2020-2021

Human Resources Management, Undergraduate Certificate

Department of Psychological Sciences

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

This undergraduate certificate serves business and psychological sciences majors who are interested in pursuing a career in human resources or industrial-organizational psychology. It includes coursework from both business and the psychological sciences related to human resources and has an internship opportunity to gain professional experience in human resources.  

This plan will not be available to new students after Summer 2022

  • To receive an undergraduate certificate (at least 15 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.

    Please be aware that federal financial aid is not available for some certificates, if the certificate is pursued and completed as a stand-alone certificate (i.e., not completed concurrently with a degree program). See the "Details" tab for additional information.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 15
Major GPA 2.75
Additional Admission Requirements Required
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Fieldwork Experience/Internship is required.

Purpose Statement

The human resources management certificate prepares students for professional success in the field of human resources. Students gain background and experience in industrial organizational psychology and human resources management including studying scientific research on hiring procedures, leadership, the functions of human resource organizations in helping organizations increase productivity and achieving their organizational goals, and gaining practical experience through either a human resources internship or participating in industrial/organizational psychology research. At the completion of the certificate, students will be able to demonstrate accurate knowledge of human resources practices, scientific findings from industrial-organizational psychology, the ability to work as part of a successful team, and should be well prepared to either pass the exam to receive the APHR certificate and create an entryway into a successful career in human resources or to be successful in graduate studies in industrial/organizational psychology.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Understand the role of employment law, employee benefits and compensation as a critical component of employee performance, productivity and organizational effectiveness.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of practical application of training and employee development as it impacts organizational strategy and competitive advantage.
  • Understand the role that organizational and individual behavior plays in workplace behavior and decision-making.
  • Think critically about psychological issues, and their application to organizational or work settings, and be able to express those thoughts both in written and oral form.
  • Apply knowledge of HR management and Industrial Organizational psychology concepts and theories to an HR setting.
  • Explore the core values endemic to the professional world with a particular focus on the connections between applied ethics and human resources and diversity.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

  • We guarantee your acceptance into any of our certificate plans that are open to all Northern Arizona University students if you: 

    • A 2.75 cumulative grade point average (GPA) with at least 30 units earned. If you have a GPA of less than 2.75 but at least 2.5, we will admit you into a certificate plan on a space-available basis, based on the rank order of your GPA.
    • You must complete 9 units of certificate coursework that are not used in your major, minor, or other certificates, and you must complete at least 9 units of certificate coursework at Northern Arizona University.
Certificate Requirements

  • Take the following 15 units with a minimum GPA of 2.0:


    *PSY 409 can only be taken after 6 credit hours of the program is completed.

    You must have completed all of the coursework used to fulfill these requirements within the last 10 years.

  • This certificate may only be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program. This certificate is not available as a stand-alone certificate.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.