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 will 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. However, you must select one track or the other and take a minimum of nine course credits in the chosen track. The remaining six credits of course work necessary to complete the option may be selected 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. | |
| COHR 3031 (3 credits) | Strategic Staffing |
| COHR 304 (3 credits) | Training, Development, and Performance Management |
| COHR 305 (3 credits) | Strategic Compensation |
| COHR 3081 (3 credits) | Labour Relations |
| COHR 4031 (1.5 credits) | Managing Diversity |
| COHR 4051 (3 credits) | Managing the Family Business |
| COHR 4061,2 (3 credits) | International Human Resource Management |
| COHR 433 (3 credits) | Employment Law |
| COMM 3243 (3 credits) | People Analytics |
| COMM 486C1 (3 credits) | Corporate Responsibility and Business Ethics |
1 Not offered during the 2023 Winter Session.2 Prior to 2022W, COHR 406 was 1.5 credits.3 Formerly numbered COMM 386H and titled HR Analytics: Data Metrics for HR Professionals. | |
| Organizational Consulting track (OC) This track is for students who would like to work in consulting and/or managing change. | |
| COHR 3011 (1.5 credits) | Business and Management Values |
| COHR 3021 (1.5 credits) | Critical Evaluation of Information, Evidence and Arguments |
| COHR 3071 (1.5 credits) | Introduction to Management Consulting |
| COHR 3111 (1.5 credits) | Organizational Analysis |
| COHR 4011 (1.5 credits) | Organizational Change |
| COHR 402 (1.5 credits) | Leadership |
| COHR 4041 (1.5 credits) | Power and Politics |
| COHR 4071 (1.5 credits) | Advanced Management Consulting |
| COHR 4081 (1.5 credits) | Organizational Design |
| COHR 4091 (1.5 credits) | Creativity and Innovation |
| COHR 4101 (1.5 credits) | Knowledge Management |
| COHR 411 (1.5 credits) | Managing and Building Teams |
| COHR 486B1,2 (3 credits) | Improvisation for Leaders |
| COHR 486D1,3 (3 credits) | Negotiation for Leaders |
| COMM 323 (3 credits) | Leading Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Organizations (Formerly COHR 486A Gender and Diversity in Leadership) |
| COMM 3244 (3 credits) | People Analytics |
| COMM 3831,5 (3 credits) | Innovation Leadership |
| COMM 486C1 (3 credits) | Corporate Responsibility and Business Ethics |
1 Not offered during the 2023 Winter Session.2 Starting in 2018W, COHR 486B will be a 13-week, 3 credit course. If you took COHR 486B during or prior to 2017W, you will still only receive 1.5 credits for completion of the 6-week version of the course; you cannot retake the course to receive additional credit.3 Starting in 2018W, COHR 486D will be a 13-week, 3 credit course. If you took COHR 486D during or prior to 2017W, you will still only receive 1.5 credits for completion of the 6-week version of the course; you cannot retake the course to receive additional credit.4 Formerly numbered COMM 386H and titled HR Analytics: Data Metrics for HR Professionals.5 Formerly numbered COMM 386D. 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.