There are two organizations offering professional certifications. The HR Certification Institute (HRCI) offers the Professional in Human Resources (PHR). It is available to candidates with a bachelor’s degree and two years of relevant experience. The Society for Human Resources (SHRM) offers the Certified Professional SHRM-CP. It is available to candidates with an HR-related degree and one year of experience OR to graduates of human resource management programs (during their senior year) recognized as being in alignment with SHRM’s curriculum guidelines. Because the Jindal School’s BS in HRM program has been recognized as being in alignment, our students can sit for the SHRM-CP exam during their senior year. To support this, the Jindal School offers as an elective the SHRM certification preparation course.
Both certifications are recognized within the profession as useful credentials. UT Dallas and the Jindal School have no preference for either and support students in their pursuit of one or both. The primary difference is that SHRM enables select students to take the exam while still in school, whereas HRCI does not.
