Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Program
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Become a strategic architect of the future workforce with the CHRO Program from Wharton Executive Education
The Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Program from Wharton Executive Education equips senior HR leaders and aspiring CHROs to align talent strategy with organizational objectives and lead enterprise transformation. In today’s fast-evolving business environment, where talent is central to growth and resilience, the CHRO must act both as a strategist and a change agent, driving workforce transformation, business performance, and sustainable advantage.
Led by Wharton faculty, this 9- to 12-month program integrates HR strategy, organizational development, and leadership capabilities with customizable electives to prepare you for organization-wide impact. You will gain the strategic insights, leadership mindset, and advanced tools to elevate the HR function, strengthen organizational performance, understand emerging AI applications, and help shape the future of work.
Who is the CHRO Program for?
The CHRO Program is designed for senior HR leaders who are ready to expand their influence from functional expertise to enterprise-wide strategy. It is ideal for:
Current and aspiring CHROs or chief people officers seeking to strengthen their strategic HR leadership capabilities, act as strategic partners to the C-suite, and advise senior leadership or the board of directors
Senior HR executives, including VPs or heads of talent acquisition, people management, compensation, employee engagement, diversity initiatives, or operations, responsible for advancing organizational development and enhancing the HR function
HR leaders who are tasked with aligning people strategy to organizational objectives, applying a strategic mindset, and driving workforce transformation that improves organizational performance at scale
Program eligibility criteria include:
A minimum of 10 years of work experience
Fluency in written and spoken English
Past participant profiles
Past participants till date
Work experience
Top industries
Top countries
Inside Wharton: Where ambitious leaders become strategic visionaries
AI for enterprise leaders
Modern advancements in AI
Assess how AI systems and autonomous agents interpret information, shape discovery, influence decisions, and impact productivity across enterprise functions.
AI insights for strategic decision making
Gain practical tools for ethical and compliant AI adoption to assess risks, identify AI use cases across HR processes, and connect AI initiatives to business outcomes.
Expert-led AI sessions
Engage in live sessions on AI-mediated markets, responsible AI governance, and performance measurement. Examine how AI systems research, recommend, transact, and drive real productivity impact.
AI strategy applications
Explore how AI is influencing research, evaluation, decision making, and ways of working while preparing data, processes, and business functions for AI-enabled environments through a strategic HR lens.
Key takeaways from the CHRO Program
The Wharton CHRO Program will enable you to:
Analyze the application of HR strategies to organizational approaches
Evaluate an organization’s human and social capital for competitive advantage
Explore different types of AI and their applications in HR, from talent analytics to workforce productivity
Assess talent approaches to succession planning and strategic workforce management with internal development and external hiring
Examine approaches for career development, hiring processes, and diversity
Understand effective leadership principles and practices to analyze and navigate aspects of change management
Program highlights
Live faculty-led sessions
Participate in live sessions with Wharton faculty and industry experts on strategic leadership, the evolving CHRO role, and the role of AI in organizational decision making.
Electives for your career path
Choose from electives to customize your learning journey as per your leadership priorities, career goals, and areas of strategic interest.
Global leadership network
Engage in discussions, collaborative learning experiences, and networking opportunities with global peers and Wharton faculty, including optional on-campus interactions designed to broaden leadership perspectives.
Applied learning for HR leadership
Explore case studies across industries and apply strategic HR frameworks through experiential learning designed to connect leadership theory with real-world organizational challenges.
Pathway to Wharton alumni status
Gain a pathway to apply for Wharton alumni status following the successful completion of this certificate program and subsequent open-enrollment programs, subject to further qualification criteria and additional tuition.
Flexible learning experience
Balance your professional commitments with an estimated weekly commitment of three to five hours of sessions and activities.
Personalized learning support
Engage with your success coach through regular check-in sessions designed to support your progress and help shape your learning journey.
Experiential capstone learning
Apply key program concepts to an HR initiative through a guided capstone project while engaging with faculty, peers, and practical implementation planning.
