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  • Berkeley Global

Employee Benefit Plans

BUS ADM X450

40298
Delivery Options Online

Get an introduction to employee benefit plans: what they include and how are designed, administered and evaluated. Study the most common types of discretionary benefits, and learn how they are selected and administered. Explore legal requirements, administrative problems and available options, as well as government-mandated plans such as workers' compensation and Social Security. Examine important policy issues on sick leave, vacation, jury duty and leaves of absence, and learn how they are related to organizational culture and policy. Pay special attention to the effects of tax reform and other emerging developments in benefits planning.

Course Outline

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Course Objectives 

  • Define the basic types of benefit plans, including health and welfare and retirement plans
  • Understand how companies can use employee benefits to recruit, retain, reward and retire employees
  • Analyze and discuss the importance of employee benefits in helping organizations achieve their business goals
  • Determine what is needed to effectively and efficiently design, administer and communicate employee benefits plans
  • Identify plans governed by ERISA and understand the basic ERISA requirements
  • Understand the differences between various types of qualified plans and understand the basic qualification requirements
  • Learn basic principles of nonqualified deferred compensation planning
  • Gain familiarity with equity-based compensation
  • Recognize issues created by health care and welfare benefits and retirement


What You Learn

  • Management and planning
  • Social Security, Medicare and other government programs
  • Group insurance environment
  • Life, disability and medical expense plans
  • Managed care health insurance programs
  • Consumer-directed plans and tax treatment
  • Dental, long-term care and other plans
  • Funding and group insurance rate-making
  • Retirement plans
  • Qualified plan distributions and loans
  • Plan installation and administration
  • Executive benefits and nonqualified deferred compensation plans

How You Learn 

  • Lectures
  • Class discussions 


Is This Course Right for Me?
This course is aimed at benefit managers and HR generalists looking to supplement their background in employee benefits.

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Sections

Section 017

Sep 25 to Dec 04

Type: Live Online

Instructor:

  • Jeanine Hawk

Cost: $1,050.00

See section 017 Details

Type Live Online

Days

Th

Time

6:00PM to 9:00PM Pacific Time

Dates

Sep 25, 2025 to Dec 04, 2025

Location

Live Online

Schedule and Location

View Details

Instructional Hours

30.0

Location

Live Online

Delivery Options

Online

Available for Credit

2 semester units

Section Notes

There will be no class session on November 27, 2025.

Students will receive access to the course in Canvas on the course start date. Zoom meeting information will be emailed to enrolled students before the first class meeting and posted to the announcements page in Canvas.

In addition to the required textbook, students will also be expected to purchase a course pack with additional readings. The link will be provided by the instructor.

Fall 2025 enrollment opens on June 16!

This course applies to the following programs:

Certificate Program in Human Resource Management

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Required Courses

  • Essentials of Human Resources
  • Aligning Human Resource Initiatives With Business Success
  • Employee Recruitment, Selection and Placement
  • Effective Performance Management
  • Total Rewards
  • Employee Relations
  • Talent Management and Workforce Development

Electives

  • Human Resource Systems and Technology
  • Introduction to Human Capital Analytics
  • Employment Law
  • Organization Development and Change
  • Employee Benefit Plans

Learn More About This Program

Notes

Departmental contact: extension-business@berkeley.edu

Instructional Types

Live Online
Live Online courses provide an interactive learning experience with scheduled synchronous online sessions held via Zoom video conferencing (Pacific Time). Learn more about the Live Online format.
Online, Start Anytime
Continuous enrollment course begins when you enroll. You have a minimum of 90 days and a maximum of 180 days to complete the course.
Online, Fixed Date
Enroll in this course by its start date and complete it by its specified end date. There are no live sessions, but plenty of opportunities to collaborate with your classmates and instructor.
Classroom
Take classes in-person at one of our buildings or partner locations.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

All of our courses are taught in English. If English is not your first language, please use the following test scores as guides in order to be successful:

  • TOEFL: 90
  • IELTS Academic Format: 7
  • DAAD: C1
  • TEM-4 or TEM-8: Level 70
  • Duolingo: 125

Note: You do not need to submit test scores.

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1995 University Ave., Suite 130

Berkeley, CA 94704-7000

extension@berkeley.edu

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Course Fee

Jeanine Hawk

Dr. Hawk has over 25 years of senior level administrative experience in higher education at community colleges, universities and non-profit organizations. Her experience in education was preceded by her work in the private sector. Dr. Hawk received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science from the University of California, Irvine, her Master’s in Business Administration from Southern Oregon University and her doctorate in Higher Educational Leadership from San Francisco State University.

BUS ADM X450 - 017 - Employee Benefit Plans

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