Completion of certificate content courses before enrolling in this course.
Explore Human Resource Management
Designed for both current human resources professionals and those looking to enter the field, Champlain's online human resource management certificate will help you hone your business and people skills, and give you an introduction to the everyday requirements of managing an HR department.
This certificate of undergraduate HR courses online can be taken as a stand-alone program, or can be used as a stepping stone on the way to obtaining your online associate degree in business management or online bachelor's degree in business management. HR professionals should know that our HR degree programs are aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates.
Build Your Career Future
We understand how important it is for busy working adults to gain knowledge and expertise quickly, which is why our human resource management certificate coursework is applicable to the workplace from day one whether it's about recruiting, hiring, retention or other HR skills. Whether you've already earned an undergraduate degree or you're currently pursuing your bachelor's degree, a human resources certificate is a great way to earn a credential in the field, get your resume noticed, and demonstrate proficiency in a focused area of knowledge.
Program Curriculum
Champlain's online human resource management courses encompass the top skills needed by today's HR professionals.
Champlain's online human resource management courses encompass the top skills needed by today's HR professionals.
Students identify and analyze the myriad legal issues surrounding the workplace, employment relationships, human resources, and federal and state regulation of employment. Topics include employment discrimination, wrongful discharge, health and retirement benefits, occupational health and safety, competition and trade secret agreements, sexual harassment, and privacy rights.
Human Resource professionals have to be keenly aware of the employee lifecycle (ELC) - a method used to visualize how an employee engages with a company. The first stage of the ELC is attraction. Regardless of how strong your company is, without attracting great talent, your company will fail.?The second stage, recruitment, is the period where you seek out and recruit the best talent to join your organization.
Occurring after human resource professionals have recruited top talent, the onboarding period is critical to getting new hires well-adjusted to the organizational environment and performance aspects of their new job. During the development period, HR professionals begin to consistently encourage professional development among?their teams, which acts?as a catalyst in their skill development?and also helps provide them with a future career path within the company.
Compensation and Benefits will provide students a detailed understanding of how to develop a Total Rewards Program (TRP), and the strategic choices employers make when selecting TRP financial terms. The course covers the implementation of compensation strategies, benefits packages, work-life balance programs, performance and service recognition strategies, and career development strategies.
Employee retention is focused on keeping top employees, and ensuring they're happy and sufficiently challenged in their respective roles within the organization. The influence of company culture goes a long way in this lifecycle stage. If the culture in the organization is poor, it inevitably leads to high employee turnover rates. In the event an employee leaves the organization, approaching the separation process strategically is critical. When a team member leaves, it has an effect on other members.
In the culminating course for the certificates, students will reframe knowledge and competencies from their certificate into a workable model that is applied through experiential learning models to a professional opportunity. Students will apply these competencies as professional best practice in a project that incorporates relevant research findings from the field.
Prerequisites
Fall 2025 Course Changes
Starting Fall 2025, students will no longer take CRIT 450, replacing it with the following, and program credits will increase to 18
Students learn about the complex safety and wellness programs that must be delivered by every employer in order to ensure an environment that is conducive to productive work. They will learn about the wide range of employer safety programs including substance abuse, ergonomics, OSHA, work-life balance, leave of absences and many others that HR supports the business in developing and delivering. Students will also consider the opportunity for employee wellness programs and how to design and implement a wellness plan.
Prerequisites
Take BLAW-170
Additional Program Details
Graduates of the online human resource management certificate program will demonstrate the following industry-specific skills, knowledge, and competencies:
- Relate the functions of human resource management (HRM) to the organization and how HRM both differentiates from and integrates with other business units.
- Apply the fundamentals of the Employee Lifecycle to current, real-world workplace scenarios in order to improve employee performance and well-being.
- Use data and HR analytics to improve human resource outcomes.
- Compose internal and external communication strategies that support a thriving organizational culture and help to engage potential employees.
- Practice and apply DEI approaches to build diverse teams, build an equitable culture, and support employee retention.
