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Human resources professionals recruit, screen and interview job applicants and place newly hired workers in jobs. According to a Payscale study, certified HR professionals are up to 25% more likely to get a promotion, boding well for any upward mobility you may be after.

Here's why earning your SHRM certification in 2026 is a career-defining move:

• SHRM-certified HR professionals report stronger credibility among peers and senior leadership, enhancing their influence within the organization.
• Passing the SHRM certification exam can lead to earnings that are 14–15% higher than those of non-certified HR peers.
• 71% of HR executives agree that SHRM certification increases the likelihood of obtaining a promotion in HR and list it as a preferred qualification.

Towson University’s SHRM Certification Prep+ Course is an interactive, engaging course that prepares students for HR related roles, including more senior human resources positions. This comprehensive course focuses on the skills needed to prepare for the SHRM-CP, and SHRM-SCP certification exams. For more information about the SHRM certification exam requirements, visit .

This course focuses on SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge^® (SHRM BASK^®).

• Leadership Cluster
  • Leadership & Navigation
  • Ethical Practice
  • Inclusive Mindset
• Interpersonal Cluster
  • Relationship Management
  • Communication
• Business Cluster
  • Business Acumen
  • Consultation
  • Analytical Aptitude
• People Knowledge Domain
  • HR Strategy
  • Talent Acquisition
  • Employee Engagement & Retention
  • Learning & Development
  • Total Rewards
• Organization Knowledge Domain
  • Structure of the HR Function
  • Organizational Effectiveness & Development
  • Workforce Management
  • Employee & Labor Relations
  • Technology Management
• Workplace Knowledge Domain
  • Managing a Global Workforce
  • Risk Management
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • U.S. Employment Law & Regulations

No prerequisites are required to take this course. However, the certifying body has requirements to take the certification exams.

Upon completion, you’ll be prepared to sit for the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP certification exams.

Learn from highly experienced, SHRM-certified instructors with years of hands-on experience in HR.

Maria Green, DBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CEBS has over 20 years of human resources experience in healthcare, higher education, hospitality, and human services. She is currently Director of Human Resources at Melwood, where she manages HR administration including employee relations, benefits, compliance and HRIS.

Gina Pomilla, MBA, MSOL, GPHR, SHRM-SCP is the chief human resources officer for a nonprofit healthcare organization. She is a senior human resources executive with more than 20 years of experience leading HR strategy across nonprofit healthcare, higher education, federal government, the public sector and global organizations. Her expertise includes total rewards, executive compensation, employee and labor relations, organizational development, HR technology, compliance, change management and workforce strategy. 

Gina holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in accounting and finance and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership with a specialization in human resources, a Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). 

Throughout her career, Gina has held executive leadership positions with nonprofit healthcare organizations, higher education institutions, the federal government and multinational corporations. Her experience includes service with the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Centers for Disease Control and Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, as well as leading global HR initiatives across North America, Europe, Australia, Russia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea and other international locations within the energy and oil and gas industry. 

In addition to her executive leadership career, Gina has served as an adjunct professor since 2019, teaching human resources courses and SHRM and HRCI certifications. She enjoys helping students bridge the gap between classroom concepts and real-world HR leadership by drawing on decades of executive experience across diverse industries. She shares her home with three beloved chihuahuas Cinghialino, Braciola, and Ghiottone who keep life entertaining and are never far from her.

Listed are the technology requirements needed to enroll, and complete, our Human Resources Certification Prep Course.

Hardware Requirements

• This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.
• Webcams are strongly recommended.

Software Requirements

• PC: Windows XP or later.
• Mac: OS X Snow Leopard 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Word (not included in enrollment).
• Windows Media Player.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download the .
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.