Who is this program for?

This program is for human resource (HR) professionals or aspiring HR professionals who are new to human resources and want to start a career in the field. This program will also benefit non-HR Professionals who want to understand the fundamentals of Human Resources, People Operations, or Human Capital.

Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings, and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

<text variant="body2">Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see some course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. <text variant="body2">The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. <text variant="body2">The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

Can I just enroll in a single course?

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Certificate, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Certificate. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

HRCI Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate

Launch your career in Human Resources. In this program, you’ll learn in-demand skills for a career as an Human Resource Associate. No degree or prior experience needed. Coursera's 2024 Learners First Award Winner.

Instructors: Rachel Landers

Included with Coursera Plus

Learn more

5 course series

Earn a career credential that demonstrates your expertise

4.8

(2,665 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

5 months at 6 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Earn a career credential

Share your expertise with employers

5 course series

Earn a career credential that demonstrates your expertise

4.8

(2,665 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

5 months at 6 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Earn a career credential

Share your expertise with employers

What you'll learn

Explain the requirements and techniques to recruit and retain talent for an organization
Understand how performance management and feedback impact employee relations in an organization
Evaluate the various benefits of total remuneration and technology for an organization

Overview

Human Resource professionals have a significant impact on an organization’s success. They play a vital role in hiring the right people, developing employee policies, and creating a positive work culture. By pursuing a career in Human Resources, you can contribute to the overall achievement of an organization.

This program is uniquely designed to prepare aspiring Human Resource professionals. Through engaging videos, interactive activities, assessments, and peer-reviewed projects, you can enhance your professional expertise and gain a solid understanding of the fundamentals in this field. This program is mobile friendly so whether you prefer accessing the program from your mobile device or computer, you have the flexibility to shape your learning journey.

By the end of this program, you will understand how to:

Effectively recruit, select, and onboard new employees
Develop and implement employee policies and procedures that align with organizational goals
Foster a positive work culture and employee engagement
Understand and navigate legal and ethical considerations in Human Resources

By completing this program, you will receive a certificate from Coursera and also gain the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in this field. You will also be prepared to undertake the HRCI Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) certification exam, setting you apart as a qualified HR professional.

What’s included

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

97 practice exercises

Prepare for the aPHR Certification Exam with the HRCI Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate

Professional Certificate - 5 course series

This program has a variety of engaging and interactive self-guided activities that allow you to apply what you have learned to real-world scenarios.

In addition, there are four peer-reviewed projects. These projects serve as opportunities for you to demonstrate your proficiency in various critical areas, including the talent acquisition process, designing impactful training experiences, fostering an inclusive organizational culture, and conducting thorough organization audits.

By successfully completing these projects, you will amass a diverse and impressive collection of tangible examples showcasing your expertise that can be readily shared with prospective employers.

Talent Acquisition

Course 117 hours4.8 (1,813 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Create a job analysis and write a job description
Create a talent recruitment strategy
Identify and explain all stages of the talent acquisition life cycle

Skills you'll gain

Interviewing Skills, Recruitment, Employee Retention, Talent Sourcing, Talent Acquisition, Employee Onboarding, Forecasting, Recruitment Strategies, Talent Management, Job Analysis, Full Cycle Recruitment, Labor Law, Negotiation, and Human Resources

Learning and Development

Course 215 hours4.8 (780 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

How to create and deliver effective trainings in your organization
How to evaluate key metrics that will demonstrate training outcomes and results

Skills you'll gain

Employee Training, Learning Styles, On-The-Job Training, Instructional Design, Compliance Training, Adult Education, Employee Engagement, Developing Training Materials, Professional Development, Training and Development, Training Programs, Program Evaluation, Train The Trainer, Drive Engagement, and Needs Assessment

Compensation and Benefits

Course 319 hours4.7 (430 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Evaluate an organization's compensation strategy
Explain different benefit types and options
Evaluate and select an appropriate pay system for an organization's needs

Skills you'll gain

Compensation and Benefits, Compensation Management, Benefits Administration, Compensation Strategy, Employee Retention, Payroll Systems, Human Resources Information System (HRIS), Human Resources, Payroll, Job Evaluation, and Compensation Analysis

Employee Relations

Course 422 hours4.8 (301 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Explain performance management concepts for all levels of employees
Outline organizational design principles and strategies for effectiveness
Evaluate policies for the workforce and employees of an organization

Skills you'll gain

Diversity and Inclusion, Conflict Management, Employee Performance Management, Organizational Structure, Performance Appraisal, Performance Management, Business Ethics, Employee Engagement, Communication Strategies, Employee Relations, Staff Management, Human Resource Policies, Organizational Effectiveness, Business Continuity, Human Resource Strategy, and Policy Development

Compliance and Risk Management

Course 518 hours4.8 (354 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Explain, implement, and apply compliance for an organization
Explain and identify key operational activities which require formal risk management policies and procedures
Explain and identify key laws and procedural requirements necessary for compliance

Skills you'll gain

Compliance Management, Risk Management, Business Continuity Planning, Human Resource Strategy, Business Risk Management, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Operational Risk, Occupational Safety And Health, Governance Risk Management and Compliance, Labor Compliance, Human Resources, Labor Law, Regulatory Compliance, Safety Training, and Human Resource Policies

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Build toward a degree

When you complete this Professional Certificate, you may be able to have your learning recognized for credit if you are admitted and enroll in one of the following online degree programs.¹

Instructors

Rachel Landers

HRCI

2 Courses66,371 learners

Michelle Alvarado

HRCI

3 Courses145,455 learners

Rhea Bautista

HRCI

1 Course38,470 learners

Brad Boyson

HRCI

5 Courses168,544 learners

Offered by

HRCI

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Frequently asked questions

It will take about 5 months, 5-6 hours a week to complete the Specialization.

No degree or prior experience in Human Resources is needed to be successful in this course.

While it is not required that you take the courses in a specific order, it is recommended that you take them in the following order:

Talent Acquisition
Learning and Development
Compensation and Benefits
Employee Relations
Compliance and Risk Management

Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see some course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit.

The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.

The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

A Human Resource Associate is an individual who would be working primarily in an assisting capacity in an HR department or team. This individual would be assisting in a number of areas, as an example: - Answering HR questions or other communications - Assists in maintaining HR records or recording HR-related information in ATS or HRIS systems - Complies with all legal requirements - Keeps all HR information confidential - Assists the other HR Team Members on other HR-related tasks.

HR Associates and Assistants are relatively close in job descriptions - and similar to the tasks outlined immediately above. An HR Generalist is a more advanced position within HR - this individual would be responsible for not only knowing about HR-related activities, but able to execute them within an organization. Examples of responsibilities for an HR Generalist could include: - Job posting for new positions - Interviewing potential candidates for new positions - Administering total rewards packages for employees (for example, payroll, retirement, and benefit programs - Managing leave or PTO programs for employees, and - Enforcing organization policies - through an employee handbook as an example

HRCI Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate

What you'll learn

Overview

Skills you'll gain

What’s included

Prepare for the aPHR Certification Exam with the HRCI Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate