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As the workplace continues to evolve, being able to collect, analyze, and present data is now a crucial skill for HR professionals.

Taking an HR/People analytics certification will help you gain the skills you need to add essential strategic value to your team and improve your career prospects.

Top 17 HR Analytics Certifications

1. Human Resources (HR) Analytics Certificate - eCornell

eCornell offers some of the top certification courses for HR professionals, including their HR Analytics Certificate.

This instructor-led course offers a 360-view of essential HR analytics including strategic talent analytics and applied predictive analytics in HR.

You’ll learn how to source, analyze, visualize, and present HR data using the latest HR analytics tools to help guide decision-making, as well as how to apply a cost-based approach to determine the business impact and return on investment associated with HR initiatives.

Price: $3,900
Duration: 2 months
Exam Required: N/A
Online, In-Person, or both? Online
How many hours of instruction: 2 weeks
Eligibility Requirements: Bachelor’s or equivalent required

2. HRCI Certificate In Data Analytics

Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) provides resources and expert-led courses for HR practitioners throughout the world. 

HRCI’s intermediate course in data analytics is designed to help you master big data analysis and research design. Through several modules covering how to conduct data analysis across a variety of industries and how to use data analytics to improve organization performance, you’ll come away with knowledge of the tools to bring data-driven decision-making to your org and how to utilize the right metrics to keep your employees engaged and productive.

There are no prerequisites for this course. Enrollment is on an ongoing basis, but the online course is self-paced with a mix of videos, readings, and real-world case studies. This course is perfect for independent learners at any level of HR or people management.

Price: $399
Duration: Variable
Exam Required: Yes
Online, In-Person, or both? Online
How many hours of instruction: Self-paced
Eligibility Requirements: None

3. SHRM People Analytics Specialty Credential

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is industry-respected for anyone in the HR, consultation, and talent acquisition fields. SHRM offers a People Analytics Specialty Credential to help you leverage HR analytics to make informed business decisions

You’ll develop your confidence and skills as an HR data analyst as you review real-world business issues, and HR initiatives and learn how to best communicate your findings to executives and HR teammates. 

You do not have to be SHRM Certified for this course but it does provide additional credits for SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP recertification. You’ll also receive a certification badge which you can add to your email signatures and LinkedIn profile.

Price: Price upon request
Duration: Self-paced
Exam Required: N/A
Online, In-Person, or both? Online
How many hours of instruction: Self-paced
Eligibility Requirements: N/A

4. CIPD People Analytics Course - Accredited HR Analytics Course

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is a globally respected organization providing tools for people managers and human resource teams around the world. 

CIPD’s People Analytics field was developed by two experts in the field and is designed to help HR practitioners bring a more evidence-based approach towards business decisions and how changes can influence all stakeholders involved.

Centered on developing confidence in your own skillset and your approach towards HR metrics, this specific course is perfect for anyone looking to gain a richer understanding of statistical modules and how to consult effectively using a data-driven approach.

Price: $2,220
Duration: 50-70 hours
Exam Required: N/A
Online, In-Person, or both? Online
How many hours of instruction: Self-paced
Eligibility Requirements: N/A

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5. CIPD Data and Analytics for People Professionals

CIPD’s goal is to equip people managers and policy makers with the skills and tools needed to make work better. 

So if you’re looking for a more general data analysis course to get started, CIPD’s Data and Analytics for People Professionals is for you. Designed for all levels in HR, this course will help you learn how to effectively use data to inform your work and answer frequently asked questions concerning data from all stakeholders involved.

This two-day virtual course includes reviewing real-world case studies that demonstrate how organizations use data for employee engagement goals and building culture. This data analytics course is ideal for interactive learners who want to speak to instructors in real-time.

Price: $1,088
Duration: 2 days
Exam Required: N/A
Online, In-Person, or both? Virtual
How many hours of instruction: 2 days
Eligibility Requirements: N/A

6. CIPD Data and Analytics for People Professionals Essential Insights

Looking to learn the fundamentals of people analytics and how it can impact your company staffing? CIPD’s Data and Analytics for People Professionals Essential Insights is perfect for anyone within or outside the HR management space.

The aim is to help you gain confidence working alongside data analysts and with people analytics. You’ll come away with stronger data comprehension, understand what questions to ask and how to answer them, and how to discover opportunities within data sets.

Price: $60
Duration: 60-90 mins
Exam Required: N/A
Online, In-Person, or both? Virtual
How many hours of instruction: Self-paced
Eligibility Requirements: N/A

7. People Analytics: Transforming HR Strategy with Data Science

This course from Emeritus and the University of Cambridge’s Judge Business School is designed to help HR and business leaders develop a people analytics function fit for modern businesses.

The course, splits over 8 modules, covers how to set up a people analytics function, root cause analysis, designing data-driven experiments, applying data to operational strategies, and even psychometrics.

It’s delivered through a mix of live and recorded sessions with faculty members, guest speakers, and discussion groups. Certification is awarded on completion of all activities.

