Earning a human resources certification online will strengthen your expertise in recruiting talent for organizations. The best online human resources certificate programs also equip you with the skills to design and coordinate training for professionals to improve their on-the-job performance. Furthermore, a certificate program can deepen your understanding of employment law, which helps ensure organizational compliance with federal and state regulations.
As new kinds of jobs emerge, organizations need human resources professionals who can identify, vet, and help onboard the best persons to fill these roles. The human resources field continues to grow as start-ups launch and existing corporations increase their global footprints. Nonprofits also rely on human resources experts to help them hire, develop, and support employees. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 9% employment growth for human resources managers by 2026, though that career requires a bachelor’s degree. The BLS also shows that human resources managers earn a median income of $113,300 per year.
Graduates of online human resources certificate programs can find an array of career options. These include compensation manager, labor relations specialist, and training manager. Regardless of your job, completing this certificate provides the confidence necessary to perform your required duties. More importantly, it demonstrates your skills in sourcing and supporting the talent organizations need for success.
Human Resources Degree Program Ranking Guidelines

We selected these accredited online human resources certificate programs based on the quality of the program, types of courses provided, faculty strength, school awards, rankings and reputation, including the reputation for providing online degree programs.
The Best Online Certificate in Human Resources Degree Programs
Rank | School | Location | Apply | More Information |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
University of Virginia |
Charlottesville, VA Apply Now | ||
2 |
Golden Gate University |
San Francisco, CA Apply Now | ||
3 |
Indiana University – Purdue University – Indianapolis |
Indianapolis, IN Apply Now | ||
4 |
Judson University |
Elgin, IL Apply Now | ||
5 |
Thomas Edison State University |
Trenton, NJ Apply Now | ||
6 |
DeSales University |
Center Valley, PA Apply Now | ||
7 |
Hampton University |
Hampton, VA Apply Now | ||
8 |
Cedar Crest College |
Allentown, PA Apply Now | ||
9 |
Champlain College |
Burlington, VT Apply Now | ||
10 |
Benedictine University |
Lisle, IL Apply Now | ||
11 |
Ferris State University |
Big Rapids, MI Apply Now | ||
12 |
Georgia Northwestern Technical College |
Rome, GA Apply Now | ||
13 |
Northwest Technical College |
Bemidji, MN Apply Now | ||
14 |
Southern New Hampshire University |
Manchester, NH Apply Now | ||
15 |
Southeastern Technical College |
Vidalia, GA Apply Now | ||
16 |
Riverland Community College |
Austin, MN Apply Now | ||
17 |
Cardinal Stritch University |
Milwaukee, WI Apply Now | ||
18 |
Dickinson State University |
Dickinson, ND Apply Now | ||
19 |
Central Carolina Community College |
Sanford, NC Apply Now | ||
20 |
Central Georgia Technical College |
Warner Robins, GA Apply Now | ||
21 |
South Texas College |
McAllen, TX Apply Now | ||
22 |
Great Basin College |
Elko, NV Apply Now | ||
23 |
Dakota County Technical College |
Rosemount, MN Apply Now | ||
24 |
Davidson County Community College |
Thomasville, NC Apply Now | ||
25 |
National University |
La Jolla, CA Apply Now |
End of list, bravo!
The Advantages of a Human Resources Education
A human resources certificate prepares you to plan and coordinate administrative responsibilities to support organizations and the people who work within them. Companies and nonprofits want to hire the best talent, and human resources professionals play a critical role in that recruiting process.
In addition to roles as human resources specialists, certificate holders may enter positions like benefits manager or training coordinator. Moreover, earning your human resources certification online prepares you to facilitate workshops that help employees understand compensation, workplace policies, and equal employment rights.
Going beyond a human resources management certificate online to earn an associate degree in human resources can mean more professional opportunities. For most professionals, the difference between a certificate and an associate degree when it comes to annual income and the likelihood of career advancement is significant. The table below highlights some general statistics around median weekly earnings at various education levels.
Average Salary by Degree Level
Degree Level | Average Salary |
---|---|
Associate Degree in Human Resources | $836 |
Some college, no degree | $774 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Human Resources Degree Salary Information
Completing a human resource management certificate online prepares you for a career in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. The ability to manage hiring and training is an in-demand professional skill. Moreover, your education equips you with conflict resolution and mediation capabilities that employers frequently seek to ensure harmonious workplace environments. The below jobs require a high level of discretion, strong listening abilities, and effective communication skills.
