Let's Talk Human Resource Management (HRM) Grad Programs!

[Nodaclu]

Yep! Been in Sacramento for most of the past 20 years. I didn't realize that you were here in the past as well. It's definitely a strange market. As you mentioned, SHRM (and its local SAHRA chapter) are very strong here. Despite that, 90+% of job postings ask for the PHR instead of the SHRM-CP. I think it's largely overworked Recruiters that aren't keeping up with the times. Half the time, even the request for the PHR has the letters jumbled.

It's just weird here. 

I'm wondering, with all of my years of experience, if I should attempt to go straight to taking the SPHR. Of course, I'm concerned about even passing the PHR, but maybe I should keep that in mind.

[Merlin]

Yep! Been in Sacramento for most of the past 20 years. I didn't realize that you were here in the past as well. It's definitely a strange market. As you mentioned, SHRM (and its local SAHRA chapter) are very strong here. Despite that, 90+% of job postings ask for the PHR instead of the SHRM-CP. I think it's largely overworked Recruiters that aren't keeping up with the times. Half the time, even the request for the PHR has the letters jumbled.

It's just weird here. 

I'm wondering, with all of my years of experience, if I should attempt to go straight to taking the SPHR. Of course, I'm concerned about even passing the PHR, but maybe I should keep that in mind.

I'm in the SF Bay area which isn't that far from Sac, and I can confirm that PHR/SPHR is pretty much looked at as the minimum bar for HR professionals here. When you get to the senior management levels, GPHR starts becoming a thing in bigger (particularly multinational) companies.

FYI, my wife's family lives in Sacramento (Rocklin area), so we're pretty familiar with the area. There is a possibility we may eventually move that way at some point. It seems way too hot for me though.

[dfrecore]

Yep! Been in Sacramento for most of the past 20 years. I didn't realize that you were here in the past as well. It's definitely a strange market. As you mentioned, SHRM (and its local SAHRA chapter) are very strong here. Despite that, 90+% of job postings ask for the PHR instead of the SHRM-CP. I think it's largely overworked Recruiters that aren't keeping up with the times. Half the time, even the request for the PHR has the letters jumbled.

It's just weird here. 

I'm wondering, with all of my years of experience, if I should attempt to go straight to taking the SPHR. Of course, I'm concerned about even passing the PHR, but maybe I should keep that in mind.

I think you should take the PHR, and then wait a few months and take the SPHR (although I'm not sure it matters much).  You might also consider the SHRM-CP exam.  Or one of the CCP or CBP courses/exams if you're wanting to go in either of those directions (I loved working in Compensation and got 5 courses through it before leaving the workforce).  Those are a doozy, but so much more specific than the PHR - I thought most were very interesting.

[Muldoon]

I'm in a similar boat, and once I finish my BSBA-HR I'm looking at ether Fort Hayes or CSU-Global as well. I've seen some other programs in the $12k range, but they are all MBA-HR, which wouldn't meet your needs.

Most of the higher level HR job postings I see here (Bay Area) ask for "Masters in related field" and HR certifications. So I don't think the actual degree will be as important, especially if you have the certification. For ~$400, even with a 50% pass rate, I think you'll have better luck getting the cert first then working on a Masters. I believe you meet the experience requirements for both PHR or SPHR regardless of your degrees, so you could always look into practice tests to see which one you think you can pass.

I myself am planning on taking either the aPHR or PHR after I've finished my BSBA.

[Sacricolist]

Have you considered Amberton University? They offer a MS in Human Resource Training and Development. They also offer a MS in Human Relations and Business. They also offer a variety of specializations which are very compatible with Human Resources. Website: http://www.amberton.edu

I also seem to remember they are pretty cheap. The semesters may be shorter too.

[dfrecore]

Have you considered Amberton University?  They offer a MS in Human Resource Training and Development. They also offer a MS in Human Relations and Business. They also offer a variety of specializations which are very compatible with Human Resources.  Website: http://www.amberton.edu

I also seem to remember they are pretty cheap.  The semesters may be shorter too.

