What is a business management certificate?

Undergraduate certificate programs allow students to earn credits in industry-specific classes without committing to a full degree program. While many view undergraduate certificates as stepping stones toward a college degree, they can also offer the opportunity to add skills and credentials to your resume, potentially helping you stand out when applying for jobs. Our online Business Management Certificate is designed for students to gain essential business and management skills in a shorter amount of time while earning college credits that could be applied to a degree in the future.

What can you do with a certificate in business management?

An online certificate in business management can help you gain new skills or refresh your current skillset and prepare you to take the next steps toward starting or advancing your business career. While an undergraduate certificate alone may not necessarily qualify you for jobs in the field, it can help you add essential skills and credentials to your resume, including proficiency with Microsoft Office products like Word and Excel, something many employers look for.

Will credits received in this course carry over to other Penn Foster business degrees?

Yes! Credits earned through completion of Penn Foster College's online Business Management Undergraduate Certificate Program can be applied toward classes in our Business Management Associate Degree. Completing an undergraduate certificate first can allow you to earn credentials that can boost your resume before applying them toward a full degree program. It's important to note that, when choosing to transfer your credits toward a degree program, we look at your grades, when you completed the original program, and more to determine which classes carry over.

What are the top qualities of someone working in business management?

Those who are successful in business management share many similar qualities! Besides having a background or education in essential business topics like marketing, human resources, and accounting, most have qualities like strong leadership skills, strong communication skills, and interpersonal skills.

Human Resources

Undergrad. Cert. 8 months

Human Resources Undergraduate Certificate

Whether you're looking to refresh your HR skills or build upon your current education, Penn Foster College's online Human Resources Undergraduate Certificate Program can help you take the next steps toward preparing to advance your HR career. With flexible online classes, you'll build your human resources knowledge on your schedule from home.

This course helps students currently working in HR to refresh essential skills or provide a pathway to furthering their human resources education with a college degree.
Students earn college credit while covering human resources fundamentals such as training concepts, compensation management, and more.
Our online programs are flexible enough for you to finish them at a pace that works for you, based on how much time you can dedicate to your coursework each week.

Accredited

Online

Self Paced

First Semester

$2,399

$2,899 Save $500

$89/month, Start for as low as $20

Enroll Now Request Info

1-800-471-3232 (9AM - 9PM ET)

woman smiling at a desk shaking hands with a man.

What You Will Learn

How to understand and apply the factors that are considered regarding how employees are paid, including legal requirements, performance-based pay, commissions, salaries, and benefits.
How to write professional for business, including memos, emails, reports, and proposals.
How to develop, evaluate, and implement effective training strategies.
How to make effective decisions as a manager and a leader.

Full Program Goal & Outcomes

HR Undergraduate Certificate Outcomes

Our online Human Resources Undergraduate Certificate Program is geared towards students who want to refresh the HR skills they already have, supplement their education with additional credits, or even take the first steps toward furthering their education. While a certificate-level program alone doesn't qualify a graduate for a job in the field, it can enhance your resume with relevant industry skills that can help you stand out to employers.

State Licensing Requirements

Licensing and/or certification requirements for jobs in certain fields are not the same in every state and may include educational, testing, and/or experiential requirements beyond those offered by your Penn Foster Program. You should contact the state professional licensing board or similar regulatory body in the state(s) where you plan to work to determine their requirements before enrolling in your program. See the State Licensing page for contact information for state licensing/regulatory boards and certain industry licensing information.

4 Jobs you Can Get with a Human Resources Degree

4 Jobs You Can Do With A Human Resources Degree

Human Resources Undergrad Certificate Curriculum

22 credits
8 courses
38 exams
5 submitted projects

Estimated completion time:

Fast track = 8 months
Average time = 8 months

With Penn Foster, you can learn at whatever pace works best for you. Some learners will be more comfortable moving faster, and dedicating more time, and the fast track estimate will apply to them. The average track will apply to most learners who can dedicate a few hours per week to completing their coursework. The estimated completion times per semester are based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from November 2020 - October 2021, excluding withdrawals.

