Online Human Resource Certificates Undergraduate & Graduate HR Programs

An online HR certificate is a great way to get your foot in the door or advance your career in HR.

The best place to start is by finding an HR certificate program that matches your career aspirations. Ask yourself: What do I hope to learn through this program? How does it support my goals? If you plan to earn a bachelor's degree, ask if a certificate would position you to seamlessly transfer credits and continue your education.

SNHU's undergraduate certificate in HR will give you course credits that can easily be applied to a bachelor's in human resources. This means, if you choose to earn an undergraduate degree, you'll save time on the way. And even if you don't, you'll still have a credential that can help you stand out to employers.

Once enrolled in an undergraduate certificate program, you'll progress through a series of online learning modules with faculty support to guide you through projects, papers, discussion boards and more.

An undergraduate certificate in HR from SNHU is just 4 courses. And since being a full-time student here means 2 classes per term, you could finish in just two 8-week terms – about 4 months. Even if you work toward your certificate part time (1 course per term), you could finish it in under a year.

A graduate HR certificate at SNHU is also only 4 courses, which could mean two (full time) or four (part time) 10-week terms. Again, your timeline is completely up to you and the good news is that no matter what pace works best for you, your tuition won't change.

Both levels of the certificate are available online at SNHU asynchronously, so you won’t need to be in front of your computer at a set time. You’ll still participate, only instead of in-person lectures, you’ll attend class through weekly online assignments and discussion boards. You can do your assignments when it works for you, turning them in before specified deadlines throughout the week.

SNHU’s admission process is simple and straightforward – just complete our quick online application to get started. No SAT or GMAT scores required, no application fee and you can apply at any time and get a decision within days. Questions? Your admission counselor will guide you through the entire process.

Certificates in HR differ from degree programs in one basic way: They’re faster and more efficient by design. That way, you can delve into the most relevant topics in the field, acquiring the skills and knowledge you need quickly and affordably.

Succeeding in HR starts with the fundamentals of HR. SNHU’s HR certificates online will help you build that foundation. Your courses will cover everything from staffing and talent development to compensation and benefits, labor relations, organizational behavior, HR strategy and more.
You’ll come away prepared to seek an HR position with fresh skills and knowledge you can apply right away.

“I hope to achieve more cultural unity within organizations by using the skills that I have gained with the certificate,” said Tamara Dancy ’20. “I foresee myself being a visionary for any organization that I partner with and help trailblaze the conversations around diversity and inclusion, while maintaining respect for government regulations and the workers’ and organization’s needs.”

That's up to you to decide. At the end of the day, the HR certificate you choose should align with your goals and desired career path.

An undergraduate certificate in HR could be right for you if:

• You're seeking an entry-level role in HR
• You're working in HR and are seeking formalized education to develop your skills
• You're currently employed in another field and looking to pivot into HR
• You'd like to try taking a few courses before committing to a bachelor's degree in human resources (at SNHU, you can apply your HR certificate courses toward a BS in Human Resource Management)

A graduate certificate in HR could be right for you if:

• You're hoping to increase your HR skillset in an effort to advance your career
• You have a bachelor's degree in a different field and are looking to boost your HR knowledge and/or credentials
• You already have a bachelor's degree in human resources or HR management and would like to add an additional credential to your resume
• You're on the fence about getting a master's degree but want to take steps forward in your career. HR certificate credits can be used toward a master's degree in HR management, should you decide to continue your education.

If you’re already in the HR field, a human resources certificate can give you the academic credential you may need to advance. You’ll have the opportunity to specialize in areas that can increase your professional standing, such as compensation and benefits, labor relations or compliance.

"As HR has been a field I have worked with closely over my career, working in the field is a goal of mine," said Robert Filipkowski '18, who had previously earned his associate and bachelor's degrees at SNHU. "So having the additional certificate and knowledge I gained for the program is invaluable to my personal and professional pursuits. The SNHU program was the best because of previous experience, affordability, quality and flexibility in the learning experience, and the SNHU name."

Filipkowski hopes to continue his education at SNHU by earning a master's in HR with plans to move into a full-time human resources job.

With greater depth of knowledge and a broader skill set, you’ll make yourself more valuable. You may even find your job options expand to include roles like human resources manager and compensation and benefits manager.

There are a variety of positions available to HR professionals, all with varying levels of compensation.

HR professionals provide a unique value to their organization and can support businesses in many different ways. According to the BLS, some examples of well paying HR positions and their median annual wages as of May 2022 include:

• Human resources specialist, $67,650¹
• Labor relations specialist, $89,980¹
• Compensation and benefits manager, $136,380¹
• Human resources manager, $136,350¹

Like all positions, compensation can vary based on location, experience and industry. When looking for well-paying HR positions, it's valuable to pay attention to both the job title and field you'll be working in.

A human resources certificate provides a solid grounding in HR principles and practices.

With an undergraduate certificate in HR – and usually paired with a bachelor's degree – you’ll be prepared for a variety of entry-level positions, including:

• Human resources specialist
• Human resources assistant/coordinator
• Labor relations specialist
• Employment specialist
• Client services representative

With an online HR graduate certificate, you could position yourself for roles like:

• human resources manager
• compensation and benefits manager.

There are many benefits to an HR certificate. You can use it to complement your bachelor’s degree or human resources work experience. Or you can take advantage of the immersive training it provides to earn a credential so that you can enter the HR job market more quickly than if you pursued a full degree.

Holly Sagers '21 found value in earning her certificate.

"I would do it again just to gain the knowledge and confidence that this program has given me," she said. "It will challenge you and help you better understand the inner workings of an HR department and how to become part of one."

Maybe you have significant work experience and feel like you can place out of general education and business core courses. In that case, a human resources certificate might be your most efficient option.

Certificates in HR also offer a great way to build on a bachelor’s degree in business, project management or another related field. And should you plan to go for your bachelor’s, master’s or MBA in human resources, this program gets you one step closer.

"I love SNHU so much that I decided to continue on for my associate and bachelor’s degrees," said Sagers, regarding using the credits toward other programs at the university.