University Certificate, Human Resources and Labour Relations
The University Certificate, Human Resources and Labour Relations is offered by the Centre for Social Sciences. This is an integrated, multidisciplinary program of courses that examines employment relations within their social, legal, political, and economic contexts. This certificate will be of interest to trade unionists, managers, human resource specialists and individuals interested in better employment opportunities.
Planning your program
Our online program plans can assist you in selecting the courses needed to fulfill your program requirements.
Counselling Services offers an assessment website, Mapping Your Future.
Athabasca University has also developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.
Program requirements
Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.
Students who have completed the former University Certificate in Labour Relations or the University Certificate in Labour Studies may not enrol in this program.
Students are recommended to take ENGL 255 or ADMN 233 early in their program.
The following general regulations apply to all certificate programs.
University certificate programs provide interim qualifications in specific subject areas. Athabasca University has developed individual program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.
- Fifty per cent of the total credits required must be completed through Athabasca University. Up to 50 per cent of the required credits may be transferred from another post-secondary institution.
- University certificate credentials are awarded throughout the year. Students must submit an Application for Graduation Form to the Office of the Registrar (see Graduation).
- Students with less than 50 per cent of coursework completed in their current Athabasca University degree program may withdraw from their degree and apply into a university certificate program. Credit will be awarded (from the previous incomplete degree program) to the extent permissible under the applicable program regulations in effect at the time of the change of credential.
- Students with 50 per cent of coursework completed in their current Athabasca University degree program are encouraged to consult with a student advisor before changing programs.
- Students who change their program of study from an Athabasca University degree program to a university certificate program forfeit their standing in the degree program. If students wish to return to the degree program (after being enrolled in the university certificate program) they will be required to meet the degree requirements in effect at the time of re-enrolment (see Changing Programs) to the degree.
- Students who have completed a previous credential (degree, certificate, or diploma) from Athabasca University or another institution must complete a minimum of 50 per cent of the credits in course work not previously used towards any credential.
Students who have a previous credential in the same subject area as the certificate cannot enrol in the certificate.
- Students who have completed the former University Certificate, Labour Relations or the University Certificate, Labour Studies may not enrol in the University Certificate, Human Resources and Labour Relations.
Program structure
| Total credits in the program | 30 |
| Required courses | 9 |
| Electives | 15 |
| Options | 6 |
| Residency requirement. A minimum of 15 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University. | 15 |
| Maximum Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) credits | 15 |
| No preparatory (100-level) courses will count towards this program |
Required courses
(9 credits)
| IDRL 215 – Introduction to Labour Relations | (3) |
| IDRL 320 – The Law of Work | (3) |
| HRMT 386 – Introduction to Human Resource Management | (3) |
Electives
(15 credits)
Updated May 09, 2025 by Office of the Registrar