Develop a deep knowledge of human resources plus the business and influence skills to take you to the next level in your new HR management career.
Program Overview
A specialized knowledge of human resources theories and practices is essential to getting hired, but it’s not enough if you want to excel. Our curriculum moves beyond the basics to get you where the best employers want you to be.
Our advisory committee of senior human resources executives from many of Toronto’s leading firms has helped us craft a program to prepare you for excellence, both in Canada and internationally.
Like other human resources certificate programs, the Post-degree Certificate in Human Resources Management explores the core competencies for human resources professionals as determined by the Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA). This includes the following:
- human resources management
- organizational behaviour
- finance and accounting
- human resources planning
- occupational health and safety
- training and development
- labour relations
- recruitment and selection
- compensation and more
We are a proud HRPA York Region Chapter Sponsor
We will teach you to apply these competencies through real-life scenarios in a practical, interactive, and engaging classroom environment.
- You will learn to think critically, analyze problems, propose viable solutions and develop HR business cases.
- You will practice exercising influence across an organization with confident communication and negotiation.
- You will learn to use financial and organizational data to build your case.
- You will understand how to gather and analyze relevant productivity data, and leverage the metrics to solve problems.
These competencies are critical to success. Our unique program design allows you, through ongoing deliberate practice and coaching, develop and strengthen these professional competencies.
With this comprehensive background, you will be able to hit the ground running on day one of your new job.
Our friendly and knowledgeable instructors and administrators are ready to guide you through the application process and support you throughout the program.
As a recent grad of this program, you also get a terrific international experience as the class caters to both domestic and international students. This in my opinion provides invaluable insight into other countries’ cultures and how they operate, and is particularly useful for any HR professional given the changing demographics of the employee base in Canada. Fabulous program!
Belinda Chin, 2016 Graduate
“When looking for HR professionals, it is important to find individuals that have core HR expertise, but also the soft skills and knowledge to apply that knowledge across various businesses they may support. With the right training, the HR business partner supporting the retail environment today could transfer to the financial services organization and continue to add value to the company as a whole.”
Dwayne Conrod – Human Resources Director, Enbridge
Our advisory committee of senior human resources executives from many of Toronto’s leading firms has helped us craft a program to prepare you for excellence, both in Canada and internationally.
Mark Carbonelli, MBA, MIR, BA
Chief Human Resources Officer
Dentalcorp Canada
Mark is a senior HR executive with over 20 years of broad experience in both business and academic ventures. He has held senior HR executive and officer roles in various organizations including large global organizations, domestic market leaders and high-growth start-ups. His experience includes all major facets of the HR discipline including total rewards, talent management, organizational transformation, change management, labour relations in addition to board level and other advisory work. He has taught HR and labour relations courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level and joined York University in 2002. Mark holds a BA (Economics), Master of Industrial Relations (MIR) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) and is a graduate of York University, University of Toronto and the London School of Economics.
Dwayne Conrod, MHRM, BA
Director, Human Resources
Enbridge
Dwayne Conrod is a seasoned HR professional with more than 20 years in retail, consulting and energy industries. He has helped organizations manage through vast amounts of change to drive exceptional business results. Dwayne earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of New Brunswick, a Master’s in Human Resources Management from York University, and has completed an accelerated leadership program in a partnership between Loblaw Companies and Schulich School of Business. He is currently involved in one other program advisory committee with another post-secondary institution.
CINDY ZARNETT, CHRL
FOUNDER, SQUAREDOTS
Cindy is a dynamic and innovative Senior Human Resources Leader who believes in building and developing workplaces that work. She is the Founder of squaredots, a boutique HR solution providing project-based virtual HR expertise to businesses that directly influence their culture, engagement, productivity and results.
Julie Giraldi, CHRE, ICD.D
Chief Human Resources Officer
CAAT Pension Plan
Cindy Bush, B.A, M.Ed
Chief Human Resources Officer
TMX Group
Cindy Bush is Chief Human Resources Officer at TMX Group, responsible for leading all aspects of TMX’s Human Resources function in support of the Company’s corporate objectives, including strategy development and execution, workplace culture, performance management, and talent development and acquisition.
