Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR™)

Human Resources (HR) departments are fast-becoming a significant player in organizations across the country. Previously, these divisions handled mainly administrative functions like managing employee benefits, recruiting, interviewing and hiring new staff as directed by management. Today’s HR professionals, on the other hand, are increasingly involved in company initiatives and strategic planning. With this evolving role, HR departments are now able to offers unprecedented opportunities for those entering the field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of HR professions in the U.S. will rise faster than the national average over the next 10 years, making this a great focus for students looking to enter the business world.

The Human Resources program introduces human resources (HR) functions and related elements and activities to learners interested in entering a career in this field or anyone who runs or may start a business of their own. This program will outline for participants the roles and responsibilities of members of a typical HR department, educating the staff that make up a particular firm in various corporate policies, rules and/or procedures as well as how their individual role will include HR-related activities, whether officially part of an HR department or not. Learners will move through the evolution of HR management through to the modern functions of most HR divisions from the perspective of both management and subordinate employees. Further, students will explore various compensation structures and gain an understanding of the importance of maintaining fair and equitable compensation and benefit programs.

As part of this program, learners will be exposed to real-world situations and conflicts that may arise ranging from compensation to employee counseling, conflict resolution, discipline and termination alongside the legal and ethical implications of all of these points with respect to Equal Employment Opportunity requirements. Other critical areas such as training and development of staff with regard to many of the above mentioned issues as well as staffing and strategy will also be discussed. This program focuses on human resource management skills used by business managers in day-to-day operations. While focusing on the different aspects of human resource management and practices, problem solving and critical thinking skills are applied.

Program Objectives

After completing this program, learners will be able to:

• Analyze the role of the HR manager as a strategic partner to manage human resources in the organization
• Develop a strategic HR plan for an organization
• Determine the strategic HR requirements of a job along with its specific duties and requirements
• Develop a personnel planning and recruiting plan for an organization
• Develop and implement criteria for employee selection
• Identify key deficits in employee training and development programs
• Develop performance appraisal criteria for multiple positions in an organization
• Outline the process to create a 'job ladder' for employees to promote career development
• Determine which type of pay plan and benefits mix would be suitable to an organization's strategic initiatives and employee base
• Apply employment discrimination and labor laws to deal effectively with employment issues on the job
• Identify legal, health, and safety issues in the workplace
• Manage ethical conflicts in an organization through discipline, grievance, and career management processes
• Identify the need for global HR expansion and develop a hiring strategy that best suits the new business environment
• Prepare students with an understanding of talent acquisition
• Determining ways individuals learn and develop
• Describe the topics of compensation and benefits
• Acquire skills within employee relations
• Develop a personal understanding of compliance and risk management

Certification Opportunities

After completing this program, learners will have the option to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exam(s) essential to entry-level employment in this fast-growing field.

	Human Resources Certification Institution® (HRCI) Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR™)
	National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Human Resources (B-HR)

Optional Volunteer Externship Opportunity

Learners who complete this program are eligible to participate in an optional volunteer externship opportunity with a local company/agency/organization whose work aligns with this area of study in order to gain valuable hands-on experience.  As learners progress through their eLearning program, an Externship Coordinator will reach out to coordinate placement.

Note: Additional documentation including health records, immunizations, drug-screening, criminal background checks, etc. may be required by the externship facility.