Students in the James M. Hull College of Business at Augusta University are gaining a competitive edge when entering the workforce thanks to a new opportunity to earn the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) certification while still in college.  

The Society for Human Resource Management certification is widely recognized in the human resources field and demonstrates that someone understands how organizations work to manage people, policies and workplace culture. Through the advanced HR course (MGMT 4560), students study using official SHRM learning materials while also gaining practical experience in real-world HR operations.  

Beginning in Spring 2025, students who enrolled in Advanced Human Resources with Stacy Roberts, DBA, have the option to prepare for and take the SHRM-CP certification exam. The program is unique because Hull covers the cost of the certification and study materials, allowing students to pursue the credential free of charge.  

Roberts’ course is designed as a deep-dive into the day-to-day work of human resources professionals. Students participate in mock interviews, review and refine resumes, and work through hands-on applications that mirror tasks they might encounter later on in their careers.  

The class also brings industry professionals into the classroom. Guest speakers include HR attorney Chris Melcher, payroll specialists who have demonstrated how to complete payroll calculations by hand, HR professionals and business partners from ADP, such as Marcie Nelson. This allows students the chance to hear the challenges and best practices first hand from experts who are in the field.  

In order to help students prepare for the exam, Roberts hosted study sessions throughout the semester and during the summer. Nine students from the course have attempted the SHRM-CP exam and seven have passed. Those students are: Annastasia Eskew, Natalie Zahner, Makayla Downs, Krisha Patel, Elizabeth Damron, Emily Del Rosario and Amiyah Johnson.  

For many students, the process of preparing for the exam was a chance for them to connect what they have learned in the classroom with HR practices that happen on a daily basis.  

“Preparing for the SHRM exam was both challenging and rewarding because it required me to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom to real-world HR practices,” Eskew said. “Passing the exam was a meaningful milestone that strengthened my confidence and excitement for my future career.”  

Students said the support they were provided through the program helped make the certification possible without the financial burden while still completing their degrees.  

“This certification helps me stand out as I move into my post-graduate career and represents the unique experiences Hull College of Business offers to its students. I am grateful for all of their support,” Patel said. 

For others, the credential has already made an impact in their professional career.  

“With the support of Dr. Stacy Roberts, our class was the first to receive this opportunity, and earning the credential helped me advance from HR Assistant to HR Generalist within my first four months in the field,” Del Rosario said. 

Roberts believes earning the certification early can significantly impact students’ careers.  

“This is great to get early in their career to set them up for success and be competitive in the job market,” she said. “This is something that even seasoned HR professionals strive for.” 

For students in Advanced HR, the opportunity means graduating with more than classroom knowledge. By the end of the course, many leave with hands-on HR experience and a nationally recognized credential that can help them stand out as they begin their careers.