HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
BY WILLIAM E. BYXBEE

   If you’re looking for a new job or want to update your skills, professional certificate programs are an educational option that can serve as an effective employment tool.

Certificates are recognized by most employers as a significant academic accomplishment and can lead to new jobs as well as promotions for those who obtain them. They are also typically more relevant and focused for today’s workforce than academic degrees and can be completed in a much shorter period of time.

Human resource representatives are the ones you look to for staffing at a particular job location.
Following is a look at the Professional Certificate in Human Resource Management program available through San
Diego State University’s College of Extended Studies, which can help you in your job search.

Earning a professional certificate in human resource management will allow you to become more effective on the job, advance in your career, and acquire new knowledge and skills. This program provides a practical educational experience for those already in or new to the field of human resource management, as well as personnel, industrial, or employee relations.

This 24-unit program is authorized by SDSU’s College of Business Administration. The units earned from these courses may be considered for continuing education.

Among the courses available are Compensation, Human Resource Management and the Law, Health and Safety Management, Staffing, and Performance Management, as well as a noncredit course that prepares students to take the PHR/SPHR National Certification Exam.

SDSU’s College of Extended Studies also offers a Training and Development Exchange every second Friday of the month, September-June. You can join your peers and corporate experts from the San Diego training and HR communities to network and discuss current topics related to your training responsibilities.

Here are comments regarding these monthly exchanges by two of the participants.

Darlene T. Shaw, e-business analyst, NAVSUP Fleet and Industrial Supply Center San Diego: “The T&D Exchange at SDSU is exactly what’s needed for the busy person who needs timely information delivered in a user-friendly fashion. The subjects covered are applicable to any organization, be it public, private, or nonprofit. Lessons learned can be applied immediately upon return to work.”

Sheryl A. Wingard, Training and Logistics Engineering, SPAWAR: “The Training & Development Exchange series is a great continuous learning experience. The two-hour seminars are very rich with professional facilitators and varied topics.”

SDSU’s College of Extended Studies offers a wide variety of lifelong learning classes, seminars, and certificate programs. Career advancement courses are offered in many areas of management, leadership, and quality improvement while self-enrichment courses range from astronomy to Web design. Additionally, the College offers over 35 certificate programs, online courses, and many other learning opportunities. For more information on the cutting- edge opportunities offered in staffing services or other programs, visit the College’s website at www.neverstoplearning.net.

Dr. William E. Byxbee is dean of the College of Extended Studies at San Diego State University. For further information, call SDSU’s College of Extended Studies at (619) 594-5821, or visit their website at www.neverstoplearning.net.