resource Problem Solving
Leadership Skills MHR 7304: Talent Management
MHR 7306: Understanding Teams & Leadership for HR Managers
MHR 7307: Performance Management
MHR 7308: Organizational Development and Change
MHR 7310: Labor Relations
Analytical Skills
MHR 7303: HR Management Research Methods
MGT 6220: Data Analysis for Managers
Business Context MHR 7302: Markets, Organizations, and HRM
Skills
MHR 7305: Contemporary Employment Practices and the Law
MHR 7309: Strategic Management of Human Resources
MHR 7320: Fundamentals of Business Excellence I
MHR 7321: Fundamentals of Business Excellence II
MHR 7322: Fundamentals of Business Excellence III
Elective Course* *Not applicable for students pursuing the thesis option
MHR 7191: Human Resource Practicum (or MHR 7999: Masters thesis)
Total graduate credits
BSBA/MHRM Combined Degree Program
Document Date:December 2012
1.5
3
3
3
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
3
1.5
1.5
1.5
3
3
3
3 (0)
3 (6)
43.5
5
APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM
There are three important things to keep in mind when applying for this program:
1) Admission Requirements: Who is eligible to apply?
2) Application Process: What do you need to submit?
3) Application Deadlines: When is your completed application and all required material due?
Admission Requirements
To be minimally eligible for consideration, students must:
1. Have a 3.5 or better cumulative point hour ratio (CPHR) for all undergraduate academic work
completed to date;
2. Complete the BSBA core course BUS-MHR 3200;
3. Complete all preparatory coursework (first and second year requirements, and Gen Eds); and
4. Be in a position to complete at least 90 earned hours of approved undergraduate upperdivision coursework by the end of Summer Semester of their junior year.
Application Process
Students who apply to the program will complete a regular OSU Graduate School application for the
MHRM program consisting of:
1.
2.
3.
4.
MHRM application form
Fee payment
Resume
Career statement
• Applicants will need to write an essay that details their career plans, how they arrived
at these plans, their work-related goals, and how the BSBA / MHRM combined
program will facilitate their ability to fulfill these plans.
5. 3 Letters of reference and OSU Graduate School reference forms
• Applicants are encouraged to seek letters from former/current professors and/or
former/current employers. Applicants are welcome to obtain letters from any
professor whose course they have completed, even if that course is not related to
business (e.g., a science course). Applicants are also welcome to provide letters from
work-related references such as a supervisor or manager.
6. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
7. Current OSU advising report and one copy of sealed, original transcripts from any other
colleges, universities, or post-secondary schools attended
Items 1-5 should be submitted to the Fisher College of Business Graduate Programs Office (GPO)
electronically at the following address:
http://fisher.osu.edu/mhrm
BSBA/MHRM Combined Degree Program
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Students should arrange for their GRE scores to be sent electronically to OSU. All transcripts and
advising reports should be mailed or delivered to the GPO at the following address:
MHRM Admissions
100 Gerlach Hall
2108 Neil Avenue
Columbus, OH 43215
Upon receipt of these 7 items the application will be considered complete and reviewable.
Application Deadlines
The MHRM program has a lock-step curriculum; it is important for students to begin the program in
Autumn Semester of their senior year. Thus, students interested in applying to the combined degree
program are required to apply during Autumn Semester of their junior year. The deadline for
submitting completed applications is December 15.
Students who have already begun to take HR specialization courses at the undergraduate level but are
interested in the program are encouraged to contact a counselor in the Undergraduate Programs
Office (UPO) to discuss the appropriateness of the combined degree program given their progression
within the curriculum.
You can expect to be notified of the decision on your application by February 1. Students who are
accepted into the program will receive provisional admission contingent on completion of the
following criteria before Autumn Semester of their senior year:
1. At least 90 earned hours of approved undergraduate upper-division coursework; and
2. All undergraduate course requirements with at least a 3.5 cumulative point hour ratio.
Applicants who have been offered provisional admission will need to inform the GPO of their decision
to accept admission to the program no later than June 1.
BSBA/MHRM Combined Degree Program
Document Date:December 2012
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INFORMATION FOR HONORS STUDENTS
Fisher undergraduate honors students who wish to pursue the combined degree program and
graduate “With Honors” indicated on their BSBA degree must still fulfill specific honors requirements
and may experience conflicts with certain combined degree application requirements. To help these
students achieve both goals, the following accommodations will be provided to students who are part
of the Honors Cohort or Honors Contract programs:
Honors Cohort Students
1. The BUS-MHR 3200 course completion requirement for application will be waived. However,
students will still be expected to complete this course before beginning the MHRM program in
Autumn Semester of their senior year.
