HR courses can help you learn recruitment strategies, employee engagement techniques, performance management, and compliance regulations. You can build skills in conflict resolution, talent development, and workforce planning. Many courses introduce tools like HRIS software, applicant tracking systems, and performance evaluation platforms, showing how these skills are applied in managing employee relations and optimizing organizational effectiveness.

Skills you'll gain: Talent Acquisition, Training and Development, Compensation and Benefits, Training Programs, Recruitment, Employee Training, Full Cycle Recruitment, Job Analysis, Employee Performance Management, Compensation Management, Performance Appraisal, Job Evaluation, Developing Training Materials, Compensation Strategy, Performance Management, Human Resource Policies, Employee Relations, Occupational Safety And Health, Risk Management, Business Risk Management
Build toward a degree
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

University of Minnesota
Skills you'll gain: Performance Management, Performance Appraisal, Performance Review, Compensation Management, Compensation Strategy, Compensation and Benefits, Constructive Feedback, Workforce Planning, Human Resource Strategy, Human Resources, Employee Onboarding, Recruitment, Employee Performance Management, Recruitment Strategies, Human Capital, Full Cycle Recruitment, Talent Acquisition, Human Resources Management and Planning, Compensation Analysis, People Management
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of California, Irvine
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Data Presentation, Human Resource Strategy, HR Tech, Employee Relations, Employee Performance Management, Performance Metric, Dashboard, Data Analysis, Training and Development, Compensation Strategy, Business Metrics, Employee Retention, Compensation and Benefits, Talent Recruitment, Business Analysis, Employee Engagement, Mental Health
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Skills you'll gain: Performance Appraisal, Human Resource Strategy, Human Resources, Compensation Strategy, Talent Management, Human Resources Management and Planning, Compensation Management, Performance Management, Organizational Development, Employee Engagement, Talent Acquisition, Employee Retention, Case Studies
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Rmarkdown, Data Literacy, Data Visualization, Data Presentation, Data Ethics, Data Cleansing, Data Validation, Ggplot2, R (Software), Tableau Software, Sampling (Statistics), Spreadsheet Software, Data Analysis, LinkedIn, Dashboard, Data Structures, Python Programming, Interviewing Skills, Professional Development
Build toward a degree
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Vanderbilt University
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Prompt Patterns, Generative AI, LLM Application, Productivity, Human Resources, Management Training And Development, Employee Performance Management, Performance Review, Professional Development, Policy Development, New Hire Orientations, Communication, Communication Planning, Human Development, Recruitment, Interviewing Skills, Talent Recruitment, Policy Analysis
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Organizational Change, Change Management, Performance Review, Human Resource Policies, Recruitment, Smart Goals, Employee Performance Management, Employee Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion, Interviewing Skills, Human Resources, Human Resource Management, Organizational Structure, Employee Onboarding, Health Care Administration, Internal Communications, Labor Law
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

HRCI
Skills you'll gain: Talent Acquisition, Recruitment, Full Cycle Recruitment, Job Analysis, Recruitment Strategies, Employee Onboarding, Negotiation, Employee Retention, Talent Sourcing, Talent Management, Human Resources, Interviewing Skills, Forecasting, Labor Law
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP)
Skills you'll gain: Payroll, Payroll Administration, Payroll Processing, Payroll Reporting, Payroll Tax, Tax Management, Labor Compliance, Data Entry, Compensation Management, Compensation and Benefits, Human Resources Information System (HRIS), Non-Profit Accounting, Payment Processing and Collection, Benefits Administration, Tax Compliance, Customer Service, Specialized Accounting, Reconciliation, Employee Engagement, Data Analysis
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

AI Business School
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, AI Personalization, Generative AI, Responsible AI, Risk Management, HR Tech, ChatGPT, Generative AI Agents, Risk Analysis, Job Analysis, Human Resources, Human Resource Strategy, Large Language Modeling, Brainstorming, Productivity, Artificial Intelligence, LLM Application, Innovation, Business Analysis, Ideation
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

AI Business School
Skills you'll gain: Responsible AI, Generative AI, Risk Management, Risk Analysis, Artificial Intelligence, Human Resources, Human Resource Strategy, Automation, Digital Transformation
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Coursera
Skills you'll gain: Employee Retention, Talent Pipelining, Succession Planning, Workplace inclusivity, Performance Appraisal, Human Resource Strategy, Prompt Engineering, Mediation, Human Resources, Employee Engagement, Responsible AI, Generative AI Agents, Human Resources Information System (HRIS), AI Product Strategy, HR Tech, Payroll, Performance Review, Management Training And Development, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML)
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Browse the HR courses below—popular starting points on Coursera.
These beginner-friendly options are ideal for learners new to HR or looking to understand the fundamentals:
The Generative AI for Human Resources (HR) Professionals course by IBM lasts 4 weeks and focuses on:
It includes tools like Python and Excel.
Conversely, the Generative AI HR Professional Specialization by Vanderbilt University also spans 4 weeks and emphasizes:
It includes similar tools.
Both courses are designed for data analysts and cover core topics like prompt engineering and recruitment, but differ slightly in their areas of emphasis. Choose based on whether you want:
Start by identifying your focus—whether it’s entering the HR field, strengthening core HR practices, or preparing for leadership or certification.
Click here to ask ChatGPT to find the right HR course on Coursera for your learning goals.‎
Yes. You can start learning Human Resources on Coursera for free in two ways:
If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in Human Resources, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.‎
You can learn how to manage hiring processes, support employee engagement, design performance management systems, and navigate labor laws. Some courses also introduce digital HR tools and data-driven strategies for workforce planning.‎
No experience is needed to get started. Many HR courses are built for beginners and cover foundational concepts. You can also find more advanced content for professionals looking to grow in areas like strategic HR or analytics.‎