Earn Your
Human Resources Management Certificate Online
Designed for professionals seeking practical, applied HR skills.
Explore all course options below and enroll in the one that fits your goals and schedule.
USF’s Human Resources Management Certificate delivers industry-relevant knowledge across employment law, benefits, performance management, and workplace compliance.
Expert-Led Live Instruction
INSTRUCTOR BIO
Kelley Rexroad, SPHR, PHRP
Kathy Barnes, M.S.Ed., is available to answer your questions and help you select the right course.
813-974-8031
Course Policies and Payment Information
Course Fees
Course fees must be paid before beginning a class. Fees are posted for each course. Some programs have special registration procedures and requirements. These are posted on the program/course web page. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, American Express, and company-approved purchase orders payable to USF Corporate Training and Professional Education. Personal checks, money orders, and cash are not accepted per university policy.
Course Withdrawals / Refunds
USF reserves the right to cancel any noncredit course, in which case registration fees are fully refunded. If it becomes necessary for USF to cancel, postpone or combine courses, or change a course location, you will be notified by email or phone. It is important that we have your current contact information. If a course is cancelled, you will receive a full refund. If a registration is received after the enrollment limit has been reached, a full refund will be issued.
Withdrawals and refunds from Corporate Training and Professional Education courses must be in writing prior to the course start time. Fees are associated with withdrawals/refunds.
Submit requests via email to barnesk@usf.edu. No withdrawals or refunds will be issued after the course start date.
Allow 5–7 working days for credit card refunds and 6–8 weeks for check refunds.
For USF policies: https://www.usf.edu/regulations-policies/index.aspx
Evening Course Times
Flexible Online Format
SHRM and HRCI-Aligned Curriculum
Open to All Experience Levels
SUMMARY
USF’s Human Resources management Certificate is a six-course program building foundational and advanced knowledge in HR law, talent acquisition, compensation, analytics, and performance management. Designed to meet the needs of working professionals, this flexible online program equips learners with job-ready skills to navigate complex employment challenges, design effective workplace strategies, and support organizational goals.
YOU'LL LEARN HOW TO
- Understand the full employee lifecycle and core HR functions
- Use HR analytics to support data-informed workforce decisions
- Implement performance management systems that drive engagement
- Navigate employment law and build compliant workplace policies
YOUR HR CAREER ADVANCEMENT STARTS HERE
TAKEN BY 1,000s OF PROFESSIONALS NATIONWIDE
STILL DECIDING? LET'S TALK.
COURSE #2 OVERVIEW – HR TOTAL REWARDS
- Design competitive compensation and benefits packages
- Align total rewards strategies with organizational objectives
- Factor market analysis and legal considerations into compensation and benefit
SUMMARY
HR Total Rewards explores the design and implementation of effective compensation and benefits strategies. Students will examine components of total rewards, including salary, bonuses, benefits, recognition programs, and non-monetary rewards.
YOU'LL LEARN HOW TO
DATES
August 12 to August 21, 2025
SCHEDULE
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
(August 12, 14, 19, 21)
FORMAT
Live Online | 2 weeks
COST
$595
INSTRUCTOR
Kelley Rexroad, SPHR, PHRP
SUMMARY
HR Core Concepts introduces the essential principles and practices of human resource management. Students will explore key HR functions, including recruitment, compensation, employee relations, training and development, and compliance with employment laws. The course also delves into the strategic role of HR in aligning workforce capabilities with organizational goals and examined emerging trends such as the impact of artificial intelligence on HR practices.
YOU'LL LEARN HOW TO
- Understand the history and evolution of HR
- Navigate core HR functions and their interrelations
- Apply compliance standards and labor laws
- Recognize emerging trends affecting HR practices
DATES
July 29 to August 7, 2025
SCHEDULE
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
(July 29 and 31, August 5 and 7)
FORMAT
Live Online | 2 weeks
COST
$595
INSTRUCTOR
Kelley Rexroad, SPHR, PHRP
PROGRAM SERIES COURSES
1. HR Core Concepts
2. HR Total Rewards
3. HR Law
4. HR Talent Acquisition
5. HR Performance Management
6. HR Analytics
DATES
July 29 to October 16, 2025
FULL CURRICULUM SCHEDULE
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
FORMAT
Live Online | As little as 4 months
COST
$595 per course
INSTRUCTOR
Kelley Rexroad, SPHR, PHRP
COURSE OVERVIEW – HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE
COURSE #3 OVERVIEW – HR LAW
- Interpret and apply key employment laws and regulations
- Develop compliant HR policies and procedures
- Manage legal risks in HR practices
SUMMARY
HR Law offers an in-depth examination of the legal frameworks governing human resource management. Students will learn how federal and state regulations apply to HR, including the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act. The course also addresses emerging legal issues including remote work regulations and gig economy challenges.
