19 HR Courses for Working Professionals To Achieve Your HR Career Goals
72% of employees are excited about new learning opportunities and growth. In HR, there are a growing number of courses for working professionals to help meet these goals. Whether you’re new to HR or want to upskill, you’ll likely be spoilt for choice.
Balancing a demanding HR career while finding time for growth isn’t easy, but investing in HR courses for working professionals can be the key to achieving your career goals.
This article lists the types of HR courses available, offers tips on balancing work and study, and recommends 19 HR courses for working professionals for you to consider. From short online HR courses to certificate programs that deepen HR expertise, you’ll find options that work for you.
Contents
What are HR courses for working professionals?
Types of HR courses
Hacks for taking an HR course as a working professional
19 best HR courses for working professionals
Career transition toolkit: Moving into HR from another field
What are HR courses for working professionals?
HR courses offer flexible learning to improve HR skills while fitting around your work and personal schedules. These courses typically cover topics like talent management, employee relations, employment law, HR analytics, talent acquisition, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB).
They are available in various formats: online, self-paced, hybrid, and in-person. Online courses are popular as they let you learn anywhere, at any time. In-person and hybrid courses, on the other hand, are designed to work with your schedule, with many even offering HR certifications.
Continuous training is vital as new HR technologies and changing compliance standards emerge. HR courses help keep you competitive and updated on the latest trends, regulations, and technologies. They also build a solid foundation for both personal and career growth and may include attending conferences, independent research, or even mentoring.
Why should HR professionals consider further education?
Further education in HR is important for several reasons:
- Career growth: Keeping your skills current with new laws and technologies makes you a strong candidate for promotions and new opportunities.
- Compliance and legal knowledge: Regular training ensures you understand workplace laws, helping your organization stay compliant and protecting it legally.
- Networking opportunities: Many courses offer connections with professionals from various industries, providing you with valuable insights and contacts.
- Leadership development: Courses can enhance your leadership skills in areas like talent management, coaching, and communication, preparing you for managerial roles.
Types of HR courses
Here’s an overview of the widely available types of HR courses that can help you maximize your value to an organization as an HR professional:
Beginner HR courses
These courses are ideal if you are new to the field of HR or looking to build a strong foundation to prepare you for a career in HR. They typically cover topics such as basic HR principles, sourcing and recruiting techniques, and employee relations.
Intermediate HR courses
If you’ve been working in HR for a few years and want to enhance your skill set, intermediate courses might be the right fit. They focus on more specialized topics, like performance management, conflict resolution, and developing HR strategies to meet organizational needs.
Advanced HR courses
If you’re more of a mid-career HR professional, these courses might be helpful for you. They tend to delve deeper into specific areas of the HR profession, such as HR strategy, AI’s HR applications, organizational development, and employee engagement.
Professional HR certificate programs
For senior HR professionals, advanced HR courses offer more in-depth exploration of topics like HR analytics, strategic HR leadership, and talent management. Some also offer globally recognized certifications, such as those from SHRM, HRCI, and CIPD.
Hacks for taking an HR course as a working professional
Juggling a full-time job with coursework can be challenging but achievable with the right strategies. Here are some actionable tips to help you manage both a full-time job and an HR course while maintaining a healthy work-life balance:
1. Use time blocking
Create a non-negotiable schedule to make your learning time as essential as any work meeting. Review your weekly calendar and block realistic, consistent slots using specific notes. For instance, you can schedule “Tuesday evenings, 7 p.m. — 9 p.m., HR Law reading”. At the same time, be sure to remain flexible. Structure is important, but in case unexpected work demands pop up it’s good to include buffer time in your week to catch up.
Study hacks
- Early bird focus: Spend 30 to 60 minutes before work on focused review tasks when you’re mentally fresh.
- Evening deep dives: Dedicate specific evenings to comprehensive study sessions.
- Weekend catch-up: Set aside a few hours over the weekend for assignments or wrapping up what you’ve missed during the week, dividing it into manageable sessions.
2. Make the most of small moments
Turn downtime into learning time — studying does not require uninterrupted focus. In fact, taking regular breaks and using brief windows in your day to make meaningful progress may benefit you more in the long run. Even if you can spare only 10 minutes to read a particular chapter in your study materials, it still counts as progress.
Study hacks
- Maximize your commute: Listening to HR podcasts, course recordings, or audio lessons during your train or bus ride can quickly boost your knowledge.
- Make breaks productive: Use short gaps in your day, like lunch breaks or 15-minute intervals, to skim course notes, review flashcards, or complete quick online activities. Even a few minutes can help reinforce your learning.
- Use digital tools: Download key materials, such as lecture slides or e-books, to your devices so they’re always accessible. This makes it easy to study on the go.
3. Protect your wellbeing
Prioritize your health and wellbeing to maintain focus and stay on track. While you might think you need to burn the candle at both ends to progress quickly in your learning, this may actually do more harm than good. Making sure you get enough rest, water, and food is important and will help you avoid excessive stress, as well as burnout.
