Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources
Are you considering a future in Human Resources Management, Organizational Consulting, and Industrial Relations? In the OBHR option you’ll gain an understanding of the fundamentals of business, general knowledge of all the business options, as well as a range of management and consulting skills.
Am I the right fit for this option?
For a career following this option, it helps to be good with people and to have great organizational skills. You’ll need an ability to switch gears quickly (for example, from administrator to counselor to negotiator) and good judgment.
Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources option course requirements
If you are interested in the OBHR option you must complete COMM 203 - Managing the Employment Relationship by Term 1 of Year 3. In Years 3 and 4, you can further specialize in one of two tracks: Human Resources Management or Organizational Consulting.
You will need to complete a total of 15 credits and there are no specific required courses in the option. To follow a track you will take a minimum of nine course credits in the chosen track and then the remaining six credits of course work from either track.
| Human Resources Management track (HRM) This track is for students who would like to work in human resource management and/or union management relations. | |
| Offered in 2024W | |
| COHR 303 (3 credits) | Strategic Staffing |
| COHR 308 (3 credits) | Labour Relations |
| COHR 405 (3 credits) | Managing the Family Business |
| COHR 433 (3 credits) | Employment Law |
| COMM 3241 (3 credits) | People Analytics |
| Not offered in 2024W | |
| COHR 3042 (3 credits) | Training, Development, and Performance Management |
| COHR 3052 (3 credits) | Strategic Compensation |
| COHR 403 (1.5 credits) | Managing Diversity |
| COHR 406 (3 credits) | International Human Resource Management |
| COMM 486C (3 credits) | Corporate Responsibility and Business Ethics |
1 Formerly numbered COMM 386H and titled HR Analytics: Data Metrics for HR Professionals.2 Expected to be next offered in 2025W. | |
| Organizational Consulting track (OC) This track is for students who would like to work in consulting and/or managing change. | |
| Offered in 2024W | |
| COMM 3231 (3 credits) | Leading Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Organizations |
| COMM 3242 (3 credits) | People Analytics |
| Not offered in 2024W | |
| COHR 301 (1.5 credits) | Business and Management Values |
| COHR 302 (1.5 credits) | Critical Evaluation of Information, Evidence and Arguments |
| COHR 307 (1.5 credits) | Introduction to Management Consulting |
| COHR 311 (1.5 credits) | Organizational Analysis |
| COHR 401 (1.5 credits) | Organizational Change |
| COHR 402 (1.5 credits) | Leadership |
| COHR 404 (1.5 credits) | Power and Politics |
| COHR 407 (1.5 credits) | Advanced Management Consulting |
| COHR 408 (1.5 credits) | Organizational Design |
| COHR 409 (1.5 credits) | Creativity and Innovation |
| COHR 410 (1.5 credits) | Knowledge Management |
| COHR 411 (1.5 credits) | Managing and Building Teams |
| COHR 486B (3 credits) | Improvisation for Leaders |
| COHR 486D (3 credits) | Negotiation for Leaders |
| COMM 3833 (3 credits) | Innovation Leadership |
| COMM 486C (3 credits) | Corporate Responsibility and Business Ethics |
1 Formerly numbered COHR 486A and titled Gender and Diversity in Leadership.2 Formerly numbered COMM 386H and titled HR Analytics: Data Metrics for HR Professionals.3 COMM 383 may only be used to fulfill requirements toward either the Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources or Entrepreneurship option, but not both. | |
When you graduate, your transcript will say "Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources Option" regardless of the track that you have chosen. The track will not appear on your transcript.
Partnership with CPHR BC & Yukon
The OBHR option is accredited with the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) British Columbia and Yukon and graduates may be exempt from writing the National Knowledge Exam® (NKE), following accreditation path 3. The NKE is the first step to achieving the nationally recognized CPHR designation.
To be eligible for an exemption, graduates of the OBHR option must:
- achieve a grade point average of 70%;
- complete the following courses: COHR 303, COHR 304, COHR 305, COHR 308, COHR 433, COMM 192, COMM 203, COMM 294, COMM 323, and COMM 324 (COMM 386H);
- become a member of CPHR BC & Yukon while still a student; and
- apply for an exemption within 12 months from the date of graduation
BCom students may also be eligible for a reduction in membership and conference fees. Please reach out to Nancy Tang, UBC Sauder OBHR Division, for details. For more information about CPHR, visit cphrbc.ca.
Careers in Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources
Do you want to help businesses succeed and individuals realize their full potential? Human capital is often a company’s most invaluable asset, and it is difficult to retain talent in today’s fast-changing world. Whether you’re interested in labour relations, training and development or change management, an OBHR career can be very rewarding.