OVERVIEW
Earn Your HR Talent and Compensation Certificate Online
Learn practical approaches to workplace compliance, hiring practices, compensation strategies, and employee benefits through WGU’s HR Talent and Compensation Certificate. Whether you work in HR or take on HR responsibilities in a broader role, this certificate will help you develop your skills, strengthen your credibility, and grow in your career.
In this certificate program, you will:
- Build knowledge of employment laws, workplace compliance, employee rights, and labor relations.
- Assess workforce needs and develop strategies for recruiting, selecting, and onboarding employees.
- Explore management strategies for compensation, pay systems, job evaluations, and employee benefits.
Cost
$1,400
3 months of access*
Courses
3 online courses
9 total credits
Time to Complete
3 months
No set class times
*If the certificate is not completed within three months, your enrollment will automatically transition to a $299 monthly subscription until completion or cancellation. You can cancel at any time.
COURSES
HR Talent and Compensation Certificate Courses
This certificate program includes three college-level courses that focus on applying HR concepts to everyday workplace responsibilities.
Course Structure
This is a self-directed, fully online program that includes lessons, practice activities, performance assessments, and a final exam. You will progress by demonstrating what you know, not by spending a required amount of time in class.
The 3 courses in this program are:
In this course, you’ll build foundational knowledge of the laws and workplace policies that shape the employment relationship. You’ll learn to recognize discrimination and compliance risks, understand employee and employer rights, and recommend actions that support fair, legally sound decisions.
The course covers topics such as labor relations, employee privacy, workplace protections, hiring and termination responsibilities, and the role of unions and collective bargaining.
In this course, you’ll build foundational knowledge of workforce planning, recruitment, employee selection, and onboarding. You’ll learn how to evaluate workforce capacity forecasts, job requirements, and job descriptions. You’ll explore how to build and maintain compliant hiring processes across recruiting, interviews, assessments, background checks, job offers, and onboarding.
In this course, you’ll build foundational knowledge of compensation management strategies, pay systems, and employee benefits. You’ll learn how organizations use data on jobs, performance appraisals, incentive pay, and pay structures to maintain consistent and competitive compensation practices.
This course covers topics including discretionary and legally required benefits, health plan options, compensation design methods, contingent workers, and the role of total rewards practices in supporting organizational goals such as retention.
CAREER OUTCOMES
Designed for Career Growth
This certificate prepares you to take a more informed approach to employment practices, hiring, compensation programs, and benefits in your current role and future HR work.
What you’ll be able to do:
- Support compliance and help prevent discrimination.
- Identify ways to reduce workplace risk.
- Explain how legal rulings affect labor relations.
- Balance employer responsibilities with employee rights.
- Evaluate workforce needs and job requirements.
- Develop recruitment plans to meet organizational goals.
- Create hiring and onboarding strategies.
- Evaluate compensation practices and pay systems.
- Review legally required and discretionary benefits.
Roles that can benefit:
- HR assistant
- HR coordinator
- Recruiter
- Talent acquisition coordinator
- People operations coordinator
- Payroll or benefits clerk
- Office manager or operations coordinator
- Administrative professional with HR responsibilities
COST
Three online courses. One flat cost.
The certificate cost covers full program access for three months, including course materials and learning support resources.
Financial aid isn’t available, but there is a payment plan option.
Your program access lasts for three months. If you need more time, your enrollment will automatically transition to a $299 monthly subscription until you earn your certificate. You can cancel at any time.
$1,400
Payment Plan Option
$466.67 per month for three months
HOW IT WORKS
What to Expect from This Certificate
Technology Requirements
- You must use a personal computer and a personal internet connection.
- An external webcam with a built-in microphone is required for the final exam.
- Tablets and smartphones may be used to access course content but cannot be used for proctored assessments.
- Supported desktop operating systems include Windows 10 or later and macOS 13 Ventura or later.
Program Details
- This certificate is designed for early-career professionals working in HR or HR-related roles. No bachelor’s degree is required.
- Some of the credits you earn from this certificate may apply to WGU’s B.S. in Human Resource Management, subject to program requirements.
- This program does not include professional HR certifications or certification exam preparation.
- This certificate is designed to be completed within a three-month term with regular participation and consistent progress.
Why Choose a WGU Certificate?
WGU certificates are focused, non-degree programs designed to help you build specialized, career-relevant skills in months. With year-round enrollment, you can start when you’re ready and progress through your certificate as quickly as you master the material. Learn more about WGU certificates.
Job-Ready Skills
Our certificate programs are developed with employer input to reflect real workforce needs.
Never Alone
Access mentors and career services to help guide you from start to finish.
University-Backed
Earn a credential from an accredited university with more than 29 years of experience providing quality higher education.
Value Now, Value Later
Credits earned in a WGU certificate can be applied toward certain WGU degree programs.
Request More Information
Submit this form to learn more about WGU’s HR Talent and Compensation Certificate. We’ll send you additional program information by email.
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