crt:
ILRHRC25Cornell Certificate Program

More than ever, HR leaders are expected to be proficient in the use of HR data and analytics. However, figuring out where to start with analytics, how to evaluate and critique HR data, and how to best communicate and translate results to the broader organization remain key challenges.

This course focuses on building analytical acumen and taking a strategic view of talent analytics. Using a framework presented in this course, students will examine outcomes and drivers throughout an organization to assess strategic talent needs. As they complete activities throughout the course, they will also fine-tune their evaluative, presentation, and communication skills using critical thinking enhanced with analytical best practices shared by Professor Hausknecht.

This course is designed for HR professionals who want to build their organization's HR analytics capabilities, derive meaning from metrics and results, and tell persuasive stories involving HR and organizational data. With these skills, students will have a stronger voice in using talent analytics to persuade others toward actions that best align with organizational goals.

Understanding the employee experience can help HR leaders identify workplace challenges and develop solutions that better meet the needs of both employees and the organization.

In this course, you will draw on the research and expertise of Christopher Collins, Ph.D., of Cornell University's ILR School, to explore how design thinking can be applied to HR and the employee experience. You'll examine the external and organizational factors that shape employees' experiences at work and learn a six-step design thinking process for understanding workplace issues and developing potential solutions.

You will then apply this process to your own organization, using the Understand, Empathize, and Synthesize phases to analyze an employee experience challenge before using Ideate, Prototype, and Iterate to develop and test potential solutions. Through this work, you'll build a practical approach for improving the employee experience and supporting your organization's ability to attract, engage, and retain talent.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how HR functions operate, from automating routine tasks to informing complex workforce decisions. Different types of AI offer distinct capabilities, each requiring specific data and raising important considerations around effectiveness, ethics, and organizational impact. As these technologies evolve, they're driving meaningful shifts in HR roles, processes, and long-term strategy.

In this course, you will differentiate among key AI technologies, including ML, NLP, LLMs, and hybrids, and connect them to real HR applications. You'll identify the data required to support these systems, analyze their benefits and limitations, and examine ethical considerations such as privacy and fairness.

Upon completion of this course, you will be prepared to assess where and how AI can be effectively applied in HR, determine the data and governance needed to support it, and evaluate associated risks and trade-offs. You'll also be equipped to anticipate how AI is reshaping HR roles and processes, positioning you to guide informed, responsible adoption in your organization.

Successful projects begin with a solid plan. In this course, you'll learn the foundational principles, frameworks, and terminology that effective project managers use to initiate, plan, and manage projects across industries.

Professor Linda Nozick, Director of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cornell, introduces practical tools for defining project scope, breaking complex work into manageable tasks, developing project schedules, and establishing realistic timelines and resource plans. Through hands-on exercises, you'll build the skills needed to organize, track, and manage projects with greater confidence.

Whether you're new to project management or preparing for future PMP® certification, this course provides a strong foundation in the concepts and practices that support successful project delivery.

Note: This course uses Microsoft Excel (with the free Solver add-in) for selected exercises. No specialized project management software is required.