Cindy joined the Company in December 2020, after more than 25 years of international experience in human resources, talent strategies and culture transformation. Most recently, she served as Chief Human Resources Officer at Cineplex and had previously held leadership roles at companies ranging in size from 30 to 100,000 employees, including Foresters Financial, OMERS, and CIBC.
In 2008, she authored “Project Managing Change: Practical Tools and Techniques to Make Change Happen”, a global best-seller published by Financial Times Business Enterprises.
Cindy holds a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University and a Masters of Education from the University of Toronto.
Fiona Gardner, MHRM, CHRL
Vice President, Human Resources
OPSEU Pension Trust
Fiona Gardner has worked in Human Resources for over 15 years in a broad array of sectors including financial services, utilities, telecommunications and health care. Fiona has developed expertise in HR strategy, executive compensation, talent acquisition, leadership development and succession planning. Fiona has contributed to the HR profession as a mentor to new HR professionals. She is a strong believer in continuing education. After graduating from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts, Fiona went on to Ryerson University and graduated with a certificate in HR Management. She also completed Rotman’s Advanced Program in HR Management, and in 2008, obtained her master’s degree in Human Resources Management from York University. She currently works at OPTrust, a pension investment and administration firm, as the Vice President Human Resources. Fiona is a member of HRPA and is delighted to participate as a member of York’s Program Advisory Committee.
Belinda Schuler-Chin, MHRM, CHRP
Belinda has over 10 years of multi discipline Human Resources experience in the Consulting Engineering and Aviation industries, along with teaching undergrads and post grads across the various disciplines of HR.
A curious and passionate people person, who oscillates between learning and teaching, her focus is to contribute to the development of the future HR workforce. Her classes are inclusive, discussion focused and strives to bring the class into the HR world, by drawing upon everyone’s personal experiences to paint ‘It Depends’ scenarios in order to establish a deeper understanding of who they are as individuals, as well as explore possibilities on how they can best serve as top class HR Practitioners and Managers of the future.
She remains committed to providing students with the insights and tools necessary to ensure their employees and companies not only survive, but thrive.
Faith Tull, MHRM, CHRE
A senior global executive with over 25 years’ experience, Faith has served in roles such as Chief People Officer, Global Head of Talent as well as SVP, Human Resources for a number of multinational organizations. She currently serves as an active Professional Advisory Committee member for degree programs for two Canadian universities.
Faith brings expansive expertise and specialization in Organizational Design & Development, Talent Management, Succession Planning, Talent Acquisition, Performance Management, Employee Relations, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Strategic Planning. Additionally, Faith’s background has given her broad experience across a range of industries that include Technology, Pharmaceutical, Engineering, HR Services, and Insurance.
Faith obtained her Masters of Human Resources Management (MHRM) from York University, a BA in Industrial/Labour Relations from the University of Toronto, a Certificate in Adult Training & Development from OISE, as well as a Business Administration Diploma from Sheridan College. Faith is a member of the HRPA, from which she holds the top tier designation of Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE).
Su-Yan Gay, MHRM, BA, B.ED, CHRL, CTDP
Su-Yan Gay is a Human Resources professional who brings almost 20 years of HR experience to York University. For over ten years, she worked for a large crown corporation where she served as the Manager in the Learning & Development department. Her most recent position took her to Alberta, where she was the Supervisor of Employee Education and a Senior HR Advisor within a municipal government organization. Based in Toronto, Su-Yan is currently managing her own HR consulting firm (NAYUS Consulting Group) where she is working with public and private organizations in both Canada and the Caribbean assisting them with their HR and talent management needs.
Su-Yan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Education degree (specializing in Adult Education) from Brock University, and a graduate degree in Human Resources Management from York University. In addition, she holds the professional designations of Certified Human Resources Leader and Certified Training & Development Professional.
Ron Alexandrowich, M.Ed, BA
Ron Alexandrowich has been a course director/professor at York University’s School of Human Resource Management since 2003. Ron has held positions and worked with various private/public corporations and the non-profit sector in leadership and organization development where the focus has been on cultural transformation and organizational effectiveness. In 2013 he was responsible for HR operations during the Calgary floods for the Canadian Red Cross where he is also a Disaster Management Certified Instructor.