What you will learn in the CHRO Program
The program is organized into 18 weeks of core modules followed by three six-week online electives, offering a flexible learning journey that equips you with the insight and tools to elevate the HR function and drive organizational performance.
Core modules (online and live online | 18 weeks)
Elevating the CHRO Role
The Opportunity and the Trap
Strategy Assessment
Human Resource Systems and Strategy
Strategy Creation
Strategy Implementation
Solving Challenges with Human Resources
Human Capital and Talent Strategy
Talent Strategy
What Do Your Employees Want? A Career Perspective
Managing the Talent Pipeline
Performance Management
Compensation Strategy
Analytics and New Technologies in Talent Management
Leading Culture and Organizational Change
What Kind of Leader Are You?
Leading through Differences
Generating a Vision and Making It a Reality
The Rider: Creating Change by Shaping the Way People Think
The Elephant: Creating Change through Emotion
The Path: Creating Change by Molding the Situation
Note: Session topics are subject to change.
*Electives (online | six weeks each | choose any three)
Executive Presence and Influence: Persuasive Leadership Development: Gain the skill set needed to have an impactful executive presence through strategic persuasion and craft your unique leadership style.
Corporate Governance: Maximize Your Effectiveness in the Boardroom: Gain a deeper understanding of corporate governance and increase your impact on board-level decisions by understanding the role, structure, and responsibilities of corporate governance.
Mastering Talent Management: Hiring, Engaging, and Rewarding A+ Talent: Gain the knowledge you need to hire and nurture top talent. Understand tried-and-true strategies you can use to stay ahead of the curve.
Future of Work: Leading Modern Workplaces: Learn to create a reliable framework to successfully navigate changes in modern workplaces.
HR Management and Analytics: Unlock the Value of Human Capital: Combine theory with practical application to get a holistic view of strategic HR management that also includes an overview of people analytics.
M&A and Corporate Development Strategies: Gain the skills to tackle the entire life cycle of a deal-making process, including corporate development strategy, M&A decisions, due diligence, divestitures, and negotiation strategies.
High-Impact Leadership Communication: Elevate your executive communication with structured frameworks, AI-enabled tools, and a customized leadership communication approach.
*Electives are subject to change.
Recognition ceremony and networking event (two days | on campus)
Meet your cohort peers and faculty in person on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia during an optional two-day recognition ceremony and networking event*. This event takes place once every four cohorts, providing an opportunity to network with peers and professionals from other cohorts to create a lifelong community of global executives.
Note: *A registration fee of US$250 is applicable.
Live faculty-led online sessions
Strengthen your strategic leadership with live application-focused sessions* that help you navigate the accelerating impact of AI across enterprise models, customer ecosystems, regulatory landscapes, and organizational strategy.
AI and Search: From SEO to LLMO, Kartik Hosanagar
Led by Kartik Hosanagar, this session examines how commerce is shifting as AI systems and autonomous agents research, recommend, and purchase on behalf of consumers and enterprises. It introduces the move from search engine optimization (SEO) to AI engine optimization (AEO) and AI agent optimization (AAO) as well as its impact on brand strategy, data foundations, and go-to-market planning. You will learn how marketing, sales, and customer experience must adapt for a future in which AI guides most purchase journeys.
Responsible AI: Ethics, Regulation, and Governance, Kevin Werbach
Led by Kevin Werbach, this session explores how AI systems are becoming central to enterprise decision making and why leaders must ensure that their use is ethical, transparent, and aligned with emerging regulations. It outlines the foundations of responsible AI governance and how to design oversight, manage accountability, and support innovation responsibly. You will also examine global regulatory approaches to AI and understand the context required to lead adoption in complex, international environments.
Measuring Productivity Gains of AI in the Workplace, Pinar Yildirim
Led by Professor Pinar Yildirim, this session examines how organizations can rigorously assess the impact of AI on workplace productivity and business performance. It explores which metrics truly matter, how to link them directly to AI initiatives, and how to avoid misleading signals that overstate impact. You will learn how to set realistic expectations, design meaningful experiments, and build dashboards that distinguish genuine productivity gains from activity that appears effective but delivers limited value.
