Chartered Professional in Human Resources
The Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation is Canada’s only nationally recognized professional certification in HR. It recognizes the commitment to upholding the highest standards of professional practice in human resources management.
As a graduate of Athabasca University’s Bachelor of Management or Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resources Management (BMgmt HR/BComm HR), your future CPHR designation represents the continuing recognition of your professionalism and your commitment to safeguard the interests of employers, employees, and the business community.
The paths to CPHR designation
There is a minimum education requirement to pursue the CPHR designation. You must obtain a degree, masters, or 2-year diploma from an accredited Canadian post-secondary institution or the equivalent from a non-Canadian institution.
Accreditation pathway
Note: The Faculty of Business recently changed its undergraduate degree programs; the Human Resources Management major is now available under our Bachelor of Commerce degree as of July 1, 2020. Students completing the Bachelor of Management degree with the Human Resources Management major will still meet the requirements for CPHR accreditation.
Graduates of AU’s BMgmt HR/BComm HR program need to meet the following requirements:
1. CPHR associate membership
You must be an associate member of your CPHR provincial association. If you are a general or student member, you can transfer to an associate-level membership. If you are not a member of your provincial association, you need to apply to become one.
2. National Knowledge Exam
To prove you have the knowledge required to become a CPHR, you must pass the National Knowledge Exam (NKE). You can apply to waive this requirement if you:
- meet the CPHR membership requirement
- have graduated after December 2016
- have a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher
A major in Human Resources Management through either the BMgmt or the BComm is sufficient to waive the NKE if the other requirements are met.
3. Experience Validation Assessment
The last step to achieving your CPHR designation is meeting the requirements of the Experience Validation Assessment (EVA). The EVA ensures you have sufficient real-world professional experience in your chosen HR field. You need at least 3 years of HR experience to complete the EVA.
Other pathways
Scholarship
Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of Alberta Scholarship
Donor: Chartered Professionals in Human Resources, Alberta
Value: $1,500
Number awarded: 1
Annual application deadline: October 15
This scholarship is awarded annually to a student enrolled in one of the AU undergraduate programs that focus on human resources: Bachelor of Commerce, Human Resources Management Major or Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations.
The applicant must have a current AU GPA of 3.00 or higher and have completed at least 9 AU credits in his or her current program. Preference will be given to those actively pursuing a career in human resources and who are contributing to community and/or student affairs.
Application and submission
To apply, complete the CPHR scholarship application form.
Note: Please download the application form to your desktop, then use Adobe Reader to complete and save the form. Do not use your browser to complete the form as the data may not save correctly. Once you have saved the form, please re-open it and review all of your entries before submitting. Get the latest version of Adobe Reader.
Once you have completed the application form, submit it through our award submission portal.
Questions? Contact the Student Awards Unit.
About AU’s CPHR accreditation
AU became CPHR accredited in April 2018. Alberta student benefits include a complimentary CPHR accreditation student membership for the duration of their BComm program (this also applies to the Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations program), as well as being eligible to waive the National Knowledge Exam (NKE) if the above criteria are met. The accreditation of AU's programs for the NKE waiver apply to students that live in CPHR accredited provinces.
Interested in an HR designation in Ontario?
Find out more about the HRPA and earning your CHRP
Get in touch
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