- Human Resources Coordinator
- These professionals handle administrative functions like staffing, benefits, training, compensation, and workplace safety. They post job vacancies, review applications, respond to employee questions about organizational policies, and maintain employee records. An advanced degree could lead to a managerial role.
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Salary based on experience:
- Entry Level: $41,000
- Mid-Career: $45,000
- Experienced: $48,500
- Late Career: $49,500
- Human Resources Administrator
- Often the first point of contact for human resources-related inquiries, this professional posts job openings, schedules interviews, and handles employee contracts. They may also supervise other personnel in the department. Pursuing additional education in the field could lead to manager or director roles.
-
Salary based on experience:
- Entry Level: $41,000
- Mid-Career: $46,000
- Experienced: $51,000
- Late Career: $53,000
- Human Resources Assistant
- This role supports all human resources processes. That entails communicating with employees, completing administrative paperwork, and helping to onboard new hires and facilitate employee exits following voluntary or involuntary separation. An advanced degree could lead to promotions.
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Salary based on experience:
- Entry Level: $37,000
- Mid-Career: $39,000
- Experienced: $42,500
- Late Career: $42,500
- Human Resources Generalist
- This role helps hiring managers make informed decisions about onboarding new talent and maintaining employee relationships. They help supervisors devise strategies to identify quality personnel, like developing detailed job descriptions. They may also support functions like payroll and training. An advanced degree could lead to a director role.
-
Salary based on experience:
- Entry Level: $45,000
- Mid-Career: $51,000
- Experienced: $55,000
- Late Career: $57,000
- Administrative Assistant
- This position supports clerical responsibilities for managers and directors. Their work can include drafting correspondence, overseeing billing and payment, maintaining records, and scheduling meetings. Earning a degree can lead to career advancement, additional responsibilities, and increased pay.
-
Salary based on experience:
- Entry Level: $34,500
- Mid-Career: $36,000
- Experienced: $39,000
- Late Career: $40,500
Source: PayScale
Choosing an Online Human Resources Degree Program
It’s important to be informed when choosing the best online human resources certificate program for you. Carefully research the curriculum, faculty, and student services offered by each school. Determine how much you can comfortably afford and look for a program that stays within that budget. Selecting an in-state school may be your most affordable option since out-of-state public institutions and private colleges typically cost more. Below are a few other factors to consider.
- Program Cost
- Avoid excessive debt by ensuring that potential online human resources certificate programs fit within your budget. Determine the cost of tuition and fees, and explore additional expenses, like required on-campus residences. It also helps to research available scholarships.
- Transfer Policies
- If you’ve attended college before, look for online human resources certificate programs that let you transfer credits toward your associate degree. Also, find out if the schools that interest you maintain a transfer agreement with other schools so you can seamlessly transition to more advanced degree studies later.
- School Size and Type
- Determine if a public or private school most appeals to you. A public school likely costs less but may have larger class sizes. While online studies utilize primarily independent coursework, expect to engage in online discussions with classmates and professors. Think about how class size may affect the level of virtual interaction you desire.
- Program Length
- Decide if you wish to enroll in school on a full-time or part-time basis. Many decide to earn their human resources certification online because they work full time and can only study part time. This helps keep costs down, too, but it takes longer to graduate.
- On-Campus Requirements
- Some online programs require an on-campus residences. This means you may need to spend several days in face-to-face sessions, symposia, or workshops. Consider what this means for your schedule and life demands. Also, think about the costs you incur for travel and lodging during these residences.
Accreditation for Online Human Resources Programs
It’s best to choose an accredited college for your human resources certificate online program. Employers know accredited schools maintain academic rigor and are more likely to hire graduates from those schools.
Colleges focused on academics usually have regional accreditation, while those that offer career-oriented and vocational programs typically hold national accreditation. The best online human resources certificate programs boast accreditation from one of six regional agencies certified by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). For this reason, enrolling in a school with regional accreditation gives you a competitive advantage when applying to a program and entering the workforce.
In addition, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) promotes high-quality human resources management training through its programmatic accreditation standards. It offers an online directory of programs whose curricula align with these standards and reflect industry best practices. It also provides advice to those programs that wish to modify their curricula to align with SHRM’s recommendations.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Certificate in Human Resources?
In general, completing classes to earn a human resources management certificate online takes about one year. However, how long it takes you depends on many factors. For example, enrolling part time means taking longer to finish your program. Not all schools offer a fully online certificates, either, so you may need to attend some classes on campus or participate in a campus-based residence over several days. Balancing demands for face-to-face classes with professional and personal calendars can also lengthen a program.
