Beth Richardson of Cape Elizabeth, assistant professor of business administration at St. Joseph’s College in Standish, has developed and will oversee a new major in human resource management as part of its business administration offerings.

The major will prepare students for careers in recruiting and employment, compensation, benefits, training and labor relations, while focusing on how organizations can better manage their human resources to perform more effectively.

Richardson has more than 20 years of experience as a human resource executive and attorney in Maine, including positions as vice president of human resources at Fairchild Semiconductor and Enterasys Networks.

“The best HR professionals have a broad base of business skills allowing them to function as business partners within an organization,” said Richardson. “The HR major here at St. Joseph’s reflects that business partner model.”

The major will combine accounting, management, marketing, economics, business law and ethics courses with a strong internship program and the required human resource courses.