Best online human resources graduate certificates 2021: Top picks | ZDNet

Are you a seasoned business professional looking to transition to a human resources role? An MBA is not your only option. For an inexpensive and short time investment, consider pursuing a human resources graduate certificate.

Businesses need human resources specialists who can lead people from all cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds. The human resources field continually grows as companies strategize how to effectively recruit, hire, and train a diverse workforce. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that from 2020 to 2030, human resources manager employment will grow by 9%. A certificate can kick-start a job in this field. 

Read on for our rankings of the top-rated online human resources graduate certificate programs, along with our primer on what to expect from this credential.

The best online human resources graduate certificates

Before checking out our ranking of the best human resources graduate certificates, please take a moment to read about ZDNet’s ranking methodology to learn how we select high-quality, affordable programs from around the country.

Unless otherwise indicated, data is drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard.

What to expect in an online human resources graduate certificate program

Because an online human resources certificate is a business credential targeted at working learners, many programs may expect you to show a few years’ relevant work experience in management. The certificate generally consists of four to five courses on par with lower-to-middle division graduate degree courses. You can expect to study coursework blending practical and theoretical knowledge of advanced strategic management, change leadership, and cultural competency.

To succeed in your graduate certificate program, you need strong business communication and self-motivation skills. Empathy and leadership can also help you succeed as you learn how to manage diverse groups of people ethically and responsibly.

Human resources courses

Human resources graduate certificates usually consist of less than 20 credits, or four to five courses. Most programs feature courses in organizational behavior, change management, and intercultural issues in business communication and leadership — foundational knowledge for human resources managers.

Strategic human resources management

This course analyzes the various organizational roles played by human resources managers in a healthy organization, including hiring, training, and recruitment. Students examine the various regulatory procedures and requirements to which human resources managers must adhere.

Organizational behavior

This course surveys different theories of individual and group behavior within organizations. Learners explore concepts such as motivation, change, and leadership and learn how to leverage organizational behavior theory to improve performance and efficiency.

Intercultural leadership

This course investigates the different ways that an intercultural environment affects business communication, leadership, and decision-making. Students learn how to apply theories of culture and intercultural communication to a management career.

Leading change

For this course, students examine the theory and practice behind organizational change processes and management of change. Techniques for change management covered include team-development procedures, goal-setting, and strategic interventions.

Human resources degree levels

A human resources graduate certificate, like other kinds of credentials, fits a certain niche of learner needs. The different levels of human resources online degrees exist to help different kinds of learners. For instance, if you want to work in education, you might want to consider earning your human resources doctorate.

Certificate in human resources

• Length: One year
• Cost: $2,000-$5,000
• Post-grad careers: human resources manager, training and development manager, program evaluator

A graduate certificate in human resources can help you progress from a low-level management position to a specialized human resources role, either as a manager, consultant, or change and development specialist. Most programs take less than a year to complete and cost far less than other graduate credentials.

You can expect to study fundamental topics such as intercultural issues in the workplace, organizational behavior, and change management in your graduate certificate program. The program also develops business communication and leadership skills.

Associate in human resources

• Length: Two to three years
• Cost: $2,000-$5,000
• Post-grad careers: Recruiting assistant, human resources clerk, payroll assistant

A two to three-year human resources associate degree might be a good fit if you are a low-level clerk or associate looking to transition to a human resources role with long-term potential for promotion. The degree’s curriculum usually touches on introductory topics in business, organizational behavior, and human resources management.

To succeed in this program, you need good written and verbal communication skills. The degree generally teaches some basic soft skills in business communication and critical thinking.

Bachelor’s in human resources

• Length: Four years
• Cost: $40,000-$200,000
• Post-grad careers: human resources manager, training facilitator, compensation and benefits manager

A four-year bachelor’s in human resources management can significantly open up your employment opportunities in the management field. Generally, this degree qualifies you for a mid-to-high level human resources management job, or similar position as a compensation and benefits manager, recruiter, or training specialist.

Students in this degree program study more in-depth topics in human resources management, including more coursework on management science and organizational behavior. Many programs may offer electives in group collaboration, diversity issues in HR, and conflict resolution.

Master’s in human resources

• Length: Two to three years
• Cost: $35,000-$100,000
• Post-grad careers: human resources consultant, training and development manager, human resources executive

A two to three-year master’s in human resources management can help you transition to a high-level management position in your company’s HR department as a human resources manager, consultant, or organizational development specialist.

The program’s curriculum usually covers specialized topics such as the history of human resources, racial and ethnic issues in human resources, and regulatory law as it applies to human resources. Some programs may give you the choice between completing an internship or a thesis as your culminating project.

Doctorate in human resources

• Length: Three to five years
• Cost: $40,000-$150,000
• Post-grad careers: University professor, human resources executive, employee education consultant

A human resources doctorate best fits learners aspiring to work in education, research, or an executive human resources role. This terminal degree combines research, advocacy, and leadership.

The program generally expects learners to develop a dissertation that contributes to human resources and organizational behavior-related knowledge. As such, you can expect to take coursework in leadership theory and quantitative research. By the end of the program, you will know how to train executive-level leaders and conduct large-format organizational research studies.

In conclusion

A graduate certificate in human resources is a perfect credential for transitioning to a role in human resources management, consulting, or program evaluation. And since many schools allow certificate credits to be transferred to a related degree, your human resources certificate might lead you to earn a human resources management MBA or master’s.

For more information on human resources management degrees and certificates, consult your local college or read more of our informational online guides.