HUMAN RESOURCES CERTIFICATE
Next Session Begins April 28
- 3 COURSES
- 100% ONLINE
- ENROLLING MONTHLY
- 225 MILITARY CLOCK HOURS
Strengthen Your HR Expertise and Drive Organizational Impact
Villanova University’s Human Resources Certificate equips professionals with the tools, strategies and legal knowledge to shape a thriving workplace culture. Through a comprehensive three-course sequence, you’ll explore the full scope of HR—from foundational practices to advanced leadership strategies—all while gaining job-ready skills aligned with today’s most in-demand competencies.
Build your understanding of talent acquisition, employee development, performance management and Total Rewards. Learn to navigate complex employment laws, support ethical and compliant HR practices, and align HR strategy with organizational goals. Whether you’re new to the field or advancing your HR leadership, this program helps you elevate your impact.
Upon successful completion of the certificate, students are well prepared to sit for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® exam.
Villanova is a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Education Partner.
LEARNED SKILLS
- Leadership
- Communication
- Risk Management
- HR Trends
- Strategic Planning
- Talent Acquisition
- Workforce Management
- Problem Solving
- Diversity and Inclusion
- U.S. Laws and Regulations
- Ethics
- Organizational Design
WHO SHOULD ENROLL?
- Any human resources professional, from junior-level HR practitioners to senior executives with decades of experience.
- Those involved with talent acquisition, retention, employee management and leadership.
- Human resources professionals who would benefit from resume-boosting certifications.
- Anyone who would like to move into the field of human resources.
New to HR? We recommend this course path:
HR Fundamentals
HR Professional
One elective from the list below
Advanced HR
Building & Leading Highly Effective Teams
Strategic Leadership
For more experienced HR Professionals, we recommend the following course path:
HR Professional
Advanced HR
One elective from the list below
Building & Leading Highly Effective Teams
Strategic Leadership
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
61%
Increase in the number of Human Resources positions over the last 10 years
$136K
Average national salary for Human Resources Manager
#2
Villanova ranked #2 in the top 20 enrollments for the 2023 SHRM Learning System® course
According to Lightcast
Principles + Practice Learning Model
An innovative and unique model of learning:
Principles serves as the foundation for each course, providing essential knowledge to help you expand your skill set and deepen your expertise. Through independently paced online coursework, you’ll watch videos and complete weekly assignments on your schedule. This flexible format ensures you can build your expertise at a pace that works for you.
Practice builds upon Principles through collaboration and real-world application. Weekly, live faculty-led sessions further enhance learning by fostering open dialogue and connecting you with peers across multiple industries. These interactive sessions provide opportunities to discuss workplace challenges, share insights and receive valuable feedback.
ENROLLMENT OPTIONS
CERTIFICATE
PROGRAM
3 courses
6 weeks per course
12.5 hours per week
18 WEEKS
$6,285 $5,342.25
(15% program savings applied)
SINGLE
COURSE
Each single course is made up of a Principles asynchronous microcourse and a Practice live virtual microcourse. You can complete the microcourses simultaneously with the Fast Track option, or consecutively for the Flex Track option.
Fast Track
6 weeks | 12.5 hours per week
Flex Track
12 weeks | 6.25 hours per week
$2,095 $1,885.50
(10% course bundle savings applied)
MICRO
COURSE
The Principles microcourse offers the lowest cost investment and a fully asynchronous experience. You must complete the Principles microcourse if you choose to enroll in the corresponding Practice microcourse.
6 Weeks | 6.25 hours per week
Principles | $800
Practice | $1,295
Select three courses below to complete the full certificate.
HR Fundamentals
Gain essential HR management skills in talent acquisition, employee development, performance management, compensation and benefits. Explore the employee life cycle, from recruitment to separation, while ensuring employment law compliance. Learn to build a diverse workforce, implement HR technology and create HR strategies that drive engagement, retention and organizational success.
Principles Microcourse
Practice Microcourse
HR Professional
This course offers a comprehensive overview of key employment laws and their application in Human Resources, focusing on compliance with regulations like Title VII, FMLA, and ADA. Students will learn to integrate legal knowledge into policies, from hiring to termination, while handling workplace scenarios and fostering an ethical, respectful environment. Perfect for aspiring HR leaders, this course equips participants with the tools to navigate complex HR challenges and ensure legal compliance throughout the employee life cycle.
