HR Management Certificate

Businesses want human resource professionals who are courteous, knowledgeable and efficient. Holding a human resource management certificate is one way to prove you possess skills other applicants may not have.

A human resources management certificate program is generally meant for those looking for basic skills in the human resources field. This type of certificate program is also an option for those who, already working in the industry, want to further their education and move into a human resources management position.

Human Resources Management

It is easy to understand what a human resources professional does, but what is human resources management?

Human resources management is simply the management of the human resource department and the employees directly related to it. HR managers oversee all aspects of the department and make sure that everything runs effectively and efficiently.

What a Human Resource Professional Does

Regardless of the industry you enter, jobs in human resource management are readily available. Even the smallest business must hire a skilled professional to oversee a variety of employee related issues.

Some of the things a human resource professional is responsible for include:

• employee benefits
• employee safety
• hiring and firing
• payroll
• vacation scheduling.

The management of administrative human resources duties, such as keeping Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) up-to-date, is also important to the HR department.

Today's laws regarding the digital age require that social security information, personal information and employment records are kept confidential. As a result, business owners need human resource managers who understand and follow these laws.

Earning a certificate specializing in human resource management can help you learn these essential skills.

What You Will Learn

HR management programs help train students in a number of areas, such as:

• dispute resolution: In any company, disputes between managers and employees are common. Human resource managers should possess necessary skills to help resolve disputes so both sides can come to an agreement.
• employee training: New employees deal with stress during their first weeks on the job. Human resource professionals help smooth the way by ensuring trainees are learning what they need to know to perform their job safely and accurately.
• health and safety: The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) handles all aspects of work place safety. Having a trained HR professional who is familiar with OSHA regulations can help businesses avoid hefty fines and associated penalties.

A few types of courses that HR management students take in certification programs include:

• Compensation and Benefit Administration
• Human Relations in Administration
• Human Resource Management
• Human Resource Strategy and Development
• Labor Relations and Arbitration
• Organizational Behavior.

Other more general areas of study include:

• benefits
• communications
• employee taxes
• HR computer systems
• interviewing
• labor laws
• privacy laws.

Society for Human Resources Management

The Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) is an organization dedicated to the development and integration of human resource management professionals. The SHRM is also the institution that gives the official HR certification exams. The skills required to pass any of these exams can be learned through SHRM Preparation Courses.

Cost of HR Management Certification

While tuition and course fees will vary from state to state, expect to pay approximately $250 per credit for most HR management programs. In addition, $50 to $100 may be added for each textbook you will need for each course.

Human resource management certificate programs are easily adapted to the online learning environment. Students find it easy to work on classes from the comfort of their own homes. Typically, online programs start as $5,000.