Institute for Professional Studies: Strategic Human Resources

An integrated perspective for tomorrow’s strategic H.R. leaders

Human Resources professionals can no longer focus solely on traditional control and compliance tasks. They must develop a more integrated perspective to ensure their contribution can help promote the entire organization. Develop skills that allow you to be a strategic partner within your company’s leadership team.  As the workplace changes from office to remote and industries change to handle the new economic models, future leadership is needed to grow and leverage an organization’s greatest asset – its people.  This graduate HR certification program focuses on best practices yet builds skills that future-proof students across any industry.

The strategic HR certificate is an invaluable asset for any professional looking to stay competitive in the job market. With a certificate, you can demonstrate your expertise in the field and open up new career opportunities. It also serves as a great foundation for further education and instills confidence in job performance. Earning a strategic HR certificate is an investment in your personal and professional growth and is certain to pay off in the long run.

Human resources certificate program highlights

  • Five Courses – 13 credit hours
  • Project-based – Experiential Learning Experiences
  • Build your reflective portfolio demonstrating your skills to employers
  • Network with professional peers and mentors
  • 100% online
  • Strategic Human Resources (HR) certificate is eligible to apply towards Avila’s MBA, MS in Organizational Development, and MA in Management programs
  • An SHRM Certified Program.
CourseDatesModality
OD664 Workplace Planning and EmploymentJune 20 – August 12, 20238 weeks Online, Fully Asynchronous
OD667 Total Rewards & Risk ManagementAugust 21 – Oct 15, 20238 weeks Online, Fully Asynchronous
OD662 Strategic HR ManagementOctober 16 – December 16, 20238 weeks Online, Fully Asynchronous
OD668 Employee & Labor RelationsJanuary 2 – April 20, 20248 weeks Online, Fully Asynchronous
MG685 Professional PortfolioApril 22 – June 15, 202416-week Online Virtual Portfolio Development

Enroll by March 15, 2023, for a 20% discount

Cost: $500 per credit hour / $6,500 total


A professional human resources certificate can take your career to the next level.

“The staff at Avila was incredibly flexible to create an opportunity for a group of professionals in a very high-demanding atmosphere. “

Kari Taube, Senior eLearning Specialist, Cerner

“They truly understood the complexity of this unique group. They created an exceptionally soft blend of content, course work, and scheduled assignments that enabled synchronous and asynchronous collaboration, depending upon each contributor’s demanding work-life schedule.”

Benefits of graduate-level HR certification:

Build up your resume. Employers are looking for applicants with advanced HR certifications. Earning HR certification demonstrates that you’re dedicated to your human resources and can give you an edge over other candidates.

Build your career. Completing a graduate HR certification program can qualify you for additional responsibilities and improve your opportunities for promotion.

Build your salary potential. HR professionals with graduate-level credentials are more valuable to companies and earn more.

Build and enhance your skills.  HR professionals know better than anyone else how advancing skills can help improve job performance. You see it every day in others. Earning an HR certification will keep your skills up-to-date and your knowledge current on relevant topics and technology.

Who can benefit from HR certificate programs:

Recent Human Resources undergraduates. Landing your first job is tough. Having a graduate HR certification will help your resume stand out.

Young professionals in their first Human Resources job. A graduate certificate will help you build the confidence and skills that usually only come with years of experience.

Seasoned HR professionals. When ready for a career boost, look for a graduate-level HR certificate. Avila’s program will prepare you for new responsibilities and help give you additional negotiation leverage for a raise or promotion.

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