17 Best HR Courses To Take In 2025
An investment in yourself is the best investment you can make and in 2025, one of the best investments in you to make is continued learning by taking an HR course.
Here's a shortlist of the best HR courses to learn new skills and concepts and make connections too.
Best HR Courses Shortlist
Here's a shortlist of the best HR courses that I think are worth your time in 2025:
- HRCI Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate (HRCI)
- Certificate in Human Resource Management (HRCI)
- Fundamentals of Human Resources Management (AMA)
- SHRM HR Certification (SHRM)
- HR Management (OHSC)
- Human Resources Management (TMU)
- HR: Acquiring and Managing Talent in the 21st Century (University of California, Riverside)
- Introduction to HR leadership and HR management strategies (Stellenbosch University)
- HR Management: HR for People Managers Specialization (UMN)
- HR Foundations: Core Human Resources (LinkedIn Learning)
- HR Foundations: Redefining HR (LinkedIn Learning)
- HR Skills® Fundamentals (MindEdge)
- HR Guidelines Everyone Should Know (LinkedIn Learning)
- International HR Management: An Introduction (Coventry University)
- HR Fundamentals (CIPD)
- Introduction to Human Resource Concepts (Udemy)
- Complete HR Management Setup Workflow & Toolkit (Udemy)
Find more details about each course below.
Overview Of The Best HR Courses
1. HRCI Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate (HRCI)
This certificate program provides foundational knowledge for aspiring HR professionals, covering essential HR practices and regulations. It supports professional development by equipping students with the skills needed to understand and manage core HR functions, serving as a stepping stone for advancing their HR career.
- Who It’s For: Aspiring HR professionals
- Topics Covered:
- HR fundamentals
- Employee relations
- Recruitment and selection
- Legal compliance in HR
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? Yes
- Duration: 5 months
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: 5-6 hours a week; Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price:
- Individual Course: $49 – $79 per month
- Monthly Subscription: $59 per month
- Annual Subscription: $399 per year
- Take The Course: Coursera
2. Certificate in Human Resource Management (HRCI)
This course offers comprehensive training on the key functions of human resource management, covering strategic HR practices, staffing, and compliance. It provides learners with a deeper understanding of core HR principles and how to apply them in real-world business environments. Additionally, it aligns with standards set by the HR Certification Institute, supporting professional growth and certification goals.
- Who It’s For: HR professionals seeking advanced knowledge
- Topics Covered:
- Strategic HR management
- HR compliance
- Workforce planning and employment
- Compensation and benefits
- Employee development
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? Yes
- Duration: 18 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: $399
- Take The Course: HRCI
3. Fundamentals of Human Resources Management (AMA)
This course provides a foundational understanding of human resources management, supporting career development by focusing on the practical application of HR skills. It equips learners to manage recruitment, employee relations, and compliance effectively within an HR department, helping them align their expertise with their career goals in the field.
- Who It’s For: New HR professionals
- Topics Covered:
- HR roles and responsibilities
- Employee orientation and training
- Recruitment and retention
- Performance management
- Legal compliance in HR
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Both
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 2 days
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: 7 to 8 hours per day
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price:
- Non-members: $2,595
- AMA-members: $2,345
- GSA: $2,221
- Take The Course: AMA
4. SHRM HR Certification (SHRM)
The SHRM HR Certification is a recognized credential that demonstrates expertise in human resource management. This course prepares HR practitioners to excel in strategic and operational roles within their organizations while providing the knowledge required for earning the SHRM-CP designation. Additionally, it serves as a key component of a Human Resource Management Certificate, covering essential HR practices and leadership skills.
- Who It’s For: Experienced HR professionals
- Topics Covered:
- HR competencies
- Business acumen
- HR strategy development
- Employee engagement and retention
- Organizational leadership
- Legal and ethical compliance
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Both
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 3 to 4 months
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: Professional HR experience
- Price: $335 to $435 Exam Fee
- Take The Course: SHRM
5. HR Management (OHSC)
This free online HR Management course from Oxford Home Study Centre provides a comprehensive introduction to the essential functions of human resource management. Designed as one of their flagship training courses, it focuses on equipping learners with practical knowledge of HR roles and responsibilities in a business setting. The course also supports those pursuing a Professional in Human Resources certification and emphasizes concepts in organizational development for effective workforce management.
- Who It’s For: Beginners in HR
- Topics Covered:
- Performance management
- Introduction to HR management
- Recruitment and employee selection
- Employee Training and development
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 20 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: Free
- Take The Course: OHSC
6. Human Resources Management (TMU)
This Human Resources Management course from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) offers in-depth training on HR functions within organizations. It emphasizes key areas such as labor relations and focuses on applying HR strategies and practices to improve workforce management and organizational effectiveness. Enrollment is now open for those seeking to enhance their HR expertise.
- Who It’s For: HR professionals and managers
- Topics Covered:
- Strategic HR planning
- HR planning and strategy
- Employee recruitment and retention
- Performance management
- Employment law and regulations
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Both
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 1 to 2 hours per week
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: 2.5 to 3 months
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price:
- Domestic Fee: $669.07
- Domestic Out of Province Fee: $720.06
- International Fee: $2,262.42
- Take The Course: TMU
7. HR: Acquiring and Managing Talent in the 21st Century (University of California, Riverside)
This online course from the University of California, Riverside, explores modern HR practices with a focus on talent acquisition and management strategies. It provides participants with essential HR knowledge, covering the tools and techniques required to manage talent effectively in today’s rapidly changing business environment.
