For the first time, Aurora University will offer the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) Learning System Course this fall in two 12-week versions: online and a blended version that consists of five online and seven classroom sessions on Saturdays Sept. 18-Dec. 18. The registration deadline for both series is Sept. 14. Classroom sessions will meet from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays from Sept. 18 to Dec. 18 in Dunham Hall, 1400 Marseillaise Place in Aurora. AU’s Dunham School of Business offers the course in cooperation with SHRM. The course prepares HR personnel for two SHRM national certification exams: Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). The Human Resources Certification Institute administers certification exams. SHRM sponsors the only nationally recognized certification exams for human-resource professionals. Vince Pellettiere, AU assistant professor of management, said, “Besides being a powerful tool to assist students in preparing for certification exams, the SHRM Learning System course also provides professional development for HR professionals and departments.” According to Pellettiere, eligibility requirements for the exams will become more stringent for the May-June 2011 testing window. “This is a good time to take this course and the exam before the new requirements go into effect,” Pellettiere said. He added that the class provides a solid foundation for managing the challenges HR professionals face in today’s demanding work environment. The course supplies a current reference of HR practices, broadens the perspective of functional specialists, and strengthens individual competencies and productivity. SHRM Learning System Course modules are: · Strategic management: The role of HR in organizations, strategic planning, scanning the external environment, organizational structure and internal HR partners; measuring HR effectiveness, ethical issues affecting HR, and legislative environment · Workforce planning and employment: Employee-rights legislation, legislation affecting privacy and consumer protection, equal employment opportunity/affirmative action, gender discrimination/harassment, organizational staffing, job analysis and documentation; recruitment, records management · Human resources development: Key legislation, HR development and the organization, adult learning/motivation, HR needs assessment, and HR department design · Total rewards: Key legislation, compensation and organization focus, pay administration, compensation systems, benefit programs, voluntary/government-mandated benefits programs, evaluating/communicating total compensation system. · Employee and labor relations: Collective bargaining, positive employee relations, work rules in union/nonunion environments, strikes and secondary boycotts, discipline and complaint resolution. · Risk management: Key legislation, safety, health, security. Course participants have a higher pass rate for the SHRM certification exam than those who take the exam without taking the Learning System Course. Cost for instruction and course materials is $950 for SHRM members and $1,000 for nonmembers; or $450 in book fees for AU M.B.A. students. Students who complete the course may apply for an optional three credit hours toward an AU M.B.A. certificate or degree. Call (630) 844-4917, e-mail vpellett@aurora.edu or visit aurora.edu/shrm for information. –END–

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