Whether you’re looking to enter the HR field and build your knowledge or are a seasoned HR professional wanting to get certified and grow in your career, online HR courses are a great place to start. Although only some organizations require employees to be certified or have completed a formal HR training course, it can give you a strong foundation to build a thriving career and help you land your dream job.
In this article, we’ll explore the best online Human Resources courses and HR classes to help you enroll in the right one for you.
Contents
Why do an online HR course?
Top online HR courses to enroll in
1. HR certificate programs (AIHR)
2. Introduction to Modern Human Resource Management (Alison)
3. Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate (HRCI/Coursera)
4. Human Resources Essentials Certificate Program (eCornell)
5. Various HR courses (OpenLearn)
6. Certificate in Human Resource Management (Oxford Home Study Centre)
7. HR Management and Analytics (Wharton Online)
8. BernieU (BerniePortal)
9. HR Skills® Fundamentals (MindEdge)
10. International Human Resources Management: An Introduction (Coventry University/FutureLearn)
11. HR Fundamentals (CIPD/FutureLearn)
12. Human Resource Certificate Program (Corexcel)
FAQ
Why do an online HR course?
There are many benefits to completing online HR courses and HR certificate programs:
- Flexible learning: Online courses make it possible to learn from anywhere in the world. Self-paced courses allow you to plan your learning journey around your current job or commitments, while live courses online courses mimic the energy and community of a real-life classroom.
- Cost-effectiveness: Many online HR courses offer enrollment at a fraction of the cost of a formal degree. These courses are shorter in duration and enable you to specialize in the areas of HR that interest you.
- Long-term access: Many of these HR courses online will include long-term or even lifetime access to the content, which means you can revisit specific modules any time you need a refresher.
- Building self-discipline: Completing an online, self-paced course requires motivation and discipline, which are great qualities to develop and carry with you throughout your career.
- Getting financing from your employer: If you’re already employed as an HR professional, there’s a strong chance you can get your organization to pay for you to complete an online HR course or certification. Employers want to invest in you because, in the long run, this is an investment in the business.
Top online HR courses to enroll in
Please note that this list is compiled based on publicly available information. We have not tried the courses ourselves, with the exception of AIHR’s courses.
1. HR certificate programs (AIHR)
For any aspiring or existing HR professionals looking to complete a Human Resources certification online, The Academy to Innovate HR offers enticing certificate programs and courses. AIHR’s offering includes upskilling in numerous areas of HR, from the HR Generalist Certificate Program to certificates in HR metrics, compensation & benefits, and more.
What you’ll get
Providing a mix of on-demand video lessons, downloadable guides, and access to a supportive community of HR professionals around the globe, AIHR’s online certificate programs are designed to help you deliver a tangible business impact. You’ll also earn a digital certificate upon completion. The most popular programs include:
AIHR is recognized as an accredited HR program provider with the Society for Human Resource Management, the HR Certification Institute, the Human Resources Professionals Association, and the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources.
Access all-inclusive learning for ambitious HR professionals
If you’re serious about advancing your HR career, you need to be ready to invest in your learning.
With Full Academy Access you unlock AIHR’s entire library of HR certifications and tools to help you grow. Get the freedom to learn what you need, when you need it, and build the right skills on your own schedule.
💡 Want to experience the AIHR learning platform before enrolling? From bite-sized lessons to practical templates, see what makes it different.
2. Introduction to Modern Human Resource Management (Alison)
Alison is a platform featuring free online courses from the world’s leading experts across a wide range of industries and business sectors, including HR. Their HR courses online cover specialist areas including organizational behavior, talent acquisition practices, and understanding and preventing sexual harassment in the workplace.
What you’ll get
Alison’s Introduction to Modern Human Resource Management course helps learners strategically manage their HR responsibilities, maximize employee performance, and contribute to meeting the short and long-term objectives of the business.
In this course, students will identify the main responsibilities of HRM managers, outline the recruitment and selection process, describe current and future HR needs as technology transforms the world of work, discuss how diversity plays an important role in organizational success, and cover the need for shifting strategic plans and goals as internal and external environments change.
Alison’s course is CPD-accredited and takes between 1.5 and 3 hours (on average) to complete.
3. Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate (HRCI/Coursera)
Coursera offers 100% online learning from the world’s best universities and companies, through a mix of online courses, professional certificates, university certificates, specializations, and guided projects. HR-related courses include people analytics, generative AI in HR, and Human Resources management and leadership. One of the most popular courses is the Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate by HRCI.
What you’ll get
HRCI Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate is the perfect beginner-level online course for anyone looking to launch their HR career – no degree or previous experience required. It’s a series of five courses including talent acquisition, learning and development, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and compliance risk and management.
Through a mix of engaging videos, interactive activities, and peer-reviewed projects, learners can complete the course at their own pace, earn a certificate from HRCI, and build credit toward an eligible degree. By committing just hours of learning a week, students can complete the course in 5 months.
4. Human Resources Essentials Certificate Program (eCornell)
Online university eCornell has Human Resources certificate programs developed by faculty from Cornell University’s ILR School. The courses within these programs bring together the insights and work of leading academic researchers with instruction grounded in practice and focused on real-world application.
Cornell has a professional certificate to match the career objectives of HR professionals, whether they are new to HR, an accomplished HR practitioner, or an HR leader or business partner. Programs include HR essentials, HR management, and diversity and inclusion.
What you’ll get
eCornell’s Human Resources Essentials certificate program is perfect for anyone new to HR or looking for a deeper understanding of HR functions. You will learn how to align employee performance with organizational goals, counter bias in the workplace, foster a coaching culture, listen actively and process feedback, interview effectively, and address workplace behavior issues.
The program is completely online and self-paced, with the option to participate in small facilitated discussions with industry peers. It can be completed within 3 months based on 3-8 hours of study each week.
5. Various HR courses (OpenLearn)
OpenLearn is an initiative from the Open University. They’re on a mission to break down barriers to education by reaching millions of learners each year through free educational resources, including courses on all things HR.
Learners can take free courses and earn a digital badge or statement of participation as evidence of their learning. Courses range from introductory to advanced.
What you’ll get
Available HR online courses include:
- Developing your skills as an HR professional
- Employee relations and employee engagement
- Hybrid working
- Workplace learning (coaching and mentoring)
- Diversity and inclusion in the workplace
- Risk management.
Each course has clear learning outcomes, is split into manageable modules, and contains a list of suggested additional resources. Learners can go through the content at their own pace, track their progress, and upon completion receive a statement of participation.
6. Certificate in Human Resource Management (Oxford Home Study Centre)
OHSC is a private online college and the leading specialist provider of distance learning professional courses in the U.K. The institute provides accredited home study courses across the world and is set up by a team of professionals with over ten years of experience in delivering home-based study programs. They offer several online HR courses.
What you’ll get
Their Certificate in Human Resource Management QLS Level 2 and Level 3 courses are designed for professionals looking to begin or advance their career in HR, working in any sector at any level. Recommended study hours are 125 hours and 200 hours, respectively, and students can enroll at any time.
A digital OHSC certificate of completion will be awarded to students who successfully complete the program.
7. HR Management and Analytics (Wharton Online)
Wharton Online is part of the Wharton University of Pennsylvania. The platform offers courses to millions of learners who use them to advance their careers in a variety of fields, including HR. Wharton Online courses are taught by the same world-renowned thought leaders and scholars who teach in Wharton’s on-campus programs.
What you’ll get
If you’re looking for online HR management courses, Wharton’s HR management and analytics program might be suitable for you. The program combines theory with practical application via video lectures, real-world examples, applications to data sets, and debriefs of learnings.
Modules include:
- Intro to people analytics and performance evaluation
- Motivation and reward
- Tasks, jobs, and systems of work
- Strategic staffing
- Collaboration networks
- Talent management and analytics
- Managing your career as an HR professional.
It’s suitable for mid- to senior-level HR and learning development professionals, general managers, business heads who crossover into HR management, and business performance professionals. This self-paced online program requires 4-6 hours of study per week over two months.
8. BernieU (BerniePortal)
BernieU offers a collection of free online HR certification training programs, all of which are pre-approved for HRCI and SHRM credits. Their aim is to provide high-value HR tools and resources that help employers build great places to work.
