Title: Educating highly competent and principled HR professionals in the 21st century

Authors: Sunil J. Ramlall, Michael Sheppeck

Addresses: College of Business, University of St. Thomas, TMH 343, 1000 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA. ' College of Business, University of St. Thomas, TMH 166, 1000 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to determine the effectiveness of US HR Graduate Programs in preparing highly competent and principled HR professionals functioning as strategic partners and helping organisations create sustainable competitive advantages through the HR function. The paper examines the major competencies necessary for HR to serve as business partners and analyses the graduate HR programmes in developing the requisite competencies. Multiple gaps in the curriculum are identified. Strategies to enhance the quality and relevance of the graduate programmes in developing highly competent and principled HR professionals in the 21st century are discussed.

Keywords: graduate human resource curriculum; strategic HRM; organisational effectiveness; HR competencies; human resources management; HRM education; HRD education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHRDM.2007.017130

International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management, 2007 Vol.7 No.3/4, pp.215 - 226

Published online: 15 Feb 2008 *

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