They are only $265/cr + ~160/course for textbooks, so $11,460.  Works out to $955/course which is a great price for a MA degree.  And they offer 4 10-week terms per year, which is SO much better than a 16-week semester.  Have I mentioned how much I loathe semesters???

[Nodaclu]

So - at this point - here's where my thoughts are leaning (and still subject to change over the weeks and months ahead...)

On 12/13/18, I'll complete my last UExcel exam, and my degree should be conferred March 2019.

Starting in early January, I'll get to work on my PHR. As dfrecore stated, it is THE certification in the HR world, and I do believe I need to have it. I'll work on that through the first half of the year, and take the exam no later than 6/30/19.

On 7/1/2019, I'm strongly considering enrolling in WGU's MSML program, and utilizing my employer's tuition reimbursement program (up to $5,250 per year). Here's my reasoning for that:

1. I have 20 years of HR experience right now, and I'll have my professional certification in HR as well.
   
2. My undergraduate degree in Psychology gave me a better understanding of why people do what they do, which is a vital skill to have in HR.
   
3. A graduate degree in Management and Leadership helps me fill in a huge gap in my education/experience profile - I've never been a Manager at any level (the closest I ever came was 6 months as a Management Trainee in an auto parts store when I was 20 years old).
   

The reason for the 7/1 start is because it will take me two terms to finish, and that will allow me to start the second term on 1/1/20, which is when my employer's tuition reimbursement program will reset, giving me a fresh $5,250 to work with, and allowing me to complete my Master's Degree for free. 

So when all is said and done, my experience/education profile would look like this:

• 21 years of HR experience
  
• Professional in Human Resources certification
  
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
  
• Master of Science in Management & Leadership
  

All completed right around my 50th birthday. 

(Time does play a role here. If I were younger, I might approach this differently. But I need to find the highest impact of time taken and usefulness of my education, and I think this is it.)

As I mentioned previously, my aspirations aren't insanely high. The above feels like it should be plenty to land me an HR Manager job in a small company, in nearly any economy - good or bad.

That's all I want - to never hear another "we can't consider you based on your educational profile" and to simply feel like I *belong* in a role because I've earned it - based on both education and experience. 

[dfrecore]

So - at this point - here's where my thoughts are leaning (and still subject to change over the weeks and months ahead...)

On 12/13/18, I'll complete my last UExcel exam, and my degree should be conferred March 2019.

Starting in early January, I'll get to work on my PHR. As dfrecore stated, it is THE certification in the HR world, and I do believe I need to have it. I'll work on that through the first half of the year, and take the exam no later than 6/30/19.

On 7/1/2019, I'm strongly considering enrolling in WGU's MSML program, and utilizing my employer's tuition reimbursement program (up to $5,250 per year). Here's my reasoning for that:

1. I have 20 years of HR experience right now, and I'll have my professional certification in HR as well.
   
2. My undergraduate degree in Psychology gave me a better understanding of why people do what they do, which is a vital skill to have in HR.
   
3. A graduate degree in Management and Leadership helps me fill in a huge gap in my education/experience profile - I've never been a Manager at any level (the closest I ever came was 6 months as a Management Trainee in an auto parts store when I was 20 years old).
   

The reason for the 7/1 start is because it will take me two terms to finish, and that will allow me to start the second term on 1/1/20, which is when my employer's tuition reimbursement program will reset, giving me a fresh $5,250 to work with, and allowing me to complete my Master's Degree for free. 

So when all is said and done, my experience/education profile would look like this:

• 21 years of HR experience
  
• Professional in Human Resources certification
  
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
  
• Master of Science in Management & Leadership
  

All completed right around my 50th birthday. 

(Time does play a role here. If I were younger, I might approach this differently. But I need to find the highest impact of time taken and usefulness of my education, and I think this is it.)

