CREATING MORE OPPORTUNITIES: CSU’S MS IN HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PARTNERS WITH SHRM

By Hunter Gatling ’23 / Photo by Ty Cornett

Charleston Southern University’s Master of Science in human resource management provides an opportunity for human resources professionals and students to continue their education and advance their skills in the HR field. These skills include leadership, benefits administration, recruiting, training, development, employee relations, HR management, and more.

“The Master of Science in human resource management was developed to provide the HR scholar-practitioner with the theoretical and practical tools necessary to be an effective HR practitioner, sit for an HR certification exam, or pursue further studies at a doctoral level,” said Dr. Ben Levan, associate professor of business in the Nielsen College of Business.

In February of 2022, the Nielsen College of Business partnered the MS in human resource management program with the Society of Human Resources Management, creating more opportunities for students in an already growing program.

SHRM is a globally recognized human resources professional association that provides skills and education that help HR professionals distinguish themselves in their careers. One of the ways HR professionals can do this is by passing the SHRM exam to earn SHRM certification. According to shrm. org, “HR professionals who earn the SHRM Certification report significantly higher levels of credibility as HR professionals. Those who earn the SHRM Certification report earning salaries 14% to 15% higher than peers who have not earned the SHRM Certification” (ww.shrm.org).

LeVan said, “Our partnership with SHRM provides our students with access to the SHRM Learning System at roughly half the cost. The partnership with SHRM ensures that our program covers all the HR areas of knowledge needed to be effective in the workplace.”

CSU’s program has been tailored to align with the curriculum of SHRM, providing students with an advantage that will leave them better prepared not only for the SHRM exam but also for their career in HR. It is an opportunity that has been embedded into the program, opening the door for students at CSU to advance and distinguish themselves in an ever-growing industry.

“We want the MS in human resource management to be one of the premier and most recognizable graduate degrees at CSU,” said Dr. Maxwell Rollins, associate professor in the Nielsen College of Business and director of graduate studies in business. Students who enroll in the MS in human resource management program can expect instruction provided by experienced business professionals at the executive level, flexible class offerings, and of course, SHRM certification preparation.

Students in the program can take classes online and/or on campus. Students who are actively enrolled in the MS in human resource management program are eligible to sit for the exam. As of this writing, 100% of the students who have taken the SHRM certification exam have passed.