Courses Related to HR
Human resources (HR) practitioners -- or those who are interested in the field -- will find a variety of courses available through both traditional and non-traditional means to help them understand the broad range of topics that are relevant to the field. From courses on how to work effectively with others or handle conflict, to courses on benefit administration and strategic planning, the range of topics is wide and content available through local universities and technical colleges as well as online.
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Colleges and Universities
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Since the educational backgrounds of HR professionals may vary widely, and since many colleges and universities do not have formal programs focusing specifically on HR management, those interested in entering the field or enhancing their skills may need to take advantage of courses that cross multiple departments. Courses in training and education, business management, employee relations and even consumer behavior may provide useful insights to HR practitioners. A combination of courses in the social sciences, business administration and behavioral sciences is useful for HR professionals, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Training Through Associations
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Trade and professional associations are a good source of course offerings and training opportunities for HR practitioners. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) offers live programs, online seminars and certification programs through which a practitioner can be certified as a PHR (professional in human resource management) or a SPHR (senior professional in human resource management). Other relevant professional associations include the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI) and the American Management Association (AMA).
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Webinars
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Webinars are online training courses that can be viewed live or on-demand. Many are offered at no- or low-cost through various groups, including for-profit organizations hoping to promote their services and associations providing these resources to members as part of their membership fees. BrightTalk.com is an online webinar access site that provides a wide range of webinars on topics relevant to many in the business world, including HR professionals; courses are provided at no cost by the sponsors who use the site.
Podcasts, Blogs and Other Training Resources
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In addition to webinars, the Internet offers access to a wide range of course information on HR-related topics that practitioners, or those interested in entering the field, will provide useful. Podcasts available through iTunes, for example, include courses from well-known schools like MIT that have chosen to make their courses available -- at no charge -- to the masses. HR-related bloggers often provide courses online or in live settings that are promoted through their sites. Other training resources include a wide range of articles and information through for profit (.com) as well as educational (.edu) and governmental (.gov) sites.
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