Welcome to the PSHRA Public Sector HR Essentials Program!

The course is designed to meet the unique needs of the public sector HR professional.

 Do you want to become an IPMA-HR Certified Professional (IPMA-CP)?  

 Look no further as you have come to the right place!

This is a public sector focused credential for qualified HR professionals in an entry-or mid-level career position. 

As a foundational course, the Public Sector HR Essentials Program covers all the major areas of a public sector human resources operation outlined in the following eight modules:

• Public Sector HR Basics
• Recruitment
• Selection
• Classification/Compensation
• Benefits
• Labor and Employee Relations
• Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity
• Organizational Development

Engage with your Classmates:

You are required to comment on at least two of your classmates post for each assignment and attend at least 2 of the 3 Q&A sessions (via Zoom).  The Q&A schedule will be sent to you separately via e-mail.

Please click on the "Course Materials" tab above to download the following materials:

• Course E-book

Provided in a flexible online format, you can expect to complete each module at your pace over a period of 2 weeks (unless marked accelerated). You will benefit from the expertise of top public sector HR professionals who understand the unique issues, challenges and opportunities of human resources in the government environment. 

Upon completing all 8 modules, you will receive a certificate of completion and are one step closer to IPMA-CP certification.

IPMA-CP Certification: Upon conclusion of Module 8, after completing all the exercises and attempting the practice exams, you will automatically receive a certificate of completion.  This does NOT confirm IPMA-CP certification.  At the beginning of the course, an exam declaration was provided to state whether you wish to take the IPMA-CP certification exam.  You will be asked to give acknowledgement at the beginning of the exam, which states the exam is closed book and copyrighted. 

Certification Exam:   The IPMA-CP exam can be accessed as part of your course package under "IPMA-CP Exam".  You must activate your exam with the green "Activate" button as of the last day of the course.  Once activated, your 45 day window to study and take the exam will begin.  Should you let the 45-day period lapse, there will be an additional $100 fee to test (subject to change).  You will login to https://learning.ipma-hr.org to view your exam as you did with your course.

As a foundational course, the Public Sector HR Essentials Program covers all the major areas of a public sector human resources operation outlined in the following eight modules:

Module 1: Public Sector HR Basics

Module 2: Recruitment

Module 3: Selection (Accelerated - 1 week)

Module 4: Classification and Compensation

Module 5: Benefits (Accelerated - 1 week)

Module 6: Labor and Employee Relations

Module 7: Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity

Module 8: Organizational Development (10 days)

Provided in a flexible online format, you can expect to complete each module at your pace over a period of 2 weeks unless marked differently. You are required to comment on at least two of your classmates post and attend at least 3 of the 4 Course Check-in Meetings.  You'll benefit from the expertise of top public sector HR professionals who understand the unique issues, challenges and opportunities of human resources in the government environment. 

Accelerated Course Schedule and Syllabus:
(please read this ENTIRE page for important course information and dates)

This course was designed specifically for new Human Resource professionals, or those seeking knowledge of other HR disciplines outside of their normal work assignments. The course will cover all of the major areas within a full-functioning Human Resources operation. The information presented is intended to provide a working understanding of each of the following disciplines:

• Public Sector HR Basics
• Recruitment
• Selection
• Job Classification and Compensation
• Employee Benefits
• Labor and Employee Relations
• EEO and Diversity
• Organizational Development

The course is divided into the eight subject areas, or Modules, listed above.  Where appropriate, we have included cross references to material or information contained in other Modules. This reflects the inter-relatedness of each of the functional disciplines within the HR umbrella. 

Materials used as part of this course include:

At the beginning of each module, we have listed the reading assignment from the Mathis and Johnson textbook, which is the main text for this course. 

 This online course provides a number of benefits to participants:

• Flexibility in completing class assignments on YOUR schedule, with the freedom of location and time of day;
• Opportunity to interact with other HR professionals from around the country;
• Addresses the needs of all types of learners, and those reluctant to speak in groups are drawn more readily into the discussions. 

Engage with your Classmates:

You are required to comment on at least two of your classmates post for each assignment and attend at least 3 of the 4 Course Check-in meetings (via Zoom).  The Q&A schedule will be sent to you separately via e-mail.

Module 1: Public Sector HR Basics 

(Suggested Study Time: 2 weeks)

This module provides an overview of the HR function in public organizations, and includes:

• Understanding the differences between public and private sector HR operations;
• History of laws that have affected the development of the public sector HR function;
• Review of the major laws and regulations that govern HR operations;
• Roles and responsibilities of HR professionals in organizations;
• Discussion of typical organizational structures;
• Use of Information Technology to enhance HR operations;
• Strategic HR operations;
• Professional HR Organizations;
• Importance of Ethics in HR.

Module 2: Recruitment

(Suggested Study Time: 2 weeks)

• Role of workforce planning;
• Planning and utilizing recruitment strategies;
• Executive recruitment strategies;
• Long term recruitment strategies;
• Importance of background and reference checks;
• Negotiating with selected candidates;
• Importance of evaluating recruitment strategies.

Module 3: Selection

(Suggested Study Time: 1 weeks)

• Selection in the public sector;
• Merit system considerations;
• Typical selection methods;
• Test development and design;
• Test administration considerations;
• Scoring methodologies;
• Use of preference points;
• Use and management of eligible lists;
• Other qualification considerations.

Module 4: Job Classification and Compensation

(Suggested Study Time: 2 weeks)

• Applicable laws and regulations that govern job classification activities;
• Concepts and principles of job classification;
• Job analysis techniques;
• Classification processes;
• Methods for establishing classification relationships;
• Importance of classification strategies to other HR disciplines.

