Overview
The role of human resource management has expanded dramatically in both the public and private sectors, especially in large organizations. Driving the growing importance afforded the HR function are the increasing complexity of HR laws and employee benefits; the importance of effective employee recruitment, placement, and training to the organization's bottom line; increased use of arbitration and negotiation in labor relations; and the internationalization of the workforce. In addition to their more traditional role, HR managers are becoming much more involved in strategic planning for organizations and their component business units.

Who would most benefit?
This certificate program provides an excellent foundation in human resource management concepts, principles, and practice. Both HR veterans and those wanting to launch a career in human resources will find the program's content particularly helpful. HR professionals seeking to earn a professional certification awarded by the HR Certification Institute -- e.g., the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) - will benefit greatly from the program, as well as from the certification exam preparation workshops that are offered. The non-credit HR certificate is best-suited for those who already hold a bachelor's degree or other academic credential and don't need additional undergraduate credits. (A credit-bearing HR certificate is also available.)

Requirements
To earn the Certificate, students must complete seven core courses with a "C" or better. Students who have already completed similar courses at other institutions may apply for transfer credit, but they must complete at least five of the courses at CUA to earn the certificate.

Earn your HR certificate from Catholic University as well as PHR, SPHR, or CEBS Certification! Catholic University, in cooperation with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) offers the SHRM Learning System course to help prepare students for the PHR/SPHR certification exam. Catholic University also courses to prepare students for certification as a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS). Simply enroll in specially-designated sections of MPD 353 to take the certification preparation course that you need and have it apply toward certificate requirements as well!

Schedule
Courses are scheduled on an accelerated basis, enabling students to complete the entire program in as little as one calendar year. Courses typically meet either:

• One evening per week, 5:30 - 9:45 pm, for a half-semester, OR
• One evening per week, 6:10 to 8:40 pm, for a full semester. Courses involving more complex concepts and quantitative courses tend to meet on this schedule.

To complete the Certificate in a calendar year, students would normally take, for example, one full-semester course (meeting, e.g., every Tuesday evening for the full semester) and two half-semester courses (meeting, e.g., on Thursday evenings - one in the first half of the semester, and another meeting during the second half of the semester). Typically, credits earned toward a certificate program may be applied toward CUA's bachelor's degree programs as well.

Anyone over the age of twenty-one years who graduated from an accredited high school, completed the General Educational Development Test (GED) successfully, or who has successfully completed some work in an accredited institution of higher learning may apply for admission to MSPS.  Successful completion of college level freshman English and college level computer literacy required.  Application to take courses on a non-credit basis requires the following:

1. Application with non-refundable fees.