This guide will introduce you to the best resources for HR professionals looking for training. We start with the most prestigious training organizations for those who are prepared to seriously invest in their careers and want a big name on their resume, then move on to reliable resources that work with the best universities in the world to offer both free and paid courses, and conclude with affordable options for learning the fundamentals of human resources. All courses are available online.
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Cost: Student memberships start at $49; professional memberships start at $229, plus an exam certificate fee.
SHRM certification is extremely valuable for any HR professional seeking entry-level or additional credentials. SHRM offers two certificates:
Keep in mind that these programs are designed for experienced professionals, so you will be required to have an academic degree as well as experience working in human resources and performing HR duties.
If you qualify for their program, however, it is definitely something to consider. Plus, SHRM's self-study option gives you the freedom to break the course into chunks and study at your own pace. There are also teacher-led classes available for those who prefer a more personalized learning experience.
HR Certification Institute (HRCI)
Cost: from $39 per course; from $239 for certification programs.
The HR Certification Institute provides self-paced human resources training courses with practice exams for both seasoned professionals and those just starting out in their careers.
As an accredited educational organization, they offer certification programs that are HRCI and SHRM eligible as well as shorter training courses more focused on specific skills:
- HRCI Core Learning Certificate
- Certificate in Human Resource Management
- Building Safe and Inclusive Workspaces
Berkeley
Cost: approximately $900 per course or $8,200 for the entire program.
Berkeley certification is superior because—let's face it—it's a huge brand name that has gained trust and will undoubtedly catch an employer's eye on your resume or LinkedIn profile. And the good news is this university is now offering e-learning solutions for specialists in different fields of expertise, including human resources.
Their courses feature instructor-led discussions, assignments, interactive lectures, discussion forums, collaborative activities, and frequent feedback to ensure smooth communication between teachers and students. Here are the courses to look into:
- Essentials of Human Resources
- Human Resource Systems and Technology
- Introduction to Human Capital Analytics
If you want a complete immersion in HR, you can enroll in their Certificate Program in Human Resource Management, which includes all of the basic courses as well as some extras.
Wharton
Cost: $2,800 per program.
If you're looking for a top-tier business school, look no further than Wharton. With one of the world's largest and most comprehensive online learning catalogs, it provides a wide range of courses for managers, experienced HR professionals, business consultants, and business owners, such as:
- HR Management and Analytics: Unlock the Value of Human Capital
- People Analytics: HR Transformation through Data
- Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Program
You can choose a live online program or a self-paced program if you prefer to learn at your own pace and on your own schedule. Because this is a high-end type of education that will provide you with excellent knowledge as well as a significant boost to your resume, the prices are reflective of these facts.
LinkedIn Learning
Cost: The first month is free, then $19.99 per month.
LinkedIn Learning is one of the most popular platforms for HR specialists, offering some of the best human resource training programs. Since the courses are online, there is no set schedule to follow, and you can complete the coursework whenever it works best for you. The variety of available courses is also encouraging:
- Essential New Skills in Recruiting
- Interviewing Techniques
- Develop Your HR Management and Leadership Skills
- Develop, Motivate, and Retain Employees
- Recruit Diverse Talent and Promote Equitable Hiring
And as a cherry on top, LinkedIn Learning is recognized by the HR Certification Institute as an approved provider, so you can use your monthly fee to work toward multiple certificates.
Coursera
Cost: Can be accessed for free; guided projects start at $9.99; specializations and professional certificates start at $39.99 per month.
Coursera is another 100 percent online learning platform that offers courses from some of the best universities and companies in the world. Courses come with prerecorded videos, tests, and assignments, and at the end of training programs, students can get certificates recognized by HR institutions.
Not surprisingly, it offers HR training programs for both newcomers and those with extensive experience in the field. Some of the courses you might be interested in include:
- Preparing to Manage Human Resources, University of Minnesota
- Recruiting, Hiring, and Onboarding Employees, University of Minnesota
- Hiring Practices, University of California
- Diversity and Inclusion for HR Professionals, University of California
- Human Resource Management and Leadership Specialization, Macquarie University
Udemy
Cost: Free courses are available; courses range from $12 to $199.
Udemy is well known for providing practical human resource training and development programs from various educational institutions. You can enroll in a variety of self-paced online HR training courses, some of which are free and designed to help newcomers to the field learn the fundamentals of HR administration in order to prepare for certification or even earn a degree.
- Diploma Course in Human Resource Management
- Human Resource Management
- SHRM-CP Certification Exam Prep
If you're a working professional looking to specialize or broaden your knowledge, there are also plenty of HR-related courses on the hottest topics:
- HR Analytics Using MS Excel for Human Resource Management
- Conflict Management with Emotional Intelligence
- Preventing Workplace Harassment
Skillsoft
Cost: Subscriptions start at $19 per month for individual members and $45 per month for teams.
Whether you're looking to improve your knowledge of performance management and measurement, employee retention, or the interviewing process, Skillsoft has the courses you need. You can work through all of them as part of the Human Resources Professional program or pick and choose the ones you need.
All of the lessons are presented in the form of video lectures, with assessments at the end of each unit and a badge awarded for successful completion. Check out some of the courses they have:
- Professional in HR: Job Architecture
- Recruiting and Hiring
- Interviewing
- Learning and Development
FutureLearn
Cost: free option available; individual courses start at $60; one-year subscriptions start at $189.
FutureLearn is a British digital education platform that is owned by the Open University and SEEK Ltd. It offers free courses covering hundreds of topics with a wide range of HR courses from institutions like Coventry University, Central Queensland University, and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Here are the top choices:
- HR Fundamentals
- Online Recruitment and Onboarding: Providing Continuity for Business and Candidates
- The Future of Human Resource Management
- Workforce Planning: Research and Implementation of the Basics
- Sustainable Business with Green HR
There are two options for taking their courses. One is to study for free, in which case you will have four weeks to finish the material. The other option is to "upgrade" and pay an individual fee for each course or purchase a one-year subscription. This way, you can study at your own pace and receive a certificate of completion. In fact, the courses are CPD-accredited, which means they will be accepted by employers.
Alison
Cost: about $10 per course.
Alison is an online educational platform where users can take free online courses designed by experts from various fields, including human resources. They offer well-organized short courses in the format of text presentations on HR basics, hiring and selection, learning and development, strategic development, performance management, conflict resolution, health and safety, and learning and development.
Here are some top picks for you:
- Fundamentals of Human Resources
- Diploma in Effective Human Resource Administration
- Strategic Human Resource Management and Development
To get ad-free versions of their programs, you must purchase a subscription, which is not very expensive.
Oxford Home Study
Cost: Free.
Oxford Home Study is among the best online platforms in the UK, with afew free, introductory human resources courses. Over the course of more than 20 hours, you will gain fundamental knowledge of human resources.
Keep in mind, however, that if you learn best through visuals, you might want to look elsewhere, since all the materials in this course are presented in text format.
Before you go
We've created a comprehensive course guide for every budget, from free to high-end. All you have to do is pick what best suits your needs. We wish you success in your studies and professional development. And stay tuned for further updates!
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