Post Baccalaureate Certificate Program

Employees are the key to any successful organization, whether it be a small business, multi-national corporation, government agency, or non-profit group. Human Resources and Employment Relations (HRER) professionals are responsible for recruiting, training, managing, and compensating their organization's employees in a complex and rapidly changing environment. To be effective in this regard, HRER professionals need to continually update their skills and knowledge.

• Overview
• Admission
• Requirements
• Registration
• Schedule
• Cost

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Post Baccalaureate Certificate Program Overview

The Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate in Human Resources and Employment Relations at Penn State's University Park campus was designed to help HRER practitioners meet the need for on-going education in the field. Classes are taught by members of Penn State's graduate faculty and are held in the late afternoon and early evening. These graduate-level courses can be counted toward the HRER Master's degree if the student later decides to pursue it.

The Post-Bac. Certificate in HRER was established to meet the needs of working professionals by:

1. Providing an opportunity to get back into the classroom and learn about the many challenges facing the Human Resources and Employment Relations field
2. Giving working professionals a chance to "try out" graduate study without taking entrance exams, filling out lengthy applications, and committing to a full-time graduate program
3. Offering an opportunity to earn an academic credential (Post-Bac. Certificate in HRER) after only three courses (nine credits)
4. Providing the option of pursuing a Master of Science in HRER upon successful completion of the Certificate program
5. Offering convenient registration by phone

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Admission to the Certificate Program

STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE FROM A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY AND SHOULD SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING BEFORE COMPLETING YOUR FIRST COURSE:

1. A valid undergraduate transcript as proof of graduation
2. A completed online application (please submit a copy of this application with your other materials)
3. A one page statement of purpose, focusing on educational and professional objectives

Send official transcripts to:

HRER Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program
Attn: Graduate Staff Assistant
133 Willard Building
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802

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Requirements

Future students must have at least two years of professional experience before entering the program. Students must complete nine credits of graduate-level courses while maintaining a 3.0 grade point average. Two courses are required—HRER 504 (Seminar in Employment Relations) and HRER 505 (Seminar in Human Resources). Students choose a third course from a list that includes courses on employment law, diversity in the workplace, organizational behavior, work and family, labor markets, and special topics.

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Registration

To register for classes please contact Continuing Education at 814-865-3443. For questions regarding registration and scheduling, please call the Graduate Staff Assistant at 814-865-0747 or email her.

PLEASE NOTE: If you do not have a Penn State ID number you must complete the Graduate School non-degree application before registering.

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Schedule

Courses are three hours long, one day a week. They are scheduled in the late afternoon, Monday through Thursday.

Note: There are only a limited number of seats in each class for part-time students. Early registration is strongly recommended.

The schedule of Fall 2009 classes can be viewed here

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Cost

Students pay the regular per credit charge for graduate study at Penn State. The current cost per credit is $651 (in state) and is subject to change. The most current tuition schedule can be accessed here

Students are encouraged to seek financial support from their employers. (Some employers provide tuition reimbursement for employees).