Study hacks
- Take strategic breaks: Short, regular breaks during study sessions (e.g., five minutes after every 25 minutes of work) can boost productivity and prevent fatigue.
- Set milestones and rewards: Break big assignments or lessons into smaller tasks. Celebrate when you reach goals, like finishing a webinar or aceing a quiz. Rewards can be as simple as a coffee break or watching an episode of your favorite show.
- Find your rhythm: Everyone studies differently. Pay attention to your natural energy levels and productivity patterns, and experiment with schedules to discover the method that suits you best.
4. Communicate and leverage workplace support
Let your employer and colleagues know about your study commitments. Speak with your manager about your goals, share your study schedule, and set boundaries, so colleagues know when you’re unavailable. Some companies also offer certain types of tuition assistance, even for short-term courses, so don’t forget to enquire about that as well.
Did you know?
Even if your employer doesn’t have an official learning and development (L&D) budget for employees, you might still be able to get them to subsidize or partially sponsor your HR courses. Check out AIHR’s guide to expensing your membership to learn more.
Study hacks
- Ask about resources: Many companies offer tuition reimbursement or professional development benefits. Explore what your organization offers to see if it can support you in this regard and help alleviate some of your stress.
- Apply your learning to your work: Use what you’re studying to solve real-life challenges at work. For instance, testing a new HR strategy or tool could solidify your understanding while demonstrating initiative and showing your employer the value of your studies.
5. Use tech to stay organized
Apps like Trello, Todoist, or Google Calendar can help with time management. Use them to stay organized and ensure you’re on track with your studies while managing your work duties. You might also benefit from using a physical organizer, as writing things down can help you plan and remember important details better.
Study hacks
- Streamline your notes: Apps like Evernote or OneNote make capturing, syncing, and organizing course details easy, so you never need to waste time searching for materials.
- Choose what works for you: If you like writing things down, combine digital tools with physical alternatives so you have the best of both worlds. Tailor your setup to help you stay consistent and motivated.
Develop your HR skills through continuous learning
Learn how to become an all-rounded HR professional by continuously picking up new skills and developing existing skills in different aspects of Human Resources.
AIHR’s Full Academy Access, gives you access to all available Certificate Programs, from HR Generalist and HR Manager to Strategic Talent Acquisition and Artificial intelligence for HR.
19 best HR courses for working professionals
Below are some top HR courses for working professionals that cover the different aspects of HR, listed according to beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Whether you’re looking to build a solid foundation in HR or add to your existing HR expertise, you’ll find options that work for you.
Beginner HR courses
1. Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate (HRCI)
- Format and duration: Online and self-paced; five months (six hours of study per week).
- This course covers: Training development, performance management, and compliance strategy.
- Cost: Free
- Find out more: HR Associate Professional Certificate (in partnership with Coursera)
2. Talent Management (LinkedIn Learning)
- Format and duration: Online and self-paced; one hour.
- This course covers: Talent management strategy, talent identification and development, and talent management best practices.
- Cost: Available as part of a subscription ($29.99 per month)
- Find out more: LinkedIn Learning Talent Management course
3. Fundamentals of Human Resources (Alison)
- Format and duration: Online and self-paced; three hours.
- This course covers: HR basics, HR technology, employee relations and the employment cycle.
- Cost: Free
- Find out more: Fundamentals of Human Resources
Intermediate to advanced HR courses
4. Digital HR 2.0 Certificate Program (AIHR)
- Format and duration: Online and self-paced; approximately 36 hours.
- This course covers: Digital HR and the future of work, automation in HR, and digital change management.
- Cost: $1,125
- Find out more: Digital HR 2.0 Certificate Program
5. SHRM-CP Certification (SHRM)
- Format and duration: Online; one-day or three-week live program.
- This course covers: SHRM Competency Model, candidate selection, workforce planning, and employee lifecycle management.
- Cost: $1,115 for members, $1,390 for non-members
- Find out more: SHRM-CP Certification
6. Attracting Top Talent (HRCI)
- Format and duration: Online and self-paced; this course is available for 180 days from your purchase date.
- This course covers: Employer branding, sourcing channels, and HR data and metrics.
- Cost: $149
- Find out more: HRCI Attracting Top Talent course
7. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Certificate Program (AIHR)
- Format and duration: Online and self-paced; 42 hours over 12 weeks (3.5 hours of study per week).
- This course covers: Perspectives on diversity, inclusive communication skills, and intercultural differences.
- Cost: $1,125
- Find out more: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Certificate Program
8. Pay Equity Certificate (HRPA)
- Format and duration: Online; five hours.
- This course covers: The Ontario Pay Equity Act, steps to achieve pay equity, and legal compliance.
- Cost: $1,395 for members, $1,750 for non-members (pre-tax)
- Find out more: HRPA Pay Equity Certificate
9. Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice (CIPD)
- Format and duration: Online and instructor-led; six weeks.
- This course covers: Employee relations, conflict resolution, and communications.
