Public Sector HR Essentials Certificate Program

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

Recertification Points: PSHRA-15 and HRCI-15

The PSHRA 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. 

  • 2026 Public Sector HR Essentials Certificate Program - Starting on 4/14/2026
    Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 04/17/2026 at 11:00 AM (EDT)

    This class will start on April 14, 2026 and end on June 30, 2026

    PSHRA’s Public Sector HR Essentials Certificate Course Syllabus

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

    Course Material (All you need is on your dashboard):

    • PSHRE Workbook (PDF and Word Versions)
    • Public Sector HR Essentials Lessons Summary
    • HR20/20 Report

    Meetings and Discussions:

    • Course Cohort Meetings take place in Zoom Events – You will access them through your course "Content Tab."
    • Your Course’s Engage Community (for discussions) – You will access the Engage Community through your course "Content Tab."

    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: 4/14/2026
    • Completion Date: 6/30/2026
    • Cohort Session 1: 4/17/2026 - 11:00 - 12:30 pm ET
    • Cohort Session 2: 4/29/2026 - 11:00 - 12:30 pm ET
    • Cohort Session 3: 5/19/2026 - 11:00 - 12:30 pm ET
    • Cohort Session 4: 6/2/2026 - 11:00 - 12:30 pm ET
    • Cohort Session 5: 6/16/2026 - 11:00 - 12:30 pm ET
    • Cohort Session 6: 6/24/2026 - 11:00 - 12:30 pm ET

    Course Schedule:

    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®.

    Dr. Bernadette Costello

    Managing Partner

    BCC Consulting

    Bernadette Costello is the Managing Partner for BCC Consulting. The foundation of her coaching and consulting practice is “You are Exactly Where You Are Supposed To Be.” Affirming where you are is the first step in any transformation. Transformation is like looking into a labyrinth: a path for discovery, understanding & clarity. One way in & one way out-there are no dead ends. That symbolism expresses Bernadette’s approach to coaching, consulting, learning and the sacred space created with clients to support their journey.  Bernadette has over 25 years of talent development, coaching, consulting, and leadership experience in human resources and talent development in the public, non-profit, and higher education sectors. She is also an adjunct faculty member in the George Mason University’s School of Business and Schar School of Policy and Government. Sheis certified in several assessment tools which include Myers Briggs, DiSC, EQi,and Appreciation in the WorkplaceMBA. Bernadette received a Bachelor of Social Work from SIUE, a Masters inPublic Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hilland a doctorate in Higher Education fromGeorge Mason University. She is an PCC certified coach, an Energy LeadershipIndex Master Practitioner and holds a SHRM-SCP certification.