Program Description
The Human Resources Specialization for the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Management degree builds on an existing two year degree, adding upper division coursework to complete a four-year degree. Applicants are accepted year-round. The program can be completed in a two or three-year track and online. Students can enter the program in the fall, winter, or spring.
This degree is designed to provide program graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to move into Human Resources management or supervisory positions. The Bachelor’s curriculum includes a mix of required core management and general studies courses.
Program Code: BAMAMBAS
Career Opportunities and Earnings
Potential careers include:
- Compensation and benefits managers
- Compensation, benefits and job analysis specialists
- Human resources managers
- Human resources specialists
- Training and development managers
- Training and development specialists
For current employment and wage estimates, please visit and search for the relevant occupational term: bls.gov/oes
Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate ability to communicate effectively and use the language, tools, concepts and models of management applicable to the professional/technical discipline
- Demonstrate ability to apply critical thinking and knowledge in a field specific context
- Demonstrate an understanding of management roles and the nature of leadership
- Apply the principles and philosophy of management systems
- Analyze systems for planning and decision-making
- Prepare and complete cost control processes including the ability to establish a budget, prepare cost reports, and forecast expenditures
- Employ new and developing information technologies
- Acquire, organize, analyze, and interpret information and data to make informed, reasoned, equitable decisions
- Identify and describe human behavior in an organizational setting
- Identify and analyze human resource systems for employment, compensation and training
- Institute and facilitate team-based problem-solving environments
- Develop and articulate a statement of values or code of ethics
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the community and an understanding of issues related to diversity
Special Features
- Students in the BAS program have the advantage of a low faculty to student ratio.
- The BAS program does not currently have a waiting list.
- The BAS program curriculum is designed to prepare students for completing a master's degree.
Program Prerequisites
Students entering this program should have basic knowledge of a computer and touch-typing skills. It is recommended that online students complete HUMDV 101. Writing classes are embedded in the program. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and the use of email are tools BAS students will use throughout the program. Those who are not familiar with or comfortable using those programs should locate online, self-study resources or consider enrolling in courses offered by the college. Students may need to complete prerequisite coursework prior to full admittance to the program.
- Completion of a two-year degree or 90 transferrable credits with a minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.0 or higher
- 5 credits of ENGL& 101 with a GPA of 2.0 or higher
Approximate Additional Costs
- Request official transcripts from outside colleges (estimated): $20
- Books, supplies and miscellaneous fees: $2400
- Laptop computer: $1000
- Personal health insurance (recommended): $39- $190 per quarter
- Travel/Transportation: varies
Current tuition and fee information is published on the College website at pencol.edu or by calling the Student Services Office at (360) 417-6340.
Financial aid is available to all students who qualify. To learn more about these opportunities, visit pencol.edu/financial.
Application Process
Applications for admission are accepted year‐round. Once accepted into the program, students may take courses fall, winter, or spring quarters. To learn more about the application process, visit pencol.edu/applying-program/bas-application-form.
First Quarter (Fall)
This course is intended for students in the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Applied Management program where understanding the basic principles of financial and managerial accounting is essential in the successful execution of management responsibilities. The course defines financial statement interrelationships, financial analysis, product cost, budgetary control systems, and information reporting for the planning, coordinating, and monitoring of the performance of a business. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Management degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
People no longer work for a single organization for the duration of their career. With access to social media and the increased transparency into the quality of management and leadership in organizations, people can be more selective in the organizations they choose to work for. Additionally, society is placing an increasing value on work/life balance, diversity, and organizational justice. Entrepreneurs are experimenting with a variety of organizational structures that differ from the dominant pyramid structure with a single focus on shareholder value. In this course, students will learn management, leadership, and problem-solving techniques and be exposed to a variety of organizational cultures and structures. Learning about the variety of management and leadership styles and organizations allows students to determine what type of manager or leader they want to be or work for and what type of organization they want to work in. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Formerly BAS 310)
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Management degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
Business writing course required for students seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree. Production of business documents, including reports, proposals, letters, memos, essays, emails, and performance evaluations. Group projects and oral presentations. Review of business writing style, paragraphing, grammar, and document formatting. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
Second Quarter (Winter)
The discipline of Management Information Systems (MIS) bridges the gap between computer science disciplines and business disciplines such as marketing, strategic management, and finance among others. The term Management Information Systems encompasses a multitude of definitions depending on the source. The definition applied in this course is that MIS consists of technologies and processes that are used to collect and analyze data, convert it into information, on which a decision can be made, and then disseminate the information to the appropriate people an organization. This course will focus on such topics as information technology (IT) infrastructure, Enterprise Applications, databases as decision support systems, and others. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