- Who It’s For: HR professionals and recruiters
- Topics Covered:
- Strategic Talent acquisition
- Diversity and inclusion
- Employee retention strategies
- Performance evaluation
- Managing a diverse workforce
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 1 to 3 hours per week in 8 weeks
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price:
- Limited access without certificate: FREE
- Unlimited access with certificate: $119
- Take The Course: edX
8. Introduction to HR Leadership and HR Management Strategies (Stellenbosch University)
This course from Stellenbosch University introduces the fundamentals of HR leadership and management strategies. It covers the essential principles of managing human capital and leading HR practices effectively in organizations.
- Who It’s For: Aspiring HR leaders
- Topics Covered:
- Strategic HR management
- Organizational behavior
- HR leadership principles
- Workforce planning
- HR’s role in organizational success
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 5 to 8 hours per week in 2 weeks
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price:
- Limited access without certificate: FREE
- Unlimited access with certificate: $149
- Take The Course: edX
9. HR Management: HR for People Managers Specialization (UMN)
This specialization from the University of Minnesota (UMN) covers the fundamental principles of HR management, focusing on practical applications for people managers. It provides key insights into managing teams and applying HR practices in real-world organizational settings.
- Who It’s For: Managers with HR responsibilities
- Topics Covered:
- HR management
- Recruiting and onboarding employees
- Managing employee performance
- Compensation and benefits strategies
- Employee development and training
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 2 months
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: 10 hours a week; Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price:
- Individual Course: $49 – $79 per month
- Monthly Subscription: $59 per month
- Annual Subscription: $399 per year
- Take The Course: Coursera
10. HR Foundations: Core Human Resources (LinkedIn Learning)
This course provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts of human resources. It covers the essential HR practices needed to manage and support employees effectively within any organization.
- Who It’s For: New HR professionals
- Topics Covered:
- Recruitment processes
- Employee recruitment and onboarding
- Payroll and benefits administration
- Performance management
- Compliance with labor laws
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: 1 to 2 hours
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: 1-month free trial
- Take The Course: LinkedIn Learning
11. HR Foundations: Redefining HR (LinkedIn Learning)
This course explores the evolving role of HR in modern organizations, highlighting how HR is shifting from a traditional administrative function to a more strategic business partner. It provides insights into the new trends shaping HR in the 21st century.
- Who It’s For: HR professionals seeking updated knowledge
- Topics Covered:
- Modern HR practices
- Employee experience
- Strategic HR leadership
- Technology and data in HR
- Evolving talent management
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: 1 to 2 hours
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: 1-month free trial
- Take The Course: LinkedIn Learning
12. HR Skills® Fundamentals (MindEdge)
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the core skills required for effective human resource management. It is designed to build a strong foundation in HR practices, equipping learners with the foundational knowledge needed to excel in the HR field.
- Who It’s For: Beginners in HR
- Topics Covered:
- HR basics
- Employee recruitment and selection
- Performance management
- Compensation and benefits
- Employee development and training
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 1 to 10 hours per week in 2 weeks
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price:
- Limited access without certificate: FREE
- Unlimited access with certificate: $349
- Take The Course: edX
13. HR Guidelines Everyone Should Know (LinkedIn Learning)
This course provides essential HR guidelines that every HR generalist and employee should understand. It focuses on the key policies and best practices that help create a productive and compliant workplace, with an emphasis on protecting both employees and employers. Additionally, the course prepares learners for the HR certification exam, enhancing their professional credentials.
- Who It’s For: HR professionals and managers
- Topics Covered:
- Best practices
- Workplace safety and conduct
- Anti-harassment policies
- Diversity and inclusion
- Legal compliance in the workplace
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: 1 to 2 hours
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: 1-month free trial
- Take The Course: LinkedIn Learning
14. International HR Management: An Introduction (Coventry University)
This course provides an introduction to managing human resources in a global context. It focuses on understanding the complexities of HR management across different countries and cultures, equipping learners with the knowledge to handle HR challenges internationally.
- Who It’s For: HR professionals working in international contexts
- Topics Covered:
- Cross-cultural management
- Global talent management
- International recruitment and selection
- Employment law and global labor markets
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 2 weeks
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: 3 hours per week
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price:
- Limited Access: FREE
- One-off payment: $134
- Subscribe: $174.99 per year
- Take The Course: FutureLearn
15. HR Fundamentals (CIPD)
This course offers a foundational understanding of human resource management, exploring the roles of HR in organizations. It provides learners with practical insights into the HR profession, helping them understand the key functions and responsibilities of HR.
- Who It’s For: Beginners in HR
- Topics Covered:
- The role of HR in organizations
- Workforce planning and recruitment
- Employee relations and engagement
- Performance management
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 5 weeks
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: 3 hours per week
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price:
- Limited Access: FREE
- One-off payment: $134
- Subscribe: $174.99 per year
- Take The Course: FutureLearn
16. Introduction to Human Resource Concepts (Udemy)
This course provides an overview of the fundamental concepts of human resource management. It covers essential HR processes and functions, offering learners a clear understanding of how HR contributes to organizational success.
- Who It’s For: Beginners in HR
- Topics Covered:
- Recruitment and selection
- HR roles and responsibilities
- Employee relations
- Employee Training and development
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 8 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: $94.99
- Take The Course: Udemy
17. Complete HR Management Setup Workflow & Toolkit (Udemy)
This course provides a comprehensive toolkit and workflow for setting up and managing HR functions within an organization. It is designed to help learners establish HR systems, processes, and documentation from scratch and offers practical tools for HR management.
- Who It’s For: HR professionals
- Topics Covered:
- HR setup
- HR policy creation
- Employee onboarding processes
- Performance management systems
- Compensation and benefits setup
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 3 to 4 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: $49.99
- Take The Course: Udemy
If you're not looking to get too advanced, there are some good HR certificates for beginners to consider that will help you get started.
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