What you’ll get
Courses on offer include:
- HR ethics
- HRIS technology and tools
- Payroll basics for employers
- HR hiring guide
- Retention essentials
- Benefits administration.
Each course requires no more than 90 minutes of study and can be enrolled in and completed at any time. Each course is split into a series of smaller lessons, making the content easy to digest.
9. HR Skills® Fundamentals (MindEdge)
MindEdge is an online learning company that offers professional development and continuing education courses across a wide range of fields. Founded by educators and digital learning experts, MindEdge focuses on flexible, accessible online learning designed to help individuals gain practical skills and knowledge. Their catalog includes a variety of courses for HR professionals.
What you’ll get
The HR Skills® Fundamentals Certificate is an online, self-paced program that combines 8 courses covering hiring, interviewing, onboarding, HR law, training and development, and more. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to explore a career in HR or managers who supervise employees. Students who commit 1-10 hours of study per week can expect to complete the program in 2 weeks, but they will have 720 days to complete it.
10. International Human Resources Management: An Introduction (Coventry University/FutureLearn)
FutureLearn offers online courses, certifications, and degrees from over 200 world-class institutions and educators, such as UCL, Cambridge, and the CIPD. HR courses include HR fundamentals, green HR, how to become an HR manager, HR analytics, employment law, and more.
What you’ll get
The International Human Resources Management course by Coventry University is 100% online and self-paced, requiring just 3 hours of study per week over 2 weeks to complete. The course covers an intro to HR, the role HR takes in a business setting, the HR practices of multinational companies, and a peer review of an international business’s HR practice. It serves as a great introduction to HR for anyone who wants to study HR management at a higher level.
As part of the International Business and People Relations program, this course contributes to the BA in International Business degree.
11. HR Fundamentals (CIPD/FutureLearn)
Also hosted through FutureLearn, the CIPD’s HR Fundamentals program offers an introduction to the field of Human Resources and helps people develop the skills they need to become successful HR professionals.
What you’ll get
The course includes an exploration of what HR means, HR practice, people and strategy, performance and engagement, and recruitment. By the end of the program, learners will understand the importance of HR and the key role it plays in organizations, apply basic principles of workforce planning, and know how to get the best out of employees.
This online course can be completed in five weeks with three hours of study per week, and all students who complete the program will receive a digital certificate.
12. Human Resource Certificate Program (Corexcel)
Corexcel offers a range of online courses, employee assessments, certifications, and facilitator materials for both employees and employers to help people develop and excel in their careers. They offer a range of online HR courses, including a certificate in HR management, an introduction to HR management, and detailed explorations of HR specialities including compensation and benefits, employee rights, and performance management.
What you’ll get
The Human Resource Certificate Program combines seven individual courses and covers key areas of HR, including HR management, compensation, data, employee selection, equal employment opportunity, performance management, and talent management.
This is a fully online, self-paced program that can be enrolled in at any time. It includes professional videos with transcripts for learning, interactive review exercises, and an ask the expert features where students can submit questions directly to the program experts.
A final word
So, how do you select the right HR course for you?
The best online HR course for you depends on your current career status, your budget, and your desire to grow.
For example, if you’re an aspiring HR professional who currently works in a different industry, you might value a free introductory course that requires a small hourly commitment each week. On the other hand, if you’re currently already working in HR, you might be looking for a course that includes certification, and you may be able to get your organization to pay for your training, in which case, you can enroll in a more premium offering. You might also be an HR practitioner looking to specialize in a particular field; therefore, completing a course within this field would make the most sense.
Take time to research the options we’ve rounded up above, contact companies for more information about each program’s features, and make the decision that feels right for you.
FAQ
The best HR course depends on a number of factors, including your goals, your current career level, and the area of HR you wish to progress in, but also your budget and the time you’re able to invest in learning.
Yes, there are many companies, including AIHR, that offer HR certification programs online, which can be completed at your own pace around existing commitments.
Yes, you can get your HR degree online. Many universities around the world offer degree programs that can be completed entirely online, so you can study from home and continue working. Examples are the Online Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management from Colorado State University Global and the BSc Business Administration with Human Resource Management specialization from the University of London.
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