Location
Start Dates

  • January 09, 2025
  • September 02, 2025
Duration

4Terms

Course Delivery

  • Face to Face - Synchronous
  • Blended
  • Online - Asynchronous
Tuition & Fees

Domestic: CAD $14,042
International: CAD $33,828
Estimated resources cost per semester: CAD $822

 

Not all courses may be offered in each delivery modality each semester.

The maximum course load for Fall or Winter semester is five (5) courses. Taking less than five courses for Fall or Winter term will take longer to complete the program. If taking condensed courses in the Spring/Summer term, the recommended maximum course load is two (2) condensed courses plus one (1) full-term (Spring/Summer) course. Students may elect to register in any combination as long as no more than two (2) condensed spring or summer courses are taken at the same time.

Note: Students can maintain full time status with at least three courses. 

Program Description

The focus of the Human Resource Major is on aligning the workforce with the strategic direction of the organization. The program includes an introduction to the function of human resources, a hands on practical application in talent acquisition and engagement, compensation and benefits, learning and development, change management, occupational health and safety, employment law, learning and development and labour relations.

To learn about working in human resources, Watch Video Here

 
Accredited by Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) Alberta.

Graduates from this program are eligible to receive exemption for the National Knowledge Exam (NKE) as part of the process in receiving a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation. Graduates, who achieve an overall cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher, proceed directly to building the required work experience requirements before receiving their designation. The CPHR designation is highly regarded and provides you with a strong competitive advantage. 

Time commitment

This is a two-year (four term) diploma program. A standard course load is five courses per term. Students can maintain full time status with at least three courses. Taking less than five courses per term will take longer to complete the program.

Learning options

The Business Administration diploma program consists of core business courses and major specific courses. Majority of core courses and all the major specific courses are available both face to face and online.

Course Listings Request More Information Applying FAQ
Domestic Applicants

Welcome Centre
South Campus – Main Floor
info@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-1402


International Learner Applicants

International Education
South Campus – Main Floor
international@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-3476


Admission Requirements

Academic requirements
  • Credit in English Language Arts 30-1 or minimum 65% in English Language Arts 30-2 or equivalent
  • Credit in Math 30-1 or Math 30-2 or equivalent

Or

Successful completion of the General Educational Development (GED) test that consists of five tests with a minimum score in the following sections:

  • Language Arts: Reading and Writing: 520 minimum standard score
  • Math Test: 520 minimum score
 Or
  • Satisfactory results on the Bow Valley College Admissions Test

Or

  • Completion of 30 credits from a recognized business program (departmental approval required)  
 
English language proficiency requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, please review English language proficiency requirements.

 

Transferability

Transfer opportunities are available to a variety of institutions. Transfer credits are reviewed and accepted on an individual basis by the institution to which you apply. See our most current transfer agreements here

Related Links



Domestic Applicants

Welcome Centre
South Campus – Main Floor
info@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-1402


International Learner Applicants

International Education
South Campus – Main Floor
international@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-3476


Employment Rate

84%


Training Related Employment Rate

76%


Based on Bow Valley College's Graduate Outcome Survey 2024.

"The Chiu School of Business offers endless opportunities, such as building leadership skills and participating in an international exchange. Because of the small classroom size, you get an opportunity to stand out and be recognized by local organizations."

Pavan Sangha

Business Administration Diploma, Human Resources Graduate 2017

Course Listing


Full course outlines are available here.

Curriculum subject to change.

The following course listing is for students beginning their Business Administration program this academic year. 

Current students: If you enrolled before this academic year, please contact Academic Advising for your specific course listing based on your program entry date.

In your email to Academic Advising, include your BVC ID number and the year you started your program. 

Core Courses

Required Courses

In the business environment, accounting and financial information are essential for internal and external decision-making. Therefore, understanding the basics of accounting and financial statements are important for every business graduate. This course provides an introduction to the fundamental principles and concepts of accounting with an emphasis on decision-makers' objectives and use of financial information. Key concepts explored include accounting principles and standards, the complete accounting cycle, recording and reporting business transactions, and preparing and analyzing financial statements.

Learners are recommended to complete the Business Math Skills Self-Assessment (https://bowvalleycollege.ca/schools/chiu-school-of-business/MSA) prior to taking this course.

