Human Resources is the heart and soul of a business. Without proper talent recruitment and HR management, an organization can’t reach its goals.
To make the most of this valuable resource, HR professionals, people managers entrepreneurs, etc., need to be aware of the latest HRM tools and techniques. Thankfully, any resource you need to delve deeper into the subject is just a click away!
Whether you are seeking a career in HR or you are a seasoned professional looking to brush up your skills, we’ve got you covered. This carefully curated list of online HR courses is what you need to enhance your skills and knowledge and take your career to the next level.
15 Best HR Courses Online
- Human Resource Management: HR for People Managers Specialization [Coursera]
- Administrative Human Resource (HR) for Beginners [Udemy]
- Leading: Human Resource Management and Leadership Specialization [Coursera]
- Recruiting, Hiring, and Onboarding Employees [Coursera]
- People Management [edX]
- Preparing to Manage Human Resources [Coursera]
- World-Class HR: 21st Century Talent Management [Udemy]
- Learn HR Fundamentals for a Career in Human Resources [Udemy]
- HR 101: Compliance Made Easy – U.S. Employers Must Have [Udemy]
- Digital Transformation in HR [The London School of Economics and Political Science]
- HR Management and Analytics: Unlock the Value of Human Capital [Wharton Executive Education]
- The Future of Human Resource Management (HRM) [Future Learn]
- People Analytics: Transforming HR Strategy with Data Science [University of Cambridge]
- Human Resource Management Courses [LinkedIn Learning]
- SHRM Certification
Top 15 Human Resources Classes Online
1. Human Resource Management: HR for People Managers Specialization [Coursera]
Dig deeper into HR management policies, key principles, and practices with these 5 courses specialization offered by the University of Minnesota.
The process of enrolling in and completing these human resources courses online is quite simple. Even if you subscribe to any particular course that is part of this specialization, you are automatically subscribed to the complete specialization.
You can track your progress by visiting the learner dashboard.
Now let’s see what makes this program one of the best HR management courses online.
| Rating | 4.8 |
| Refund policy | Cancel anytime without penalty during the 7-day free trial |
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes |
| Duration | Approx. 6 months (4 hours per week) |
| Enrolled | 110, 740 students |
| Instructor | John W. Budd, Amy Simon, Stacy Doepner-Hove, Larry Bourgerie, Alan Benson, Mike Davis |
| Cons | The entire specialization takes up to 6 months to complete. So, this course is not for someone looking for a quick learning experience. |
Learning Outcomes
After completing this Coursera human resources specialization, you will:
- Have a better understanding of different approaches to human resource management.
- Understand the various factors that motivate employees.
- Use best practices to manage employee performance.
- Use best practices for hiring employees and rewarding them.
- Learn how to avoid common mistakes in human resource management.
- Gain skills like performance management, interviewing, onboarding, recruitment, performance appraisal, and more.
Prerequisites
Ideally, you should have a minimum of two years of college experience to make the most out of these HR courses online. However, prior experience in the field is not necessary as this is a beginner’s level course and covers the fundamentals of HR.
Who is this course for?
These human resources classes online are most suitable for:
- Those interested in learning the basic principles of human resource management
- Managers who wish to take on the duties related to hiring, motivating, and managing human resources.
- Those who seek a career in HR
- People who want to refresh their HR knowledge.
2. Administrative Human Resource (HR) for Beginners [Udemy]
With a one-hour on-demand video and 3 articles, this one of the best HR courses online is exactly what you need to understand the roles and duties of HR.
The course covers several important topics like understanding the role of HR, conducting HR audits, recruiting excellent talent, and improving employee performance and evaluation process.
If you are looking for short but comprehensive human resources classes online to learn more about HR or simply brush up on your knowledge, this program has got you covered!
| Rating | 4.4 |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes |
| Duration | 1-hour on-demand video |
| Enrolled | 11, 688 students |
| Instructor | Catherine Mattice (Illumeo Learning) |
| Cons | The course is too short with useful but limited information. |
Learning Outcomes
This human resources course online will help you in:
- Exploring the role of HR in administration and compliance.
- Exploring the role of HR in strategy and business growth.
- Understanding where to start with HR audit.
- Learning how to recruit talent (job analysis, writing questions for the interview and job postings, and more)
- Discovering a more impactable process for performance management.
Prerequisites
You do not require any preparation or prerequisites to enroll in these HR classes online.
Who should take this course?
This is one of the finest HR courses online for:
- Those who are interested in a Human Resources Job
- Those who seek to learn about management or related fields.
- Small business owners willing to learn more about HR
- Administrative professionals who handle HR duties
3. Leading: Human Resource Management and Leadership Specialization [Coursera]
Next up on our list of best HR courses online is this amazing program offered by Macquarie University. The course will help you equip yourself with the skills and knowledge required for leading and navigating the dynamic global work environment in today’s time.