As of Fall 2025 the learning outcomes for this program will change to the following:
- Integrate Core HRM Functions Across Business Units. Demonstrate how human resource management functions contribute to organizational goals, differentiate from, and integrate with other business units to enhance overall performance and employee well-being.
- Apply the Employee Lifecycle Framework to Enhance Workplace Outcomes. Apply the principles of the Employee Lifecycle and HR analytics to address workplace issues, improve employee performance, support well-being, and foster a culture of health, safety, and wellness.
- Develop Communication Strategies for Organizational Culture and Engagement. Design internal and external communication strategies that promote a thriving organizational culture, engage potential employees, and support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
- Apply HR Legal and Ethical Principles to Organizational Practices. Recognize the scope of employment law and its impact on HRM functions, using legal and ethical principles to create equitable practices, build diverse teams, and support employee retention.
Champlain College Online's business faculty, led by Department Chair Dr. Albert Orbinati, are expert practitioners in the field. Their industry expertise ensures that our business management curriculum is aligned with the needs of employers, and reflects the skills today’s business professionals need for success. Classes led by our seasoned experts will give you real-world insight into the business world, and create a rich community of career-focused learning.
Tuition & Costs
Online Undergraduate Tuition Fall '23 - Summer '25
$335
per credit
$290
per credit for Champlain alumni, associate degree graduates, veterans**, and family members of veterans and servicemembers
$250
per credit for military servicemembers
$150
One-time graduation fee
*Based on a 3-credit course; cost will vary if course is a different number of credits
** Veteran rate effective Spring 2025, not retroactive
See the undergraduate cost of attendance and fees here
Affordability and Paying For Your Education
We provide a number of options to make your online education affordable, including preferred tuition for alumni, associate degree graduates, community college graduates, and military.
Gain New Skills with a Certificate
Employment in human resources occupations is projected to grow by 10% percent from 2020 to 2030.*
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2020
Top Reasons to Pursue a Certificate
- Enter a new field
- Build new skills
- Differentiate your resume
- Earn a credential
- Demonstrate proficiency in a focused area of learning
Academic Excellence and Recognition
Regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education
Designated as a Military Friendly School for our commitment to the military community
Ranked among the best by Tech Guide for game design and computer science
Named the among the best schools with accelerated bachelor's degrees by Intelligent.com
Meet the Program Director
Albert Orbinati, PhD
Department Chair and Assistant Professor, CCO Business Programs
Oversees
- Business (A.S., B.S., M.S., Certificates)
- Human Resource Management (B.S., Certificates)
- Leadership (M.S.)
- Management Information Systems (B.S.)
- Organization Development & Human Relations (M.S.)
About
Albert Orbinati, PhD, is Assistant Professor and Department Chair for the undergraduate and graduate business programs at Champlain College Online.
Prior to Champlain, Dr. Orbinati's roles have included Assistant Vice President of Online Learning and Continuing Education at Medaille University in Buffalo, NY; Dean of the School of Professional and Continuing Education at Russell Sage College in Albany, NY; and Director of Online and Non-Traditional Programs at Utica University in Utica, NY. In addition to his career in higher education, Albert is a member of the U.S. military, and currently holds the rank of Major in the Vermont Air National Guard.
Dr. Orbinati holds a B.A. in Urban Planning from Binghamton University, an M.A. in Adult Education from Central Michigan University, an M.B.A from Champlain College, and a Ph.D. in Adult Education from Capella University.
FAQs: Human Resource Management Certificate
It can prepare you for a variety of HR roles, depending on your experience level and career goals. If you’re new to the field, you can pursue roles such as HR assistant, recruiting coordinator, and payroll or benefits administrator, or HR generalist. More seasoned professionals are equipped for roles such as HR manager, talent acquisition specialist, employee relations manager, and compensation and benefits analyst.
Yes, the certificate can be applied toward a degree program. Specifically, the courses from this certificate can count toward the Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a concentration in Human Resource Management at Champlain College Online. Additionally, the certificate may also be relevant to the Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management, which is aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) curriculum.
You can advance your career through deeper expertise in the HR field, including specialized HR skills. It can also be an investment in additional education – counting toward a degree—all in a short, flexible format that can accelerate achieving your learning and career goals.
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