Most online human resources certificate programs require 12-15 credits. The more credits you take at a time, the faster you can complete your studies. While enrolling in more classes can drive up costs due to heavier course loads, it also makes for a quicker completion time.
Courses in an Online Certificate in Human Resources Program
- Compensation
- This class considers how organizations leverage pay systems to better ensure their effectiveness. Learners understand how organizations develop pay systems and compensate employees based on performance. In addition, the class considers how to assess position descriptions to decide what compensation and salaries best align with them.
- Countering Bias in the Workplace
- Learners explore the psychological functions that influence the ways people interact with and respond to a diverse workforce. These processes affect personnel decision making, so those enrolled in this class learn how to leverage the potential that individuals with diverse backgrounds bring to their organizations.
- Employment Law
- Enrollees can examine federal and state laws that regulate employment and human resources practices. The class examines topics like overtime compensation, equal employment opportunities, and management rights. Moreover, it explores how to avoid litigation through conflict and dispute resolution techniques, which help to build skills in labor relations.
- Development and Training
- In this course, students learn to build employees skills within an organization. As a result, you can design and implement professional development programming to help strengthen best practices on an individual and organizational basis. This can include group or personalized workshops.
- Staffing Strategies
- This course offers a framework to ensure organizations achieve their goals by identifying, recruiting, and hiring the right talent. It encourages students to think about immediate and long-term organizational goals to make informed hiring decisions. Students also learn about employee separation and retention, as well as organizational rightsizing.
- Conflict Resolution
- These courses teach certificate candidates how to approach and manage conflicts in the workplace. Topics may include sexual harassment and discrimination.
- Talent Acquisition
- These courses teach students to evaluate resumes, conduct interviews and make employment offers. Certificate candidates may also learn about recruiting in the social media age.
Educational Paths for Graduates of Human Resources Certificate Programs
Some universities that offer certificates in human resources allow students to transfer certificate credits if they pursue degrees. However, certificate programs are more often self-contained. Even when credits do not transfer, certificate holders benefit from pursuing degrees, as many companies require their employees to hold bachelor’s degrees or higher.
- Associate in Human Resources:
- These two-year programs expand on what students learn in certificate programs. Graduates develop a deeper understanding of human resources theories and how to successfully apply the theories to the workplace.
- Bachelor’s in Human Resources
- As a four-year degree, a bachelor’s in human resources demonstrates that a graduate understands the profession. In these programs, students learn about human resources theories, research, laws and ethical considerations.
- Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management:
- These programs focus on the management aspect of human resources. Students gain critical thinking, oversight and communication skills that help them guide teams of professionals.
- Bachelor’s in International Human Resource Management
- International organizations face unique employment challenges. Students in these programs learn how to overcome legal, social, cultural and language challenges in global teams.
- Master’s in Human Resources
- Students with undergraduate degrees in any subject can earn a master’s degree to advance their human resources career. These programs delve into the complexities of human capital management. Employers recognize these graduates as experts.
Human Resources Membership Associations
Joining a professional organization is an excellent way to continuously deepen your knowledge after completing your human resources certification online. The conferences, workshops, and trainings offered by these networks can be invaluable. Membership in a professional organization connects you to others in similar careers for peer-to-peer information exchange.
- Society for Human Resource Management
- SHRM boasts a 60-year reputation in helping human resources professionals develop their careers. Members can access its publications, join its online community, participate in educational activities, and enjoy free webcasts. SHRM also offers additional certification opportunities.
- Academy of Human Resources Development
- AHRD encourages excellence in human resources development through ethical research and practice. It aims to influence the processes and theories that advance the field. Members enjoy access to four journals, an annual conference, and their choice of special interest groups.
- HR People + Strategy
- This is SHRM’s executive network for professionals who have at least 10 years of experience in leadership development, talent management, or strategy and planning. Members enjoy all of the benefits of SHRM membership, plus access to advanced-level reports and special conference invitations.
- National Human Resources Association
- A team of volunteers leads this organization, which helps advance human resources professionals’ career development and leadership capabilities. It delivers programming nationwide for all career levels, including interns and executives alike. Members can serve on an array of committees, including a team that designs NHRA’s monthly programs and organizes its exclusive job board.
- International Association for Human Resources Information Management
- IHRIM is the leading association for information management experts in human resources. It offers webinars on a range of topics in the field, plus discounted course registration and a subscription to its magazine for the HRIM profession.