As I mentioned previously, my aspirations aren't insanely high. The above feels like it should be plenty to land me an HR Manager job in a small company, in nearly any economy - good or bad.

That's all I want - to never hear another "we can't consider you based on your educational profile" and to simply feel like I *belong* in a role because I've earned it - based on both education and experience. 

I think this is both practical, reasonable, and smart!  I love the idea of not paying for the MA degree, that's a win.  Splitting it up between 2 years in a great way to do that.  We have heard nothing but good things from WGU here on this forum, so again, a huge win.  I think with those qualifications, you are right in thinking that your resume and experience will make a good hedge against a bad economy.

Good luck and keep us posted!  I want to know how the PHR is.  I would love to get my CCP, but it's expensive, so I won't spend the money.  But if I ended up back in HR someday, and the company would pay, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

[Nodaclu]

I think this is both practical, reasonable, and smart!  I love the idea of not paying for the MA degree, that's a win.  Splitting it up between 2 years in a great way to do that.  We have heard nothing but good things from WGU here on this forum, so again, a huge win.  I think with those qualifications, you are right in thinking that your resume and experience will make a good hedge against a bad economy.

Good luck and keep us posted!  I want to know how the PHR is.  I would love to get my CCP, but it's expensive, so I won't spend the money.  But if I ended up back in HR someday, and the company would pay, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Thank you!! That especially means a lot coming from you, as I know you also have an HR background. I might not have drawn it up this way from scratch at 18, but for where I was, and where I started from, this feels...right. 

My work colleague just passed the PHR exam a few months ago. She used BenchPrep HR to help her prepare, and she's letting me utilize the rest of her subscription so I can get a sense of whether or not it's worth the $379 price tag.

So far - I love it. I took the pre-test and scored 68%. By their metrics, I'm right on the cusp of passing right now, without any further study. But their system is definitely designed to fully prepare you for the exam. It's certainly a lower cost option as compared to the CEBS or CCP as well, and it's even more widely recognized.

I'll for sure keep this thread going through the completion of the PHR, then I'll start a new one for the MSML (I know there's been a few in the past, but what the heck - what's one more?) 

Thank you everyone for all of your thoughts and ideas!

[dfrecore]

I think this is both practical, reasonable, and smart!  I love the idea of not paying for the MA degree, that's a win.  Splitting it up between 2 years in a great way to do that.  We have heard nothing but good things from WGU here on this forum, so again, a huge win.  I think with those qualifications, you are right in thinking that your resume and experience will make a good hedge against a bad economy.

Good luck and keep us posted!  I want to know how the PHR is.  I would love to get my CCP, but it's expensive, so I won't spend the money.  But if I ended up back in HR someday, and the company would pay, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Thank you!! That especially means a lot coming from you, as I know you also have an HR background. I might not have drawn it up this way from scratch at 18, but for where I was, and where I started from, this feels...right. 

My work colleague just passed the PHR exam a few months ago. She used BenchPrep HR to help her prepare, and she's letting me utilize the rest of her subscription so I can get a sense of whether or not it's worth the $379 price tag.

So far - I love it. I took the pre-test and scored 68%. By their metrics, I'm right on the cusp of passing right now, without any further study. But their system is definitely designed to fully prepare you for the exam. It's certainly a lower cost option as compared to the CEBS or CCP as well, and it's even more widely recognized.

I'll for sure keep this thread going through the completion of the PHR, then I'll start a new one for the MSML (I know there's been a few in the past, but what the heck - what's one more?) 

Thank you everyone for all of your thoughts and ideas!

Yes, the PHR is more widely recognized - if you want to be a generalist or manager.  I wanted to specifically work in Compensation (I was a compensation manager when I left the workforce), so the CCP would generally be required if I wanted to go back in at the level I was in previously.  I had 5/9 exams completed when I stopped - but that's ok, even if I'd had all 9 done, my CCP would have expired...so I'd have had to go back and retest or get a ton of CEU's during that time.

Good luck!