City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College Human Resources Degree Programs

Human Resources Degree Program at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College

The Human Resources Basic Certificate program, offered at Harold Washington College within the City Colleges of Chicago, is specifically tailored for students who are new to the field and possess little or no formal business knowledge of the Human Resources industry.

The program is designed to equip students with a foundational understanding of business principles, human resources practices, and essential employment law. Students will gain practical knowledge across critical HR functions, including business operations, human capital management, benefits and compensation administration, workforce planning and staffing strategies, organizational development, and relevant legal frameworks, alongside vital soft skills for professional success.

Completion of the Basic Certificate requires a total of 18 credit hours.

Program Requirements

The curriculum includes required core courses and a selection of program electives:

Required Program Core Courses (3 credit hours each):

• BUSINES 271 Human Resources Management
• BUSINES 273 Organizational Behavior
• BUSINES 278 Compensation & Benefits Administration
• BUSINES 279 Human Resources Planning & Staffing

Students must also select a minimum of 6 credit hours from designated program electives, which include options such as BUSINES 214 The Legal & Social Environment of Business, BUSINES 213 Data Visualization and Presentation for Business, BUSINES 281 Corporate Organizations: Understanding Business Processes, CIS 120 Introduction to Computer Applications, and CIS 123 Microcomputer Spreadsheets (each 3 credit hours).

Career Pathways

This certificate program serves as preparation for various entry-level roles in Human Resources. An example career path is becoming a Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialist. The text provides data for this role in Cook County, indicating average annual earnings ranging from **$43,920** (Entry-Level 10th Percentile) to **$136,110** (Senior-Level 90th Percentile), and average hourly wages from **$21** to **$65**. Approximately **129** annual job openings are noted in Cook County. National education attainment data for this career suggests that a high percentage (**95.23%**) of individuals hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Current City Colleges students and alumni can seek further guidance and resources on career options by contacting the Career Services Office.

City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College Human Resources Degree Program Highlights

• Designed for students with little or no formal business knowledge of Human Resources.
• Provides introductory information and understanding of business, human resources, and employment law.
• Covers key HR areas including compensation, benefits, workforce planning, and organizational development.
• Focuses on gaining knowledge of business operations, human capital management, employment law, and soft skills.
• Basic Certificate program requiring 18 credit hours.
• Offered at Harold Washington College.
• Prepares students for roles such as Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists.

You can view detailed information about the programs or certificates available at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College on the NCES website.