*Note: Session topics and speakers are subject to change.
Applied HR leadership capstone
Move beyond theory into practical application through a progressive capstone project designed to help you reimagine HR management within your organization. Drawing on concepts explored throughout the program, you will develop a proposal centered on an identified opportunity for improvement, analyze organizational challenges, and explore strategic solutions with real business relevance.
Integrated throughout the program are key capstone checkpoints that help you shape and strengthen your final proposal. These checkpoints include:
Week 3: Identifying an HR challenge in your organization and initial solutions
Week 6: Determining a strategic HR initiative
Week 9: Considering current and future employees in relation to this initiative
Week 12: Establishing a talent management plan
Week 15: Discovering new leadership styles and cultural changes in your organization necessary for this initiative
The capstone culminates in a final slide deck and proposal pitch that you will design for decision makers within your organization and present to your cohort.
What past participants say about the Chief Human Resources Officer Program
Meet the faculty
Matthew Bidwell, PhD
Academic Director for the CHRO Program, Wharton Executive Education; Xingmei Zhang and Yongge Dai Professor; Professor of Management, The Wharton School
John Paul Macduffie, PhD
Professor of Management, The Wharton School
Andrew Carton, PhD
Associate Professor of Management, The Wharton School
Nicolaj Siggelkow, PhD
Professor of Management, Co-Director of the Mack Institute for Innovation Management, The Wharton School
Meet your success coaches
Allison Wright
Success Coach
Allison Wright has held senior and executive roles across Fortune 100 companies and startups, with experience spanning fintech, technology, investment banking, pharmaceuticals...
Lee Evans
Success Coach
An executive coach with global expertise, Lee has successfully led organizations through transformational change. He has extensive experience leading regional, country, and gl...
Anand (Andy) Sivaraman
Success Coach
Anand is an HR and business leader with over twenty-five years of experience in enabling strategic business transformation through organizational change, talent management, pr...
Ellen Gilmore
Success Coach
Ellen’s background includes in-depth experience in all aspects of Human Resources including change management, talent management, executive coaching, and HR metrics.
Note: List of success coach is subject to change
Pathway to Wharton alumni status
For more than 135 years, Wharton has been the place where visionaries, inventors, and trailblazers get their start. After completing the CHRO Program and subsequent open-enrollment programs, subject to further qualification criteria and additional tuition, you have a pathway to apply for Wharton alumni status.
Executives who successfully complete the CHRO Program have the option of applying to the General Management Program (GMP). The GMP provides further opportunity to enhance your leadership skills and business acumen with a flexible curriculum. The CHRO Program provides one credit towards the six required to complete the GMP and earn alumni status. More details on the GMP is available at Wharton Executive Education.
Upon qualifying for Wharton alumni status, you will be eligible to receive:
Full access to become a member of 77+ Wharton alumni clubs
Invitation to attend future Wharton global alumni forums
A Wharton email address
Certificate
Earn a Wharton Executive Education digital certificate upon successful completion of the program. Past participants of the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Program get exclusive access to a wide range of professionals, events, and networking opportunities. Furthermore, you can also benefit from additional tuition assistance upon enrolling in further online programs from Wharton Executive Education.
Note: After successful completion of the program, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you in the name you used when registering for the program. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wharton School.
Please also note that participation in the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Program (a) will not result in a degree from, alumni status with, or earned credit at the University of Pennsylvania or the Wharton School (or, to Wharton’s knowledge, any other institution), (b) will not be recorded on a University of Pennsylvania or Wharton transcript, and (c) does not guarantee or suggest that a participant will be admitted to the University of Pennsylvania, the Wharton School, or to any other university or institution.
Why Wharton Executive Education?
Wharton Executive Education delivers high impact programs that prepare HR leaders to navigate the paradigm shift reshaping the workplace and elevate the role of HR operations. With access to world-class faculty and practical insights on how to manage stakeholders, achieve organizational alignment, and strengthen talent and leadership, participants gain the tools to move beyond traditional practices, improve organizational performance, and lead people strategy on a global scale.
