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Human Resources Management Certificate FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

General Program Information | Taking Courses | Post-Completion


General Program Information

How many courses are required to complete the HR Management Certificate?

There are four required courses to earn the HR Management Certificate: HRX 901, HRX 903, HRX 905, and HRX 907. Together, these four-courses provide a solid foundation in essential HR functions, including recruiting, compensation and benefits, employee relations, policy and procedure development, handbook creation, management control systems, and effective communication.

Is this certificate relevant to HR work across all industries and sectors?

Yes. The HR Management Certificate is applicable to for-profit, non-profit, and public-sector HR roles. The concepts and practices taught are relevant across all organizational environments.

Does this program qualify me to work professionally in Human Resources?

While the certificate is not required for employment in HR, it provides invaluable hands-on experience that you can apply across many areas of the HR field. This practical training helps participants enter HR roles with a strong foundation and a “step ahead” of other applicants.

Will this certificate help me advance from an HR Assistant (or similar role) into an HR Specialist role?

Yes. The HR Management Certificate provides a strong HR foundation that helps professionals who are preparing for advancement or pursuing HR certification.

How will the certificate help me boost my HR career development?

The certificate supports a wide range of HR job paths such as HR Generalist, HR Manager, Talent Acquisition, Training & Development, Safety, and many others. Since HR covers many sub-areas, your certificate helps you build foundational and practical skills applicable across roles.

What HR roles can this certificate help me qualify for?

The program prepares you for roles such as:

  • HR Assistant
  • HR Coordinator
  • HR Generalist
  • HR Manager
  • Talent Acquisition Specialist
  • Training & Development Coordinator
  • Safety Specialist
  • Employee Relations Assistant
  • And many others within the HR umbrella

Focus on job descriptions—not job titles—when exploring opportunities.

Is this certificate recognized and valued in the job market?

Yes. Employers recognize the depth of knowledge and real-world skills participants gain through this program. Earning a certificate from an accredited institution like logo further reinforces the credibility of your training. Those who complete the program often find that the certificate strengthens their résumés and supports their readiness for HR positions.

If I completed an HR minor in college, should I still take the HR Management Certificate?

Yes. The certificate emphasizes practical, real-world application of HR—often beyond what is covered in an academic HR minor.

Can I mix and match courses from the HR Management and HR Business Partner programs and still earn a certificate?

Unfortunately, no. To earn a certificate in either program, you must complete all required courses within the specific program—either the four-course HR Management Certificate or the three-course HR Business Partner course sequence. You may take individual courses from either program for professional development or recertification credits if you are not pursuing a certificate. You are also welcome to complete both certificates.

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Taking Courses

Do I need to apply to CSUDH to take the HR Management Certificate Program?

Unfortunately, no. You do not need to apply for admission to the university. You can register for courses directly through our online shopping cart system on the course website.

How long does it take to complete the program?

Students can complete the entire certificate program in as little as four months. If you are unable to complete within your initial term of registration, you are allowed to register in subsequent terms.

What is the recommended sequence for the courses?

Courses may be taken in any order. However, for maximum benefit and engagement with the course material, it is recommended that you follow the numerical sequence: HRX 901, HRX 903, HRX 905, and HRX 907.

Can I take individual courses without pursuing the full certificate?

You may take individual courses from either program for professional development or recertification credits if you are not pursuing a certificate.

Do I need to buy any textbooks, or are course materials included?

You don’t need to purchase any textbooks. All course materials and supplemental resources are provided by the instructors through our Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) and are included in the program fee.

What is the weekly time commitment? Is there homework?

Each class session is three hours. No formal homework is assigned. Most activities, including collaborative discussions, case studies, and skills practice take place during class sessions. The only “homework,” if any, is applying what you learn to your workplace—many participants are able to immediately use class principles to improve processes or address real-world HR issues.

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Post-Completion

I completed the certificate program. How do I obtain my certificate and digital badges?

Once you have completed all the courses in the certificate program, you will need to apply to receive the certificate. Please allow 4-6 weeks after you’ve put in your request for processing. If you have any additional questions/issues, please contacteecertificate@csudh.edu.

You will also be able to see and share your earned digital badges once the final grades from all required course(s) have been submitted and you have applied for your certificate. There are several ways to view, check the status of, and/or share your digital credentials! Once you have successfully completed all required courses, you can claim your certificate badges by signing into to create an account using your CSUDH Toromail address. For more information, visit our Digital Credentials website.

Can the HR Management Certificate Program be used as college credit toward a degree?

No. These courses are not for academic credit. However, they provide Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and award digital credentials you can share on LinkedIn and résumés.

Would I earn SHRM Certification after taking theHR Management Certificate courses(HRX 901, 903, 905, and 907), or is additional testing required?

No. Completing the HR Management Certificate does not grant SHRM Certification. The SHRM exam is completely separate from the HRX courses, and earning the certificate does not make you automatically eligible to sit for the exam. While the coursework can help you build knowledge that supports exam preparation, you must still meet SHRM’s own eligibility requirements to qualify to sit for the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP exam.

For SHRM’s eligibility requirements, please visit:

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Have other questions?

Please contact CSUDH Continuing & Professional Education:
learn@csudh.edu310-243-2075