Human Resources and Training Certificate

Vision Statement

The purpose of the graduate certificate in human resources and training (HRST) is to help post-baccalaureate students and working professionals expand their educational background and enhance their knowledge and skills in either human resources or training and development. The first concentration, human resources, focuses on enhancing organizational effectiveness through employee recruitment, selection, placement, performance evaluation, motivation, and retention. The second concentration, training and development, focuses on enhancing training skills and program design including developing, implementing, assessing, and delivering training programs. The HRST certificate is useful for individuals currently employed in the human resources or training fields and for individuals who desire to enter those fields. The graduate courses required for this certificate address both theory and application from the fields of communication, psychology, and business.

Program Contact Information

Lynn Harland, PhD, Graduate Program Chair (GPC)
402.554.2808
lharland@unomaha.edu

Sharon Storch, PhD, Graduate Program Chair (GPC)
402.554.6079
sstorch@unomaha.edu

Roni Reiter-Palmon, PhD, Graduate Program Chair (GPC)
402.554.4810
rreiter-palmon@unomaha.edu

Program Website

Admissions

General Application Requirements and Admission Criteria

Program-Specific Requirements

Application Deadlines (Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025)

Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year.  

Other Requirements

• Admission to the HRST graduate certificate program requires a baccalaureate degree with at least a 3.0 GPA, a major or a minor (or at least a 15 credit concentration) in communication studies, psychology, business, or related area, plus at least one three credit course in research methods or statistics.

• English Language Proficiency: Applicants are required to have a command of oral and written English. Those who do not hold a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from the U.S., OR a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from a pre-determined country on the waiver list, must meet the minimum language proficiency score requirement in order to be considered for admission.  

  • Internet-based TOEFL: 80, IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 53, Duolingo: 110

• Statement of Purpose: A 1000 word maximum statement of purpose essay describing which concentration you wish to pursue and why.
• Resume: A resume that includes your work history
• Letter of Recommendation: One letter of recommendation from a current or former supervisor or professor. During your online application process, you will be asked to provide the name and email address of the person writing your recommendation letter. The online application system will send an email to your recommender containing a link for online submission of the recommendation letter.  

Degree Requirements

Students must identify which area of concentration they are choosing:  Human Resources or Training and Development

Courses must be completed in at least two of the three units (i.e., business administration, communication, or psychology) associated with this certificate program.

See human resources and training certificate concentrations

Exit Requirements

Portfolio

Students admitted to the HRST graduate certificate program must create a portfolio (notebook) containing at least one sample project from each course. A portfolio review will be conducted by the student’s advisor before the certificate is awarded. Contact your advisor during the last semester of your program. 

Total Credit Hours: 15

Other Program-Related Information

Many courses are offered online-check each semester schedule for details and availability. Students may need to obtain approval and/or a permit number to enroll in some courses. For psychology (PSYC) courses, please contact the instructor for approval; for business administration (BSAD) courses, please contact the MBA advisor at 402.554.3010, and for communication studies (CMST) courses, please contact the certificate advisor at 402.554.6079.

Concentrations

Human Resources Concentration

This concentration focuses on enhancing organizational performance through improving employee recruitment, selection, placement, performance evaluation, motivation, and retention. You will need to complete all 15 credit hours with grades of "B" or better. All classes are 3 credit hours except for BSAD 8250 which is 2 credit hours (students who complete BSAD 8250 will need to complete an additional 1 credit hour independent study in order to earn the graduate certificate).

Training and Development Concentration

This concentration focuses on enhancing training program design, implementation, assessment skills, and the developmental process through which organizations enhance work performance, communication, job satisfaction, and future career preparation. You will need to complete all 15 credit hours with grades of "B" or better. All classes are 3 credit hours except for BSAD 8250 which is 2 credit hours (students who complete BSAD 8250 will need to complete a 1 credit hour independent study in order to earn the certificate).