With the best online human resources courses, you can gain the skills and knowledge to build a thriving career in HR or simply to better manage your team if you’re an entrepreneur.
Today, when many other business functions are becoming obsolete, human resources remains an in-demand skill.
With employee relations and personnel management becoming increasingly important in the business world, having a knowledge of human resources is essential for success.
Learning about best practices from experts in the field can help you leverage your career prospects and emerge as a well-rounded, competent leader.
Fortunately, there are tons of online HR courses out there that can teach you everything from the basics to advanced concepts that you can apply to your job.
We’ve reviewed and ranked the best online human resources courses based on a variety of key factors, including content quality, instructor experience, cost, and more.
Let’s get started…
How We Chose the Best Human Resources Courses Online
There are dozens and dozens of human resource training courses online, but not all of them are worth your time or money.
To help you find the very best online HR courses, we looked at over 30 different options, reviewing each course on a variety of important criteria, including:
- Curriculum quality–We scrutinized each course’s curriculum in an effort to find online HR classes that offered up-to-date information, depth of study, and practical application.
- Instructor expertise--We wanted to make sure that each course was taught by true industry experts who knew the subject material inside and out. Preference was given to courses taught by those with actual experience in HR.
- Student reviews--While we spent time forming our own opinions of these courses, we also thought it important to see what the students themselves thought. We combed through student reviews to make sure that others had found success with each of these courses.
- Cost/value–We wanted our picks for best online HR courses to offer a great return on investment of money and time, so we looked at cost and value when making our selection.
After going through this process carefully, we came up with a list of what we believe to be the best online human resources training courses.
What are the Best Online Human Resources Classes?
Here are our picks for the top human resources courses online in 2024…
1. Oxford Executive Leadership Programme (GetSmarter)
This Oxford Executive Leadership course is designed to help you refine and develop your leadership skills and purpose so you can execute your company’s strategic focus.
Price
$2,912 (payment plans available)
This short program, spread over 8 weeks, is divided into separate modules. Each module elevates your leadership mindset and sets you apart in a crowd.
While not every manager is a natural leader, leadership characteristics can be mastered via amazing courses like this. The course will allow you to discover leadership themes, such as the suitable employment of control, team management, complexity, and inspiring others to adapt to change.
Whether you want to bring your A-game into an organization or tackle dynamic business challenges, this course is the ideal choice. The program is well equipped, ranging from exceptional frameworks to manage people effectively to useful tools that aid with setting the right tone.
Renowned industry experts and Oxford Saïd Business School faculty will provide their valuable insights based on vast experience. Their tried and tested methods will enable lifelong learning and guarantee desired performance.
GetSmarter successfully launched this program with exclusive resources to enrich your online learning experience. Resources include access to the Oxford Executive Education Alumni Group and Career Engagement Network to keep you updated with changing trends and practices.
Last but not the least, program completion makes you eligible to earn a certificate of attendance from the prestigious Oxford Saïd Business School.
2. Digital Transformation in HR (GetSmarter)
Gain the knowledge and skills you need to effectively implement and utilize digital human resource management to boost your company's performance.
Price
$2,230 (payment plans available)
In any fast-paced economy, a true leader does not hesitate to adapt to change when needed. Digital transformation has become vital for businesses to thrive and remain relevant in their respective industries.
Think about it yourself. Does printing job ads in a local newspaper make sense when the right candidates can easily be found online?
As the name suggests, the course fits HR managers who wish to save costs and revolutionize every HR process. You should expect to learn how to combine technology with impact-driven goals in numerous HR functions such as recruitment, payroll, performance appraisal, employee turnover and retention, and retirement benefit plans.
While it is easy to implement technology, it should only be done by consulting the intended users. Thus, the course curriculum includes diverse approaches to implementing digital HR where maximum cooperation and collaboration are reached. Additionally, people analytics will allow HR executives to achieve higher retention rates.
LSE faculty and industry giants will together demonstrate the usage of various tools and resources. Enroll in this one-of-a-kind course immediately if you desire to optimize HR functions and drive business performance.
3. Hiring Practices (Coursera)
Price
HR executives’ primary and significant responsibility is to attract, recruit and retain the most suitable candidates at work, increase productivity, and meet targets. Analysts around the world mutually agree that business success depends on its employees and how motivated they are.
Hiring is a complex process and requires a great deal of financial investment and time. Thus, learning about secret hiring tips and strategies benefits in the long run. Remember- your employees are your biggest asset! Hiring is about getting the employees onboard. But it also involves training them on the job and providing regular appraisals.
In this course, learners explore different plans covering the end-to-end recruitment process. Plans are designed keeping both new entrants as well as executive level employees.
The complete Talent lifecycle is explained in a step-by-step process where practices such as Diversity and Inclusion are incorporated at each step to show practical application. HR business partners and Talent acquisition officers will particularly find it useful as the course builds on their knowledge.
Enroll in this course if you are ready to perfect the process of recruitment drives.
4. Leading: Human Resource Management and Leadership (Coursera)
Price
It is an extensive specialization offered by Macquarie University, which consists of four courses. Each course focuses on different topics such as organizational design, organizational behavior, effective leadership style, and the vision surrounding it. Courses have a rating of 4.8 and above, which shows it’s a popular choice.
Taught by experienced HR professionals, the specialization provides a comprehensive overview of key HR topics, from recruitment and talent management to employee relations and performance evaluation. The course content is practical and applicable, giving you the tools to succeed in your HR career.
