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1. Why Should HR Professionals Undertake HR Certification and Courses?
Undertaking HR certification and courses can make you more employable, establishing that you have developed your skills and setting you apart from the competition. This can then have a knock-on effect on your earning prospects, allowing you to reach higher salary bands.From a convenience point of view, HR certification and courses related to HR tend to be less time consuming than graduate or postgraduate programs, while still delivering a useful learning experience. Though you won’t find good quality free online HR courses with certificates, a number of the options listed here are very competitively priced.Finally, HR programs can build your confidence, giving you the reassurance that you can deal with any challenges that may arise.2. 12 Best HR Certification and Courses in 2023
2.1 Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) Certification from HR Certification Institute (HRCI)
HRCI is a US-based organization that offers HR certification and courses for various levels of HR personnel. Their Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) qualification is aimed at people in manager-level positions who want to prove their strategy skills, rather than dwell on the basics of implementation. The examination predominantly tests leadership and planning, with a lesser focus on employee engagement and talent management.To be eligible, individuals need to have either 7 years of experience as an HR professional, 5 years of experience plus a bachelor’s degree or 4 years of experience and a master’s degree or higher.Cost: $495 examination fee, $100 application fee.2.2 Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certification from HR Certification Institute (HRCI)
As a more junior-level qualification from HRCI, the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification requires candidates to demonstrate their knowledge of the more technical aspects of HR operations, particularly as they relate to US labor laws.The principal areas of focus are employee and labor relations, with some business management and talent management included.To be eligible, individuals need to have 4 years of experience as an HR professional, 2 years of experience plus a bachelor’s degree or 1 year of experience and a master’s degree or higher.Cost: $395 examination fee, $100 application fee.2.3 Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) Certificate from Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) Canada.
Membership of the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Canada body is a way for individuals to demonstrate they have a thorough knowledge of all HR processes as they relate to best practices in Canada.The CPHR framework is divided into 9 HR competencies that qualified individuals are expected to have: inclusion and diversity, employee and labor relations, organizational change and development, innovation, HR technology and analytics, workforce planning, learning and development, total health and wellness, and total rewards. These are complemented by 12 general competencies: business acumen, data and sensemaking, systems thinking, leading projects, ethical practice, personal agility, continuous learning, leadership, working digitally, relational intelligence, collaboration and communication, and coaching and advising.To qualify for CPHR membership, you must pass the National Knowledge Exam (NKE), have an appropriate level of post-secondary education, meet the experience requirements, and adhere to the code of conduct and ethics regulations.Cost: Fees vary according to province, including one-off payments for the NKE text and professional experience validation, as well as recurring membership dues.2.4 Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) Certification from HR Certification Institute (HRCI)
Another of the additional courses for HR professionals offered by HRCI is the Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) designation. This is particularly useful for those working (or looking to work) in businesses that are headquartered in the US but have branches abroad. The qualification principally tests global strategy and talent management, as well as the ability to develop an international workplace culture.To be eligible, individuals need to have 4 years of experience as an HR professional, 3 years of experience plus a bachelor’s degree or 2 years of experience and a master’s degree or higher.Cost: $495 examination fee, $100 application fee.2.5 Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) from Association for Talent Development (ATD)
ATD offers two qualifications: the Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD), which is an HR certification course for beginners, and the Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), which is aimed at more experienced HR personnel.The CPTD exam broadly focuses on three areas: personal capabilities (e.g., communication, collaboration, leadership), professional capabilities (e.g., curating learning tools, delivering coaching) and organization capabilities (e.g., talent management, data analytics, organizational development).The certification is aimed at people with at least 5 years of HR experience who can exhibit a deep understanding of HR principles.Cost: $975 examination fee for members, $1,350 for non-members.2.6 SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) from Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
SHRM is a US-headquartered membership association with a global outlook, offering some of the best HR certification courses in India, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), as well as North America.Their most basic qualification is the Certified Professional accolade, which tests knowledge of factual information alongside scenario-based judgements across their three core Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge (BASK) clusters: leadership (including ethical practice and DE&I, interpersonal (including relationship management and communication) and business (including business acumen and analytical aptitude).Candidates for the SHRM-CP qualification don’t have to hold an HR title, an HR degree or even have any existing HR experience. Instead, the certification is designed to provide people starting out in an HR career with a way to exhibit a base level of competency in the core areas.Cost: $410 examination fee for members, $510 for non-members. Discounts are available for military personnel, students and people who sign up during the early-bird period.2.7 SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) from Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
