Curriculum alignment with the Society for Human Resource Management and Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards provides practical education that prepares students for careers in growth industries.

Davenport, Iowa, USA (April 23, 2014) — Kaplan University, a leader in higher education innovation, today announced two professional designations for its School of Business with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP® Board).

“Alignment with the professional standards of these two organizations marks another milestone in our work to synch the educational experience with workplace realities. These achievements provide evidence of our work to meet the needs of employers and further help our students develop employable skills,” said Thomas Boyd, dean of the Kaplan University School of Business.

SHRM-designated Human Resources Specializations
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, opportunities in the human resources sector are growing. Their research findings project 20.5 percent employment growth for HR specialists by 2020, leading to 61,600 new jobs and 36,700 replacement jobs. With this in mind, Kaplan University School of Business has partnered with SHRM to align the school’s human resources curriculum in ways that help students better develop the skills that employers value.

SHRM – the world’s largest professional HR association – has acknowledged that the following programs at the Kaplan University School of Business fully align with its HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates for minimum content areas that should be studied by HR students at the undergraduate and graduate levels:

• Master of Business Administration with a specialization in human resources
• Master of Science in Management with a specialization in human resources
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a career focus area in human resources

For more information on the human resources specialization programs at Kaplan University School of Business and their alignment with SHRM, visit: http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu/business/shrm.aspx.

CFP Board-registered Financial Planning Specialization
As many Americans are quickly reaching retirement age, the need for personal financial planning expertise becomes more prevalent. According to Money Magazine and Payscale.com, the financial planning profession is expected to grow 41% by 2016. Certification from the CFP Board can be a key differentiator for firms and individual financial professionals seeking to demonstrate the quality of their services and the value they provide to clients. The Master of Science in Finance with a specialization in financial planning at the Kaplan University School of Business is now offered as a CFP Board-registered program. Through this affiliation, students in the program will have access to curriculum content that helps them prepare for the national CFP® Certification exam administered by the CFP Board.

For more information about the CFP-Board Certified financial planning specialization at Kaplan University School of Business, visit: http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu/business/cfp-board-registered.aspx.

About Kaplan University
Kaplan University offers a different school of thought for higher education. It strives to help adult students unlock their talent by providing a practical, student-centered education that prepares them for careers in some of the fastest-growing industries. The University, which has its main campus in Davenport, Iowa, and its headquarters in Chicago, is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (http://www.ncahlc.org) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Kaplan University serves approximately 43,000 online and campus-based students. The University has 11 campuses in Iowa, Nebraska, Maryland and Maine, and Kaplan University Learning Centers in Maryland, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri and Florida.

Kaplan University is part of Kaplan Higher Education Group and Kaplan, Inc., a leading international provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Kaplan, Inc. serves approximately 60,000 students online and through 56 campus-based schools across the United States. Kaplan’s higher education schools offer a spectrum of academic opportunities, from certificates and diplomas to graduate and professional degrees, including a juris doctor degree. Kaplan serves students of all ages through a wide array of offerings including higher education, test preparation, professional training and programs for kids in grades K-12. Kaplan, Inc. is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company and its largest division. For more information, visit http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu.

About SHRM
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management. The Society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession. Founded in 1948, SHRM has more than 250,000 members in 140 countries and more than 575 affiliated chapters.

About CFP Board
The mission of Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. is to benefit the public by granting the CFP® certification and upholding it as the recognized standard of excellence for personal financial planning. The Board of Directors, in furthering CFP Board’s mission, acts on behalf of the public, CFP® professionals and other stakeholders. CFP Board owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™, and the federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. CFP Board currently authorizes nearly 69,000 individuals to use these marks in the U.S.

Media Contact:
Amy Hawkinson
Kaplan University School of Business
954-515-3603
ahawkinson@kaplan.edu
http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu/business.aspx