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Professional & Organizational Development

Human Resources Administration at the UW certificate

Last Updated: September 9, 2026

PODCertificateProgram

Overview

Thank you for your interest in the HR Administration certificate and in advancing your professional growth and career at the UW!

Designed for current UW employees who work in — or aspire to move into — human resources administration, this certificate builds foundational knowledge and practical skills across the employee life cycle. Completion of this certificate merits six months of credit when applying for related positions at the UW.

Please note: While this certificate is open to all UW employees, some of the content may not reflect UW Medicine’s policies and procedures. 

Participants will develop the following capabilities:

  1. Human Resources Foundations. Build core knowledge across key HR functions, including talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, performance management, employee relations, labor relations, and professional communication within the University of Washington.
  2. Strategic Partnerships. Develop consultative partnership skills and systems thinking to strengthen strategic decision-making and effective collaboration.
  3. Compliance & Policy. Understand key compliance requirements and know where to locate and apply relevant institutional policies and HR resources.
  4. Operational Efficiency. Learn strategies to improve personal effectiveness, anticipate challenges and strengthen organizational performance within HR contexts.
  5. Interpersonal Communication. Strengthen communication and relationship‑building skills to navigate employee and colleague conversations with tact and discretion, from professional development to performance improvement.
  6. HR Technology & Tools. Gain exposure to HR systems, technologies, and support tools currently used within UWHR.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes foundational core courses, a selection of electives, and a capstone project. The core courses and electives must be completed within two years, with an additional six months allowed for the capstone project. Learning will be delivered via a mix of live and self-paced classes developed by POD, cohort check-ins, curated LinkedIn Learning content and other resources.

Core courses

Participants must complete all of the following core courses (about 26-30 hours total):

  • Compensation 101
  • Employee Relations
  • HR Policies and Procedures
  • Implementing Equitable Hiring Practices
  • Labor Relations 101
  • Managing Corrective Action
  • Managing Employee Performance
  • Strategic Partnerships
  • Talent Acquisition and Retention
  • Workday Basics

Electives

Enrollees must complete 18 credits of electives in the following topic areas, with a minimum of one class from each area below (the number of classes will depend on chosen electives but could range from a total of four to ten elective classes). Multiple live and self-paced class options will be provided for each topic area.

  • Communication/Collaboration
  • Inclusion and Belonging
  • Organizational Acumen
  • Personal Effectiveness

Capstone

After completing the core and elective requirements, enrollees must complete a capstone project within six months. The capstone project should demonstrate your ability to apply concepts, tools and skills learned throughout the certificate program.

The project must represent at least six hours of effort and:

  • Solve a problem or improve a process,
  • Create a useful resource or tool,
  • Gather information and generate recommendations,
  • Support a team, department, or organizational initiative, and/or
  • Demonstrate practical application of learning

Enrollment

Enrollment applications will be processed in the order received.

Enrollment will be limited to ensure reasonable capacity in POD classes. Enrollment will be contingent upon not having completed this POD certificate in the past, completion of the enrollment form, and successful payment of the enrollment fee ($355 if using a UW worktag; $410.38 if paying by check, due to a mandatory institutional overhead fee).

The enrollment fee will be processed upon acceptance. If you are waitlisted for the certificate program, you will not be charged unless accepted into the program.

We will update all applicants about their enrollment status via email by October 15. 

Complete the enrollment application (MS Form).

Questions? Please see the certificate program FAQs. Once you are enrolled in a certificate, you will also have access to a certificate advisor to help you navigate this program.