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The Rutgers Graduate Certificate in Strategic HRM offers a flexible way for individuals seeking to acquire new knowledge to help their organizations respond to current workforce challenges, and/or propel their HR career forward through an exciting and challenging learning environment.

Building upon cutting-edge research and practice, the program allows students to earn formal credentials (the graduate certificate) for completing the required four (4) courses with the potential to apply to transfer full credit to the Rutgers MHRM degree program.

Individuals working in HR positions who may have transferred from other areas within their organization may find the program beneficial to obtain formal training in HR coursework to build their competencies. Graduate students seeking master’s degrees in other areas may also find that additional coursework in HR is valuable if they seek the flexibility to apply their master’s training within the HR function of an organization, within HR consulting, or in a work role where they will manage employees.

For more information about the Graduate Certificate in Strategic HRM, please email Dave Ferio, Director, Graduate Program in Human Resource Management.
 

Program Structure

To earn the Graduate Certificate in Strategic HRM, students must complete three (3) required courses and one (1) elective course for a total of 12 credit hours. The certificate will be available either in in-person or online format, with most courses available in both formats. Students may also combine in-person and online courses to complete the certificate. The entire certificate is designed to be completed in as little as two semesters.

Three required courses:
  • HR Strategy I
  • HR Strategy II OR Linking HR To Business Strategy
  • Employment Law*
One elective course:

Choose one from the list below.

  • HR Decision-Making: Financial Decisions
  • Managing Workforce Flow
  • Developing Human Capital
  • Managing the Global Workforce
  • Selected Problems: Benefits**
  • Any of the following courses on diversity and inclusion: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for HR Professionals (pending approval); The Inclusive Workplace**; or Identity and Discrimination at Work and in the U.S. Labor Market**

* MLER students who have already taken Employment Law as an undergraduate student can substitute a second elective course from the list.
** These courses are offered once per year; all other courses are offered every semester.

Descriptions of Required Courses

HR Strategy I (Online or In-person)

Course Number: 38:533:580  

This course sets the stage for the MHRM curriculum and begins to socialize students into the program and should be completed in the first semester. A key objective is to introduce students to a strategic view of HR, which includes adopting a systems perspective and attending to multiple stakeholders. This course emphasizes the importance of understanding the many forces that shape a firm’s approach to managing HRM and the positioning of the HR function as a strategic partner, putting the focus on the intersection of HRM, business policy, and competitive strategy.

HR Strategy II (In-person) OR Linking HR to Business Strategy (Online)

Course Number: 38:533:590

HR Strategy II is a complete course addressing strategy. The primary focus will be to provide students with a deep understanding of strategic management. Topics to be covered in this course will include competitor analysis, strategy formulation, acquisitions and restructuring, cooperative strategies, corporate responsibility, and entrepreneurship. Completion of HR Strategy I is a prerequisite.

Course Number: 38:533:704 

Linking HR to Business Strategy aims to link HR to the organizational strategy, which includes adopting a systems perspective and attending to multiple stakeholders. This course emphasizes the importance of understanding the many forces that shape a firm’s approach to managing HRM and the positioning of the HR function as a strategic partner, putting the focus on the intersection of HRM, business policy, and competitive strategy.

Employment Law (In-person or Online)

Course Number: 38:533:566 

This course addresses principles of law associated with the employment relationship. It focuses on understanding the legal process and employment issues. This course can be taken in the first or second semester.