From learning effective ways to motivate employees to discover your unique leadership style, this specialization covers it all. You will also learn how to enable your organization to reach its strategic goals and harness the diversity of your team.
This Coursera human resources specialization consists of 4 courses:
- Organizational design: Know your organization
- Organizational behavior: Know your people
- Adapt your leadership style
- Visionary leadership, identity, and motivation: Become a meaningful maker
Since this human resources course online is self-paced, you can set and maintain flexible deadlines to complete the specialization.
| Rating | 4.9 |
| Return or refund policy | Cancel anytime without penalty during the 7-day free trial |
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes |
| Duration | Approx. 6 months (4 hours per week) |
| Enrolled | 20, 953 students |
| Instructor | Professor Jaco Lok |
| Cons | Some outdated portions could be revised. |
Learning Outcomes
After taking these human resources classes online, you will be able to do the following:
- Analyzing and understanding how to keep the employees motivated with meaningful work’
- Know more about how you can help your organization to complete its strategic objectives
- Understand how you can harness the diversity of your team
- Understand how to use teamwork for innovation and increase output
- Analyzing and understanding leadership theories and discovering personal leadership skills.
- Developing skills like Strategic thinking, visionary leadership, change planning, organizational design, communication, and more.
Prerequisites
You do not need to have any specific background knowledge to enroll in these human resources courses online.
Who should take this course?
These best HR certification courses online are suitable for anyone willing to know more about HR and HRM.
4. Recruiting, Hiring, and Onboarding Employees [Coursera]
Recruiting, Hiring, and onboarding Employees is the second course in Coursera’s 5-course Human Resource Management: HR for Managers Specialisation. This Coursera human resources program explores why it is vital to align recruitment goals with the overall strategy of your company.
Furthermore, it deals with topics like recruiting and selecting employees. Current issues in talent acquisition, and keys to an effective onboarding process.
Offered by the University of Minnesota, this course has helped students to start a new career, attain tangible career benefits, or get a pay increase or promotion.
| Rating | 4.7 |
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes (financial aid is also available) |
| Duration | Approx. 20 hours to complete |
| Enrolled | 76, 675 students |
| Instructor | Amy Simon, Stacy Doepner-Hove |
| Cons | A few technical issues in the videos |
Learning Outcomes:
In these best HR courses online, you will learn:
- How to align the processes of recruitment and selection practices with the overall strategy of your company.
- Understand the core components of the hiring process (job analysis, job description, and job designs).
- Understand the macro-level strategic considerations involved in recruiting.
- Analyze what goes into becoming an effective recruiter and where to look for prospective employees.
- Understand the legal and ethical issues involved in recruiting.
- Understanding recruitment from a global perspective.
- Examine and analyze the selection process for choosing the best candidates.
- This human resources course online will also help you learn more about the onboarding process.
Who is this course for?
This human resource management online course is for:
- Anyone who wants to know more about the processes of recruiting, hiring, and onboarding employees.
- HR professionals and people managers seeking to increase their skills.
5. People Management [edX]
This human resources course online has been designed to transform individual contributors into people managers. Whether you are an aspiring candidate or a seasoned, manager, this course has something for everyone.
Offered by IIMBx, these human resources classes online come with two enrollment options – Verified Track (Paid) and Audit Track (Free). Unfortunately, The free version offers limited access to course materials and does not give a certificate upon completing the course.
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | No (optional upgrade available) |
| Duration | Approx. 6 weeks (2-4 hours per week) |
| Enrolled | 1, 30,438 students |
| Instructor | Vasanthi Srinivasan |
| Cons | A few technical issues in the videos |
Learning Outcomes
After completing these human resource classes online, you will gain:
- A better understanding of what goes into becoming an effective people manager.
- A better understanding of the various aspects of people management.
- Ability to reflect on personal managerial experiences.
- Ability to appreciate and understand the challenges of being a first-time manager.
Prerequisites
This is one of the most informative introductory-level HR courses online. There are no prerequisites for enrolling in this course.
Who is this course for?
These HR classes online are best for:
- People managers who are looking to enhance their skills.
- Aspiring and first-time managers
6. Preparing to Manage Human Resources [Coursera]
Next up, on our list of best HR certification courses online is Coursera’s ‘Preparing to Manage Human Resources.’ This human resource management online course is the first in five courses of the Human Resource Management: HR for People Managers Specialization.
It has been designed to help lay a foundation to enable students to develop their unique approach to efficient employee management. The program is also suitable for those who are new to HR management.
| Rating | 4.8 |
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes |
| Duration | Approx. 18 hours to complete |
| Enrolled | 155, 914 students |
| Instructor | John W. Budd |
| Cons | The course may seem somewhat basic |
Learning Outcomes
In this Coursera human resources course, you will be able to:
- Understand how money motivates employees
- Understand the non-monetary reasons for working.
