HR Analytics Certification: Why You Need It and Where to Get It

People—the lifeblood of successful organizations—requires more than just gut feelings and guesswork. Yet, astonishingly, only 22% of businesses are applying HR analytics. That’s why it’s time to consider an HR analytics certification.

Unlocking your team’s untapped potential requires a deep dive into HR analytics. Completing an HR analytics certification is a definitive game-changer that will propel your professional journey to unprecedented heights.

This article explores the value of obtaining an HR analytics certification. We’ll also highlight three leading HR institutions that provide these certifications and what you can expect to learn.

Before we take a deep dive into courses, let’s explore why an HR analytics certification could be beneficial to you.

The value of becoming certified in People Analytics

In our increasingly data-driven world, the capacity to leverage HR data and extract meaningful insights has become a game changer for businesses.

HR professionals rely more than ever on analytics to help them make informed decisions. And as organizations increasingly acknowledge the significance of data-driven HR strategies, there is a growing demand for HR professionals with this expertise.

The reason? According to a 2021 Visier study, organizations leveraging people analytics had greater profit margins.

Prepare to embark on a transformative journey where data empowers your decision-making, HR metrics are connected to business goals, and your expertise in HR analytics propels your career to new heights.

Empower your decision-making with data

Build the necessary skills to analyze large volumes of HR data and uncover patterns, trends, and correlations that will allow you to make data-driven decisions and drive business success.

Understand how to develop insights into employee behavior, engagement, performance, and retention to make talent management, workforce planning, and organizational development decisions.

Develop a new talent that will broaden your career opportunities

Businesses value qualified individuals with the skills to use workforce analytics tools and approaches to provide insights that power their strategic decision-making.

An HR analytics certification will distinguish you from other candidates and give you a competitive edge in the job market. Adding the certification to your CV demonstrates your commitment to professional growth while highlighting your HR talent.

Connect HR metrics to key business goals

Learn how to connect HR analytics to Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), which will help you demonstrate your HR initiatives’ impact on overall organizational performance.

You will become a strategic partner in driving business success by aligning HR strategies with business objectives.

Certifications in HR analytics from leading HR institutions

Here are three of the most recognized and respected HR institutions and their HR analytics certifications praised for their extensive curriculum, industry relevance, and alignment with best practices.

Any HR institutions and their people analytics certifications listed below would be an excellent choice. Each option is impressive in its own right.

1. Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI)

HRCI has been certifying HR professionals since 1976. The NCCA has validated all qualifications, making HRCI widely recognized as the gold standard for HR training.

HRCI certifications often require recertification every three years. This encourages professionals to continue their education, keep up with HR trends (like HR Analytics) and increase opportunities to advance professionally.

HRCI has a network and community. The community facilitates sharing of knowledge, professional development, and career advancement.

Prerequisites

To qualify, you must meet at least one of the following requirements and pay:

PHR/ PHRi:

• A Master’s degree and one year of professional HR experience
• A Bachelor’s degree and two years of professional-level HR experience
• 4 years of professional HR experience with less than high school graduation (or its international equivalent)

SPHR/ SPHRi:

• A Master’s degree and 4 years of professional-level HR experience
• A Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of professional HR experience
• 7 years of professional HR experience with less than high school graduation (or its international equivalent)

They also have aPHR — an option that provides fundamental knowledge for people who are new or transitioning to the HR field.

Certifications available

HRCI also has primary certifications for HR professionals, including HR analytics; the most held are PHR/SPHR certifications.

They also have one-off upskill certifications for HR Analytics:

• HRCI upSkill – Workforce Analytics
• HRCI upSkill – Risk Management
• Data and Human Resource Management – HRCI Learning
• Certificate in Data Analytics – HRCI Learning

When you complete certification, you are certified for three years and listed on the website as a certified professional.

You can choose from the US, California (has its own regulation), or International (doesn’t include US law) certification.

Each certification focuses on different HR experience levels — so make sure you choose the certification best suited to your HR experience.

Duration and costs

There are two fees involved with HRCI courses.

1. Application fee: $100 for all courses
2. Exam fee: Ranges from $300 to $495

There is also an upskill Workforce Analytics certification for $149.

How to get started

1. Visit www.hrci.org and click the sign-up tab and create an account
2. Log in, navigate to the profile page
3. Click My Exam Applications and apply
4. Get started

Reviews and feedback 

HRCI runs a LinkedIn group called HRCI Voices (made up of people currently getting certified through HRCI), where you can also get additional information from the community. People can then use it to share feedback about preparation courses or materials that helped them pass the exam.

You can also check out the HRCI exam statistics and pass rates. 

2. SHRM-SCP (Society for Human Resource Management)

SHRM is a prominent professional association for HR practitioners and has been certifying professionals in the HR space since 1976.

