Best Human Resources Certification Degree Programs of 2023

The University of Virginia's main campus in Charlottesville, Virginia, offers a competitive Leadership in Human Resources Management certificate program that aims to help early-to-mid-career HR professionals advance their careers and qualify for high-level management positions. This program stands out as one of the best of its kind as it has been approved for 45 recertification Professional Development Credits by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), which helps professionals maintain their certifications. All of the courses included in this program are available online, making it easy for working professionals to complete the program, and students can take up to two courses that will count toward satisfying the requirements for the certificate prior to applying to the program.

Based in Stony Brook, New York, the Stony Brook University School of Professional Development offers an advanced graduate certificate in human resources. To accommodate the needs of working professionals, the program can be completed entirely online or on campus. The 15-credit program consists of five courses, including Foundations of Human Resources, Diversity and Global Issues in the Workplace, and Employee Relations and Labor Management. Students can use credits they earn from the certificate program to fulfill requirements in either the Master of Science in Human Resource Management or Master of Arts in Liberal Studies programs offered by the School of Professional Development. They can also be applied toward the Master of Business Administration offered through the College of Business.

The Pennsylvania State University World Campus provides high-quality online programs to distance learners around the world. Human resources professionals looking to hone their professional skills and advance their careers can choose from two certificate programs: the International Human Resources and Employment Relations program or the Labor and Human Resources. The former is a graduate certificate offered in partnership with the School of Labor and Employment Relations, whereas the latter is an undergraduate certificate that examines the relationship between employers and employees in the context of labor and management. Both certificates are available online, making Penn State the ideal choice for graduate and undergraduate HR professionals who want to develop their skills on a flexible schedule.

West Chester University's online certificate in human resource management is designed for both HR and non-HR professionals. The 12-credit program aims to help professionals develop core skills in critical areas of HR management, including employment and labor relations, compensation and benefits, employee and labor relations, and ethics. The curriculum is aligned with the curriculum standards developed by the SHRM, and with an asynchronous class schedule, students can complete the program on their own schedules. Students pursuing graduate degrees and certificates can join the school's Graduate Student Association to participate in workshops, attend social events and programs, and network with other graduate students, making West Chester University a great choice for HR professionals who want to expand their networks.

Located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State University's Spears School of Business offers a self-paced human resources certificate program that includes live, virtual workshops. These workshops help students develop well-rounded foundations in human resource management and hone their leadership and interpersonal skills. Students must complete six out of the eight available sessions to earn the certificate, and the total cost of the program amounts to $1,360. Each session consists of two hours of self-paced eLearning combined with a 30-minute virtual workshop with the program instructor. The program is aimed at entry-level HR business professionals with one to five years of experience and business owners who oversee their organizations' HR functions.

Central Michigan University is a public institution based in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school offers a four-year human resource management program that teaches students how to optimize the employee experience and recruit high-level employees. This program stands out by giving students the unique opportunity to work directly with Michigan companies as part of the core curriculum, including companies like Dow Corning, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and Thomson Reuters. Through these experiential learning opportunities, students will help companies recruit, train, and develop employees. The school's SHRM chapter also provides professional development opportunities for students, helping them enter the human resources field with a competitive advantage.

Indiana University and Purdue University partner to provide students with access to high-quality, affordable programs taught by nationally ranked professors. Undergraduate tuition for residents is only $299.05 per credit, whereas graduate residents pay a competitive $471.50 per credit, making this school an affordable option for students interested in pursuing a human resources certificate. IUPUI's Human Resource Management certificate program allows students to choose professional tracks based on their career goals. This includes a Compensation and Benefits track, the Generalist track, and the Industry and Manufacturing track. Students with unique career goals can also create a personalized track that suits their needs and interests. Each course in the program focuses on teaching students practical skills and emulating real workplace situations to ensure they are prepared to obtain positions in human resources management and leadership roles.

With locations throughout Michigan in cities like Lansing, Big Rapids, Grand Rapids, and Flint, Ferris State University is an accessible option for midwestern professionals who want to advance their careers in human resources. The school's Human Resource Management certificate program is available online or in person at many of the university's locations statewide. The admissions process is very flexible, only requiring students to have a high school GPA of 2.35 and/or a 16/900 ACT/SAT. The program consists of two core classes - Human Resource Management and Employment Law - as well as two electives. Students can choose from electives like Cross-Cultural Business, Employee Benefits, and Recruitment and Selection to create a certificate program that reflects their professional goals.

St. Joseph's University, New York, offers several human resources certificate programs that help individuals enhance their professional skill sets. St. Joseph's offers more certificate programs than most other institutions. This offering includes certificate programs in leadership and supervision, human resources, advanced human resources management, and management. The human resources management certificate helps students develop the communication, organizational, and decision-making skills essential to becoming an effective manager. These certificate programs can be completed online to give students maximum flexibility. St. Joseph's University offers certificate programs for both graduate and undergraduate students, making it a great choice for HR professionals with varying levels of experience. Those who want to continue their education can transition from a certificate program into the school's Bachelor of Science in Human Resources program or its Master of Science in Management program with a concentration in human resources management.

As the only community college on this list, Pima Community College is a great option because it offers the most affordable human resources certificate program. At only $87 per credit for in-state students and $308.50 per credit for out-of-state students, Pima Community College's tuition rates are extremely competitive. This program is eligible for Title IV financial aid, which may make it even more affordable for students who qualify for aid. The human resources certificate can be completed entirely online, and the program emphasizes key skills like recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, and employee and labor relations. The program is suitable for individuals with varying backgrounds as it is designed to help current professionals develop their skills as well as help entry-level professionals begin their careers in human resources.