Program at a Glance
Become a Certified HR Professional
At Germanna, we'll help you prepare for a career and professional certification in human resources. Review industry-recognized practices aligned with the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), covering the foundations of HR—employment law, hiring disciplines, and labor relations.
You'll also cover affirmative action and diversity considerations; retention, recruiting, and hiring decisions; and how to build a high-performance workplace, including performance appraisals, remote work, workplace communication, motivation, digital media, and compensation and benefits.
Training prepares you for HRCI's Professional in Human Resources (PHR) exam, with helpful groundwork for two related exams: SHRM's Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) exam and HRCI's Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) exam.
Job Outlook for Human Resources Professionals
HR professionals work in nearly every industry, typically in offices during regular business hours, with some travel for professional meetings or recruiting depending on the role.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for human resource managers is $140,030, with over 17,000 openings projected annually through 2033. The median annual salary for human resources specialists is $72,910, with over 86,000 openings projected annually through 2033.
Course Objectives
- Gain the knowledge needed to sit for the aPHR, PHR, or SHRM-CP certification exams
- Get a broad overview of HR professional practices
- Handle recruitment, performance appraisals, and training processes
- Make strategic decisions on compensation and job evaluation
- Learn foundational U.S. employment law and regulations
- Understand OSHA rules on employee health and safety
- Review retention strategies
- Study remote work and diversity considerations
Prerequisites & Certification Requirements
There are no prerequisites beyond basic computer knowledge.
- aPHR exam: no HR experience required; a high school diploma is needed, with no additional education required.
- SHRM-CP exam: no HR experience or degree required, though a working knowledge of HR practices or a degree from a SHRM Academically Aligned program is recommended.
- PHR exam: requires one of the following:
- 1+ year in a professional-level HR position with a master's degree or higher
- 2+ years in a professional-level HR position with a bachelor's degree
- 4+ years in a professional-level HR position with less than a bachelor's degree
