2026 Foundations of Public Sector HR Certificate Program - Starting on 9/15/2026

2026 Foundations of Public Sector HR Certificate Program - Starting on 9/15/2026

Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 09/22/2026 at 2:30 PM (EDT)


PSHRA’s Foundations Public Sector HR Certificate Program Syllabus

(formerly Public Sector HR Essentials Certificate Program)


Meet Your Instructor:  Joseph Gilkerson

Please let us know if you run into any problems or have questions as soon as possible.  We want to make sure you are to have the best possible learning experience.  

Course Material (All you need is on your dashboard)

  • Foundations of Public Sector HR Certificate Program Workbook
  • Foundations of Public Sector HR Certificate Program Lessons Summary
  • HR20/20 Report

Course Design:

The course spans ten weeks and follows a specific timeline with a sequence of lessons and cohort sessions. 

Time Commitment:

Plan for 2 hours for each online lesson to read, complete activities, and prepare for cohort sessions. Individuals have varying learning paces, so it might take more or less time for each person. We recommend completing lessons a day or two before the cohort sessions to allow time for reflection on what you've learned and the development of your plans. All course materials are included on your course dashboard (no textbook is required).

Course Cohort Session Schedule (subject to change):

  • Start Date: 9/15/2026
  • Completion Date: 11/24/2026
  • Cohort Session 1:  9/22/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
  • Cohort Session 2:  9/30/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm
  • Cohort Session 2:  10/20/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
  • Cohort Session 4:  10/28/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
  • Cohort Session 5:  11/3/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
  • Cohort Session 6:  11/12/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET

Course Content:

Week 1 - Introduction

Cohort Session 1:  Introduction

Week 2 - Lesson 1:  Public Sector Basics

Week 3 - Lesson 2:  Recruitment

Cohort Session 2:  Public Sector HR Basics & Recruitment

Week 4 - Lesson 3:  Selection

Week 5 - Lesson 4:  Classification and Compensation

Cohort Session 3:  Selection, Classification & Compensation

Week 6 - Lesson 5:  Benefits

Week 7 - Lesson 6:  Labor and Employee Relations

Cohort Session 4:  Benefits and Labor Management Relations

Week 8 - Lesson 7:  Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity

Week 9 - Lesson 8:  Organizational Development

Cohort Session 5:  Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity, Organization

Week 10 - Lesson 9:  Course Summary

Cohort Session 6:  Course Summary and Wrap-up

Certificate of Attendance earned upon course completion.

Making public sector work better®.

Key:

Complete
Failed
Available
Locked
Your Engage Course Community Link Access and Instructions (Download)
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. ACCESS Your Engage Community Link: https://engage.pshra.org/communities/foundations-in-public-sector-hr-certificate-program-starting-9152026
Acknowledgement
Agree to terms to continue.
Agree to terms to continue.
Introduction
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
Cohort Session 1: Introduction
09/22/2026 at 2:30 PM (EDT)  |  90 minutes
09/22/2026 at 2:30 PM (EDT)  |  90 minutes PLEASE PRESS THE GRAY - "Enter Live Event in Progress"– BUTTON TO THE RIGHT- Then Follow the Prompts.
Lesson 1: Public Sector Basics
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
Lesson 2: Recruitment
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
Cohort Session 2: Public Sector HR Basics & Recruitment
09/30/2026 at 2:30 PM (EDT)  |  90 minutes
09/30/2026 at 2:30 PM (EDT)  |  90 minutes PLEASE PRESS THE GRAY - "Enter Live Event in Progress"– BUTTON TO THE RIGHT- Then Follow the Prompts.
Lesson 3: Selection
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
Lesson 4: Classification and Compensation
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
Cohort Session 3: Selection, Classification, & Compensation
10/20/2026 at 2:30 PM (EDT)  |  90 minutes
10/20/2026 at 2:30 PM (EDT)  |  90 minutes PLEASE PRESS THE GRAY - “Enter Live Event in Progress” – BUTTON TO THE RIGHT- Then Follow the Prompts.
Lesson 5: Benefits
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
Lesson 6: Labor and Employee Relations
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
Cohort Session 4: Benefits and Labor/Management Relations Framework
10/28/2026 at 2:30 PM (EDT)  |  90 minutes
10/28/2026 at 2:30 PM (EDT)  |  90 minutes PLEASE PRESS THE GRAY - “Manage Preview” – BUTTON TO THE RIGHT- Then Follow the Prompts.
Lesson 7: Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
Lesson 8: Organizational Development
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
Cohort Session 5: Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity, Organization and Final Course Reflection
11/03/2026 at 2:30 PM (EST)  |  90 minutes
11/03/2026 at 2:30 PM (EST)  |  90 minutes PLEASE PRESS THE GRAY - “Enter Live Event in Progress” – BUTTON TO THE RIGHT- Then Follow the Prompts.
Lesson 9: Course Summary
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
Cohort Session 6: Course Summary and Wrap Up
11/12/2026 at 2:30 PM (EST)  |  90 minutes
11/12/2026 at 2:30 PM (EST)  |  90 minutes PLEASE PRESS THE GRAY - "Enter Live Event in Progress"– BUTTON TO THE RIGHT- Then Follow the Prompts.
Course Survey
18 Questions
Certificate
15.00 PSHRA-CP/PSHRA-SCP Recertification Points credits  |  Certificate available
15.00 PSHRA-CP/PSHRA-SCP Recertification Points credits  |  Certificate available