Certificate in Human Resources Essentials

Gain Comprehensive HR Skills for Any Industry

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Program Details

  • Location: Online
  • Duration: 8 months
  • Times: Evenings
  • Cost: $4,145

Next start date:

October 7, 2025

Get Details & Apply
Talk to an Enrollment Coach

About this Program


From startups to corporate giants, the challenge of attracting, hiring and retaining great employees remains constant. Human resources professionals play a key role in building strong teams and ensuring companies operate effectively. Because they’re involved in everything from policy to payroll, HR professionals need a diverse set of skills and functional knowledge for whatever comes their way. Learning these essentials will set you up to thrive as an HR professional across industries. 

In this certificate program, you’ll learn the foundational competencies required to succeed as an HR professional. We’ll explore the functional areas connected with this role: operations, recruiting, compensation and benefits, training, employee retention and morale, performance management, payroll, and compliance with all applicable employment policies and regulations. Acquire the range of knowledge and skills needed to break into this dynamic field.

Related Article: How to Become a Human Resources Specialist

DESIGNED FOR

Those looking to enter the human resources field, including early-career professionals and individuals who want to transition from other job roles into this field.

See Requirements

Explore More: Already an experienced manager or HR professional? Consider the more advanced Certificate in Human Resources Management — or find the right HR program for you.

Video Overview

Hear from instructor Ranodda DeChambeau about the Certificate in Human Resources Essentials at the University of Washington and how it can prepare you to enter the growing field of human resources.

Duration: 02:12

 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

  • The scope of an HR professional’s responsibilities and how to succeed as part of an HR team
  • Human resources information systems (HRIS) and simple data analysis tools for HR reporting and decision making
  • How to ensure compliance with organizational policies and regulations regarding sensitive issues
  • Ways to foster workplace ethics and advance diversity, engagement and belonging goals
  • How HR functional areas work and how to apply your HR skills to common problems in each area

GET HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

  • Practice what you learn in individual simulations of various HR cases and scenarios
  • Create a project plan that includes communication strategies and measures of success
  • Analyze data using spreadsheets and practice data-based reporting

Career Stats

77%

Alumni working in field

Sample Employers

Amazon, University of Washington, Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks, State of Washington

19.6%

Projected job growth for HR specialists in Washington state (2024-2034)

$81,182

Median salary for HR specialists in Washington state (2023)

• Source: Lightcast. Learn about career stats data.

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EARN DIGITAL BADGES

You can earn a digital achievement badge for successfully completing this certificate program, as well as a separate badge for each course. These badges can be shared on LinkedIn and other social media sites. Learn more about digital badges.

OUR ENROLLMENT COACHES ARE HERE TO HELP

Connect with an enrollment coach to learn more about this offering. Or if you need help finding the right certificate, specialization or course for you, reach out to explore your options.

Program Overview

Complete the courses listed below to earn the certificate.

Learning Formats

Online Asynchronous

Enjoy the flexibility of asynchronous learning with the structure of a regular course. With no real-time meetings, you’ll complete weekly assignments and interact with your class at times that work for you. Learn More »

Online With Real-Time Meetings

Online Synchronous

Combine the convenience of online learning with the immediacy of real-time interaction. You’ll meet with your instructor and classmates at scheduled times over Zoom. Learn More »

Program Sessions

Online Asynchronous

Noncredit

  • Online
  • 8 months
  • TBD
Apply Starting Sep 17, 2025

Noncredit

  • Online
  • 8 months
  • TBD
In Development

Online Synchronous

Noncredit

  • Online
  • Evenings
  • 8 months
  • $4,145
Apply by Sep 23

Closed Sessions

Noncredit

  • Online
  • Flexible
  • 9 months
  • $4,110
Closed

Noncredit

  • Online
  • Flexible
  • 8 months
  • $4,110
Closed

Noncredit

  • Online
  • Flexible
  • 8 months
  • $4,110
Closed

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