YOU'LL LEARN HOW TO
DATES
August 26 to September 4, 2025
SCHEDULE
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
(August 26 and 28, September 2 and 4)
FORMAT
Live Online | 2 weeks
COST
$595
INSTRUCTOR
Kelley Rexroad, SPHR, PHRP
COURSE #1 OVERVIEW – HR CORE CONCEPTS
COURSE #4 OVERVIEW – HR TALENT ACQUISITION
- Develop effective talent acquisition strategies
- Utilize modern recruitment tools and technologies
- Enhance employer branding and candidate experience
SUMMARY
HR Talent Acquisition teaches strategies for attracting, selecting, and onboarding top talent in competitive labor markets. Students will explore the full recruitment lifecycle and examine modern recruitment tools, including applicant tracking systems and AI-driven hiring technologies.
YOU'LL LEARN HOW TO
DATES
September 9 to September 18, 2025
SCHEDULE
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
(September 9, 11, 16, 18)
FORMAT
Live Online | 2 weeks
COST
$595
INSTRUCTOR
Kelley Rexroad, SPHR, PHRP
COURSE #5 OVERVIEW – HR PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
- Design and implement performance management systems
- Align individual performance with organizational goals
- Provide effective employee feedback and coaching
SUMMARY
HR Performance Management provides a deep dive into designing and implementing systems that optimize employee performance and organizational success. Students will explore frameworks like SMART goals and continuous performance management while addressing modern trends including agile performance management and remote work evaluations.
YOU'LL LEARN HOW TO
DATES
September 23 to October 2, 2025
SCHEDULE
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
(September 23, 25, and 30, October 2)
FORMAT
Live Online | 2 weeks
COST
$595
INSTRUCTOR
Kelley Rexroad, SPHR, PHRP
COURSE #6 OVERVIEW – HR ANALYTICS
- Collect and analyze HR data to inform decision-making
- Develop HR dashboards and reports
- Apply predictive analytics to HR challenges
SUMMARY
HR Analytics empowers HR professionals to harness data-driven insights that optimize workforce strategies and drive organizational success. Students will learn to collect, analyze, and interpret HR data, understand key metrics and work with modern industry trends like AI-driven analytics and big data.
YOU'LL LEARN HOW TO
DATES
October 7 to October 16, 2025
SCHEDULE
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
(October 7, 9, 14, 16)
FORMAT
Live Online | 2 weeks
COST
$595
INSTRUCTOR
Kelley Rexroad, SPHR, PHRP
Attendance
To complete our open enrollment noncredit courses satisfactorily, you must attend 75 percent of multiple class meetings. One-day classes require full-day attendance. Some courses/programs may have additional completion requirements. Check the program description for details and/or check with your instructor. No course re-sits are allowed. Participants that have not met the attendance requirement and are seeking a letter of completion for a course may re-register at full cost of attendance for a future offering.
Kelley Rexroad is a seasoned HR strategist with over 30 years of experience in human resources and communications, including executive leadership as a Corporate Officer for a NASDAQ-listed firm. Since founding her consulting and coaching practice in 2004, she has advised thousands of organizations and individuals on HR Strategy, organizational development, and career advancement. She holds a triple-major BA, has pursued advanced studies at Thunderbird Global Management and American University and is currently a candidate for an MS in Applied Behavioral Analysis.
Our programs are designed with industry input and taught by instructors who understand what today’s professionals need to succeed. As a member of the 71 prestigious universities in the Association of American Universities (AAU), USF is part of an elite group of top research institutions in North America.