Principles Microcourse
Practice Microourse
Advanced Human Resources
This course teaches experienced HR professionals how to implement a Total Rewards strategy that aligns with their organization’s vision and motivates top talent. Students will learn to craft a compelling Employment Value Proposition, improve satisfaction with compensation and benefits, and guide managers in making compliant, high-quality decisions. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to lead transformative HR strategies that drive organizational success and foster a positive workplace culture.
Principles Microcourse
Practice Microcourse
Strategic Leadership
This course empowers professionals to become visionary leaders who drive organizational success. You’ll learn to apply strategic leadership theories, analyze external factors impacting your organization, and craft data-driven strategies. Through reflection, storytelling, and strategic frameworks, you’ll develop a personalized plan to enhance your leadership style and achieve your goals. Ideal for those looking to refine their leadership capabilities and make a meaningful impact in their organizations.
Principles Microcourse
Practice Microcourse
Building & Leading Highly Effective Teams
This course teaches leaders how to manage diverse teams in traditional, virtual and hybrid settings. You'll apply Tuckman’s Model for team development, develop strategies to foster trust and collaboration and use CliftonStrengths to optimize team performance. Key topics include managing conflict, creating team charters and coaching for success. Ideal for leaders seeking to enhance team dynamics, motivate members and drive high performance aligned with organizational goals.
Principles Microcourse
Practice Microcourse
For those who are enrolled or who have completed the HR Certificate Program, the SHRM Exam Prep Course can be purchased additionally at a significant discount.
SHRM Exam Prep
This course will help you on your human resources career path and prepare to to become a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP®) and/or SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP®).
Online, Hybrid and In-Person Options available.
Successful completion of this certificate will help prepare you to sit for the SHRM® Certified Professional (SHRM-CP®) or SHRM® Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP®) exam.
As a bonus, you're also eligible to take Villanova's SHRM-CP®/SHRM-SCP® Exam Preparation Course for $750.*
*a cost savings of over $800
Choose the model that is right for you:
- 15% discount over single microcourse
- Unlock access to Career Management services, including two 60-minute personalized advising sessions
- A mix of asynchronous online coursework and assessments with weekly live virtual class sessions led by faculty
- Increased interaction between you, faculty and peer professionals during the course
- Digital Badge for each course completed
- Certificate upon program completion
- 10% discount over single microcourse
- Unlock access to Career Management services, including one 60-minute personalized advising session
- A mix of asynchronous online coursework and assessments with weekly live virtual class sessions led by faculty
- Increased interaction between you, faculty and peer professionals during the course
- Digital Badge
- Maximum flexibility with no live class sessions
- 100% online asynchronous coursework and assessments
- 1:1 faculty support throughout coursework
CREDENTIALS
Earn Badges. Get Noticed.
Earn a digital badge for every completed course. You'll also earn a program certificate and program digital badge upon completion of the required courses. Showcase your new skills and gain a competitive edge by adding badges backed by Villanova University to your resume, LinkedIn profile, or email signature.
What our students are saying:
“I have much more confidence after taking the SHRM Exam Prep Course. I no longer have to say 'I'll get back to you' when asked a question, and I'm better able to support other areas of our organization.”
-- Madison Partak, SHRM Exam Prep Student
FACULTY
Debra Bradford, M.S., SPHR, SHRM-SCP, RODC
is a people strategist who combines strategic HR, industry compliance, transformational organizational development and leadership development to align employee behaviors with organizational goals. She has been a senior-level business consultant specializing in change management and strategies for inclusion and diversity for over 20 years. She holds bachelor of science degrees in human resources and healthcare management, a master of science degree in organizational development and behavior, and certifications in HR (SPHR, SHRM-SCP), OD (RODC), Training & Development, Workshop Creation & Facilitation, Investment Brokerage (S7, S66, LAH), and K-12 School Administration.
Debra Dee Bradford is the CEO & Expert Witness in Employment Law at Debra Bradford, LLC and an Adjunct Professor at Villanova University, College of Professional Studies, promoting leadership and personal accountability in business management with an emphasis on people system strategies.
She carries a BS in Human Resources and a BS in Healthcare Management, both from Chestnut Hill College (Philadelphia, PA), as well as a MS in Organizational Development and Leadership from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PA). In addition to the certifications in finance, insurance, and training, Debra also holds the SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification and a Senior Professional Human Resource (SPHR) certification through the HR Certification Institute. She is recognized by the International Society for Organization Development and Change as a Registered Organization Development Consultant (RODC).
