The area of human resources has become more complex with new laws, court decisions, and changes in business practices. The 18-credit, 6-course certificate is designed for those who are working in the area of human resources or desire to move into that field. These credits can also be applied to the Master of Administrative Science degree program.

Choose six courses from the following:

  • MADS 6602 Personnel Administration
  • MADS 6603 Law and Administrative Practice
  • MADS 6607 Collective Bargaining & Contract Administration
  • MADS 6608 Organizational Communication & Conflict Resolution
  • MADS 6609 Productivity & Human Performance [National Guard Bureau Approved Online Course]
  • MADS 6620 Human Resources Systems:  Approaches & Techniques for the Modern Workplace
  • MADS 6661 Managing Organizational Change
  • MADS 6662 Customer Service
  • MADS 6695 Advanced Employment Law

Course Descriptions

  • MADS6602 This course provides an overview of personnel administration focusing on a unified human resources management program, including the integration of human resources planning, job analysis, employee selection, training, performance evaluation, and compensation administration. This course is waived for graduates of the New Jersey Public Manager (CPM) Program.

  • MADS6603 Exploration and analysis of the function of law in a democratic society. Emphasis is placed on understanding the law as a legal and moral force guiding and constraining public decision making and action.

  • MADS6607 Analysis of federal and state employee relations laws and regulations. Topics include the bargaining environment, contract negotiations, wage and benefit issues in arbitration, grievance arbitration, and employee relations in non-union organizations.

  • MADS6608 Theories and models of communications and communications media: barriers to effective communication and techniques for improving interpersonal, group and organizational communications. Sources of conflict at the individual, group and organizational levels: methods of conflict management and resolution.

  • MADS6609 Definitions and measurement of individual, team and organizational productivity, effectiveness and efficiency. Models for the analysis of organizational and individual productivity and productivity growth. Techniques for improving productivity.

  • MADS6620 New approaches and techniques in human resource systems go beyond the theories and principles of personnel administration. A "hands on" experience that utilizes case studies in each topic allows students to devise solutions. This course will use case studies, lectures, assigned readings and recent rulings. State and Federal Court decisions that impact public, private, and not-for-profit sector organizations will be thoroughly examined.

  • MADS6661 This course provides an overview of the principles of organizational change in order to develop the knowledge skills and abilities to design and/or oversee basic change efforts, understand the change process along with the tools to conduct basic change efforts. The ability to change vs. essential for health individual and organizational growth and development, but change is often resisted for a variety of reasons.

  • MADS6662 Learn how to connect an organization with customers and to train and develop your staff and customers for a shared-learning environment for customer-focused action. Communicate effectively through newsletters, surveys, instructor outreach meetings, videos, press conferences, seminars, internet, e-mail and telephone. Exceed expectations through quality service, gaining trust and building a loyal customer base and civil coalition for a long term, satisfying and productive leadership.

  • MADS6695 This course is designed to provide an in-depth study of the essential principles and foundations of employment law for managers and human resource personnel. The course will cover theories and practical applications of contractual law as a source of employment obligations, public policy claims, exceptions to the employment-at-will concept, workplace torts, federal and state regulation of the employment relationship with emphasis on the various laws against workplace discrimination and controlling court cases, family leave, health and safety issues, wage and hour considerations, disability, and unemployment compensation. The course will be concluded with practical considerations concerning the present status of the various areas discussed.