- Analyze alternative approaches to managing human resources and compare and select the best strategies.
- Understand the restrictions faced by HR managers, especially those about the legal environment.
- Understand the various constraints that affect human resource management in an organization.
Prerequisites
No prior knowledge or experience is required to enroll in these HR courses online.
Who is this course for?
This human resources course online is for:
- Those aiming to enter the Human Resource arena.
- Anyone willing to brush up their knowledge of the HR industry.
7. World-Class HR: 21st Century Talent Management [Udemy]
This HR course online will not only teach you to hire the best people for the job but also give you valuable insight into how to turn them into leaders and keep them motivated.
The success of your organization depends on your team and this program will help you choose the best one. These human resource classes online cover various topics including talent acquisition, performance management, continuous learning, global leadership, retention and engagement, and more.
| Rating | 4.2 |
| Return or refund policy | 30-days-money-back guarantee |
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes |
| Duration | 2 hours of on-demand video |
| Enrolled | 32, 125 students |
| Instructor | Josh Bersin |
| Cons | The course may seem somewhat dated |
Learning Outcomes
After completing this human resource management online course, you will learn how to:
- Discover how to move talent from early to senior leadership rapidly.
- Retain your best talent and keep them engaged.
- Increase collaboration and knowledge sharing across the organization
- Increase the percentage of women and hire more diversity in leadership roles.
- Globalize the HR program of your organization.
- Ways to attract and retain millennials.
Human Resources Classes Online Prerequisites
For these HR classes online you need a keen interest in the ‘people side of the business world and a willingness to learn is all you require to enroll for this course.
Who should take this course?
This course is most suitable for
- HR managers and entrepreneurs
- People with small businesses
- HR and L&D professionals
8. Learn HR Fundamentals for a Career in Human Resources [Udemy]
These HR classes online are a perfect fit for people who want to learn more about the core roles and responsibilities of human resources. Carefully divided into different topics, the course covers an array of topics that are vital to getting a better understanding of HR Management.
| Rating | 4.4 |
| Return or refund policy | 30-days money-back guarantee |
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes |
| Duration | Approx. 12 hours to complete |
| Enrolled | 9,095 students |
| Instructor | Christina A. Danforth |
| Cons | The course was last updated in 2015. |
Learning Outcomes
In these human resources classes online you will learn about:
- Developing an understanding of how HR functions.
- Using the main HR concepts and principles in the workplace.
Prerequisites
You do not need any prior knowledge or experience to enroll in this course.
Who is this HR course online suited for?
- Those who are new to HR and want to learn more about it.
- Business owners who want to establish a Human Resource department.
9. HR 101: Compliance Made Easy – U.S. Employers Must Have[Udemy]
The next course on the list of HR management courses online will give you a robust understanding of important human resource processes. It will also help you understand how to ensure that you comply with U.S. employment regulations.
| Rating | 4.5 |
| Return or refund policy | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes |
| Duration | 3 hours of on-demand video |
| Enrolled | 4, 464 students |
| Instructor | Donna Galatas, Jackie Torres |
| Cons | The pace of these HR classes online may seem a little slow |
Learning Outcomes
After completing this human resources course online, you will be able to master the following skills:
- Setting up and managing employee records to make it easier to find relevant documents.
- The right way to complete the I-9 form
- The right way to audit and correct existing I-9 Forms.
- How to avoid fines and penalties in case your organization is sued by deciding which position should be compensated for overtime.
- Create a Record Retention Program by organizing your staff-related records so that you stay ahead of legal requirements.
Prerequisites
For these human resources classes online you need:
- A willingness to follow the instructions and processes given in the course.
- A willingness to understand how important HR compliance is.
- Take ownership by completing the exercises given after every lecture.
Who should take this course?
Out of so many HR courses online, this one is for you if:
- You struggle with completing the HR paperwork for your employees.
- Business owners, HR staff, managers, or anybody who is responsible for HR functions in an organization.
10. Digital Transformation in HR [The London School of Economics and Political Science]
This robust HR management course is offered by the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science.
These human resources classes online are perfect for you if you wish to learn more about how digital HRM and people analytics impact performance and business outcomes.
These are certified HR classes online by the United Kingdom CPD Certification/service.
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes |
| Duration | Approximately 8 weeks (8-10 hours per week) |
| Instructor | Jonathan E Booth, Elaine Yerby, Chunyun Li |
| Cons | The course is long (approx. 70 hours) and requires a considerably long time investment. |
Learning Outcomes
This HR course online will help you in:
- Understanding how to use data analytics and technology to make effective talent and business-related decisions.
- Understanding various methods to identify and resolve business issues related to digital Human Resource Management in different organizational contexts.
