Human Resources Management Certificate
Program Features
At-a-Glance
Build skills and knowledge in:
- Training and development
- Industrial relations and negotiations
- Legal issues affecting human resources management
- Personnel recruitment, selection, and orientation
- Determining compensation, benefits, and performance
- Strategies for organizational change
- Network with human resource professionals from a variety of organizations
Overview
Successful Human Resources Management (HRM) professionals enjoy working with others, are detail-oriented, and understand the intricacies of personnel issues. They orchestrate a multitude of activities to meet organizational and personnel goals. Our HRM certificate program is for professionals who want to keep current on human resource issues in today’s business world.
From recruiting and hiring, implementing training and development programs, and evaluating employee performance, the HRM professional is a key change agent in the public and private sectors. It is imperative for employees and managers to constantly update their skills to face the increasing complexities of changing labor, occupational health and safety legislation, the multicultural and multigenerational workforce and advances in technology.
Audience
The program is designed primarily for private sector or government professionals who are:
- Preparing to enter the human resources management field
- Working in human resources but never received formal training
- Updating and reviewing key issues in human resources
Format
The program consists of eight courses for a total of 114 hours of instruction and 11.4 continuing education units (CEUs). The program is fully online asynchronous. It is recommended to start the program with “Human Resources Management: As a Strategic Business Partner” course.
Course Offerings
This certificate program consists of eight courses designed to be taken in the order listed.
Human Resources Management: As a Strategic Business Partner (HRM 001)
1.8 CEUs
This course provides an overview of human resource management in today’s organizations. It examines strategic planning for an organization and the role of the Human Resources (HR) department in its strategic plans. The course defines human resource management and human capital and describes how human resource management and employees can be core competencies for organizations. Strategic challenges will be discussed regarding managing a talent surplus, legal considerations for workforce reductions, and managing a talent shortage. Additionally, the development and use of human resource metrics are explored, and specific strategic HR effectiveness tools such as benchmarking, the balanced scorecard, return on investment (ROI), and HR audits are discussed.
Talent Development (HRM 002)
1.2 CEUs
The current business environment is fast-paced, diverse, globally competitive, and ever-evolving. With organizations vying for highly sought-after talent, Talent Development is critical to an organization’s success. This course presents practical HR methodologies and techniques to integrate organizational HR processes designed to attract, develop, and retain productive, engaged employees throughout the employee career lifecycle.
Talent Acquisition (HRM 003)
1.8 CEUs
This course addresses sourcing, recruiting, and selecting high-quality talent and placement of the right talent with the correct qualifications for jobs in an organization. The course starts by defining recruiting and its importance to an organization. The second section examines factors that affect strategic decisions about recruiting, such as assigning responsibility for carrying out recruiting, establishing the employment brand, determining the optimal mix of core and flexible workers, and considering diversity. The final section describes how to evaluate an organization’s recruiting success, the predictors to use when selecting applicants, the steps of the selection process, and different types of selection testing. Lastly, the emerging challenges and best practices involved in the selection process are reviewed.
Total Reward (HRM 004)
1.2 CEUs
In this course, participants will learn tools and insights of total reward strategies to support your organization’s strategic goals. Participants will learn to design total reward solutions compliant with legal requirements to protect your organization and understand the value of monetary and non-monetary reward programs that attract and retain talent. Additionally, participants will also learn how to design and implement compensation, benefits, performance management, and recognition programs to increase performance leading to positive organizational outcomes for private and public organizations.
Employment Law and Labor Relations (HRM 005)
1.8 CEUs
The course will provide an overview of current and historic legislation impacting the Human Resource function in the workplace. Laws, regulations, and cases will be examined as it pertains to employment practices in the complete employee life cycle. Participants will learn about the growth of the labor movement in the US, union and management relations, state and federal labor legislation, collective bargaining, and grievances.
Diversity and Inclusion (HRM 006)
1.2 CEUs
In this course, participants learn how to define terms, create a reference point around various aspects of diversity, discuss the brain science of implicit bias, identify institutional bias and review a holistic organizational assessment. Participants will receive tools to facilitate discussion and self-reflections and consider both individuals and organizations when action planning.
Conflict Resolution (HRM 007)
1.2 CEUs
Conflict would not occur if two or more people did not care about something – something they feel they can’t get or feel they can’t give. The simplest way to reduce conflict is to stop caring or not engage, but the costs of doing so can be destructive. This course will cover how to lead an ineffective and toxic work environment that can cost your organization countless dollars in productivity and turnover. Participants will learn how to address the dynamics behind conflict and how best to navigate conflict-related situations.
Coaching, Mentoring & Inspiring Others (HRM 008)
1.2 CEUs
This course allows participants to gain effective coaching skills, including communication, building relationships, establishing credibility, gaining trust, and demonstrating empathy. Participants will explore the components of Emotional Intelligence and how best to utilize results in coaching and mentoring situations. Participants will also examine common coaching mistakes and identify how to avoid repeating those mistakes. Lastly, participants will learn what makes an inspirational leader and how to multiply competencies in others.
Costs
Total Cost: $4,845
Prices are subject to change; please confirm program pricing before your cohort begins.
Members of the Sacramento Area Human Resources Association (SAHRA) are eligible for a 10% discount on courses in the Human Resource Management Certificate Program. Proof of membership must be provided, by phone, at the time of registration. To join SAHRA, please visit www.sahra.org.
Sacramento State Alumni may apply for a 15% discount. To receive discount, participants must provide proof of graduation at time of registration.
How to Enroll
Upcoming Dates
Registration for the 2026 Fall HRM program has closed.
- Human Resources Management: As a Strategic Business Partner (HRM 001) – Sept. 7 – Sept. 27, 2026
- Talent Development (HRM 002) – Oct. 5 – Oct. 25, 2026
- Talent Acquisition (HRM 003) – Nov. 2 – Nov. 22, 2026
- Total Rewards (HRM 004) – Nov. 30 – Dec. 13, 2026
- Employment Law and Labor Relations (HRM 005) – Jan. 11 – Jan. 31, 2027
- Diversity and Inclusion (HRM 006) – Feb. 8 – Feb. 28, 2027
- Conflict Resolution (HRM 007) – March 8 – March 21, 2027
- Coaching, Mentoring & Inspiring Others (HRM 008) – March 29 – April 11, 2027
Basic Requirements
Students are expected to have a thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation and be able to clearly communicate orally and in writing. Students must have basic computer skills, a working email address, and access to a computer with internet.
If you live outside of California, see if Sacramento State has secured authorization or exemption to enroll students from your state in its online programs.
Required Textbook
Human Resource Management, 16th Edition
Authors: Valentine, Meglich, Mathis and Jackson
ISBN: 9780357690888
FAQ
Is there an application required for this program?
No. Once registration is open, you will be able to follow the instructions and link provided to complete your enrollment.
Do I need to be enrolled at Sacramento State to participate in this certificate program?
No. Our program is open to the public. You do not need to be admitted to Sac State to enroll.
Do I need to pay for the whole program up front?
No. You may pay per class, but please note that payment is due at the time of registration. Your spot in subsequent courses of the program will be secured, even if you are paying on a per-class basis.
When do the classes meet?
Each course is offered fully online in an asynchronous format. Virtual or in-person meetings are not required for any of the courses.