Note: Learners with prior credit in ACCT1101 and ACCT1102 cannot take ACCT1103.

The central theme of the course focuses on the relationship between thinking, human behaviour, and organizational effectiveness. Opportunity is provided for learners to experience incidental learning as they evaluate their own behaviour. Learners explore how concepts and ideas pertaining to human behaviour can transform self, relationships, and the workplace.

Learners apply their knowledge of human resource functions through multiple stakeholder lenses while aligning functions to an organization's vision and strategy. Utilizing business scenarios, learners transition through the employment cycle adhering to legal requirements, ensuring health and safety in the workplace, and building positive work culture initiatives.

This course introduces learners to the multifaceted roles of managers within an organization through theory and practical application. While analyzing and critically reflecting on the functions of management, learners have the opportunity to connect key concepts with their own professional practice. Topics such as strategic planning, organizational structure and design, leadership, motivation, controls, and team dynamics are examined.
Prerequisite: None

Introduction to organizations and sustainability articulates a management approach to integrating economic, ethical, and environmental responsibilities into all aspects of organizations working to benefit society. Learners examine ethics of business and constructs of morally appropriate behavior concerning decision-making and businesses' relationship with the community. Concepts and practical approaches are used to discuss and integrate sustainability criteria with business requirements, including performance management and evolving strategies as business needs change.

This course enhances a learner's confidence in business communication skills, preparing them for a professional career. Learners use strategies and techniques to develop effective communication while using digital tools. Through practical exercises focused on real-world dynamics, learners also develop interpersonal skills essential for today's workforce. Learners are required to participate in groups for developing collaborative competence.

The allocation of scarce resources in the face of unlimited wants and needs is at the core of economics. This course introduces the fundamentals of microeconomics and creates the foundation for economic analysis and thinking. The course starts with the study of individual choice and opportunity cost, then proceeds to introduce supply and demand and the market adjustments leading to equilibrium, and addresses the use of market price and the sources of market failure. It transitions to consumer behaviour focusing on how consumers make decisions, while creating a framework to understand how firms optimize production under different market structures. The course concludes with the application of microeconomic theory to more advanced topics such as international trade, marginal analysis and the trade-off between equity and efficiency.

Learners are recommended to complete the Business Math Skills Self-Assessment (https://bowvalleycollege.ca/schools/chiu-school-of-business/MSA) prior to taking this course.

A basic understanding of key elements of the law is an essential factor in successful business management. Learners apply legal fundamentals useful in today's fast-paced, rapidly changing business environment.

Learners critically evaluate day-to-day economic subjects in a personal and business context. Throughout the course the economy is examined at the aggregate level with an emphasis on the determination and measurement of national income in the short and long run. The role of households, businesses, government, financial intermediaries and the international sector in influencing national income is examined. Learners analyze business cycles, money and banking, inflation, unemployment, exchange rates, and fiscal and monetary policies.

Learners are introduced to concepts aimed at providing a solid foundation of marketing principles and the role marketing plays in business. Emphasizing a holistic approach, learners have the opportunity to analyze and apply the marketing mix. Key concepts include product, price, placement, and promotion (4Ps), the Integrated Marketing Communications Mix (IMC), market research, and consumer behaviour.

Human Resources Major Courses

Required Courses

This course identifies the role of human resource professionals within the context of change management theories. Learners analyze and apply change management theories and strategies to different business scenarios. Focus is directed toward the change process which includes initiation, through to maintaining the change. Trends within change management are identified and discussed.

This course examines how to create and sustain a valid, reliable, and legally defensible talent acquisition process in a Canadian context. Learners formulate and recommend effective talent acquisition processes that are aligned with organizational strategy and informed by current Human Resources trends, including the impact of social media. Learners assess and recommend techniques to integrate technology and people analytics in the evaluation and implementation of the talent acquisition process.

This course focusses on the total rewards package that includes compensation, benefits, and monetary or non-monetary rewards. The importance of aligning the organizational strategy with the total rewards package forms the foundation for this human resource functional area. Learners will get practical experience with the process of job evaluation and connecting performance standards to the compensation plan.
Learners will research Canada and Alberta legislative acts and compensation trends.

