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Human Resources
Overview
Human resources is where people, policy, and workplace decisions come together. The Human Resources Specialist Career Certificate introduces students to the essential functions of HR, including recruiting and staffing, training and development, performance management, compensation and benefits, employee relations, employment law, and HR compliance. This certificate is a good fit for students exploring a career in HR, employees who want a deeper understanding of workplace practices, supervisors responsible for leading people, and business students who want to add an HR focus to their academic pathway.
In this six-course certificate program, students build foundational HR knowledge and relevant workplace skills while learning how human resources contributes to the employee experience and supports organizational goals. Students develop the ability to apply HR concepts to real workplace situations, including how organizations hire, support, develop, and retain employees. The certificate can help students explore entry-level HR employment opportunities, develop skills for career advancement, prepare for the aPHR® professional certification, and continue toward the Business Administration Associate in Applied Science degree pathway.
Degrees & Certificates Offered
Career Certificate:
JOB & SALARY OUTLOOK
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Human resources careers are found in nearly every industry, including business, healthcare, education, government, nonprofit organizations, and manufacturing.
The median annual wage for human resources specialists was $72,910 in May 2024.
Employment of human resources specialists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 81,800 openings for human resources specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force through retirement.
Academic Pathway
Students may use the Human Resources Specialist Career Certificate as a pathway to further their Business education in completion of the following Certificates and Degrees:
- Certificate of Achievement: Business Professional (BSPCA)
- Associate in Applied Science: Business Administration (BSAAS)
Courses
The Human Resources Career Certificate consists of the six following courses:
MGMT 1600: Organizational Behavior (4.5 credits) - offered all quarters
MGMT 2600: Human Resource Management (4.5 credits) - offered all quarters
MGMT 2610: Compensation and Benefits (4.5 credits) - only offered in fall and spring quarters
MGMT 2620: Talent Acquisition (4.5 credits) - only offered in winter and summer quarters
MGMT 2630: Human Resource Development (4.5 credits) - only offered in winter and summer quarters
LAWS 2323: Labor and Employment Law (4.5 credits) - only offered in fall and spring quarters (prerequisites waived for HRSCC students, contact your academic advisor for registration)
Program Map and Course Sequencing
Quarter 1
MGMT 1600 Organizational Behavior
MGMT 2600 Human Resource Management
Quarter 2
MGMT 2620 Talent Acquisition
MGMT 2630 Human Resource Development
Quarter 3
MGMT 2610 Compensation and Benefits
LAWS 2323 Labor and Employment Law
Learning Goals
- Evaluate human resources policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
- Analyze employee training needs to develop new training programs or modify and improve existing programs.
- Model ethical behavior in appraising organizational core values, vision, mission, and culture
- Coordinate the logistics of activities and events to support employer-employee relationship
- Maintain records to support HR-related processes, decisions, projects, and services
Aligned to the HRBoK - A Guide to the Human Resource Body of Knowledge and informed by the aPHR administrative, operational, and strategic tasks from HRCI.
HRCI Professional Certification
HRCI Professional Certification
The HR specialization will prepare graduates to pursue a foundational nationally recognized professional credential, Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR). The aPHR exam assesses the candidate’s foundational talent and HR knowledge. Human Resource Certification Institute, headquartered in the U.S., is the premier credentialing organization for the human resources profession. For 40 years, HRCI has set the standard for HR expertise and excellence around the globe.
The Human Resources Specialist Career Certificate introduces foundational knowledge aligned with the Associate Professional in Human Resources, or aPHR®, credential. The aPHR® is designed for individuals starting their HR journey or exploring a path into the field. Credential requirements, fees, and exam details are set by HRCI and should be reviewed before applying for the exam.
The HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®) does not endorse any particular preparation program or offering. We encourage prospective certification holders to use a variety of resources that reflect their learning styles and needs. Purchasing a certification product is NOT required and HRCI does not guarantee that an individual will pass based on the purchase of a certification preparation product.
The red-and-purple HR design, HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE, and aPHR are trademarks of registered trademarks of Human Resource Certification Institute, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Used Under License.
MCC courses and programs provide educational opportunities to students preparing for various professional credentials awarded by external organizations and entities. Completion of said courses/programs does not guarantee success on exams, tests, or other requirements associated with externally awarded professional credentials. Students who complete MCC courses and/or programs in preparation for said exams, tests, or other requirements associated with externally awarded professional credentials may still want/need to engage in self-study, exam preparation programs, etc., prior to seeking credentialing.