Certificate
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall, Spring
On-Campus
About the Human Resources Certificate (HRER) at Loyola
More than ever before, finding, keeping and developing employee talent is a huge challenge for every organization. As multiple factors continue to shape and accelerate workforce development today, it takes a skills-based approach to build and manage a diverse and engaged talent pool that ensures that a business or organization will thrive.
Learn the foundations of recruiting, selecting, developing, and rewarding employees through our Human Resources and Employment Relations certificate program. This graduate-level, five-course certificate prepares professionals to gain theoretical and practical expertise to create an ethical and productive work environment.
Successful certificate program students come from a variety of backgrounds and undergraduate degrees. The certificate is an excellent specialization for students who are currently pursuing a Quinlan graduate degree, professionals with a business degree, or any professional who needs to understand employment processes and the legal implications of attracting, retaining, and motivating employees.
Program Structure
The HR certificate is designed as an intense immersion that can be completed in 9-12 months. Quinlan graduate programs follow a quarter system; each session runs for ten weeks, with classes held once per week. Certificate courses are offered on weekday evenings or Saturdays at our Water Tower Campus in Chicago.
Why Choose Loyola for an HR Certificate?
- Nationally ranked business education
- Achieve results quickly
- Stand out in the marketplace
- Credits apply toward an MBA or master’s
- Ethics and leadership focused
- The Quinlan network
You’ll earn your certificate from a nationally ranked business school with a tradition of academic excellence. The Quinlan School of Business is among the 5% of the world's business schools that meet the rigorous standards of AACSB international accreditation.
Our full-time faculty are internationally-known scholars who are leading thinkers in the area. Adjunct Instructors are leading professionals and excellent teachers.
The flexible format allows you to complete your credential in one year or less.
Expand your targeted skills in preparation for career advancement in the human resources field, add in-demand skills to your portfolio, or switch to a new career focus.
Courses completed in the Human Resources and Employment Relations certificate program can be applied toward a Quinlan Next Generation MBA degree or an M.S. in Human Resources.
Learn in an environment that values, teaches, and lives ethical principles. Loyola University emphasizes reflection, ethical awareness and decision-making, and educates students in principled behavior in all walks of life.
Completing the certificate will put you in good company: Quinlan has a strong network of 3,000 MS in Human Resources alumni who work in nearly every major corporation in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Meet the Faculty
Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the Quinlan School of Business faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Human Resources and Employment Relations Certificate program.
Faculty and StaffHuman Resources and Employment Relations: Career Connections
The HRER certificate is ideal for professionals and current Quinlan graduate students looking to widen their skillset, create a more just working environment, and improve collaboration with human resources professionals.
The certificate may also position you for a variety of HR-related careers.
Specific job options include:
- Human resources manager or generalist
- Performance management
- Talent acquisition
- Development and training
- Compensation and benefits
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the job outlook and pay potential for specific careers and fields that interest you.
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Human Resources and Employment Relations Certificate program may vary from quarter to quarter, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide Human Resources and Employment Relations Certificate learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
2024-2025 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogHRER Certificate Results and Skills
Completion of the HRER certificate allows you to leverage knowledge and skills to work as a highly effective human resources management professional or as a manager who partners effectively with human resources departments to acquire, develop, and reward talented employees.
Specific skills developed include:
- International human resources
- Staffing
- Compensation/benefits
- Employment relations
- Employee development
- Analytical, team, and communication skills
- Business ethics and social responsibility
If your career goals require even more in-depth knowledge in these subject areas, you may also want to consider Loyola’s MSHR program.
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
Tuition and Costs
The estimated tuition and fees for the Human Resources and Employment Relations Certificate totals $26400.00, or 15 credit hours at a cost of $1,760.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
Quinlan School of Business Scholarships
Please visit the Scholarships page on the Quinlan School of Business website for more detailed information about scholarships.
Appointments and Events
Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.
Schedule an AppointmentThe Quinlan School of Business offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
View all EventsVisit and Connect With Us
With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.
Application Process
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Human Resources and Employment Relations Certificate are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.
Fall & Spring: Rolling admission
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Human Resources and Employment Relations Certificate include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
Resume/CV
Statement of Purpose Details
Recommended for applicants with a cumulative GPA under 3.0 and for applicants who may feel that one or more parts of their application is weak, the personal statement provides the admission committee with more insight on your candidacy.
Please discuss how Loyola’s Quinlan School of Business degree program and our focus on responsible leadership will prepare you to achieve your career goals. Your statement should be 2-3 pages in length, double-spaced.
Official Documents
Applicants must submit official transcripts from all institutions attended. Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts (with U.S. educational credentials) sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.
International Applicant Requirements
An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived, and unofficial transcripts will not be accepted for international applicants.
Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.
Start Your Application
Applying online to the Human Resources and Employment Relations Certificate program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.
APPLY TODAY