In 2014 Ron received the Teaching Excellence Award within the School of Administrative Studies, and in 2015 was selected as a finalist within the School of Human Resource Management. Both awards are determined by student selection.
Lauren Canzius, MIR, BA(Hons)
Lauren Canzius is a strategic HR professional experienced in all aspects of human resources management. Lauren takes a holistic approach to consulting services by helping clients align their people strategies with their corporate objectives within the ever changing global and competitive context. Lauren specializes in human resources consulting, change management, project management, labour and employee relations, collective bargaining, training and development, business development and public speaking. She also teaches undergraduate courses in HR and labour relations.
Bartocz Amereski, LL.M, CPA, CA
Bartosz has over 10 years of auditing and accounting experience in the public and private sectors. He is currently an Audit Director working at Office of the Auditor General of Ontario, where he oversees value-for-money audits of various government ministries and agencies. Bartosz has over 7 years of experience teaching auditing and accounting for CPA Ontario and York University where he has received recognition and awards for his excellence in teaching and creating a positive learning environment for his students. He is also a contributing author to Auditing: The Art and Science of Assurance Engagements 13th edition, 2015, a widely used university textbook in accounting and audit courses. Bartosz obtained his Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) designation while working at Ernst & Young and also recently obtained a Masters of Laws (LL.M.) degree at Osgoode Hall Law School.
Indira Somwaru, PhD, MBA, CHRP
Indira is a senior human resource professional and educator with a broad range of experience in both business and academic environments. Her business experiences span a broad range of industries from publishing to real estate at senior levels of responsibility for the HR function. She currently teaches undergraduate and graduate level human resources management and general business courses to York University, University of Toronto and Seneca College students.
She also provides human resources management consulting services to organizations, specializing in the development of training programs.
She is currently working on her Doctorate in Business Administration with a focus on employee involvement in unionized organizations.
Mark Carbonelli, MBA, MIR, BA (Hons)
Mark is a senior HR executive with over 20 years of broad experience in both business and academic ventures. He has held senior HR executive and officer roles in various organizations including large global organizations, domestic market leaders and high-growth start-ups. His experience includes all major facets of the HR discipline including total rewards, talent management, organizational transformation, change management, labour relations in addition to board level and other advisory work. He has taught HR and labour relations courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level and joined York University in 2002. Mark holds a BA (Economics), Master of Industrial Relations (MIR) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) and is a graduate of York University, University of Toronto and the London School of Economics.
Alfonsina Chang, M.Ed
Alfonsina is a Professor teaching human resources subjects in post-secondary education since 2002. Alfonsina has held various positions in the field of human resources in large, private and public organizations. Areas of expertise are in organizational learning, performance and change management, talent acquisition, and organizational effectiveness.
Alfonsina graduated from York University with a major in Psychology and later completed her graduate certificate in Human Resources Management at Seneca College. She went on to successfully pursue her M. Ed in Adult Education at Brock University. With her strong passion for learning, Alfonsina’s long range goal is to complete her PhD in Organizational Psychology.
Robert DaCosta, M.Ed, CHRE, CHE
Robert (Bob) DaCosta is a senior human resources executive who has held Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer positions in the healthcare and education sectors. He is also an experienced educator and facilitator known for his engaging style and providing practical real-world examples when teaching. Bob is a Certified Health Executive (CHE), a Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE) and holds a master’s in education degree (M.Ed.). He also has been involved in several not-for-profit boards as a Board Director. He is currently a Board Member of Community Living York South.
Michelle Gibbons, M.A, B.Comm, ACC
Michelle comes to the field of Human Resources with more than twenty-five years of senior level human resources management practice in professional services and private sector companies. She majored in HR for her Bachelor of Commerce and completed a Master of Arts specializing in Learning and Technology, and most recently has been professionally certified as an Associated Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coach Federation.
Over the course of her career, Michelle has worked extensively in all areas of human resources that you will cover in your program. She continues to provide HR consulting services to various clients and finds that working in HR each day can bring new challenges as there is always more we can learn. With ten years of teaching human resources and leadership courses at the university/level, Michele’s passion is creating great learning experiences for every student.