What sets this program apart is its emphasis on leadership development. You’ll gain valuable insights into effective leadership strategies, learn to motivate and engage employees and acquire the skills to drive organizational success.
Plus, flexible learning options allow you to study at your own pace and schedule. And you can earn a verified certificate to showcase your expertise to potential employers.
Ready to take your HR career to the next level? Enroll in “HR Management and Leadership” today and unlock your potential!
5. Learn HR Fundamentals for a Career in Human Resources (Udemy)
Price
Available with Udemy’s Personal Plan, starting at $16.58/month
This comprehensive course covers a range of essential HR concepts, including talent acquisition, employee retention, compensation and benefits, employee engagement, and performance management. Expect to learn about the latest HR technology and tools and how to use them to automate your HR processes.
Bonus point: course is taught by experienced HR professionals, providing you with practical, real-world examples and insights. With lifetime access and a money-back guarantee, you can learn at your own pace and confidently.
Beating competition just became easy! You’ll learn about the latest trends and best practices in HR and how to stay up-to-date with changes in the industry. Another valuable aspect of this course is its focus on continuous learning and professional development.
With case studies and scenarios to help you apply what you’ve learned to real-world situations, be ready for your next promotion. You’ll also be able to practice your skills and receive feedback from the instructors and other students.
It has various resources to support your learning, including downloadable templates, quizzes, and interactive exercises. You’ll also have access to a community of HR professionals and peers, allowing you to network and share insights with others in the field.
6. Remote Onboarding for New Hires (Udemy)
Price
Available with Udemy’s Personal Plan, starting at $16.58/month
If you’re an employer or HR professional looking to onboard new hires remotely, you’re in luck! Udemy’s “Remote Onboarding for New Hires” course is designed to help you easily navigate this process.
Led by an experienced HR professional and instructional designer, the course offers practical strategies for creating a virtual onboarding program, building strong communication channels, fostering a positive remote company culture, and streamlining the remote hiring process.
You’ll gain valuable insights and actionable tips for making your remote onboarding process successful through a series of on-demand video lectures, quizzes, and exercises. By doing so, you’ll increase employee engagement, improve retention rates, and set your company up for success in the long run.
As remote work becomes increasingly common, mastering the skill of remote onboarding is crucial to staying ahead. This course equips you with the necessary knowledge and skills to tackle the challenges of remote onboarding effortlessly.
You will learn practical strategies for developing a successful virtual onboarding program, improving employee engagement, and boosting retention rates.
Enroll in “Remote Onboarding for New Hires” now and advance in today’s dynamic job market.
7. World-Class HR: People and Human Resource Management Essentials (Skillshare)
Price
Skillshare offers a 1-Month Free Trial. After that, the price is around $165 per year. See our Skillshare review for more info.
Designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the HR landscape, this course covers everything from HR fundamentals to talent management and employee relations. With engaging video lessons, hands-on projects, and insightful discussions, you’ll understand what it takes to be a world-class HR professional.
The course is taught by international coach and consultant Robert Sullivan. With over 28 years of experience in business and people management, Richard brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience. He’ll guide you through the course, providing valuable insights and actionable tips that you can apply to your HR career.
In addition, the course covers the essential soft skills needed for effective HR management, such as communication, leadership, and conflict resolution. You’ll learn how to create a positive work culture and promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
You’ll gain the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in various HR roles through lectures, case studies, and hands-on assignments.
8. Certificate in HR Ethics (HRCI Learning Center)
Price
$259
If you want to expand your knowledge of HR ethics, the Certificate in HR Ethics by HRCI is an excellent option. This course offers a comprehensive overview of the ethical principles and guidelines that govern human resources professionals.
The course covers various topics, including ethical decision-making, managing conflicts of interest, confidentiality, and discrimination. By taking this course, you’ll learn how to recognize and respond to ethical issues in the workplace, helping you become a more effective and ethical HR professional.
One of the benefits of this course is that it’s completely self-paced. It means you can learn quickly and fit it into your busy schedule. Additionally, the course is offered entirely online, making it accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Easy peasy!
Upon completing the Certificate in HR Ethics, you’ll be better equipped to handle complex ethical situations in the workplace, making you a more valuable asset to your team and organization. The course also includes a certification exam, which can enhance your credibility as an HR professional.
9. Human Resources Foundation (LinkedIn Learning)
Price
1-month free trial, then LinkedIn Learning pricing goes to $39.99/month to access or $19.99/month if you pay for a year upfront
The course covers the core responsibilities of HR professionals, including candidate attraction, interviewing, and hiring, as well as pay strategies and internal training and development systems. Additionally, it discusses the crucial role of HR in career development, performance management, and managing an international workforce.
The course offers several learning objectives, such as exploring the parallels between HR and business strategies and identifying the four approaches to talent management. It also covers the factors that support the business case for diversity, key features of effective training and career development programs, and the principles of effective performance management.
Lastly, the course delves into the difference in cost between domestic and international employees, offering valuable insights into managing a global workforce.
Whether you’re a new HR professional or seeking to expand your knowledge, this course will equip you with the essential skills and knowledge to excel in the field.
A Final Word on the Best Online Human Resources Courses
Whether you’re an aspiring HR professional, a manager looking to improve personnel relations, or an entrepreneur who needs to understand how to better manage their team, there is a wide range of online human resources courses available.
With the right course and guidance, you’ll be able to take advantage of this knowledge to reach your professional goals.
Have any questions about our guide to best online human resources courses? Let us know by commenting below.