Foundations in Public Sector HR Certificate Program (formerly Public Sector HR Essentials Certificate Program)

2026 Foundations of Public Sector HR Certificate Program - Starting on 9/29/2026

Explore the Core Concepts of Public Sector HR with this Online Course

Recertification Points: PSHRA-15 and HRCI-15

The Foundations in Public Sector HR Certificate Program (formerly Public Sector HR Essentials Certificate Program) is a 10‑week, fully online hybrid course covering job classification, compensation, recruitment, labor relations, EEO, and employment law.

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, transitioning from the private sector, new to the field, want to train your team, or need a refresher on public sector HR competencies this course is for you!

Course Details:

  • This is a 10-week online course with eight lessons for self-study and six interactive virtual cohort sessions.
  • Plan for two hours per lesson to read, complete activities, and prepare for cohort sessions. 
  • A textbook is not required; all course materials are included. 

Course Price: Member - $750; Non-member, $1,000

PSHRA-CP certification is a standalone program that is not tied to the course.

Making public sector work better®.

Upcoming Courses

PSHRA Course Interest List: Would you like to register for a future course?  Please add your name to our PSHRA Course Interest List and we will notify you when courses are available. 

  • Product Image: 2026 Foundations of Public Sector HR Certificate Program (formerly Public Sector HR Essentials Certificate Program) - Starting on 9/15/2026

    2026 Foundations of Public Sector HR Certificate Program (formerly Public Sector HR Essentials Certificate Program) - Starting on 9/15/2026
    Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 09/22/2026 at 2:30 PM (EDT)

    This class will start on 9/15/2026 and ends on 11/14/2026.


    PSHRA’s Foundations Public Sector HR Certificate Program Syllabus

    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®.

  • Product Image: 2026 Foundations of Public Sector HR Certificate Program (formerly Public Sector HR Essentials Certificate Program) - Starting on 9/29/2026

    2026 Foundations of Public Sector HR Certificate Program (formerly Public Sector HR Essentials Certificate Program) - Starting on 9/29/2026
    Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 10/06/2026 at 2:30 PM (EDT)

    This class will start on 9/29/2026 and ends on 12/8/2026.


    PSHRA’s Foundations Public Sector HR Certificate Program Syllabus

    Meet Your Instructor:  Cheryl Cepelak

    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: 9/29/2026
    • Completion Date: 12/8/2026
    • Cohort Session 1:  10/6/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
    • Cohort Session 2:  10/20/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm
    • Cohort Session 2:  11/3/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
    • Cohort Session 4:  11/17/2026 - 3:00 - 4:30 pm ET
    • Cohort Session 5:  12/1/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
    • Cohort Session 6:  12/8/2026 - 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®.