• Translating classification into compensation;
• Pay for performance;
• Executive compensation;
• Importance of compensation strategies to other HR functions. 

Module 5– Employee Benefits:

(Suggested Study Time: 1 weeks)

• Benefits terminology;
• Types, characteristics, and funding of benefits;
• Selection and negotiation with providers;
• Budget and cost control;
• Applicable laws that govern benefit plans;
• Retirement Plans;
• Importance of benefits strategies to other HR functions.

Module 6– Labor and Employee Relations:

(Suggested Study Time: 2 weeks)

• Applicable laws and regulations that govern labor/employee relations activities;
• Bargaining units;
• Collective bargaining models;
• Forms of collective bargaining agreements;
• Work interruptions/stoppages;
• Laws and regulations that affect collective bargaining processes;
• Discipline procedures;
• Grievance administration and arbitration;
• Labor/management relations.

Module 7 – EEO and Diversity:

(Suggested Study Time: 2 weeks)

• Laws that govern EEO and Diversity strategies;
• Regulatory/oversight agencies;
• EEO concepts and employer’s policies;
• EEO Uniform Guidelines and selection policies;
• Discrimination complaints, investigations, and resolution;
• Reasonable accommodations;
• EEO reports and monitoring;
• Importance of diversity programs to other HR functions.

Module 8 – Organizational Development:

(Suggested Study Time: 10 days)

• Organizational culture and change strategies;
• Employee development;
• Performance management;
• Progressive discipline and counseling and coaching;
• Application of organizational development strategies to succession planning.

Expected Course Completion Date:  October 29, 2024.

Please note: Your IPMA-CP exam must be activated prior to October 29, 2024.

Course Check Dates (Subject to Change):

• Course check - in 1:  August 19, 2024 - 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm ET
• Course check - in 2:  September 12, 2024 - 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm ET
• Course check - in 3:  October 3, 2024 - 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm ET
• Course check - in 4:  October 22, 2024 - 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm ET (Updated)

IPMA-CP Certification Exam:

Upon completion of the course, you will be able to download your certificate of completion after finishing Module 8.  The certificate of completion is not your official certification credential.  Passing the IPMA-CP certification examination is required to become IPMA-CP certified.   

The IPMA-CP certification exam is included as part of the course package-2nd item.  The exam is administered online in this platform.   When you are finished with the course (required) and ready to take the exam, there is a green "Activate" button to click on. Only click on the green "Activate Button" when you are ready to activate the 45-day window. 

IPMA-CP Exam

The IPMA-CP exam is based on the Public Sector HR Essentials course.  Completion of the training is required in order to take the exam.  If you have not completed the course, please contact PSHRA (certification@pshra.org) at 703/549-7100 for further instructions.

Congratulations on completing the course!  Your examination access will expire (deactivate) 45 days after the date of receipt (for your specific expiration day and time please see "My Courses") — expired logins will not be reactivated. Additional logins are available for purchase (additional fee required). 

Tabs:

• Overview
• IPMA-CP Exam 
  • IPMA-CP Exam Declaration
  • IPMA-CP Exam
  • IPMA-CP Exam Completion Survey
• What's Next

To Avoid Connection Interruptions:

• Please be sure to use a durable laptop/desktop computer (versus a notebook/pad).
• A hard-wired Ethernet connection is better than a Wi-Fi internet connection.
• If using Wi-Fi (we do not recommend), please limit other Wi-Fi users (we recommend only 1 user).
• Minimize (or shut off completely) other browsers and items running on your computer to avoid bandwidth issues.
• Avoid taking the exam while connected to VPN access (working remotely) as that can cause issues.

Recommended Browsers:

• Chrome 60 or greater
• Firefox 52 or greater  
• Edge 14 or greater  
• Safari 10 or greater  
• iOS 10 or greater 
• Always use the most current version.
• CAUTION:  Internet Explorer 11 while using Windows 7 is not recommended since that does not support modern web design. 

Exam Navigation:

The IPMA-CP exam is closed book  (outside help or test collaboration is not allowed) and consists of 100 multiple-choice questions; you have 3 and half hours to complete the exam (must be completed in one sitting). An extra 5 minutes has been added so you can submit your exam (you must submit right at 3 and half hours -- please be mindful of the time limit).

• There will be 10 questions per page (ten pages).
• You can expand the test page by dragging on the bottom right corner.
• To advance to the previous or next question within the page, you may drag the “scroll bar” located on the right-hand side up or down.
• At the end of each page, there will be a "Next" button.
• After the first page, there will be a "Previous" button.
• A timer can be found on the far right bottom corner.
• "Submit" button on last page. 
  • IMPORTANT:  You must complete your test and submit your exam before the time limit expires. 
    
  • An extra 5 minutes has already been added (see above) so you can submit your exam (you must submit right at 3 1/2 hours -- please be mindful of the time limit).  
    
  • If you do not submit your exam before the time limit expires, your exam will not be saved and it will not be retrievable at a later time (test will have to be retaken).
• You will be prompted of any unanswered questions before the exam is submitted.
• If time permits and you have more than 5 minutes remaining on the clock (please be cautious with your time), you can click on the "Cancel" button and go back to complete unanswered questions.
• If you are finished and have answered all questions (unanswered questions will be marked incorrect), you can click on the "Ok" button.
• You will be prompted with a "pass" or a "did not pass" status along with your score.
• Please jot down your status and score for your records.
• Then click "Ok" and complete the IPMA-CP Completion Survey (see next tab).

Thank you,

PSHRA