Location
Start Dates
- January 09, 2025
- September 02, 2025
Duration
2Terms
Course Delivery
- Face to Face - Synchronous
- Blended
- Online - Asynchronous
Tuition & Fees
Domestic: CAD
$7,042
International: CAD
$16,971
Estimated resources cost per semester:
CAD
$545
Program Description
The Human Resources certificate increases awareness and assesses the application of practical skills to hand-on activities that will be experienced in the human resources (HR) discipline within any sector. The program's focus aligns human resources practices with organizational strategies. Learners acquire understanding of human resources management practices and trends in talent acquisition and engagement, compensation and benefits, learning and development, change management, occupational health and safety, labour relations and employment law. Choice of two Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities will be required prior to graduation.
Time commitment
This is a one-year (two term) certificate program. A standard course load is five courses per term. Students can maintain full time status with at least three courses. Taking less than five courses per term will take longer to complete the program.
Learning options
All courses are available in-class and online.
Not all courses are offered every term in-class, or online and they are subject to change.
Domestic Applicants
Welcome Centre
South Campus – Main Floor
info@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-1402
International Learner Applicants
International Education
South Campus – Main Floor
international@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-3476
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Credit in English Language Arts 30-1 or minimum 65% in English Language Arts 30-2 or equivalent
- Credit in Math 30-1 or 30-2 or equivalent
Or
Successful completion of the General Educational Development (GED) test that consists of five tests with a minimum score in the following sections:
- Language Arts: Reading and Writing: 520 minimum standard score
- Math Test: 520 minimum score
Or
- Satisfactory results on the Bow Valley College Admissions Test
English Language Proficiency Requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, please review English language proficiency requirements.
Related Links
Domestic Applicants
Welcome Centre
South Campus – Main Floor
info@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-1402
International Learner Applicants
International Education
South Campus – Main Floor
international@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-3476
Employment Rate
90%
Training Related Employment Rate
40%
Based on Bow Valley College's Graduate Outcome Survey 2024.
"The College has the best instructors, diverse students from so many different countries, a beautiful building to learn in, excellent student programs like peer tutoring, and incredible financial support through student awards."
Human Resources
Required CoursesCredit
The central theme of the course focuses on the relationship between thinking, human behaviour, and organizational effectiveness. Opportunity is provided for learners to experience incidental learning as they evaluate their own behaviour. Learners explore how concepts and ideas pertaining to human behaviour can transform self, relationships, and the workplace.
This course identifies the role of human resource professionals within the context of change management theories. Learners analyze and apply change management theories and strategies to different business scenarios. Focus is directed toward the change process which includes initiation, through to maintaining the change. Trends within change management are identified and discussed.
Learners apply their knowledge of human resource functions through multiple stakeholder lenses while aligning functions to an organization's vision and strategy. Utilizing business scenarios, learners transition through the employment cycle adhering to legal requirements, ensuring health and safety in the workplace, and building positive work culture initiatives.
This course examines how to create and sustain a valid, reliable, and legally defensible talent acquisition process in a Canadian context. Learners formulate and recommend effective talent acquisition processes that are aligned with organizational strategy and informed by current Human Resources trends, including the impact of social media. Learners assess and recommend techniques to integrate technology and people analytics in the evaluation and implementation of the talent acquisition process.
This course focusses on the total rewards package that includes compensation, benefits, and monetary or non-monetary rewards. The importance of aligning the organizational strategy with the total rewards package forms the foundation for this human resource functional area. Learners will get practical experience with the process of job evaluation and connecting performance standards to the compensation plan.
Learners will research Canada and Alberta legislative acts and compensation trends.
Employment Law plays a critical role in human resources management. This course equips learners with the knowledge and skills to apply employment and common law to the workplace. By using employment scenarios, learners strategize how they could help employers reduce risk and resolve human resource issues.
The importance of ethical human resource policies and procedures and ways to address the emerging risks of the digital workplace will also be explored.
This course examines the role of Human Resources and/or Labour Relations Practitioner to guide the management of a unionized workforce. Learners will assess the impact that unionization has on a workplace through relationships between employees, unions, employers, and government within the industrial relations system. Learners will be introduced to the structure of Canadian unions and labour organizations, and various labour relations processes including forming and dissolving a union, collective bargaining, strikes and lockouts, fair labour practices, the grievance procedure, changes to unions and organizations. The course will also examine the future of Labour Relations and unions in Canada, considering changes in workplace demographics, and the digitization of the workplace with an emphasis on best practices for managing in a unionized work environment.
This course examines legislative acts and delves into hazards that exist in the workplace while building engagement on the importance of health and safety within the workforce. Various human resources programs are explored, including wellness, disability, return to work, and training. The use of relevant people analytics to assess a workplace's emergency response and readiness are also discussed. At the core of this course are emerging trends in the workplace, including mental health, bullying and remote workforce.
This course provides opportunity for an applied, practical approach to designing training programs that support employee learning and development. Learners explore adult learning principles, components of program planning, and facilitation strategies that foster adult learning in workplace contexts.
This course enhances a learner's confidence in business communication skills, preparing them for a professional career. Learners use strategies and techniques to develop effective communication while using digital tools. Through practical exercises focused on real-world dynamics, learners also develop interpersonal skills essential for today's workforce. Learners are required to participate in groups for developing collaborative competence.
Program FAQs
Graduates of the Human Resources Management Certificate program are qualified to begin their careers in entry-level human resources positions within a variety of business sectors.
The demand for knowledge in the area of human resources (HR) is increasing. You will draw on your paid or volunteer work experience as well as your customer service experience to understand and become more aware of the importance of engaging the workforce in the organization. You will also have the opportunity to continue your learning experience by transferring to institutions that offer human resource degrees.
In a small to mid-sized organization, the owner often deals with human resource issues, with the support of a Human Resources Assistant. Opportunities exist within the not-for-profit organizations or entrepreneurial environments with some flexibility.
Larger organizations hire graduates of the certificate program where they will enter the workforce at an entry level position. Through learning the business, mentoring, and proven work performance, they will have the opportunity to work within different functional teams of human resources.
Various positions that are typically available to you as a human resources certificate graduate include:
- assistant benefits administrator
- human resources assistant
- talent management assistant
- payroll clerk
- pension and benefits administrator
- recruiter
- health and safety administrator
- learning/training administrator
Graduates of this program may be granted credits towards the following:
- Bow Valley College – Business Administration Diploma – Human Resources major
Note: Transfer credits are reviewed and accepted on an individual basis by the institution you are applying to.
Planning your course schedule according to availability and prerequisites requires some consideration.
Academic Advisors can assist with program planning once you are a registered student in a Chiu School of Business program.
Click on the link below to find out about Computer Requirements.
Some courses might require additional software or applications packages. You will be given this information before starting the course.
The approximate cost of resources is estimated at $545 per semester and $1090 for the certificate program.