It’s a people thing.
Human resource management is the strategic approach of engaging and supporting employees to create a productive, thriving workplace. The functions of an HR manager can vary across industries, but they typically include recruitment and onboarding, compensation and benefits, training and professional development, compliance and safety, and employee relations.
Our three-year diploma in Strategic Human Resource Management has been designed to provide insight into the theory and practice of effective management in this field. We offer the opportunity to gain powerful skills needed to become effective in the various areas of HR, leading to career options in industrial/labour relations, supervision, occupational health and safety, recruitment, training and development, compensation, human resource planning, attendance and disability management, and dispute resolution.
With us, you will build on fundamental business principles and go beyond, with a combination of theoretical learning and practical experience that focuses on developing critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills essential to effective and efficient management.
It is every manager’s business to create and administer the programs and processes that improve workplace efficiency and build the employer-employee relationships that will ultimately drive the success of their company’s strategy.
Make it your business. Apply now!
Program Highlights
- A six-week work exposure to gain real-world experience
- Transferable credits with CNA’s articulation agreements with Cape Breton University, Memorial University (Grenfell), Athabasca University, Griffith University, Northwood University, Okanagan College, Plymouth University, and the University of New Brunswick (Saint John)
- WHIMIS certification
Did You Know?
- A great leader is like the captain of a ship – relaying clear purpose and clarity to the crew in the journey ahead.
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion is a major contributor to empowering employees and creating a productive working environment. In fact, when it comes to retaining and securing talent in a competitive labour market, investing in DE&I is critical.[1]
- Work culture leaders must look to the trends and threats on the horizon facing the Canadian workplace
- Studies show that engaging with applicants in-person forges more meaningful connections than online alone[2]
- Recruitment events offer cost-effectiveness marketing strategies and enable hiring managers to conduct hundreds of micro interviews within the span of a few hours
- Your success at a hiring event will only be as strong as your follow-up
OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in fundamental Human Resource Management concepts, including recruitment and selection, training and development, compensation and benefits, and employee relations
- Design and implement effective recruitment and selection strategies to attract and retain top talent and design and deliver training and development programs to improve employee skills and enhance organizational performance
- Foster positive employee relations by understanding employee needs, resolving conflict, and creating a positive workplace culture
- Develop compensation and benefits programs that align with organizational goals and that are competitive with industry
- Make responsible and ethical decisions that align with organizational values and effectively communicate human resource strategies and results to various stakeholders.
- Exhibit the application of employability skills defined by the Conference Board of Canada to facilitate successful entry into the workplace and work collaboratively with team members from diverse backgrounds and skill sets to achieve common human resource goals
- Design and implement effective performance management systems that align employee goals with organizational objectives while contributing to the development of an organizations strategic plan by identifying and addressing human resource issues that impact organizational goals
- Demonstrate knowledge of employment law and compliance requirements to ensure that organizational policies and practices meet legal standards
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility for admission to Strategic Human Resource Management program requires the applicant to meet one of the following academic criteria:
1. High School
Provincial High School Graduation Certificate with a 60% overall average in the following (or equivalent):
i. English 3201 or English 3202 (60% minimum)
ii. Mathematics (4 credits) chosen from:
Advanced: 2200, 3200 (50% minimum in each course)
Academic: 2201 (50% minimum), 3201 (60% minimum)
iii. Five credits at the 3000 Level
2. Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition
Comprehensive Arts and Science (Transition) Certificate with the following courses:
i. Math Fundamentals:
MA1040,
MA1041
Effective Academic Year 2025 - 2026:
College Transition
College Transition Certificate with the following courses:
i. Math Fundamentals:
MA1040,
MA1041
3. Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with Business-Related College Profile including the following courses (or equivalent):
i. English 3101A, 3101B, 3101C or 3102A, 3102B, 3102C
ii. Mathematics 1101A, 1101B, 1101C, 2101A, 2101B, 2101C, 3101A, 3101B, 3101C
Applicants with Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with a different Profile may be eligible for admission to the program provided the appropriate selection of courses including those outlined above have been completed.
4. Mature Student Requirements
Applicants who do not meet the education prerequisites for this program, must be 19 years at the time of application and out of school for at least one year may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Requirements; for more information regarding the Mature Student Requirements please refer to
Procedure AC-102-PR Admission.
International Students – Admission Requirements and Information
1. High School
i. Proof of senior high school/secondary school Diploma/Certificate with equivalent minimum grades for the required high school courses listed above.
ii. India applicants only – Proof of senior high school/secondary school Diploma/Certificate with an equivalent Grade 10 Mathematics (50% min.) and Business/Commerce Stream.
2. English Proficiency
All international applicants must meet the College’s English language proficiency requirements for acceptance into regular programs. The College will accept these recognized tests of English language proficiency (TOEFL paper based 550, TOEFL Internet based 79, TOEFL computer based 213 or equivalent, IELTS Academic Test overall band score of 6.0, or Pearson PTE 53 or greater, etc.).
If a language proficiency test other than those referenced above was used, applicants can forward for assessment.
If an international applicant has attended an educational institution (high school or post-secondary) for a period of three years or more where the official language of instruction was English, the English language proficiency test will not be required.
Note: Some programs may require specific English language requirements and proficiency scores that differ from those stated above; therefore international applicants are advised to please refer to the specific program admission requirements as identified in the College Calendar.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Graduates of this program may obtain employment in a variety of marketing areas such as:
- Clerk IV
- Administrative Officer
- HR Clerks
- HR Admin
- HR Assistant
- Project Officers
- HR Advisor
- Team Lead
- HR Coordinators
ACCREDITATION
Strategic Human Resource Management is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) in all campus locations. ACBSP is the leading specialized accreditation association for business education supporting, celebrating, and rewarding teaching excellence.
PROGRAM TRANSFERABILITY
The Strategic Human Resource Management program offers exit points after Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3.
*Students can graduate at the end of Year 1 with a Business Administration Certificate.
*Students can graduate at the end of Year 2 with a Human Resources Diploma.
*Students graduate at the end of Year 3 with a Strategic Human Resource Management Diploma.
Graduates of the Strategic Human Resource Management program may have the opportunity to transfer credits to institutions/associations such as:
- Cape Brenton University, Sydney, Nova Scotia
- Memorial University of Newfoundland, Grenfell Campus
- Athabasca University, Alberta
- Griffith University, Australia
- Northwood University, Michigan, USA
- Okanagan College, British Columbia
- Plymouth University, UK
- University of New Brunswick, Saint John Campus
Graduates may also wish to further their studies to achieve professional designations with:
- Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR)
- Canadian Institute of Management (CIM)
- Canadian Professional Sales Association
- Canadian Public Relations Society
- International Personnel Management Association (IPMA) - Canada
CNA Graduates from this area - 5 year trending