HR Program Earns Professional Society's Recognition

May 06, 2019

At California University of Pennsylvania, students and HR professionals can prepare to take the Society for Human Resource Management’s certification exam.

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California University of Pennsylvania is now among a select group of colleges and universities whose programming in human resource management is aligned with education standards defined by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the world’s largest professional society for human resources.

SHRM recognition affirms that Cal U’s undergraduate curriculum meets the society’s standards for quality and professionalism. Throughout the world, SHRM has acknowledged that 440 programs in 331 educational institutions align with its suggested templates and guides.

Typically, years of professional experience are required for an individual to earn SHRM certification, a respected credential within the human resources (HR) industry. But through the University’s affiliation with SHRM, students in good academic standing at Cal U may apply to sit for the SHRM-CP certification exam in their final year of study for the B.A. in Human Resource Management, providing they have completed 500 hours of eligible work experience through an HR-related internship or employment.

To help students prepare for the rigorous exam, Cal U will offer a 3-credit certification preparation course for seniors, beginning this fall.   

“SHRM certification is the industry standard,” says Dr. Stephanie Adam, an associate professor in Cal U’s Department of Business, Economics and Enterprise Sciences, and a SHRM certified instructor. “It attests to expertise in the complex practice of human resource management.

“Adding this certification would certainly make a graduate’s resume stand out.”

HR professionals, including current SHRM members, also may prepare for the SHRM certification exam at Cal U. They may enroll now as non-degree students and register for HRM 410, “SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP Certification Preparation.” Classes will be offered on campus from 4-5:15 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays during the Fall 2019 semester.

“We want to make this class as convenient as possible for HR professionals already working in the field,” Adam says. “This is one more example of how Cal U empowers students to build the successful future they envision.”

For more information about Cal U’s B.A. in Human Resource Management or the SHRM certification preparation course, contact Dr. Stephanie Adam at adam@calu.edu.