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human resource professional

Graduate Certificate inPublic Sector Human Resources Management

Summary Courses Careers Costs and Aid

Prepare for mid- and upper-level human resources or employment relations positions in the public and private sectors. This certificate can provide you with core skills in personnel management, labor relations, problem-solving, planning, and management of organizational change and development.

100% Online

Complete your Penn State course work at your own pace and 100% online.

Apply by August 21 to start August 25

12 Credits$1,037 per credit

Gain Skills to Manage Human Resources

  • Plan and coordinate workforce and employee benefits to achieve long-term employment goals.

  • Analyze and appraise contemporary issues as they relate to human resources and the workplace.

  • Influence behavior in organizations using management strategies, including leadership and motivational theory, as an HR leader.

  • Acquire and retain the right employees by applying critical personnel management functions such as recruitment, selection, appraisal, compensation, training, promotion, downsizing, and collective bargaining.

This 12-credit program provides you with flexibility to complete your course work at times and places most convenient for you and is taught by faculty with world-class expertise. You can earn this graduate certificate online in one year.

The certificate program in public sector human resources management requires taking four online courses (12 credits), including two required and two elective courses.

Required Courses (6 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Concepts and approaches contributing to effective use of human resources in public and nonprofit organizations; legal issues and requirements.

  • 3
    credits

    Examination of concepts of human behavior in formal organizations, systems analysis, conceptual models, and decision processes.

Electives (select 6 credits)

With the approval by the certificate coordinator, students could also choose other HR-related Penn State graduate-level courses as elective courses for this certificate.

  • 3
    credits

    Theory of organizational change and development; case analysis of applications in actual situations.

    • Prerequisite

      HADM 510 or PADM 510

  • 3
    credits

    A survey of strategic planning purposes, approaches and methods, and expected outcomes in small and large organizations.

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

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You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.

Career Opportunities for Graduates

Human resource personnel are required to think strategically while remaining unbiased and empathetic. The public sector human resources management graduate certificate can provide you with the skills you need to develop and manage the administrative functions of an organization. By successfully completing our certificate program, you can be better prepared to work in mid- and upper-level human resources or employment relations positions in the public sector.

Career Services to Set You Up for Success

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From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.

  • Opportunities to connect with employers
  • Career counselor/coach support
  • Occupation and salary information
  • Internships
  • Graduate school resources 

Ready to Learn More?

Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.

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Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State graduate certificate?

Apply by August 21 to start August 25. How to Apply 

Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.

Graduate Tuition

Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

2025–26 Academic Year Rates

Tuition Rates for the Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026 Semesters
How many credits do you plan to take per semester?Cost
11 or fewer$1,037 per credit
12 or more$12,448 per semester

2026–27 Academic Year Rates

Tuition Rates for the Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Summer 2027 Semesters
How many credits do you plan to take per semester?Cost
11 or fewer$1,048 per credit
12 or more$12,572 per semester

Paying for Your Certificate

Students pursuing a certificate are considered "nondegree," a status that is not eligible for federal student aid, including the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. A private alternative loan may be an option to consider.

Additionally, Penn State offers many ways to pay for your education, including an installment plan and third-party payments. Penn State World Campus also offers an Employer Reimbursement and Tuition Deferment Plan. Learn more about the options for paying for your education.

Students pursuing a degree and meeting all other eligibility requirements may qualify for financial aid.

Military Benefits

Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.

Additional Cost of Attendance Details

To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements:

Technical Requirements

Review the technical requirements for this program.

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Not only can this program help create opportunities in your career, it can also give you a solid head start toward a full master’s degree.

Degree Program Related to This Certificate

Some or all credits earned for this certificate can be applied to the following Penn State World Campus degree program:

Enhance your ability to manage effectively and promote positive change in your organization. This NASPAA-accredited online Master of Public Administration (MPA), offered by the Penn State Harrisburg School of Public Affairs, focuses on real-world skills that you can apply to your career immediately.

Learn more

Who Should Apply?

If you are an administrator or other professional in government, nonprofit, or other public services organizations, you can acquire additional knowledge and skills in:  

  • personnel/human resource management 
  • labor relations 
  • problem-solving 
  • planning 
  • management of organizational change and development
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Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals. Many students take one or two courses per semester.