Heather Gelting, MS, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
has taught online and on-campus for Villanova for over 14 years. Heather holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Temple University and a Master of Human Resource Management from Penn State University. She spent twelve years working for PepsiCo and YUM Brands before transitioning to a mid-sized professional services firm as VP of Human Resources. Heather operated a Human Resource Consulting business for five years before serving as the Human Resource Director for The Hill School in Pottstown, PA for 10 years. Currently, she is the Executive Director for the PAISBOA Health Benefit Trust which provides healthcare to over 10,000 independent school employees across Pennsylvania. Heather serves as the program coordinator for the Human Resource courses offered in the College of Professional Studies. The Villanova Human Resource Certification Preparation Course is ranked #2 in the US out of 240 education partners that offer the SHRM Learning System.
Kimberly Nash, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
has been an adjunct professor teaching human resource management courses for Villanova University for over 18 years. She holds SHRM-SCP® certification through the Society of Human Resource Management, as well as a Senior Professional Human Resource (SPHR) certification through the HR Certification Institute. Nash is the owner of THriv(CQ), whose mission is “serving others to achieve results in leadership growth.” She is a graduate of York College with a degree in Business Education and earned her MBA in Human Resources Management from the University of Phoenix.
Bethany Adams, MA, SHRM-SCP
Bethany Adams has more than 15 years of experience in HR & education. She began her career in HR in the restaurant and retail industries. She has experience in both small and large, Fortune 500 organizations. Bethany holds a BA in Psychology, MA in Organizational Management, the SHRM-SCP certification, and is a Certified Genos International Emotional Intelligence Practitioner. She currently teaches at Villanova University in the Graduate Programs in HR Development. Bethany has spoken at a wide variety of conferences throughout the country and leads corporate training on topics including strategic HR, emotional intelligence, and leadership development.
Roslyn Schaffer, MBA, MSW, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
Roslyn Schaffer an adjunct professor and holds a BS from Cornell University, an MSW from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from Drexel University, where she returned as a non-traditional student to expand her professional expertise. With over a decade of experience instructing at the College of Professional Studies, Roz also teaches human resources courses at the LaSalle Nonprofit Center and Jefferson University. As an advocate for advancing the human resources profession, she has served on the board of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Society for Human Resource Management chapter of SHRM (SEPA SHRM) for more than 20 years, and currently serves as the VP of Legislative Affairs.
She has built a long and diverse career in human resources, serving as a Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for nonprofit and human service organizations after years of leadership in banking and social services. Passionate about the HR profession, she enjoys showing how academic knowledge, combined with real-world experience, drives excellence in practice.
Ashley Flattery, MBA
Ashley Flattery is the Associate Vice President of Human Resource Business Partnership at Nasdaq, where they oversee a team of 15 HRBPs supporting the Americas, including Canada, the US, and Latin America. With a strategic focus on aligning human resources initiatives with business goals, Ashley leads efforts that drive organizational growth and enhance employee engagement across the region.
Ashley holds an MBA with a focus on Strategic Management from Villanova University and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from Central Connecticut State University. Her diverse background blends a deep understanding of business strategy with a commitment to building high-performing teams and fostering a positive workplace culture.
Anabel Pichler, MS
Anabel is a seasoned HR leader with over 30 years of experience in both public and private sectors, holding key roles at Aon, DuPont, Armstrong, M&T Bank, and GlobalFoundries. Her career has spanned mergers, acquisitions, and even an IPO, where she was featured on the NASDAQ jumbotron in Times Square. With deep expertise in Total Rewards, including executive compensation, benefits, and global mobility, she is passionate about innovative strategy and design. As a Villanova instructor, Anabel is dedicated to shaping the future of HR by bridging research with real-world application, helping professionals elevate their HR expertise.
Philip Tepfer, MHRM, SHRM-SCP, PHR
started his career in financial services and pivoted to operations and human resources after the global market consolidation in 2008. He has worked for companies such as Wegmans Food Markets, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits (Orlando, FL), Clemens Food Group, The Bancorp and UNFI. He is currently the HR Director of Operations for US Venture, based in Appleton, WI and an award-winning HR professional, having received the Circle of Excellence award for outstanding work at UNFI.
Phil received his bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Arts in human resource management from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, where he graduated summa cum laude.
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