11:21 a.m., Aug. 11, 2009----"People are our greatest asset" is a much-quoted sentiment of CEO Ken Chenault, known for the structured leadership development systems he implemented at American Express. It's a principle garnering more than just lip-service in today's human resources field, which is being reshaped by the concepts of human capital management.

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The University of Delaware is offering a new Strategic Human Capital Management Certificate for human resource professionals, focused on strategies to help organizations maximize their investment in people. Peggy Eddens, executive vice president of human capital management at WSFS Bank, is the certificate's program director. "Human capital management encompasses the idea of a company's total investment in its people, and its accountability for the return on that investment," explains Eddens. "This program is aimed at lifting the traditional human resource role to that of strategic partner in the organization, enabling human resource professionals to earn a seat at the table with top-level decision makers."

The certificate is designed to help human resources professionals strengthen their business acumen to strategically manage business partnerships, to oversee the human capital (human resource) function and ultimately to help the HR professional play a key role in the organization meeting its goals. The program provides conceptual frameworks, practical tools and techniques, and innovative practices that can be immediately applied to the workplace.

The curriculum is divided into four major topics: alignment of human resources strategy with organizational strategy, guiding change in organizations, strategies for building a high performance workforce and financial aspects of human capital management. Faculty are experienced human resource leaders with both academic and professional credentials, as well as many years of real-world experience in varied business environments.

The program has been approved by the HR Certification Institute for 43 (Specified-Strategic) hours of recertification credit for PHR (Professional in Human Resources), SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) and GPHR (Global Professional in Human Resources). The HR Certification Institute is the credentialing entity of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and requires certificants to recertify every three years through continuing education hours or other approved activities. More information about certification and recertification is available at the HR Certification Institute Web site.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of human resources managers and specialists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations, and that college graduates with certification should have the best job opportunities. In addition, the bureau recognizes the trend of human resource professionals' expanded roles: "Today's human resources workers manage [administrative] tasks, but, increasingly, they also consult with top executives regarding strategic planning. They have moved from behind-the-scenes staff work to leading the company in suggesting and changing policies."

The Strategic Human Capital Management Certificate begins Sept. 15, and can be completed in approximately 13 weeks. Classes take place on Tuesday evenings, and some Saturdays, at the University of Delaware's Downtown Center at 8th and King streets, Wilmington. A complete schedule and other program details are available at a certificate Web site.

Members of the Delaware Society for Human Resource Management receive a 10 percent discount when enrolling in this program. Other discounts and financial assistance are available.

For more information about this program, visit the Web site or contact the University of Delaware's Professional and Continuing Studies at (302) 831-7600 or 1-866-820-0238, or write to [continuing-ed@udel.edu].

Article by Nora Riehl Zelluk