Price: $2,150
Duration: 8 weeks
Exam Required: N/A
Online, In-Person, or both? Online
How many hours of instruction: 4-6 per week
Eligibility Requirements: N/A

8. Human Resources Analytics Course (UCI)

Learn how to identify effective data sources, develop your own dashboards, and hone your analytics skills through University of California, Irvine’s (UCI) course on Human Resources Analytics.

Taught by Executive Director, Human Resources, Amber Gould, this self-paced certificate program will get you in the mindset of using data science to plan long-term measures for your employee engagement and retention strategies. Hosted through Coursera, the course is ideal for learners who want less hands-on, self-paced study.

Price: Varies
Duration: 5 hrs
Exam Required: N/A
Online, In-Person, or both? Online
How many hours of instruction: Self-paced
Eligibility Requirements: N/A

9. AIHR People Analytics Certificate Program

The People Analytics Certificate Program at The Academy to Innovate HR (AIHR) is a great course for HR professionals looking to learn the fundamentals of statistics.

Develop basic analytics skills using real-world examples and in-depth case studies and understand how you can use HR data to improve business outcomes. You’ll also learn how to make your own self-service dashboards through Microsoft or Power BI to track your analytics and how to create compelling data visualizations to tell a full story or persuade the right stakeholders.

Price: $975
Duration: 11 wks
Exam Required: Capstone Project
Online, In-Person, or both? Online
How many hours of instruction: 3 hours/wk
Eligibility Requirements: N/A

10. HR Management and Analytics - Wharton

Recognized as one of the top Ivy League business programs in the country, Wharton offers a certified HR Management and Analytics course ideal for mid-senior HR professionals, business owners, and executive consultants.

Learners will gain insights into basic data science competencies alongside practical applications, for example how to measure performance with regression to the mean, sample size, and process versus outcome. A combination of videos and live lectures, this course is great for learners who like to study in a live classroom setting but need something more flexible.

Price: $2,800
Duration: 2 months
Exam Required: N/A
Online, In-Person, or both? Online
How many hours of instruction: online 4-6 hours a week
Eligibility Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree

11. Certificate in Human Resources Analytics - Rutgers

Rutgers School of Business offers a series of courses aimed at those looking to advance their careers, pivot, or fill a gap in their skills. 

Their Certificate in Human Resources Analytics is designed to help those with an interest in data to fill the current skills gap. Learn the basic concepts of human resource metrics, evidence-based management, and the best practices for data collection and identifying problems. 

At the end of this course, you’ll come away with a deep understanding of HR analytics and methodologies and be able to confidently communicate your findings and educate a broad range of stakeholders.

Learners can move through the modules on their own but also access a personal learning coach to help them in their studies and career goals.

Price: $2,300
Duration: Self-paced
Exam Required: N/A
Online, In-Person, or both? Online
How many hours of instruction: Self-paced
Eligibility Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree required

12. People Analytics for HR (PAHR) Certification - HCI

Human Capital Institute (HCI) offers a People Analytics for HR (PAHR) certification aimed at HR or people leaders looking to guide their business decisions and tackle big changes using a data-driven approach. Through this course, you’ll learn how to align efforts with organizational strategy and work with key stakeholders to interpret and identify patterns within data sets.

Learners will take away how to check data for errors, how to identify and research appropriate data, and how to make sense of their findings for evidence-based recommendations. This course is offered both online and in-person for learners who prefer studying on their own or in group settings. 

Price: $1,995 online; price upon request for 2-day in-person
Duration: 2-day in-person; self-paced online
Exam Required: N/A
Online, In-Person, or both? Both
How many hours of instruction: 2-day in-person; self-paced online
Eligibility Requirements: N/A

13. People Analytics - Bersin Academy

Acclaimed writer, researcher, and HR expert Josh Bersin has his own academy dedicated to digital learning for HR practitioners around the globe.

The Bersin Academy offers its own People Analytics course for people leaders at any level. Learn how you can effectively use data analysis to provide actionable insights and surface new opportunities with your people.

If you’re an HR professional, people leader, or consultant looking for flexibility but also wanting the camaraderie of a classroom, this course is for you! Bersin Academy focuses on community development and story-sharing as part of learning online. Connect and learn with like-minded individuals as you dive into the basic competencies of data analytics, and earn a Bersin Academy certification for your resume or Linkedin profile.

Price: Part of $280 annual membership
Duration: 5 weeks
Exam Required: N/A
Online, In-Person, or both? Online
How many hours of instruction: 4-6 hours a week
Eligibility Requirements: N/A

14. HR Analytics Dashboard using Excel - Udemy

Many organizations rely on MS Teams and Office Suite for their tech stack. This online UDemy course, developed by Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) Deepak Aggrawal, focuses on building an HR Analytics Dashboard using Excel. Designed for all levels in HR or people management, this course will help you create data visualizations and the skills to analyze and answer frequently asked questions from your stakeholders.

Learn how to use Excel to create functioning HR employee dashboards and interactive charts that provide insights into talent acquisition, headcount management, employee retention, and performance.