- Mastering the skills required to adopt, change, and manage risks to foster the trust of stakeholders while working in the digital cultural landscape of the organization
- Discover emerging tools that are essential to assist in digitally transforming HR practices are various levels.
11. HR Management and Analytics: Unlock the Value of Human Capital [Wharton Executive Education]
Next on our list of best HR courses online is this program by Wharton. This program with HR classes online brings together theory and practical application to help the students understand strategic Human Resource Management including an overview of people analytics. Through this course, you will learn how you can use data analytics to improve HR management.
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes (referral discount, flexible payment option, and group pricing available) |
| Duration | Approximately 2 months (4-6 hours per week) |
| Instructor | Martine Haas, Michael Useem, Peter Cappelli, Matthew Bidwell, Cade Massey |
| Cons | This course is expensive |
Learning Outcomes
After completing these human resources classes online, you will be able to:
- Understand the basics of using HR analytics for increasing collaboration between employees as well as departments.
- Use data analysis to make informed decisions
- Understand key performance measuring factors.
- Effectively initiate and manage projects involving people analytics.
- Motivate employee performance
- Plan out an effective reward system and create a great work environment.
- How to create an organizational structure that is built for getting the top talent as well as a competitive advantage.
Who is this course for?
This human resource management online course is suitable for:
- Mid to senior-level HR professionals willing to take HR classes online.
- Learning and development professionals
- Consultants, Business owners (small and medium) and general managers
- Business unit hands that handle HR performance management duties.
- Business performance professionals will also benefit from these human resource classes online.
12.The Future of Human Resource Management (HRM) [FutureLearn]
The next course in our list of HR courses online offered by the University of Twente gives you an insight into the future of human resource management. It is suitable for HR professionals and managers who seek to build innovative, motivated, and engaged teams by using effective HR strategies.
These HR classes online will help you gear up for the future of people management by exploring futuristic HR strategies, grounded in research and highly effective in practice.
From explaining the fundamentals of people management to exploring future possibilities in the area, this 10-week long course covers all this and much more.
This human resources course online is a great option for HR professionals and business leaders who wish to broaden their leadership perspective. It is also suitable for students who wish to learn people management or become HRM professionals.
| Rating | 4.8 |
| Certification | Yes (after the upgrade) |
| Paid | No (upgrade available) |
| Duration | 10 weeks (3 hours per week) |
| Enrolled | 3, 450 students |
| Instructor | Tanya Bondarouk, Anna Bos-Nehles, Jeroen Meijerink, Jan De Leede, Maarten Renkema |
| Cons | The content in this course could have been more detailed |
13. People Analytics: Transforming HR Strategy with Data Science [University of Cambridge]
In today’s time, it has become necessary to have access to employee data and relevant analytical tools to make an informed decision that enhances people as well as business outcomes.
Unfortunately, a lot of HR professionals and people managers do not have access to the data and tools that can help them optimize and align their decisions with the objectives of the organization.
With the help of these HR classes online, you will be able to develop a highly effective people analytics function in your workplace.
This HR management course online is suitable for mid to senior-level HR professionals, data analytics professionals, project managers, consultants, employee reps, directors, and functional heads.
A few of the topics covered in this HR course online are setting up a people analytics function, achieving operational excellence with data, root cause analysis and project tactics, and Organizational data science among others.
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes (flexible payment option, referral discounts, and group pricing available) |
| Duration | 8 weeks (4-6 hours per week) |
| Instructor | Luning Sun, Peter Romero |
| Cons | The course is expensive |
14. Human Resource Management Courses [LinkedIn Learning]
Be it job hunting, networking, or upskilling, one platform we all turn to at the time of need is LinkedIn. LinkedIn Learning offers thousands of courses on hundreds of subjects.
The platform’s list of human resources courses online is quite extensive. Whether you are new to the field or an expert, this platform will help you find an HR management course according to your preference.
To make things easier for you, here are a few top human resources courses online you may check out on LinkedIn Learning:
- Unconscious Bias by Stacey Gordon
- Talent Sourcing by Barbara Bruno
- Mentoring Others by Todd Dewett
- Human Resources: Strategic Workforce Planning by Wayne Cascio
15. SHRM Certification
Human resources courses online can help upgrade your skills. However, to become a trusted and successful HR professional you need more.
Ready to make your next career move? How about getting a certification? SHRM offers various certifications that can help you move your HR career forward.
You may choose the right SHRM credential for you, depending on your education and work experience. You can apply for the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP exam, by visiting portal.shrm.org.
Conclusion
So, these are the best HR certification courses online. Invest in your future by enrolling in any one of these human resources courses online to enhance your skills and brush up your knowledge.
Since most of these courses are self-paced, you will not have to worry about rearranging your schedule.
From useful knowledge and valuable insights to access to amazing study materials and sharable certificates, there is so much to gain from these human resources classes online. So, choose a course according to your learning requirements and budget, and begin your journey today!