Employment Law plays a critical role in human resources management. This course equips learners with the knowledge and skills to apply employment and common law to the workplace. By using employment scenarios, learners strategize how they could help employers reduce risk and resolve human resource issues.
The importance of ethical human resource policies and procedures and ways to address the emerging risks of the digital workplace will also be explored.

This course examines the role of Human Resources and/or Labour Relations Practitioner to guide the management of a unionized workforce. Learners will assess the impact that unionization has on a workplace through relationships between employees, unions, employers, and government within the industrial relations system. Learners will be introduced to the structure of Canadian unions and labour organizations, and various labour relations processes including forming and dissolving a union, collective bargaining, strikes and lockouts, fair labour practices, the grievance procedure, changes to unions and organizations. The course will also examine the future of Labour Relations and unions in Canada, considering changes in workplace demographics, and the digitization of the workplace with an emphasis on best practices for managing in a unionized work environment.

This course examines legislative acts and delves into hazards that exist in the workplace while building engagement on the importance of health and safety within the workforce. Various human resources programs are explored, including wellness, disability, return to work, and training. The use of relevant people analytics to assess a workplace's emergency response and readiness are also discussed. At the core of this course are emerging trends in the workplace, including mental health, bullying and remote workforce.

This course provides opportunity for an applied, practical approach to designing training programs that support employee learning and development. Learners explore adult learning principles, components of program planning, and facilitation strategies that foster adult learning in workplace contexts.

The impacts that differences in culture, politics, law, ethics, and economics have on business decisions are closely examined. Learners consider decisions in international expansion strategies and entry modes. Application of theory is focused on operations in human resource management, supply chain, marketing, and communications, all within the context of globalization and the global money system.
Prerequisite: MGMT2401

This course covers the fundamentals of business strategy theory and application of the frameworks. Learners integrate the knowledge gained in previous business courses and demonstrate how the various pieces of the business puzzle fit together. Learners explore why the different parts of an organization need to be managed in strategic harmony to meet its goals within its competitive environment. A pragmatic approach to developing a strategic analysis skill set is followed. Learners work in multi-disciplinary teams from across the business majors to focus on building long-term strategies for organizations.

Work Integrated LearningChoose one of the following:

This course will offer an experiential learning for students through engaging with a business partner. Learners will apply their human resources knowledge in talent acquisition & engagement, labour relations, compensation & benefits, learning & development, people analytics, equity, diversity, inclusion & belonging to align with a business partner's organizational real-world challenge or issue. Contact with business partner will be arranged throughout the course and learners will present a group solution.

This course will provide an experiential learning opportunity through engaging in a community activity that meets the needs of the community partner. Through seminar delivery topics to develop a service-learning framework will be covered, and learners will apply generic business and human resources competencies to solve a practical need within the community. The solution will be presented to the community partner. Critical reflection will be integrated throughout the seminars.

Program FAQs

Today's companies seek employees with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. The evolution of the modern workplace, increasing competition, and rising consumer demands has forced employers to seek out motivated candidates with critical thinking and decision-making capabilities who also possess leadership potential. 

If you have prior work experience or have taken courses comparable to those required under this program at another institution, you may be eligible for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) or transfer credit.

All requests must be submitted prior to the start of the program.  

The Business Administration Diploma typically takes two years or four terms to complete. This will take longer if the student takes less than five courses per term. 

Graduates typically find employment in entry-level human resource or administrative positions within public or private industries, client service organizations, or entrepreneurial opportunities. Career development and advanced post-secondary opportunities will be driven by the individual. 

 

 

The Alberta Government provides up-to-date information on Alberta’s occupational profiles including wage and salary information. Click on the link to find out more. 

Alberta Learning Information Services: Occupational Profile

 

Planning your course schedule according to availability and prerequisites requires some consideration.

Academic Advisors can assist with program planning once you are a registered student in a Chiu School of Business program.

 

Click on the link below to find out about Computer Requirements. 

Computer Requirements

Some courses might require additional software or applications packages. You will be given this information before starting the course.

 

The approximate cost of resources is estimated at $822 per semester and $2180 for the diploma program.  

 

 

Related Programs
Diploma

Business Administration Diploma - General Business Major

The General Business Major is designed to provide students with pathways to further their post-secondary studies at various universities. Graduates gain a broad understanding of a multitude of business concepts.


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