SHRM plays a vital role in advancing the HR profession. They also provide resources and support for HR practitioners worldwide and influence policies that shape the workplace.

Prerequisites

1. People working in HR for less than a year. 
2. Senior certified professional working in HR for over three years, or 1000 hours for HR duties.

The only other prerequisite is to create an SHRM account (don’t worry, this won’t require you to become a member). To set up an account, head to shrm.org and use the register button on the top right-hand side.

Certifications available

The SHRM People Analytics Specialty Credential specializing in HR analytics (SHRM-SCP) provides a holistic view of analytics principles and their application in HR. It’s well-regarded in the HR community and also offers US and international options.

This accreditation enables you to demonstrate specific People Analytics competency while increasing confidence among your peers.

Obtaining the SHRM Specialist Credential is an investment in your professional growth. 

Duration and costs

Upon purchase, you can access the SHRM educational platform to complete the online modules (5 modules that take 1-2 hours).

After completing the modules and seminar, you must then take the test (available in the educational portal). If you pass, you’ll get an online signature badge and a certificate. The best part? It never expires!

The certification costs $1,755 for members and $2,030 for non-members. 

How to get started

1. Visit the SHRM People Analytics Specialty Credential 
2. Select the date and time for the initial seminar session 
3. Pay and get access to the educational portal
4. Get started

Reviews and feedback

It is tricky to find reviews about SHRM. There are three displayed on their website and only a few online.

On Indeed, 71% of students left feedback to say their certifications positively impacted their careers, and 99% recommend SHRM.

3. Academy to Innovate HR (AIHR)

AIHR courses are designed to be practical and applicable to real-world HR challenges. 

They offer online courses, webinars, articles, and resources to help HR professionals stay informed on industry trends and innovations.

AIHR has earned recognition in the HR community for its comprehensive and up-to-date material and its emphasis on integrating technology in HR.

AIHR is accredited and recognized as a training provider by SHRM, HRCI, and HRPA.

Prerequisites

None required.

Certifications available

The AIHR People Analytics certification gives you the tools and expertise you’ll need to lead successful initiatives that align with people ops and business objectives.

Deep dive into the intricacies of data analytics. You’ll also learn to use data-driven insights to make informed decisions about your organization’s most valuable asset: its people.

AIHR provides a unique opportunity to learn from industry leaders with extensive real-world experience. You’ll gain essential insights and practical direction to implement people analytics strategies for your workforce.

Duration and costs 

The program is 100% virtual. You’ll need to spend $975 and about 35 hours to finish it and receive your certification. That sounds like a lot, but if you dedicate four hours a week, you can finish in 10 weeks. 

How to get started

1. Visit the certification page to enroll
2. Pay for the certification
3. Get started 

Reviews and feedback

AIHR has received rave reviews from its students, with 97% recommending them (from 131 countries).

If you are an HR professional you need AIHR

“I am enrolled in the AIHR People Analytics course and it is AWESOME! The course videos are very clear and informative, and the supplemental readings are great for anyone looking to expand their knowledge. I love that there is an app so you can watch the videos or read the articles anywhere, anytime.

Speaking of the People Analytics course specifically, I love that it’s not just learning about data/statistics, you also learn about leadership, change management, and teamwork. You also get a dedicated learning coach to help and encourage you whenever needed. It’s a really great program all around and I highly recommend it for anyone who is interested in expanding their HR knowledge.”

Jenna Parks-Thomas
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Aug 11, 2022

What can you expect to learn?

A certification in people analytics will equip you with the skills and confidence you need. With these skills, you’ll be able to make decisions that benefit both your people and the business.

Here are some learning objectives you can expect to cover in your people analytics certification.

Collecting and managing data

• Techniques and sources for gathering and storing relevant HR data.
• Best practices for collecting HR data
  • Includes employee surveys, performance evaluations, recruitment data, workforce analytics software, and employee records
• Tips to maintain trust and transparency when collecting HR data
• How to create dashboards and reports with software like Tableau or Power BI
• How to create visualizations that assist you in telling stories with your HR data

Making human decisions with data 

• Legal and ethical considerations when using data to make workforce decisions.
• Strategies to emphasize trust and transparency in data-driven decision making.
• Mastering key statistical principles to interpret data-driven insights.
• Develop practical skills by working on real-world projects and studying inspiring case studies.
• Understand the importance of adding context to workforce data 

The Future of HR Analytics

HR analytics has immense potential to transform the HR profession. You’ll be able to use it to:

• Enable strategic workforce planning
• Master talent acquisition
• Optimize performance management
• Improve employee engagement

HR professionals will inevitably evolve as strategic partners. By leveraging analytics, they can drive business outcomes while maintaining trust and transparency for their team.

Embrace continuous learning and upskilling to stay ahead in this dynamic industry. Adapt to the changing world of work and invest in your learning and development.

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