Program Overview

HR (Human Resources) Management Certificate Program

The Human Resources (HR) Management certificate program at California State University, Long Beach equips students with the essential skills needed to thrive in today's evolving HR landscape. Taught by experienced practitioners, the curriculum reflects the core competencies required across HR roles, preparing students to enter or advance in the profession as HR opportunities continue to grow across industries.

Program Overview

This program is offered in a hybrid format with online synchronous lectures and in-person class meetings, allowing students to apply what they learn and receive real-time feedback from instructors.

Why Choose This Program

• Learn practical, applied HR skills from working HR leaders and legal professionals while developing a portfolio-ready capstone
• Build career-relevant competencies that reflect high-demand HR functions across industries
• Offered in a hybrid format, with online synchronous classes during the week and in-person classes on the weekend
• Earn a certificate that is approved for recertification credits with major HR organizations
• Complete the program efficiently in one term with structured weekly sessions

Who Should Enroll

• Career changers moving into entry-level HR roles
• Early-career HR staff seeking broader generalist skills
• Small business or office managers with HR-related responsibilities
• Leaders who want stronger HR fluency and compliance awareness

Features and Benefits

• Gain technical and operational knowledge of HR functions
• Document ongoing professional development activities
• Improved ability to integrate HR practices into an organization's goals

Program Outline

Technical HR

• Apply California and federal employment laws to real workplace scenarios
• Build a compensation structure aligned to market data and internal equity
• Conduct compliant workplace investigations and document findings
• Use foundational HR analytics to track performance and retention

People & Culture

• Coach managers through performance and corrective action
• Increase engagement through communication, feedback, and recognition
• Design inclusive practices and support DEIB initiatives

Strategic HR

• Align HR practices with organizational goals and culture
• Support workforce planning and talent pipelines
• Present HR recommendations with data and business impact

Capstone Project

As part of this program, students will complete a capstone project that allows them to apply the concepts and skills covered throughout the course. The capstone provides an opportunity to demonstrate understanding of key HR practices in a practical, integrated way. Participants will work in small groups to analyze a workplace scenario and develop recommended HR solutions.

How to Complete the Program

• Attend all class meetings (15 sessions)
• Participate in weekly discussions to reinforce key concepts and apply HR principles to real-world scenarios
• Complete a capstone project that integrates the concepts covered throughout the program
• Students may miss one class meeting and still receive credit by completing the required make-up assignment
• Attendance at the final class meeting is mandatory for program completion

Digital Badges: Skills Learned & Made Visible

Starting January 1, 2026, graduates of this program will earn a digital badge instead of a traditional certificate. Digital badges are industry-recognized, authenticated credentials that show exactly which competencies students mastered, such as employment law, investigations, compensation fundamentals, talent management, or HR analytics.

Instructors

• Stacey Lewis, Founder/CEO of HR Interrupted
• Leslie Freeman, MHRM, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
• Todd J. Lemmis, Author, HR Leader, Lawyer
• Alvin M. McCurdy, CEO of 828 Coffee Company
• Mark Mikelat, MBA, Business Growth Expert
• Jocelyn Padilla, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
• Susan Steward, Partner at Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo

Program Details

• Section Number: BUS_105.(2263-1)
• Dates: May 16, '26 - Jul 18, '26
• Schedule: See Full Schedule
• CEUs: 4.5
• Location: CSULB Online, CSULB Main Campus
• Cost: $1,199.00
• Last Day to Enroll: May 17, '26
• Status: Available

Class Schedule