Human Resources

Certification as a Human Resources professional is becoming an integral step to building a successful career. The programming noted below can be used for certification exam preparation. These courses are also good overviews for all entry-level and more senior staff in human resources who need professional development or certification focused on the topic areas that comprise the focus of their daily work. 

Additional academic credit opportunities are noted below each program and in the table at the front of the School of Extended Education catalog section.

HRCU 0001 PHR SPHR Exam Prep

Students prepare for the exam necessary to distinguish themselves in an HR career and join the ranks of 120,000 certified HR professionals. Certified instructors take students step-by-step through extensive material to prepare for the bi-annual Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification exams. Recertification credits also available.

  • 33 Clock hours/3.3 CEUs

HRCC 8001 Certificate in Human Resource Fundamentals

This course is intended for operating managers with people management responsibilities, primarily at the front-line and mid-management organizational levels. It provides a practical overview of contemporary fair and effective leadership practices at several stages of the employee lifecycle, including talent acquisition, assessment, development, and remuneration, outlining both recommended practices and traps to avoid.

  • 15 Clock hours/1 PDU

Academic Credit Opportunities

Certification may qualify as academic credit and substitute for specific courses in the University of Massachusetts Global HR degrees, academic certificate programs and HR emphases in other undergraduate and graduate program areas.

  • PHR Certification may be substituted for HRCU 445 Human Resource Studies or HRCU 600 Human Resource Foundations
  • SPHR Certification may be substituted for HRCU 600 Human Resource Foundations