Human Resource Certification Prep Courses Expand

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Global Campus received overwhelming response to its first spring semester offering of face-to-face preparation courses for human resource certification exams, and will now offer the program twice a year at the Rogers Global Campus facility.

The 12-week Society of Human Resource Management Learning System courses prepare students to sit for certifying exams for Professional in Human Resources and Senior Professional in Human Resources.

Due to popular demand for the human resource courses traditionally offered each fall since 2005, Global Campus opened these courses for spring 2010 enrollment at the Rogers facility, attracting 21 students. Each semester, up to 30 people enroll in the program, and seating is limited.

 The spring session began March 11 and has continued from 6 to 9 p.m. every Thursday through May 27. Registration for fall courses in the program will begin in August.

 The Professional in Human Resources and Senior Professional in Human Resources exams are administered by the Human Resource Certification Institute in partnership with Society of Human Resource Management. Content for the course and exams focuses on the core competencies required of professionals in human resource management.

"The demand for this course continues to grow," said Judith Tavano, program coordinator for the senior professional courses. "More and more employers recognize these certifications as value-added designations in the human resource management domain. Our numbers are growing as a result."

Growing enrollments translate to a growing number of certified human resource professionals in Arkansas. The Global Campus preparation course maintains an aggregate pass rate above national average.

"It's the faculty," said Kim Jones, team leader of Global Campus conferences and professional studies, explaining of the program’s success.

Another program benefit is the “ensemble approach” used in teaching, Jones said. Instead of using one instructor to teach the 36-hour course, the program offers a team of instructors who are certified and experts in the areas they teach.

The faculty, recruited from the local society chapter, includes Clifford Sandsmark, strategic management and total rewards; Patti Barnes, workforce planning; Colby Irving, employee and labor relations; Cathleen Hoffman, risk management; and Judith Tavano, human resource development.

 Contact Tavano, jtavano@uark.edu now for more information about registration that begins in August for the fall human resource sessions.