In the past, human resources professionals focused primarily on administrative tasks such as finding qualified employees, matching them to appropriate jobs, and balancing the interests of the organization with the rights and needs of employees. Today, the roles of HR professionals have evolved to support an organization in reaching its strategic goals and improving business results, while cultivating talented and capable staff. The Fundamentals of Human Resources certificate program is designed for human resources professionals or professionals who seek to transition to the HR field, providing a foundational preparation for this fast-changing profession.
Post-baccalaureate students at Northwestern's School of Professional Studies pay per course. For more information about financial obligations and tuition, please visit the Tuition page.
Admission for the Fundamentals of Human Resources Certificate
In addition to completing an online application, you'll also need to submit a few supplemental materials. A list of requirements for admission including application deadlines and tips on how to apply can be found on the Admission page.
Fundamentals of Human Resources Registration Information
Whether you're a first-time registrant or current and returning student, all students register using our online student registration and records systems. Important information about registering for courses at SPS, including registration timelines and adding or dropping courses in which you are already enrolled, can be found on the Registration Information page.
Find out more about the Human Resources Certificate
Program Courses:
Course Detail
Organization Behavior <> ORG_BEH 301-CN
Organizations are a part of our everyday lives. Whether at work,
school, church etc., similar interpersonal and group behaviors and
dynamics apply. The focus of this course is to examine several
aspects of organizations from an integrated perspective, including
how the formal organization, culture, people and work can all
connect to transform inputs to outputs. Emphasis will be placed on
understanding individual differences as the foundation of our
interpersonal and managerial effectiveness. Case studies, classroom
and online discussions, team assignments and presentations will all
be part of the learning. At the end of the class, it is anticipated
that students will have a better understanding of today's complex
organizations and more equipped to navigate the workplace.
This course combines classroom lecture and discussion with an
online component. For the lecture and discussion components, this
course is paired with an afternoon session of ORG BEH 311-CN, and
the in-class meetings are on alternate Saturdays: 1/12, 1/26, 2/9,
2/23, and 3/9.
The interaction of individuals in formal organizations; theory
and research integrated with cases and exercises to develop an
understanding of the dynamics of motivation, communication, group
decision making, leadership, intergroup relations, power, and
conflict. Students are encouraged to apply this knowledge to
managing relationships with superiors, subordinates, and colleagues
in their own work settings.
The course will explore how HR has evolved from its inception to
the present day HR function - and the direction organizations need
it to continue to move toward. The majority of the course will
focus on ensuring the students learn that to be an effective
leader within any organization, they must consider themselves as
human resources managers. To accomplish this, each student will
learn the key responsibilities and competencies of a cutting-edge
human resources leader.
In this course, students achieve a working knowledge of conflict
theory and its application to negotiations; learn about their own
conflict resolution style, understand how group membership can
impact conflict. This course combines classroom lecture and
discussion with an online component. For the lecture and discussion
components, this course is paired with a morning session of BLP/ORG
BEH 301-CN taught by Robert Ernest, and the in-class meetings are
on alternate Saturdays: 1/12, 1/26, 2/9, 2/23, and 3/9. This
course is part of the Business Leadership year one cohort.
No matter the type or size, conflict takes place daily within
every organization. Despite that frequency, conflict still is
misunderstood and mismanaged. Based on research, there are
generally accepted two types of conflict; one has the ability to
increase productivity, effectiveness and satisfaction -and the
other that can create the exact opposite effect. This course
explores both the positive and negative impacts of conflict, and
include strategies used to identify and resolve conflicts so that
benefits can be received, issues addressed, and relationships
maintained. This course combines classroom lecture and discussion
with an online component. For the lecture and discussion the course
will meet in person. First class attendance is mandatory.
There is no available section.
Employment Law <> ORG_BEH 321-CN
This course reviews policy, procedural guidelines, and
supervisory practices relating to hiring, promotion, compensation,
discharge, employment-at-will, and affirmative-action issues. The
course is designed to equip current and future managers with the
ability to anticipate and prevent discrimination complaints related
to protected characteristics such as race, sex, national origin,
age, religion, and disability. The class is structured in a blended
format, with alternating weeks of in-class meetings and online
participation. The in-class meetings will include
lecture/discussion, case analysis, group activities, short video
clips and interactive multimedia exercises. Carries business
credit.
This course equips HR professionals—or those who aim for HR
careers or who seek to collaborate effectively with HR--to design
high-impact professional development courses for employees across a
broad spectrum of experience levels and business sectors. The
course is organized into three parts: fundamental learning
theories; course development through a practicum; and presentations
of the final curriculum. Students in this course will need to have
access to an organization that is interested in a training
initiative.
This course combines classroom lecture and discussion with an
online component.