In our Undergraduate Certificate in Human Resources Program, you'll cover fundamental human resources skills while earning 22 college credits. Your online classes include:

Human Resources Management
Business and Technical Writing
Training Concepts
Labor Relations

Show Full Curriculum

HR Undergrad Certificate Student Stories

Penn Foster’s Human Resources Undergraduate Certificate Program can help prepare you to refresh your current skills or add new ones to your resume. This program has helped recent graduates find new jobs, and learn the fundamentals of human resources. Learn more about Penn Foster graduates' experiences and how Penn Foster worked for them.

View Student Success Stories

Anthony F.

Penn Foster Graduate, 2023

“The overall program was great. The work at your own pace is very helpful especially if you are working a job at the same time.”

Looking for training for your workers?

Penn Foster currently works with hundreds of leading employers to meet their unique organizational needs.

Learn More

Human Resources Undergrad Certificate Tuition

Take the first steps toward refreshing your current skills or preparing to advance in your career with our online Human Resources Undergraduate Certificate program. Simply choose from one of our low-cost customized payment plans below and get started today!

Option 1: Pay in full

Cost of Program¹

$2,399

$2,899 Save $500

Best price. Best value.
Pay the full cost today
No monthly payments

Enroll Now

Option 2: Monthly Auto Pay Plan

Cost of Program¹

$2,799

$2,899 Save $100

Pay $89 per month
Start for $20 down
All major credit and debit cards accepted

Enroll Now

Option 3: Monthly Mail Pay Plan

cost of program¹

$2,899

Pay $89 per month
Start for $59 down
Mail your payments

Enroll Now

Need more info or ready to enroll?

Looking for more information on transfer credits, military benefits, or our refund policy? Find this information and more about tuition and enrollment here.

Tuition & Payment Options

We're here to help. Call 1-800-471-3232 (9AM - 9PM ET)

Request Info

Our Proven Human Resources Learning Model

Empowering students to reach their professional goals

Flexible

Start anytime
No exam due dates
Self-paced

Interactive

Digital study guides
Self-check quizzes
Webinars and discussion boards

Connected

24/7 access to online resources
Online student community
Dedicated Learner Center

Supportive

Expert faculty
Dedicated student services
Robust learning resources

Related Programs

human resource manager talking to employee in her office.

Human Resources Management

Associate Degree

Learn human resources management, compensation management, and more in our online Human Resources Management Associate Degree.

4 months per semester As low as $65/mo

business man shakes hand during meeting.

Business Management

Bachelor's Degree

Learn the fundamentals of business through classes on economics, marketing, and more in our online Business Management Bachelor's Degree.

2 months per semester As low as $65/mo

Accounting

Associate Degree

Prepare for a rewarding career in accounting with online college classes in financial accounting, management, and more.

5 months per semester As low as $59/mo

Human Resources Undergraduate Certificate FAQs

How long does it take to earn a certificate in HR?

The length of time it takes to earn a certificate in HR can vary by school and by student. However, with Penn Foster's online Human Resources Undergraduate Certificate, classes are self-paced, meaning you can study when you want.

What is the difference between an undergraduate certificate and an associate degree?

An undergraduate certificate is generally a shorter, focused set of college courses geared toward students who are looking to supplement their current education and skills, or learn industry-specific skills. Students still take college-level classes and earn college credit, without completing a full degree program. An undergraduate certificate can also act as a stepping stone toward furthering your education with an associate degree. An associate degree is a four-semester, two-year degree program that combines general education coursework with subject-specific classes. Students earn a full associate degree after successfully completing the program, which can be better suited to students who do not have relevant work experience or education in a specific role.

Will credits from this course carry over to other Penn Foster courses?

Students who successfully complete the online HR certificate can potentially carry these courses over into Penn Foster's Associate Degree in Human Resources Management Program. Upon enrolling in the degree program, students will have their credits from the undergraduate certificate evaluated and transferred over. It's important to note that not all classes may transfer over depending on a variety of factors including grades, class content, and how long ago you completed the certificate.

What are the education requirements to earn an undergraduate certificate?

An undergraduate certificate in any subject teaches college-level material so in order to enroll in the program, students should have a minimum education level of a high school diploma or equivalent. You'll be required to fill out a high school completion form, located in your Student Portal, to verify your level of education.

Disclaimers:

¹ Depending on where you live, you may be charged taxes in addition to the total cost of your program.

The completion of a certificate-level program does not typically qualify a student for employment. Completion of this program may assist students who have previous academic or work-related experience improve their chances for promotion or entry-level employment.