In-Person Program
Human Resources Certificate
Program Overview
The Human Resources Certificate can equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage people in the workplace.
Human resources professionals deal with a wide range of issues such as employee recruitment and retention, compensation and benefits, employee relations, performance management, and compliance with labor laws and regulations.
Certificate requirements:
4 core courses
3 electives
1 technology elective
Microcredential requirements:
4 core courses
Completed your coursework? Request a certificate of completion here.
Our program has met the HR Certification Institute’s® criteria to be pre-approved for recertification credit.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
By taking courses in human resources, you can learn how to handle these issues in a fair, ethical, and legally compliant manner, thereby contributing to a positive work culture and a more productive and engaged workforce.
Additionally, professionals who have a good understanding of human resources can also advance their career prospects and potentially take on leadership roles within their organization.
Program Courses and electives
Please click the course titles below for details.
Core Courses:
NEW! Behavioral & Competency-Based
Interviewing: Hire Smarter, Not Harder (Nov. 5, 2026)
Compensation & Benefits Overview & Best Practices (Nov. 13, 2026)
Say It With Confidence: Mastering Feedback and Difficult Conversations (March 18, 2027)
Hire Right the First Time: Behavioral Interviewing for Smarter Talent Decisions (April 29, 2027)
Say It With Confidence: Mastering Feedback and Difficult Conversations (Sept. 23, 2027)
Hire Right the First Time: Behavioral Interviewing for Smarter Talent Decisions (Oct. 19, 2027)
Electives:
NEW! Check Your Ego: Working with Difficult
People (Nov. 11, 2026)
The Energy Bus (Nov. 18, 2026)
From Recruiter to Strategic Talent Partner (Jan. 26, 2027)
Discover the Power of DISC: Unlock Better Communication and Teamwork (Feb. 9, 2027)
HR as a Strategic Business Partner (Feb. 16, 2027)
Building Effective Teams Through Communication (Feb. 16, 2027)
The Energy Bus (Feb. 23, 2027)
What Am I Doing & Why Am I Doing It (March 23, 2027)
The People-First Supervisor: Core HR Skills for New Leaders (April 6, 2027)
Check Your Ego: Working with Difficult People (April 15, 2027)
Effective Coaching Skills (April 15, 2027)
Building a Better Safety Culture – A LEGO Serious Play Workshop (April 20, 2027)
NEW! The 6 Types of Working Genius (May 4, 2027)
NEW! The Five Dysfunctions of a Team (May 18, 2027)
Aligning HR with Organizational Strategies (May 27, 2027)
Discover the Power of DISC: Unlock Better Communication and Teamwork (Aug. 10, 2027)
NEW! Tax 101: Payroll for Beginners (Aug. 17, 2027)
From Recruiter to Strategic Talent Partner (Aug. 17, 2027)
The Energy Bus (Aug. 24, 2027)
Effective Coaching Skills (Sept. 9, 2027)
What Am I Doing & Why Am I Doing It (Sept. 21, 2027)
HR as a Strategic Business Partner (Sept. 21, 2027)
Building Effective Teams Through Communication (Sept. 23, 2027)
Building a Better Safety Culture – A LEGO Serious Play Workshop (Oct. 19, 2027)
The People-First Supervisor: Core HR Skills for New Leaders (Oct. 26, 2027)
NEW! The 6 Types of Working Genius (Nov. 2, 2027)
Check Your Ego: Working with Difficult People (Nov. 10, 2027)
NEW! The Five Dysfunctions of a Team (Nov. 16, 2027)
Aligning HR with Organizational Strategies (Nov. 18, 2027)
Technology Elective (Choose one of the WorkPlace Technology Essentials courses.)
Meet Your Instructors
Naomi Asher
Naomi Asher is executive director of the United Way of Anderson County. She is a graduate of Johnson University, where she double majored in music and theology. Asher also earned an M.B.A. in marketing from King University.
She is the Chief Development Officer for Boys and Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley.
Paul Boyles
Paul Boyles is president of Paul Boyles Executive Coaching, LLC. He has more than 35 years of progressive experience in human resources within the manufacturing, government, and hotel/casino industries. Boyles earned a B.S. degree in management at the University of Scranton.
Terrence Carter
Terrence Carter is the vice president of workforce and economic development for the Knoxville Area Urban League, overseeing a $3.4 million loan program and preparing grants and investment proposals. He has more than 25 years of experience in community, economic, and business development.
Carter has worked for Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) and has served as executive director for the Partnership for Neighborhood Improvement. He earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of Tennessee and a master’s degree from Baruch College in New York City.
Carter is a results-oriented leader with demonstrated initiative and creativity.
Kelly Drummond
Dr. Kelly Drummond is a certified professional in human resources through the HR Certification Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management. As the current director of human resources with the City of Knoxville, Drummond administers the compensation/classification system, talent acquisition, pre-employment processes, employee training, employee relations, succession planning, and assists directors in employee discipline.
She previously worked as the vice president of human resources and leadership development with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley and the executive director of human resources for Knox County Schools. She also served as a national trainer for Boys & Girls Clubs of America and facilitated national trainings on leadership, human resources development, employee motivation, and personal effectiveness. Drummond earned a doctorate degree in education with a concentration in human resource development from Lincoln Memorial University.
Amy Zubko Jordan
Amy Jordan is the Senior Director, Human Resources at North Wind Group, a government contracting company focusing in the environmental, engineering, construction, and mission support sectors. Amy is practiced in developing staffing plans and employee programs, managing employee compensation and benefit plans, and developing and implementing strategic HR policies. In her prior HR positions, Amy worked in a variety of industry settings, including a DOE contractor, bank, and manufacturer. She also has experience in settings with international staffing needs.
Amy holds a B.S. in Business Administration, M.S. in Human Resource Management, and an Executive M.B.A, all from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Amy also holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI), and a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification from the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Jesse Nelson
Jesse D. Nelson is founder of the Nelson Law Group, PLLC, in Knoxville, where he focuses on employee rights litigation. He is a frequent presenter at conferences on issues of employment discrimination, wage/hour issues, and unlawful retaliation.
Nelson earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology at Lambuth University and a law degree at the University of Mississippi School of Law.
Tammie Smeltzer
Tammie Smeltzer is a Talent Development Training Specialist for Oak Ridge National Laboratory, collaborating with key stakeholders to design, develop, facilitate, and coordinate the delivery of professional development programs. She has worked for more than 25 years in adult education. Smeltzer is also a retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant with more than 20 years of service. She holds a master’s degree in adult education.
Shane Smith, CFA
Shane Smith is a financial advisor at Quality Financial Concepts in Maryville, Tennessee. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He became a Certified Financial Planner in 2014 and completed all three levels of the Chartered Financial Analyst program in 2022.
Register Today
Call 865-974-0150 if you need registration assistance.