2. Students will be allowed to take BUS-MHR H4490 during Autumn Semester of their senior
year, which would be their first Semester in the MHRM program.
3. Students will be allowed to fulfill the Cohort program final paper requirement with the Plan A
(Masters Thesis) or Plan B (Internship) requirement of the MHRM program. The internship
requires students to complete a summer-long full-time HR internship, write a comprehensive
paper integrating the experience with their coursework during Autumn Semester of their
second year in the MHRM program, and receive 3 credits (BUSMHR 7191). The Masters Thesis
is a comprehensive research project conducted with a faculty member. Students write a
thesis that documents their research, must orally defend their research to a faculty
committee, and receive 6 credits (BUSMHR 7999).
Honors Contract Students
1. Students will be allowed to take BUS-MHR H4490 during Autumn Semester of their senior
year, which would be their first semester in the MHRM program.
2. Students will be allowed to fulfill the Cohort program final paper requirement with the Plan A
(Masters Thesis) or Plan B (Internship) requirement of the MLHR program. The internship
requires students to complete a summer-long full-time HR internship, write a comprehensive
paper integrating the experience with their coursework during Autumn Semester of their
second year in the MHRM program, and receive 3 credits (BUSMHR 7191). The Masters Thesis
is a comprehensive research project conducted with a faculty member. Students write a
thesis that documents their research, must orally defend their research to a faculty
committee, and receive 6 credits (BUSMHR 7999).
BSBA/MHRM Combined Degree Program
Document Date:December 2012
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
1. Will I pay BSBA or MHRM fees?
Students in the combined degree program will pay MHRM fees upon starting the MHRM program.
This shift to MHRM fees also applies to any undergraduate courses taken after enrollment in the
MHRM program.
2. How do combined degree programs allow students to complete more degrees in less time?
Combined degree programs are built around course efficiencies that tend to exist when a college
offers both an undergraduate and graduate level degree in the same field. Students fulfill the
requirements of both degrees, but do so by “double-counting” certain courses. Certain courses
taken at the undergraduate level fulfill foundational Masters level requirements, while certain
courses taken at the Masters level fulfill undergraduate requirements.
3. Do I need to submit an application to graduate for both degrees?
Yes, you will need to apply to graduate separately for each degree. Graduation for both degrees
will happen at the end of Spring Semester of your second year in the MHRM program Please pay
attention to notices from the UPO and GPO as the deadline for submitting a graduation application
for each of the programs is different. The UPO requires that an application to graduate with a
BSBA degree be submitted at least two semesters prior to the intended semester of graduation.
The GPO requires that an application to graduate with a Masters degree be submitted at least one
semester prior to the intended semester of graduation.
4. At graduation, will I receive two diplomas? Which set of students will I sit with?
Yes, you will receive both diplomas at your graduation ceremony. You will need to contact the
Graduate School at (614) 292-6031 at the time of submitting your Masters application to graduate
to inform them about whether you would like to sit with the undergraduate BSBA students or the
graduate MHRM students.
5. How can I get an update on the status of my application?
You will receive instructions on how to monitor your application online after you submit it.
6. Will I have an orientation session for the MHRM program?
Yes, a mandatory MHRM orientation session typically takes place during the week before the first
day of classes in August. You will join other incoming MHRM students at this time and receive
important information.
7. Who do I contact if I have more questions?
Undergraduate Programs Office
120 Schoenbaum Hall
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 292-2715
Graduate Programs Office
Rob Chabot, Associate Director
Chabot_2@fisher.osu.edu
100 Gerlach Hall
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 292-8511
BSBA/MHRM Combined Degree Program
Document Date:December 2012
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STEPS TO TAKE (AFTER DECIDING TO APPLY)
Next Steps:
1. Make an appointment with your undergraduate academic counselor in the UPO to discuss
your eligibility for the combined degree program.
2. Register to take the GRE (www.ets.org/gre). Remember to request that your scores to be sent
electronically to The Ohio State University at the time of taking your test. The OSU school
code needed to transmit your test scores electronically is: 1592.
3. Contact three individuals to request letters of reference. You will need a full name and a valid
e-mail address for each reference. Each reference will be automatically sent an e-mail with a
link by which they can complete the OSU Graduate School reference form and provide their
letter directly to the MHRM program.
4. Prepare a resume and career statement as described in the application requirements.
5. Print out a copy of your advising report when your Autumn Semester grades are posted.
6. Order one copy of original, sealed transcripts from any other post-secondary institutions
attended and arrange for these documents to be sent directly to the MHRM Admissions office
in Gerlach Hall.
7. Fill out the MHRM online application form and pay the application fee.
BSBA/MHRM Combined Degree Program 10
Document Date:December 2012