Managers will face many important and far-reaching decision making, ethical, and leadership situations in their professional lives. This course provides a systematic way to approach decisions, ethics, and leadership. It analyzes complex decision, ethical, and leadership problems by breaking them into manageable pieces and by providing important insights that will lead to clarity of thought and commitment to action. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Management degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
Introduction to methods and applications of elementary descriptive and inferential statistics; summarizing data graphically and numerically, probability, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, correlation and linear regression. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Quantitative Skills, Natural Sciences, Elective)
Credits: 5
Third Quarter (Spring)
In management, projects are major undertakings that have a limited duration (i.e., finite completion point) and, as such, require a unique approach for administration. Course covers the theory and practice of project management in the context of technical and human resource constraints. Students learn to apply the knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques for project activities necessary to meet project requirements through the use of software and the approaches prescribed by the PMBOK. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Management degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
This course will teach skills in evaluation of an employee's job-related performance with the primary objective being the improvement of the individual's performance and the knowledge of justification for determining an employee's compensation and ability to be promoted. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Management degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
This course will provide students an opportunity to explore key concepts from intersectionality and biases to scarcity mentality and equity. Several crucial soft skills that will allow student to develop and implement meaningful diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) strategies with empathy and effectiveness will be introduced. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Management degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
Fourth Quarter (Fall)
This course explores human resource management as a way to achieve high levels of organizational performance. In this class, we will evaluate the strategic importance, ethical issues, and organizational impact related to the following areas of human resources: talent acquisition and talent management; organizational development; the legal environment of business; global HR; training and development; diversity; and total rewards (compensation and benefits). This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Management degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
Unique aspects of managing and growing small- to medium-sized businesses, including strategic and operational planning, ethical issues, organizational controls and tools, marketing management and techniques, financial analysis and accounting, risk management, human resource management, and international opportunities. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Management degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
Explores classic and modern elements of persuasion and applies that understanding to assemble, deliver, and evaluate extemporaneous speeches. Eligibility for or concurrent enrollment in ENGL& 101 is recommended. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Humanities, Elective)
Credits: 5
If CMST& 220 is used towards your AA/AS/AAS/AAS-T degree, you will need to consult with the Program Director to find an acceptable elective to use as a course substitution.
Fifth Quarter (Winter)
This course offers an exploration of labor relations, emphasizing the interplay between employment relationship goals, labor rights, and management decisions. Students will learn the mechanics of traditional labor relations processes and gain insight into why these processes exist and how to assess their effectiveness. Additionally, students will develop an understanding of collective bargaining processes that lead to the conclusion of a collective agreement. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Social Sciences)
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Management degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
Training and development programs help companies gain and retain top talent while also improving employee productivity. This course will focus on the assessment of organizational needs, the creation of development opportunities, and the formulation of effective training strategies. Additionally, students will gain an understanding of the strategic importance of training and development initiatives in achieving organizational goals, as well as exploring emerging trends and challenges in this field. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Management degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
Sixth Quarter (Spring)
This course explores the strategic design, administration, and communication of employee benefits programs, emphasizing their critical role in talent attraction, retention, and overall employee satisfaction. It covers a wide range of benefits, including retirement plans, health care, life insurance, paid time-off, accommodations and work-life balance programs. As well as examining key regulatory requirements such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The course delves into emerging trends equipping students to manage current benefits programs effectively. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Management degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the recruitment, staffing, and selection process within organizations. Students will examine strategic workforce planning, contemporary recruitment strategies, and federal laws affecting hiring practices. The course will explore effective interviewing techniques, selection criteria, and the importance of critical thinking throughout the recruitment cycle. Additionally, students will explore how current trends in impacting the selection process and overall talent management strategies. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Must be seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Management degree to enroll. If interested, visit pencol.edu/bas
Credits: 5