Jason Russell, PhD
Jason Russell has a Ph.D. in History from York University, and is the author of a book and several academic articles relating to work and labour issues both in historical and contemporary contexts. He regularly present papers at national and international academic conferences. He has taught courses on labour/industrial relations and other work and employment subjects at five different colleges and universities including York, the University of Western Ontario, and McMaster. His current research interests focus on the development of management as an occupation in Canada from the 1940s to the 1990s.
Nadira Singh, MBA
Nadira has well over 20 years of industry experience in Human Resources Management. She consults in Learning & Development and works with organizations to develop, design and deliver learning and development activities that support the organization’s performance in achieving strategic objectives. Organizations have leveraged her strong understanding of adult learning theory and training methodologies in the development and delivery of comprehensive training curriculum. She is an accomplished instructor and facilitator who lives by the principle of lifelong learning.
She has worked in management for several Canadian organizations. In addition to her consulting role, she currently teaches both International Business and Human Resources Management courses at Centennial College and Nipissing University. In the past, she has taught for Seneca College and the Human Resources Professional Association both in the classroom and online.
She has a Master of Business Administration Degree, along with Certifications in Human Resources Management and Training and Development. She is currently working on a Doctor of Business Administration degree.
Oxana Svergun, PhD, BA
Dr. Svergun is an experienced executive manager and educator specializing in human resources management, HR planning and organizational behaviour. During her more than 15 years in senior management roles, she has coached professionals and executives across several industries preparing them for change management initiatives and supporting their business improvement projects. Her portfolio of industries includes public sector work, retail, mining and heavy industries, manufacturing and professional services firms.
Oxana’s teaching promotes scientific-based and effective people management solutions helping organizations to improve their people management capacities. Her practically oriented teaching strategies build learners’ professional expertise and translate evidence-based concepts into effective action.
Dezi Singh, MIR, BBA (Hons)
Dezi Singh is currently the National Director of Labour Relations and Human Resources at Maple Leaf Foods. He received his honours bachelor of business administration degree from the Schulich School of Business at York University in 2006, followed by his masters degree in industrial relations from Queen’s University in 2007. Since then, Dezi has held a number of esteemed positions in the field of labour relations, in large federal and provincial organizations. He has focused on developing labour strategies and collective bargaining, as well as alternative dispute resolution. More specifically, Dezi has created and delivered training with regard to maintaining a positive work place, health and safety in the workplace, and interest based negotiations. In his free time, Dezi developed and taught a course in negotiations.
Canadian Students
This unique post-degree program provides the educational experience that upper-year undergraduate students enjoy with an exposure to a multi cultural environment that only York University can provide. Graduates of this program will be uniquely positioned to thrive in Toronto’s diverse workplaces — a critical asset for global companies.
Develop a rich professional network that includes global and local peers and instructors with significant industry experience. As a pioneer in professional education, York has the expertise to offer you a vibrant, meaningful post-degree experience. You’ll graduate work-ready and promotable in Canada’s largest labour market.
International Students
York University’s Post-degree Certificate in Human Resources Management is absolutely unique in Canada. This program provides the educational experience that Canadian upper-year undergraduate students enjoy with the academic language supports needed for success. As a leader in academic English education, York has the expertise to offer you a vibrant, meaningful post-degree experience.
Unlike other Canadian human resources certificates that only offer classes in the evening and on weekends, York’s full-time schedule is flexible enough to allow students to work during their studies.
Graduates of this program will be uniquely positioned to thrive in vibrant multi cultural workplaces. Develop a rich professional network of local students, international peers, and Canadian instructors with significant industry experience. You’ll graduate work ready and promotable.
Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA)
The Post-degree Certificate in Human Resources Management is recognized by Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA) as meeting the coursework requirement required for the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation. This requirement is met by students who complete all nine courses in the Certificate with a grade of 70% or better with no single course below 65% within ten years of the date they are registered to write the Comprehensive Knowledge Exam 1(CKE1).
Students pursuing an external designation, such as CHRP, are responsible for ensuring that they satisfy the issuing association’s requirements.
Note: It is the responsibility of the students to comply with the requirements of the HRPA. The HRPA has its own requirements regarding application, admission, program and membership. Students should contact the HRPA directly for more information.
Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP)
The CHRP is the most recognized human resources professional designation in Canada. CHRPs earn more and get promoted faster than non-designated HR professionals. Earning a CHRP designation has become an integral step to building a successful human resources career in Canada. In fact, in 2011 66% of all job postings in the HRPA’s Hire Authority job bank requested that applicants have, or be working toward, a CHRP.
Learn more about the benefits of meeting the CHRP qualifications.
Human resources management is a good career choice for people who want to work full time, and have skills that are required by every sector and industry. The most recent Canadian Labour Force Survey reported that 98% of human resources managers worked full time compared to the average of 81% for all occupations. Labour market information collected by the Government of Canada estimated that wages for human resources managers ranged from $43,000 to $134,000 in 2013.
The program qualifies graduates to seek positions such as those listed below and prepares graduates for future management roles:
- Human resources (HR) generalists
- Recruiters
- Learning and development specialists
- Health and safety officers
- Compensation specialists
- Industrial relations specialists
- Career counselors
- Corporate trainers
- Human Resources (HR) consultants
- Human Resources (HR) officers
Qualifications
Post-Degree Certificate in Human Resources Management
AND
HRPA CHRP requirements (membership, CKE1knowledge exam, Job Ready Program, and JE1 jurisprudence exam)
Professional Designation
CHRP designation
Careers
HR Assistant
HR Associate
HR Coordinator
HR Administrative Assistant
Recruitment Assistant
HR Generalist
What do employers think about our Certificate in Human Resources Management?
“In today’s highly competitive environment, companies require employees who can add value and contribute very quickly and effectively. Business now moves too fast to allow long ramp up times for new team members. Therefore, potential employees who possess a strong, relevant knowledge and skill base will have a distinct advantage in the employment marketplace. The York University Certificate in Human Resources Management has been developed to specifically address that need in the human resources field. Its design and content was carefully engineered to meet the pragmatic needs of today’s business environment. Participants in this program will gain the knowledge and skills that will allow them to be superior candidates for future employers.”
Steve Wuthmann, BCom, CDir, Former Member of the York University School of Continuing Studies Human Resources Management Advisory Council
Steve Wuthmann is a seasoned senior executive with over three decades experience in human resources, corporate affairs and operations. He is currently a Senior Associate Consultant with Lee Hecht Harrison Knightsbridge. Prior to his current role, he was the Executive Vice President, Human Resources of Tim Hortons, responsible for directing all human resource functions of the organization, including driving organizational engagement, capability, alignment and performance.
FAQs
Program Delivery
The nine courses that are offered by the School of Continuing Studies (SCS) meet the course requirements of the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA). These courses have been designed for those seeking employment in the human resources field, or for professionals wishing to update their existing skills. The designations available through the program (CHRP, CHRL and CHRE) can enhance your career.
| HRPA Course | SCS Equivalent Approved Course |
| Human Resources Management | Human Resources Management |
| Organizational Behaviour | Introduction to Organizational Behaviour |
| Finance and Accounting | Introduction to Accounting: The Analysis and Use of Financial Information |
| Training and Development | Training and Development |
| Employee and Labour Relations | Industrial Relations |
| Human Resources Planning | Human Resources Planning |
| Compensation | Compensation |
| Staffing | Recruitment, Selection and Performance Appraisal |
| Occupational Health and Safety | Occupational Health and Safety |
SCS has a student record review process of students that have completed courses in the previous semester. Students who have successfully completed all the Program requirements are eligible to graduate. Students are not required to formally apply to graduate.
Students will have their course grades reviewed by the Program Manager as they approach the end of the program. Students should expect to receive their Certificates by mail.
SCS will provide registered students with information on obtaining a YU-Card for library access.
It is wise to budget approximately $250 per course. All the books and reading materials will be available at the York University bookstore. You can also order your books online at http://bookstore.yorku.ca/
If you would like to visit the bookstore in person, please visit the website for current store hours.
Students in a cohort travel together through the program, learn through shared experiences as a group, and complete courses in a designated sequence.
The cohort model provides an opportunity to network and build professional relationships that may extend beyond the program. Therefore, the courses cannot be taken at your own pace.
Marina DeBona, Program Manager for the Post-Degree Certificate in Human Resources Management at the School of Continuing Studies at York University discusses the benefits of the program such as completing the required courses to earn the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation.
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