Our online courses typically follow a 12- to 15-week semester cycle, and there are three semesters per year (spring, summer, and fall). If you plan to take a heavy course load, you should expect your course work to be your primary focus and discuss your schedule with your academic adviser. 

To Finish Your Certificate in One Year

  • Take 2 courses each semester 

To Finish Your Certificate in Two Years

  • Take 1 course each semester

Timelines may vary based on course availability.

 

Convenient Online Format

This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.

A Trusted Leader in Online Education

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Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.

Information for Military and Veterans

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Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, and application instructions.

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Apply by August 21 to start August 25

Application Instructions

Deadlines and Important Dates

Complete your application and submit all required materials by the appropriate deadline. Your deadline will depend on the semester you plan to start your courses.

  • Fall Deadline

    Apply by August 21 to start August 25

  • Spring Deadline

    Apply now to start January 12

  • Summer Deadline

    Apply now to start May 18, 2026

Steps to Apply

  1. For admission to the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.

    GPA — Successful applicants typically have a 3.0 grade-point average in the last two years of undergraduate work.

  2. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:

    Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. If you are a Penn State alum, you do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State but must list Penn State as part of your academic history.

    Test Scores — Test scores are not required.

    English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Fox Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.

    Transfer Credits and Course Substitutions

    A student may be able to transfer up to 15 non-degree PADM credits toward their MPA degree. Students should read the Fox Graduate School Policy GCAC-309 on Credit Transfer before putting in an application to the MPA program. Approval to transfer any credits toward the MPA degree must be granted by the student's academic adviser, the Professor-in-Charge, and the Fox Graduate School.

    Applicants who have graduate degrees in public administration or a related field, and who have taken graduate courses that duplicate the content of courses in the certificate program, may substitute other PADM courses for those courses with the prior approval of the person in charge. Graduate transcripts, course syllabi, and course projects/term papers will be needed for this evaluation process.

  3. To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account.

    Create a New Penn State Account

    If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

    Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.

  4. You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.

    • Choose Enrollment Type: "Certificate Admission"
    • Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus

    Checking Your Status 
    You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form. 

  5. 5. Complete the application.

    Penn State Fox Graduate School Application

Admissions Help

If you have questions about the admissions process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

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Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.

To learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Human Resources Management, please contact:

World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
[email protected]

For certificate program information, please contact:
Autumn Wise
Penn State Harrisburg
School of Public Affairs
Phone: 717-948-6773
[email protected]

Enroll in courses that were developed in partnership with the Penn State Harrisburg School of Public Affairs. A Penn State degree is renowned throughout the industry, giving you a recognized and respected credential to add to your résumé.

Faculty

  • Younhee Kim

    Ph.D., Public Administration, Rutgers University-Newark

    Dr. Younhee Kim is an associate professor of public administration in the School of Public Affairs at Penn State Harrisburg. Her research interests are in the broad areas of public and performance management, focusing on performance measurement, public entrepreneurship, information technology and e-governance, and citizen participation. Her recent work has appeared in numerous journals and edited books. Dr. Kim has taught various courses, such as Public Policy Analysis, Strategic Planning, Intergovernmental Relations, Public Information Technology, State Government, and Organizational Development.

  • Bing Ran

    Ph.D., Management Sciences, University of Waterloo

    Dr. Bing Ran is a professor of public administration in the School of Public Affairs at Penn State Harrisburg. His research interests focus on areas that include collaborative governance networks, social entrepreneurship and hybrid organizations, knowledge management and integration, and organizational identity and image. He teaches such courses as PADM 505, 510, 511, and 571, and he serves as professor-in-charge for the Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Human Resources Management.

  • Michele Tantardini

    • Ph.D., Public Affairs, Florida International University
    • M.Sc., Management of Public Administrations and International Institutions, Bocconi University

    Dr. Michele Tantardini is an associate professor of public administration at the Penn State Harrisburg School of Public Affairs. He earned his doctorate focusing his studies and research on the relationship between performance information use and organizational social capital. His current research agenda focuses on three main topics: performance management, social capital, and public service motivation. His teaching interests are in performance management, organizational theory and behavior, and human resource management.

Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State graduate certificate?

Apply by August 21 to start August 25. How to Apply 

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