
Human Resource Management
Inspired talent management
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Certificate Description
"Human resources has never been more valuable to the success and sustainability of organizations. Our people are what will impact our success. Having a strong People Strategy is essential in today's business world."
— David Swanson, M.A., SHRM-SCP, Program Chair, Human Resources Management Certificate
Source, develop, and lead a diverse workforce
Impact your organization's overall success
There is no more exciting time to consider a career in human resource management or to enhance your skills in the profession than right now. In today’s ultra-competitive economy, you need to know how to recruit and retain top employees, particularly those from underrepresented groups. You need to communicate powerfully, maximize the impact of total rewards programs, and understand how technology and people analytics are changing the field.
The UCSC Silicon Valley Extension provides skills to effectively source, onboard, engage, develop, and support employees in any field. Learn systems and processes that are aligned with business objectives, develop effective leaders, and create work environments that enhance productivity.
Select electives from four specialties.
- Talent Acquisition and Workforce Planning
- Leadership Development
- Employee Relations
- HR Business Partners/Generalist
Human Resource Management certificate program objectives
- Design, assess, and evaluate employee benefits programs
- Recruit talent and plan a strategic workforce
- Train, facilitate, and design instruction for employees
- Evaluate performance management approaches and techniques
- Navigate organizational development, design, and change management to assure high employee engagement and productivity

We are an Approved Educator
• HR Certification Institute
The official seal of the HR Certification Institute® confirms that the following UCSC Silicon Valley Extension courses meet the criteria for pre-approved recertification credits for HRCI’s eight credentials, including SPHR® and PHR®.*
- Business Communications (19.25 HRCI credit hours)
- Interviewing for Success: Using Structured Interviewing Techniques (6.50 HRCI credit hours)
- Workplace Investigations (6.50 HRCI credit hours)
- Terminating and Managing Problem Employees (6.50 HRCI credit hours)
- Finance for the Business Professional (9.50 HRCI credit hours)
*The use of this official seal confirms that this Activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
• Society for Human Resource Management
UCSC Silicon Valley Extension is recognized by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) to offer professional development credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®.
Mastering the Shift: The soft skills you need for your career
You’ve completed your studies. Now what? Hear about what's holding you back and the soft skills you need to transition from classroom to career in this discussion among UCSC Silicon Valley Extension instructors and alumni. (April 19, 2022)
Program Overview
Estimated Cost: Starting at $6,870. (You pay only for courses you enroll in.) | International Tuition Cost
Program Requirements: 11 courses (minimum 15 quarter units). Take 8 required courses (13.5 quarter units) and 3 elective courses (1.5–6 quarter units). End with the certificate review.
Minimum Hours of Instruction: Minimum 150 hours of instruction.
Estimated Duration: A full-time student can complete the certificate in 9–12 months.
Courses
1. Required Course(s):
2. Electives: Recruiting and Staffing
3. Electives: Leadership Development
4. Electives: Employee Relations
5. Electives: HR Business Partners/General
6. Completion Review:
Meet Our Instructors
Certificate Inquiry Form
Recommended Course Sequence
Please follow this sequence
It is highly recommended that students new to the field of human resources begin with Human Resource Management. After that, courses may be taken in any order.
Substitutions
To receive your certificate
Upon completion of the course sequence, you may request your Human Resource Management Certificate Completion Review.
Professional Development
HR Certification Institute-Approved
HR Certification Institute’s® (www.HRCI.org) official seal confirms that UCSC Silicon Valley Extension meets the criteria for pre-approved recertification credit(s) for any of HRCI’s eight credentials, including SPHR® and PHR®.
SHRM Recertification General Provider
As a SHRM Recertification General Provider, UCSC Silicon Valley Extension is able to award SHRM professional development credits (PDCs) for HR knowledge and competency programs related to the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge (TM) (the SHRM BoCK). Each course is valid for a designated number of PDCs for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit www.shrmcertification.org.
Licensure and Certification Policy
Certification is optional to practice in this field. Please see our Licensure and Certification Policy to learn more.
Requisite Knowledge
Please review the course descriptions to ensure that you have taken necessary prerequisites or meet the requirements through job experience or previous education.
Advisory Board

Certificate Program Co-Chairs
DAVID SWANSON, M.A., SHRM-SCP, is a human resource management consultant, author, and keynote speaker with more than 35 years of experience. Most recently he was executive vice president of HR for SAP SuccessFactors, following previous posts as chief HRO for SAP North America and global head of HR for its products and innovation organization. He has held executive HR positions at a number of other technology companies as well. He has served as co-chair or chair since 2018. Read his full bio.

YVETTE DURAZO, MA, PCC, is the principal consultant of Unitive Consulting, a workplace talent development, strategic conflict management, and leadership coaching firm. She brings innovative techniques to promote a positive workplace culture in organizations to foster trust, increase human capital engagement, productivity, and inclusion. Her consulting services include training in people’s skills, mediation services, dispute system design for organizations, and strategies to address diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. She has served as co-chair since 2022. Read her full bio.
Certificate Program Advisory Committee
JENNY DEARBORN, M.Ed., M.B.A.
Board Member, Advisor, Investor, HCM Sales, Global HR, Change Management, Strategy, Future of Work, Training
YVETTE DURAZO, MA, PCC
Principal Consultant, Unitive Consulting
Chair and Instructor, Human Resource Management Program
KAT HSUEH, B.S., HRM Certificate
Director, Talent and Technology
ROI Communication
MARCO ROSA, M.A.
HR Executive Consultant, Search, Executive Coach
Heritage Partners International
Instructor, Human Resource Management Program
UCSC Silicon Valley Extension
JULIUS SCHILLINGER, M.S., Ph.D./ABD
Vice President, Human Resources
Gateway Learning Group
DAVID SWANSON, M.A., SHRM-SCP
Human Resource Management Consultant, Author
Chair and Instructor, Human Resource Management Program
UCSC Silicon Valley Extension
INKA TEWS, M.B.A.
Vice President, Human Resources
Infineon Technologies North America Corp.
Establish Candidacy
Establish candidacy in a certificate or specialization
Once you create your student account, you can establish candidacy in a certificate or specialization program any time during your studies.
The benefits of enrolling early
- Lock in your certificate requirements.This means that even if program requirements change, the requirements to complete your certificate will remain the same for you
- Receive program updates
- Set your intention
- It’s free
To complete a program, you must enroll in the certificate program before enrolling in the Certificate Completion Review.
You have five years to complete all necessary courses in a certificate program or three years to finish up a specialization program.
All the necessary units in a certificate must be completed within this window.* The clock begins on the first day of your first course in the certificate program. For example, if you started a course on Sept. 5, 2017, you would have to complete all of the required units in this certificate by Sept. 4, 2022.
Note:
Enrolling in a certificate program does not trigger the beginning of the five-year window. It begins the first day of the first course that applies to a certificate program. The Certificate Completion Review process does not have to occur within the five-year timeframe.
For more information: How do I get my certificate or specialization?
* Students participating in a special program, such as workforce, international, Personal Financial Planning, or curriculum partner programs (such as GreenFig or CLS by Barbri) may have a shorter completion requirement.
Grade Requirements
Please note that only letter grades of C or higher may be applied to a certificate, and in some programs, students may have more stringent requirements. Students in most employer- and government-sponsored payment programs, such as workforce development, as well as international students on F-1 visas, need to maintain a B average to meet their requirements. Personal Financial Planning students have additional grade requirements for individual courses to attain a certificate.
See Grading and Credits Policy for further information.