Human Resources Graduate Certificate Programs

Updated: Mar 27, 2024

Human Resources is vital in any business; it concerns the management and organization of employees and oversees day-to-day personnel issues. HR is about managing people, and with those skills, you can work in many areas – for-profit businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies.

A career in Human Resources often needs education in specific areas and an understanding of the complex issues that HR professionals face. That's why you should consider earning an online Human Resources Graduate Certificate to excel in this vital area of employment and employee management.

What Are the Online Human Resources Graduate Certificate Requirements?

If you're looking to enroll in an online HR graduate certificate program, you’ll need to meet all the admissions requirements. These will naturally vary by school, but most will ask for the following:

  • Minimum GPA – usually 3.0 or above
  • For those who do not have a high enough GPA but passed the GMAT, the minimum requirement is usually the 75th percentile
  • Bachelor’s/master’s degrees from accredited schools – official transcripts required
  • Your master's degree should be relevant – typically this means a business or communication-related degree
  • For non-native English speakers, you may be asked to prove English proficiency through formal certification like PTEA, TOEFL, and IELTS. Some colleges might also accept ELS 112
  • Most schools will ask for two letters of recommendation from former professors or employers.
  • Application fee
  • Personal statement of goals or essay outlining your desire to complete the certificate program

What Type of Classes Are Included in the Online Human Resources Graduate Certificate Curriculum?

HR graduate certificate programs are made up of courses that cover different aspects of the discipline, most of which can be completed over just a few semesters. While each school has its own curriculum, common course titles include:

  • Foundations of Human Resource Management
  • Performance Management for Individuals and Organizations
  • Employment Law & Regulations
  • Human Resource Data Analytics
  • HR Management for General Management
  • HR Strategic Analysis
  • Developing Reward & Compensation Methods
  • Fundamentals of Staffing
  • Diversity in the Workplace
  • HR Management Ethics
  • Managing Employee Development
  • Talent Management

What Type of Careers Can I Pursue with an Online Human Resources Graduate Certificate?

There are many careers that a human resources graduate certificate will permit you to enter. Some popular pathways include:

  • HR Manager: Responsible for day-to-day organization of issues employees face. They may help employees deal with personal issues, workplace bullying, medical leave, etc.
  • Headhunter/Recruiter: These professionals find talent for businesses with vacancies. Recruiters are often self-employed but can also work as part of a firm.
  • Benefits Coordinator: Responsible for organizing, managing, and contracting benefits packages, and ensuring employees are aware of their benefit rights.
  • Employee Development Manager: These professionals are responsible for employee training and progress through the company.
  • HR Consultant: Working as an independent contractor, your job is to help businesses make the right decisions regarding most aspects of their employees’ work life.
  • Career Counselor: Your people skills and employee development background can help identify strengths and interests and make relevant professional suggestions to career-seekers.
  • Regulatory Compliance Officer: Working in an HR department, you could oversee issues such as safety in the workplace, as well as substance and material handling.
  • Volunteer Coordinator: Outside the business world, non-profit and charitable organizations need people with managerial and resource skills to best direct efforts.

Human Resources Graduate Certificate Programs List

Interested in a human resources graduate certificate program? Check out our listings below to find a traditional, online, or hybrid program near you.

Arkansas

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University of Arkansas at Little RockLittle Rock, ARHuman Resources and Organizational Communication

California

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San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CAOnline - Professional Certificate in Human Resource Management

Connecticut

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Fairfield UniversityFairfield, CTHybrid - Human Resources

Washington, DC

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George Washington UniversityWashington, DCHybrid - Human Resources

Florida

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Nova Southeastern UniversityFort Lauderdale, FLHybrid - Human Resources

Georgia

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Brenau UniversityGainesville, GAHybrid - Human Resources

Iowa

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Upper Iowa UniversityFayette, IAHybrid - Human Resources

Illinois

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Concordia University-ChicagoRiver Forest, ILHybrid - Human Resources
University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, ILOnline - Human Resources

Indiana

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Indiana Institute of TechnologyFort Wayne, INOnline - Human Resource Management

Kansas

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Grantham UniversityLenexa, KSOnline - Human Resource
Wichita State UniversityWichita, KSHybrid - Human Resources

Michigan

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Davenport UniversityGrand Rapids, MIHybrid - Human Resources
Oakland UniversityRochester Hills, MIHybrid - Human Resources

Minnesota

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Capella University.Minneapolis, MNOnline - Human Resource Management

Mississippi

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Belhaven UniversityJackson, MSHybrid - Human Resources

North Dakota

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University of MaryBismarck, NDHybrid - Human Resources

New York

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Adelphi UniversityGarden City, NYHybrid - Human Resources
Hofstra UniversityHempstead, NYHybrid - Human Resources
Iona CollegeNew Rochelle, NYHybrid - Human Resources
Manhattanville CollegePurchase, NYHybrid - Human Resources
SUNY Buffalo StateBuffalo, NYHybrid - Human Resources

Ohio

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University of Akron Main CampusAkron, OHHybrid - Human Resources

Oklahoma

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Mid-America Christian UniversityOklahoma City, OKHybrid - Human Resources

Pennsylvania

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Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PAHybrid - Human Resources

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Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo CampusGurabo, PRHybrid - Human Resources
Universidad Central de BayamonBayamón, PRHybrid - Human Resources

Tennessee

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Bryan College-DaytonDayton, TNOnline - Human Resources
Tennessee Technological UniversityCookeville, TNHybrid - Human Resources

Texas

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Rice UniversityHouston, TXOnline - Human Resource Management
University of North TexasDenton, TXHuman Resource Management

Vermont

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Champlain CollegeBurlington, VTOnline - Human Resource Management

Washington

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Central Washington UniversityEllensburg, WAHybrid - Human Resources

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