Certified Human Resources Specialist Program - CHRS

REGISTRATION: $2,800
REGISTER2025 Program Catalog Now Available
We are thrilled to share our 2025 Program Catalog and invite you to explore the programs we have planned for the coming year.
ADVANCING YOUR HR CAREER: CERTIFIED HR SPECIALIST
The Certified Human Resources Specialist (CHRS) is for aspiring and new HR professionals, as well as experienced HR professionals dedicated to keeping their knowledge and skills current, so they are ready to meet today's challenges.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW: CERTIFIED HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST
This program will prepare you to successfully engage in a broad range of HRM activities, expanding opportunities to advance your career by helping achieve your organization's goals. The Certified HR Specialist program delivers hands-on, practical knowledge that you can apply immediately in your day-to-day work.
The program presenters were engaging, knowledgeable, and great at explaining things in a way that applies to real-life situations. The way they conducted the sessions made me feel comfortable sharing ideas. The content of the class was great…all topics I can use in my job.
THE PATH TO HR EXCELLENCE WITH MSU SHRLR
By attending this program, you will learn:
- How to develop and implement both strategic and operational HR management policies that will drive individual and organizational success
- Ethical issues facing HR practitioners and how to navigate them
- How to recruit and retain a diverse workforce
- Steps to maintain a safe and healthy working environment for all employees
- Strategies for creating a positive employee experience to enhance performance and retention
- The most up-to-date federal employment and labor laws to ensure your workplace remains compliant
- How to provide effective training and development opportunities
- Detailed processes to develop and implement effective corrective action/disciplinary procedures
- Key concepts in compensation, benefits, labor relations, and more
Invest in Yourself - REGISTER HERE
$2,800
*Payment in full is required before course start date. Course fee includes instructor-led interactive sessions, access to online learning community, program tools and resources
WHY CERTIFY?
Earning your professional certification from MSU's School of Human Resources & Labor Relations, one of the best and most respected programs in the country, demonstrates mastery of content and commitment to the field of human resources management.
Mastery of course content will be evaluated via an online examination or successful completion of 15 online learning reviews.
THE CHRS DESIGNATION
Individuals who successfully complete the course requirements will be recognized by Michigan State University's School of Human Resources & Labor Relations as a Certified Human Resources Specialist. They are then entitled to use the designation CHRS after their name.
They should expect a notification with their certificate via email two- to three-weeks after the completion of the program.
Certifications are valid for 2 years. Stay up to date in this ever-changing field through biannual recertification. MSU's recertification program provides recognition and validation for lifelong learning and professional development in which HR professionals regularly engage. Learn how to maintain your certifications.
ADDITIONAL HR PROGRAMS
SELECT A DATE TO REGISTER
- March 12 - April 11, 2025 // 8:30am - 12:30pm ET
March 12 - April 11, 2025
Meeting Wednesdays and Fridays
8:30am - 12:30pm ET
Live Interactive Program via ZoomREGISTRATION FEE: $2,800
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
- This is a 5-week program meeting on Wednesdays & Fridays from 8:30am - 12:30pm ET
- Week 1: Wednesday, March 12 & Friday, March 14, 2025
- Week 2: Wednesday, March 19 & Friday, March 21, 2025
- Week 3: Wednesday, March 26 & Friday, March 28, 2025
- Week 4: Wednesday, April 2 & Friday, April 4, 2025
- Week 5: Wednesday, April 9 & Friday, April 11, 2025
- This is a 5-week program meeting on Wednesdays & Fridays from 8:30am - 12:30pm ET
- September 9 - October 10, 2025 // 12:00pm - 4:00pm ET
September 9 - October 10, 2025
Meeting Tuesdays & Fridays
12:00pm - 4:00pm ET
Live Interactive Program via ZoomREGISTRATION FEE: $2,800
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
- This is a 5-week program meeting on Tuesdays & Fridays from 12:00pm - 4:00pm ET
- Week 1: Tuesday, September 9 & Friday, September 12, 2025
- Week 2:
Tuesday , September 16 & Friday, September 19, 2025 - Week 3:
Tuesday , September 23 & Friday, September 26, 2025 - Week 4:
Tuesday , September 30 & Friday, October 3, 2025 - Week 5:
Tuesday , October 7 & Friday, October 10, 2025
- This is a 5-week program meeting on Tuesdays & Fridays from 12:00pm - 4:00pm ET
- All of our classes include strategies to maximize learning and ensure an enjoyable, informative learning experience.
MSU employee discount & education assistance available. Please contact Kristi White at whitekr@msu.edu for more information.
AGENDA
- Module 1:
- Introduction to Human Resources Management
- Key Competencies for HR Professionals
- Strategic Human Resources Management
- Communications and Demonstrating Value
- Module 2:
- Employment Law
- Ethics
- Recordkeeping and Reporting
- Module 3:
- Job Analysis and Design
- Workforce Planning Analytics
- Recruitment, Sourcing and Selection
- Module 4:
- Training and Development
- Performance Management
- Employee Retention
- Compensation and Benefits
- Module 5:
- Health, Safety and Security
- Employee Discipline and Separation
- Labor Relations
INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Tina M. Riley, is an Associate Professor in the School of Human Resources and Labor Relations at Michigan State University and served as the School's Director of Professional Development and Associate Director for 20 years.
She is a results-based educator and executive coach with expertise helping individual leaders, and organizations, achieve their full potential through high-impact communications that build trust and promote inclusion and engagement.
Her engaging and holistic approach to teaching facilitates learners' ability to move from theory to practice. Her teaching style makes complex concepts accessible to graduate students and seasoned professionals alike. Dr. Riley teaches academic and professional development classes including leadership and interpersonal skills development, labor relations, developing inclusive workplaces and conducting workplace investigations.
With her passionate and engaging style, Dr. Riley develops and presents customized leadership development programs for both public and private sector organizations, from manufacturing to the courts. Organizational leaders and HR professionals from across the globe including Bahrain, Cameroon, Canada, Georgia, India, and Nigeria report finding her programs to be highly beneficial both for individuals, teams, and organizations.
Dr. Riley holds a PhD in Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education, with a concentration in Communications, and a Master of Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University.
REGISTRATION POLICY
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Registration will close 2 business days before the start of the program or earlier if program enrollment reaches capacity of 30.
CANCELLATION POLICY
- Cancellation more than 30 calendar days before program start date: Full refund
- Cancellation 14 – 29 calendar days prior to program start date: 50% cancellation fee, remainder of program fee refunded
- Cancellation 13 or fewer calendar days prior to program start date: No refund
- Cancellation fees may be waived if the participant registers and attends the same program within 12 months. Fees may only be waived once.
- Participants may send a substitute from the same organization for the same program and date by notifying Kristi White via email at least 5 calendar days in advance of program start date.
MSU reserves the right to cancel programs when enrollment criteria are not met or for conditions beyond its control. Any additional costs incurred by the enrollee of canceled programs are the responsibility of the enrollee.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- MSU's Federal ID Number is 38-6005984
- Business casual attire.
- Please, no audio or video recording.
RECERTIFICATION CREDIT HOURS

This program has been approved for 32.5 continuing education credit hours towards Professional Development Program recertification.
Learn more about Recertification
Questions? We would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding this or any of our training programs. Please contact Director of Professional Development, Melanie Zaremba at mzaremba@msu.edu.