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The SHRM Essentials of Human Resources is an introductory course offering a comprehensive overview of the key aspects of HR. It gives participants foundational knowledge and an introduction to the essential behavioral competencies for business success. This course is ideal for those new to the human resources profession or those looking for an effective way to boost their employee management skills.

Why Enroll in Our Course

Our course provides foundational HR knowledge and an introduction to behavioral competencies essential for business success. 

This program is designed to benefit new or entry-level HR professionals and those for whom HR knowledge is vital, including small business owners, office managers, representatives selling or supporting HR systems and services, international HR personnel wishing to increase their knowledge of U.S. HR practices, and job-seekers who are exploring HR.

Here's what you'll gain from our course:

  • Foundational knowledge about recruiting, hiring, performance management, compensation, and their legal impact.
  • Introduction to behavioral competencies to improve your judgment and decision-making.
  • Tools and resources to improve your job performance.
Plus, this course will provide an initial introduction to the SHRM BoCK , upon SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification is built. We proudly partner with SHRM, the world's largest HR association and a driving force behind the advancement of the HR profession. Be confident knowing our course was developed according to the highest quality standards by leading HR experts and legal counsel.   

Benefits of the Training

Benefits for employees

Through the SHRM Essentials of Human Resources course, participants will gain the following:

  • Practical expertise that can immediately impact job performance.
  • A strong foundation of HR knowledge and competencies to become a better business person.
  • An understanding of the latest laws and regulations to help reduce the risk of costly litigation.
  • Professional Development Credits (PDCs) or recertification credit hours and a certificate upon completion.

Benefits for employers

The SHRM Essentials of Human Resources course can help companies increase HR knowledge critical to overall business success. This program:

  • Reduces the company’s risk of potential high-cost litigation.
  • Promotes a consistent understanding of the HR function to non-human resources.
  • Offers professional development for divisional or departmental supervisors to ensure HR compliance.
  • Develops a common dictionary of HR terms for the entire organization.
  • Enhances the importance of the HR function within the company.

Who Should Enroll

Designed as a thorough introduction to HR Basics, the SHRM Essentials of Human Resources course provides a solid foundation in human resource management and is effective training across multiple job responsibilities and career paths. This course is for:

  • New and junior HR practitioners who need to increase their knowledge base.
  • Small business owners or office managers who perform the HR function for their company and business managers who want to learn basic HR best practices to avoid costly litigation.
  • New or experienced managers interested in learning more about employee management skills.
  • Representatives selling or supporting HR systems and services.
  • International HR personnel wishing to increase their knowledge of U.S. HR practices.
  • Job seekers who are investigating HR as a new career option or want to enhance their resume with HR skills.

There are no eligibility requirements.

Course Details and Options

Prince George's Community College courses are specifically tailored to meet the needs of adult learners. Courses are taught by SHRM-certified instructors experienced in the HR field. Students are expected to complete all assigned readings and activities before each class.

Course Details

Spring 2025
April 07 – May 12, 2025

Course Number: 14517
Day: Monday
Time: 6–9 p.m.
Location: Remote

Tuition

$580 (includes a $245 lab fee to cover your training materials)

Classroom Sessions Include:

  • Materials (Reference eBook, Activities eBook)
  • Interactive Software

Course Topics

The Essentials Learning System includes six modules of study. The module content is embedded online, in e-reader format, and in print. 

  • Leads with Purpose
  • Maximizes Talent
  • Champions Culture
  • Optimizes Intelligence
  • Accelerates Performance
  • Knows the Law (U.S.)

View the topics and details below.

Topics and Details

 This program includes the following modules: 

Topic 1: Leads with Purpose
  • Demonstrating HR’s value 
  • The role of HR 
  • The SHRM BASK™ 
  • Progression of the HR role 
  • Defining a successful HR practice 
  • Thinking strategically within HR 
  • SHRM Organizational Capability Model 
Topic 2: Maximizes Talent 
  • New-hire experience 
  • Preboarding 
  • Orientation 
  • Onboarding 
  • Employee engagement impact on health 
  • Gaining engagement feedback 
  • Addressing mental health 
  • Coaching and feedback 
  • Talent development 
  • Performance management 
  • Total rewards 
Topic 3: Champions Culture
  • Workplace culture 
  • Culture-building process 
  • Different forms of diversity 
  • Achieving cognitive diversity 
  • Benefits of cognitive diversity 
  • Unconscious and conscious bias 
  • Benefits of an inclusive culture 
  • HR’s role in conflict 
  • Strong conflict management cultures 
  • Types of conflict 
  • Methods for managing conflict 
  • Corporate social responsibility 
  • Compliance culture 
Topic 4: Optimizes Intelligence 
  • Technology types 
  • Digital transformation framework 
  • People analytics project framework 
Topic 5: Accelerates Performance
  • Strategic planning process 
  • Impacts to organizational strategy 
  • Levels of strategy 
  • Common metrics 
  • Talent acquisition components 
  • Employment brand 
  • Workforce planning 
  • Candidate experience 
  • Hiring 
  • DE&I in talent acquisition 
  • Engaging your workforce 
  • Change audiences and models 
Topic 6: Knows the Law (U.S.)
  • Employees and independent contractors 
  • Exempt and nonexempt 
  • Protected classes 
  • History of U.S. federal employment laws 
  • Inclusion and awareness of invisible disabilities 
  • Laws protecting individuals with disabilities 
  • Discrimination accusations best practices
  • Unlawful employment practices

Additional Information

Interested in Training Your Team?

Please contact Ms. Gnansi Konan at 301-546-0032 or konange@pgcc.edu for more information.

SHRM-Recertification

For more information on SHRM-Recertification, click here.

Product or HR Information

SHRM Resources
Join SHRM
SHRM Learning System

eLearning Methods at PGCC

Online

Learning on your own time

Students taking an online class can access course content 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and discuss using Canvas with their instructors and fellow learners. Our instructors use Canvas to set deadlines and due dates for assignments, tests, projects, and other course assignments.

Remote

Learning in real-time

Students who take a remote class will meet online via the Canvas platform at scheduled times with set deadlines and due dates. They will access learning materials, assignments, and discussions via Canvas.

How to Register

Registering online via Owl Link is the fastest and gives you the best chance to get the classes you want. You’ll need an email address and a credit card to register online.

  • If you have enrolled before, click here to log in and register.
  • If you are a new student, click here to create a student account. Follow the prompts. You’ll receive two emails with your login name and password information. Use these to log in to Owl Link from www.pgcc.edu 

Click here for instructions on logging in to Owl Link, searching, and registering for our Continuing Education classes.

Students are encouraged to register for classes on their own through Owl Link but may also submit a registration form online to the Office of Records and Registration.

Contact Information

Gnansi Konan
Business and Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator
Prince George’s Community College
301-546-0032 | konange@pgcc.edu