- Cost: £1,295
- Find out more: CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice
10. Strategic Talent Acquisition Certificate Program (AIHR)
- Format and duration: Online and self-paced; 36 hours.
- This course covers: Talent acquisition strategy, building talent pipelines, and employee value proposition (EVP)
- Cost: $1,125
- Find out more: Strategic Talent Acquisition Certificate Program
11. Employee Engagement (LinkedIn Learning)
- Format and duration: Online and self-paced; 1.5 hours.
- This course covers: Creating engaged and motivated teams
- Cost: Available as part of a subscription ($29.99 per month)
- Find out more: LinkedIn Learning Employee Engagement course
12. Career Development Methods & Techniques (ATD)
- Format and duration: The program is online and self-paced and takes approximately 45 minutes to complete (it is available for up to 12 months from your registration date).
- This course covers: Supporting career development within teams, identifying individual training needs, and training plan development.
- Cost: $295 for members, $395 for non-members
- Find out more: ATD Career Development Methods & Techniques course
Advanced HR courses
13. Strategic HR Leadership Certificate Program (Cornell)
- Format and duration: Online and instructor-led; three months (three to five hours of study per week).
- This course covers HR leadership principles, business strategy for HR, and HR strategies.
- Cost: $3,900
- Find out more: Strategic HR Leadership Certificate Program
14. Developing Your Skills As An HR Professional (Open University)
- Format and duration: Online and self-paced; nine hours.
- This course covers: Practices that support skills development, self-management skills, and working effectively in groups and teams.
- Cost: Free
- Find out more: Developing Your Skills As An HR Professional course
15. HR Management and Analytics Certification Course (The Wharton School)
- Format and duration: Video- and instructor-led; two months (four to six hours of study per week).
- This course covers: HR analytics basics, people analytics projects, and how to use data analysis.
- Cost: $2,800 ($2,380 for early registration)
- Find out more: HR Management and Analytics Certification Course
16. Employment Law Update (CIPD)
- Format and duration: Online and self-paced; one day.
- This course covers: Updates to UK labor laws, trade union laws, and recent case law.
- Cost: £550
- Find out more: Employment Law Update course
17. Conflict Resolution Certificate Program (eCornell)
- Format and duration: Online and self-paced; two months
- This course covers: Identifying conflicts, conflict diagnosis, and effective resolutions.
- Cost: $2,500
- Find out more: Conflict Resolution Certificate Program
18. SHRM-SCP Certification (SHRM)
- Format and duration: Online; three-week live program.
- This course covers: Talent management, succession planning, leadership development, and organizational change.
- Cost: $1,115 for members, $1,390 for non-members
- Find out more: SHRM-SCP Certification
19. HR Metrics, Analytics and KPI: Data-Driven Decision Making (Udemy)
- Format and duration: Online and self-paced; three to four hours.
- This course covers: Employee engagement analysis, compensation and retention optimization, measuring recruitment and onboarding success.
- Cost: €44.99
- Find out more: HR Metrics, Analytics and KPI: Data-Driven Decision Making
Your HR career transition toolkit: Moving into HR from another field
This roadmap outlines the key steps to successfully transition into a Human Resources (HR) career from a different professional background, based on the provided information.
Step 1: Identify transferable skills
- Action: Start by identifying the skills you already possess from your previous field.
- Examples: Communication, problem-solving, or project management skills.
- Analysis: Recognize how you can apply these existing skills within an HR context.
- HR applications: Understand how your skills relate to managing people, resolving conflicts, or organizing workplace processes.
Step 2: Build your HR foundation through education
- Action: Enroll in relevant HR courses designed for working professionals.
- Focus: Seek out the most suitable HR courses to help you gain essential knowledge.
- Key topics: Ensure the courses cover fundamental HR areas like talent management, employment law, and HR analytics.
Step 3: Tailor your application materials
- Action: Adapt your résumé and cover letter to reflect your career transition.
- Highlight transferable skills: Emphasize the skills identified in Step 1 that are relevant to HR.
- Showcase HR coursework: Clearly mention any HR courses you have completed.
- Align experience: Explicitly outline how your previous experience directly aligns with HR responsibilities.
- Demonstrate commitment: Mention any specific courses or certifications to showcase your dedication to your new career path.
Step 4: Network within the HR community and seek experience
- Action: Actively engage with the HR professional community.
- Networking methods: Join industry groups, attend webinars, and connect on professional platforms.
- Seek opportunities: Look for entry-level roles or internships to help you gain hands-on experience.
To sum up
HR courses for working professionals can help you stay competitive, expand your knowledge, and prepare for future challenges as the field of HR evolves. Whether you’re just starting out or are looking to sharpen your existing skills, there’s likely a course designed to meet your needs.
Prioritizing continuous learning helps your HR career remain dynamic and forward-thinking.
With HR courses available in multiple formats, you can tailor your education to fit your busy professional schedule. Not only is this a critical tool for professional development, it allows you to support your employer’s goals and help your organization thrive.
Learn more
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