Price: $14.99
Duration: Self-paced
Exam Required: N/A
Online, In-Person, or both? Both
How many hours of instruction: 2 hours
Eligibility Requirements: Basic knowledge of Excel is ideal but not a prerequisite

15. Certificate in HR Analytics - EY Virtual Academy

EY offers a certificate in HR Analytics to support leaders and people managers wanting to utilize data to make more informed decisions regarding their talent management.

You’ll learn how to project employee retention and turnover and salaries using linear regression models. Also covered are industry-standard tools such as Power BI and Python for designing HR dashboards as well as data visualization techniques.

Price: $250
Duration: Self-paced
Exam Required: Online assessment
Online, In-Person, or both? Online
How many hours of instruction: 18+ hours
Eligibility Requirements: N/A

16. Certificate In People Analytics - NYUSPS 

This certification from New York University’s School of Professional Studies focuses on 4 key discipline areas and skills: workforce analytics, data science, I/O psychology, and workplace automation.

It’s quite a technical course that will have you delving into data science methods in R & Python, database management using SQL, and statistics.

Certification requires the completion of 5 modules of varying lengths with a further 2 elective courses.

Price: $600 per module
Duration: Varies
Exam Required: None
Online, In-Person, or both? Online
How many hours of instruction: Unknown
Eligibility Requirements: N/A

17. People Analytics Certification Course - HR University

HR University’s People Analytics Certification Course is a mixture of theory and practical lessons that will help you gain proficiency in areas such as statistics, data-driven decision making, data visualization, dashboard creation, surveys, and tools such as Excel.

What’s also quite neat also is that you get survey templates and Excel sheets you can take to use in the real world.

Price: $349 per module
Duration: 10 weeks
Exam Required: None
Online, In-Person, or both? Online
How many hours of instruction: 4 hours per week
Eligibility Requirements: N/A

Benefits Of Taking An HR Analytics Certification

An investment in your professional development is never a bad thing. The benefits of investing in an HR analytics certification include:

  • Industry-specific knowledge and skills: A certification program in HR analytics can equip you with knowledge and skills such as data analysis, statistical methods, and interpretation of HR metrics. They’ll often cover the latest trends, methodologies and tools.
  • Career advancement: Certification demonstrates expertise and commitment to the field of HR analytics, making individuals more competitive in the job market. It can open up opportunities for career advancement, promotions, and higher salary prospects within HR departments or related fields.
  • Networking opportunities: Participating in certification programs facilitates networking with fellow professionals, instructors, and industry experts. This fosters collaboration, knowledge sharing, and access to valuable resources, including job opportunities, mentorship, and professional communities dedicated to the field.

How to Choose An HR Analytics Certification

Step one: Define your goals

Start by clarifying your career objectives and the specific skills or knowledge areas you want to develop through a certification.

Step two: Research certifications

Explore different programs from reputable organizations, institutions, and professional associations (this list is a good start!). 

Here are some pointers to help you decide:

  • Check accreditation and reputation: Verify the accreditation status and reputation of the certification provider. Accredited programs adhere to established quality standards, ensuring that your certification holds credibility and value in the eyes of employers and peers.
  • Review curriculum and requirements: Evaluate the content, structure, and requirements of each certification program to determine if they match your learning preferences and schedule. Assess factors such as course duration, delivery format (e.g., online, in-person), assessment methods, and prerequisites.
  • Assess instructor qualifications and support: Consider the qualifications and expertise of instructors or facilitators involved in delivering the certification program. Look for programs that offer access to experienced educators, mentors, or subject matter experts who can provide guidance and support throughout your learning journey.
  • Consider industry relevance: Choose a certification program that reflects current industry trends, best practices, and emerging HR software. Look for programs that incorporate real-world case studies, practical exercises, and hands-on experience to ensure the applicability of your learning in professional settings.
  • Evaluate costs and return on investment (ROI): Assess the cost of enrolling in each certification program, including tuition fees, materials, exam fees, and any additional expenses. Compare the investment required against the potential career benefits, such as increased earning potential, job opportunities, and professional advancement.
  • Seek feedback and reviews: Research feedback and reviews from past participants or professionals who have completed the certification program (Reddit and HR communities are useful here). Consider their insights regarding the program's effectiveness, relevance, and overall satisfaction to gain a better understanding of what to expect.
  • Consult with peers and mentors: Seek advice from experienced professionals, mentors, or colleagues who have pursued HR certifications. They can offer valuable recommendations, insights, and firsthand experiences to help you make an informed decision.

Data Is The Future

If HR is going to be a more strategic partner, data literacy is a key skill to master.

Taking one of the above will help you lead the way in your organization and build a successful and enriching career.

Some further resources to help you on your HR journey:

Join The People Managing People Community

For further support around which course you might want to take, as well as using data in general, join the People Managing People Community, a supportive community of HR and business leaders passionate about building organizations of the future.

By Finn Bartram

Finn is an editor at People Managing People. He's passionate about growing organizations where people are empowered to continuously improve and genuinely enjoy coming to work. If not at his desk, you can find him playing sports or enjoying the great outdoors.