When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 4 modules in this course
Unlock the potential of your HR career with “Human Capital: Foundations and Essentials.” Dive into the evolution of HR roles, from traditional titles like Personnel Director to modern designations such as Human Capital Manager and People Operations Leader. This course equips you with the skills to evaluate and implement effective communication and leadership strategies that span the entire people space. Throughout the course, you’ll analyze and reflect on mini-case studies based on real-world scenarios to bridge course content with your own professional experiences.
Explore the legal and strategic aspects of HR as you transition from conventional methods to contemporary practices that prioritize employee engagement, well-being, and workforce development. With an overview of the Human Capital Management Framework and its implications on beliefs, values, and health and safety, this course ensures you are well-rounded in the fundamental and cutting-edge elements of human capital management. Immerse yourself in this dynamic field and emerge with the expertise to drive meaningful change in your organization.
This is the first course in “Extraordinary Human Capital Management,” a course series for human resource professionals interested in advancing their skills to align with organizational and employee needs.
In the upcoming module of the course, you will embark on a journey to correlate the curriculum with your professional objectives. Those keen on HR careers will discover the Human Capital Management Circle Framework, which will be relevant to your ambitions to optimize HR processes and enhance workforce performance within your organizations. You will learn to define and apply the strategic tools of the framework effectively. The week will also offer insights into the various HR roles, including Personnel Director, HR Director, Human Capital Manager, People Manager, and Talent Manager, providing clarity on the different responsibilities each position entails. Furthermore, you will be introduced to essential strategies for leading effective communication, making decisions, and resolving conflicts, critical skills for maintaining a harmonious and productive work environment. A component of this week will involve starting the Learning Journals, encouraging you to document your educational progress and personal reflections as you progress through the study of human capital and HR.
Introduction to Extraordinary Human Capital Management•9 minutes
Course Welcome•9 minutes
Introduction to Human Capital Management (HCM) Framework•8 minutes
Introduction to Vignettes •1 minute
Debrief: A Seat at the Table•9 minutes
Introduction to Learning Journals•2 minutes
7 readings•Total 76 minutes
Syllabus•10 minutes
Help Us Learn More About You!•10 minutes
Why Is It So Hard To Be A Chief HR Officer (CHRO)? •9 minutes
Why Did We Ever Go Into HR?•18 minutes
Introduction to the Gamut Workbook•5 minutes
Vignette: A Seat at the Table•15 minutes
10 Ways Journaling Benefits Students•9 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Pre-Assessment•30 minutes
2 app items•Total 60 minutes
Learning Journal: Goals Activity•30 minutes
Learning Journal: Module 1 Reflection•30 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 40 minutes
Meet Your Fellow Global Learners•10 minutes
A Seat at the Table Discussion•30 minutes
Module 2: Beliefs and Values and the Center of the Framework
Module 2•5 hours to complete
Module details
In the second module, you will concentrate on introspective examination as you clarify your personal beliefs and values that underpin your approach to human capital management. The coursework will guide you through a process of self-discovery to identify what principles are most important in your professional life.
Concurrently, you will research and identify companies that are known for their positive strategic human capital management practices. Through case studies and discussions, you will be exposed to various companies who are celebrated for championing progressive approaches to human capital within their organizations. The Learning Journals this week will serve as a critical tool for reflection – you will document your evolving understanding of what constitutes effective human capital leadership and how your own values align with those in the field. By the close of the module, you will have a clearer vision of how personal beliefs shape leadership styles and the impact this can have on human capital strategies in the workplace.
Beliefs and Values Core to People Management•3 minutes
Debrief: Plante & Moran: All You Really Need To Know •6 minutes
Interview with Alex Engebretson•37 minutes
Debrief: Quicken Loans: Enduring an Entrepreneurial Spirit•6 minutes
Interview with Lynn Wooten•28 minutes
Debrief: Alex Engebretson & Lynn Wooten Interviews•5 minutes
5 readings•Total 92 minutes
Sanger Values Card Sort•30 minutes
Plante-Moran: from day one, experience our difference •2 minutes
(Optional) Plante & Moran: All You Really Need To Know•10 minutes
Great Place to Work Podcast: Mike Malloy of Rocket Mortgage•40 minutes
(Optional) Quicken Loans: Enduring an Entrepreneurial Spirit•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Quiz 1•30 minutes
1 app item•Total 30 minutes
Learning Journal: Module 2 Reflection•30 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 60 minutes
Qualities of Your Best Leader•30 minutes
Quicken Loans' "-Isms" •30 minutes
Module 3: Health & Safety - A Specific Value
Module 3•3 hours to complete
Module details
In Module 3, you will concentrate specifically on understanding the critical nature of workplace health and safety as a core value, venturing into its expansive significance across industries and borders. The course will use the first vignette as a learning model. This exploration will extend into the legal domain, empowering you to decide when legal expertise is required and develop an awareness of diverse international and industrial laws related to health and safety. Additionally, the module will address the evolution of employee engagement with wellness programs in the context of the post-Covid world, prompting you to consider strategies that prioritize health and safety as central components of organizational resilience.
National Day of Mourning Offers Canada a Chance to Rethink Worker Health and Safety•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Who Is Responsible?•30 minutes
1 app item•Total 30 minutes
Learning Journal: Module 3 Reflection•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 30 minutes
The Cooling Loop Discussion•30 minutes
Module 4: Infrastructure
Module 4•4 hours to complete
Module details
During Module 4, you will define and examine the concept of infrastructure within the realms of Human Resources and Human Capital Management. You will learn to classify various types of infrastructures and understand their critical roles in supporting the different quadrants and rings of the HR/HCM Framework. Emphasis will be placed on distinguishing between basic compensation, such as pay or salary, and the broader notion of Total Compensation, which encompasses various monetary and non-monetary benefits. You will evaluate the components of Total Compensation, identifying those most relevant and beneficial for use in your professional practices. The module will also introduce the relationship between GenAI and People Analytics in modern HR/HCM, exploring how these technologies can enhance decision-making and operational efficiency. You will engage in generating practical ideas on how GenAI and People Analytics could be leveraged to benefit yourself and your organizations, using insights drawn from course material and discussions.
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.