SHRM’s Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) is a more advanced qualification for more experienced HR individuals. Like the differentiation between HRCI's PHR and its SPHR awards, the SHRM-SCP is more about demonstrating strategic thinking than it is about implementation.The certification is also based around the BASK framework, with exams focusing on the 3 core clusters mentioned above, as well as 3 so-called ‘knowledge domains’: people (including employee engagement and retention), organization (including workforce management and organizational design structures) and workplace (including employment laws and risk management).Candidates for the SHRM-CP qualification should have at least 3 years of experience making strategic-level HR decisions. They also need to be able show they have completed at least 1,000 hours of either salaried or hourly HR-related work in the most recent calendar year.Cost: $410 examination fee for members, $510 for non-members. Discounts are available for military personnel, students and people who sign up during the early-bird period.2.8 Human Resources Management Certificate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Extension
UCLA Extension is a continuing education institution whose courses are approved by the University of California, Los Angeles. Their Human Resources Management (HRM) Certificate is awarded after individuals complete 36 units that cover a huge array of HR concepts.The required units include talent acquisition, ethics, compensation administration, legal aspects of HR and a whole host of other modules. As part of their learning journey, participants can embark on internships organized through UCLA Extension.You don’t need any experience to take part in UCLA Extension’s HR certification and courses, as they are aimed at people looking to make a career transition or get a strong theoretical and practical grounding in HR.Cost: $8,100 estimated tuition, $200 for the application and candidacy fee.2.9 Human Resources Management Certificate from Cornell University, School of Industrial and Labor Relations
One of several Ivy League colleges that has created a certification for human resources, Cornell University offers a 100% online course that is useful for anybody that wants their skills recognized by a world-renowned institution.Lasting 4.5 months and requiring an estimated 3 to 5 hours per week, there are 9 modules to explore: aligning employee performance with organizational goals, total rewards compensation, navigating labor relations, facilitating staffing decisions, driving engagement, employee training and development, countering bias in the workplace, fostering a coaching culture and consulting skills for internal HR.The course is open to everyone, from those with zero experience to those who already have several HR roles behind them but want a formal certification.Cost: $5,499.2.10 International Human Resources and Employment Relations Certificate from Penn State University, World Campus
Penn State University’s International Human Resources and Employment Relations Certificate gives HR professionals a global perspective on HR–related law, policy and best practices.The program encompasses four courses, delving into areas such as HRM from an international perspective, employment and labor laws around the world, the influence of globalization on HRM, and comparison of employment relations systems in developed and developing areas.Applicants should have two years of full-time work experience, either in HR or in an international role, as well as a bachelor’s degree.Cost: $12,082 per semester.2.11 Certified Human Resources Specialist (CHRS) from Michigan State University, School of Human Resources and Labor Relations
Michigan State University’s Certified Human Resources Specialist is a 5-week program aimed at those looking to embark on a fresh HR career as well as those who want to ensure their existing HR skills are up to date with modern trends and challenges.Modules teach skills related to strategic HR, operational HR, ethical issues, talent management, health and wellbeing in the workplace, employee experience and retention, providing training and development, and disciplinary procedures. Unlike Penn State’s certification, Michigan State’s is focused more narrowly on US labor laws and regulations around compensation.The HR certification and courses related to the program are administered via Zoom. There are no eligibility requirements, though individuals must attend all seminars and pass the final exam.Cost: $2,800 registration fee.2.12 Graduate Certificates in Human Resources Development from Villanova University, College of Professional Studies
Villanova University offers five HR certification and courses, which can be earned independently or put towards a master’s degree. Much of the content overlaps, so it might be worth focusing just on the one that is most relevant to your career goals.Options of HR certification and courses include the HR Business Partner Certificate (covering all the major HR bases), the HR Leadership Certificate (focuses on human resource strategy and achieving organizational objectives), the Inclusion & Diversity Strategy Certificate (suggests solution for fostering cultural competency and diversity initiatives), the Certificate in Organization Development (including techniques for analyzing organizational effectiveness) and the People Analytics & Research Certificate (using quantitative and qualitative research methods as the basis for strategic business decisions).Individuals applying to take part in Villanova’s HR certification and courses require a bachelor’s degree and an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (exemptions possible for those with appropriate work experience).Cost: $14,100 per certificate.3. FAQs
- Which certification course is best for HR?
- What are the most common HR certifications?
- What are the three most popular HR certifications?
