The College-University Consortium Council Transfer Project

in Human Resource Management

John Walsh, PhD

Vice Provost, University of Guelph-Humber, Project Lead

Purpose:Based on Program Learning Outcomes /

Expectations, Establish a Student Transfer Pathway Between Business – HR Diploma Programs and Business

Degree Programs specializing in HRM

Step 1: Establish a Learning Expectations Basis for Comparison

2 and 3 Year Business Diploma Programs in HR are required to meet Ministry “Program Standards” updated from time to time with professional & practitioner advice and expressed as “learning outcomes”. The colleges also offer the 9 courses required by the Human Resource Professionals of Ontario (HRPAO).

Honours Business Degrees in HRM represented in this project were found to meet the Undergraduate University Degree Learning Expectations (UUDLEs) and the same minimum HRPAO requirements. In addition, the project analysis noted the importance of the broad scope, theoretical depth of study in the ‘contributing disciplines’ and the focus on analysis that characterize degree study.

Step 2: Undertake an Alignment and Gap Analysis

After separately comparing the competencies to be met by the 2 and 3 Year Business – HR Diploma graduates with those of the Honours Degree Specializing in HRM, some consistent gaps were Identified and shared with all project representatives.

Step 3: Meeting of Diploma and Degree Program Representatives to Refine the Gap Analysis and Develop Broadly-Applicable Pathway Recommendations.This project found that the diplomas’ typical reliance on professional HR texts and documented practice gives graduates solid practical skills but omits the depth of theory that Degree programs draw from the ‘contributing disciplines’. This gap is somewhat reduced and all of the required HRPAO courses are typically completed in the 3rd year of related diploma study. As a result, the college and university representatives recommended a formal pathway for qualifying 3 year Business Administration – HR graduates to enter participating Honours Baccalaureate – HRM programs and complete their degree in 4 more semesters of study.

Step 4: Broad Consultation on, and Clarification and Refinement of, the Pathway Recommendations

Verification that professional certification & accreditation requirements will be met – clarifying & refining

Consultation with each participating institution through its formal representative – clarifying and refining

College consultation through the senior provincial committees established to deal with system-wide academic issues -- particularly clarifying and refining curriculum expectations

Step 5: Signoff by Cooperating Institutions