FAQs
How long does it take to be a CHRO?
The path to becoming a CHRO varies by organization, leadership trajectory, and individual growth. Many CHROs advance through senior HR roles in talent acquisition, people management, or HR operations before moving into enterprise-wide leadership through executive coaching and online online programs. The Wharton CHRO Program helps executives accelerate their readiness by strengthening leadership skills, broadening strategic HR capabilities, and applying practical insights to drive business outcomes.
Do CHROs need a specific degree?
CHROs come from a variety of educational backgrounds, often in business, psychology, or human resources, sometimes paired with advanced leadership development. What matters most is the ability to align HR strategy with organizational performance, manage stakeholders, and drive change. The Wharton CHRO Program develops the strategic mindset and leadership tools needed to elevate the HR function and lead people strategy at a global scale.
Program Overview and Eligibility
What is the Wharton Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Program?
The CHRO Program from Wharton Executive Education is an advanced, strategic HR leadership program designed for experienced HR professionals aiming to become CHROs or strengthen their influence in C-suite decision making.
Who should enroll in this CHRO Program?
This CHRO Program is ideal for senior HR executives, people leaders, and aspiring CHROs seeking to deepen their leadership impact and gain strategic HR expertise.
Is this an HR management certificate program?
Upon completion, participants receive a certificate of completion from Wharton Executive Education, making it a premier HR management certificate program with global recognition.
Is this suitable for someone in a Chief People Officer role?
Absolutely. The CHRO Program components support CPOs in expanding their leadership capabilities and organizational impact alongside other HR leaders.
Curriculum and Learning Experience
What topics are covered in the CHRO course curriculum?
The curriculum includes talent strategy, workforce analytics, organizational culture, DEI, HR digital transformation, and more, providing leaders with CHRO education at the highest level.
How does this program compare to other HR leadership courses?
Wharton’s Chief Human Resources Officer Program stands out for its Ivy League faculty, real-world case studies, and focus on executive decision making, setting it apart from traditional HR leadership courses.
How does the CHRO Program prepare me for the future of HR?
The program addresses emerging trends in digital HR, employee experience, and agile talent strategies, making it a future-forward HR leadership program.
What differentiates this CHRO course from others on the market?
Wharton's rigorous academic foundation, global perspective, and executive-level focus distinguish it from other CHRO training or HR certificate programs.
What outcomes can I expect from this HR leadership program?
Graduates often report greater confidence in strategic decision making, expanded professional networks, and readiness to lead organizational transformation as a CHRO.
What are the benefits of enrolling in a CHRO training program?
Benefits include enhanced strategic thinking, C-suite readiness, networking with global HR peers, and access to Wharton’s renowned faculty and leadership frameworks.
How do the live sessions work?
The 9- to 12-month learning journey includes live online and video online sessions with renowned faculty, industry experts, and global peers. You can take advantage of weekly live sessions and the Slack channel to ask questions and discuss ideas with your success coach and cohort participants. Real-world examples and a debrief of the program learnings are delivered through a combination of recorded video and live online lectures. The program concludes with an optional two-day on-campus graduation and networking event on the Wharton Executive Education campus in Philadelphia.
Does the program offer closed-captioning for videos included in the curriculum?
Yes. We provide closed-captioning and transcripts for all pre-recorded videos as well as closed-captioning for recordings of live sessions.
Can I take more than the specified electives?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to take any more electives than the specified number. The electives are designed to help you gain specialized skills in areas that are aligned with your career so that you can dedicate focused time for learning and honing those skills.
Program Format and Duration
How long does the Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) Program take to complete?
The CHRO Program is designed to be completed over several months through online, flexible learning modules, combined with faculty sessions and live networking opportunities.
Is the CHRO Program available online?
Yes, this CHRO Program is delivered online in a flexible format to accommodate the schedules of busy HR executives and people leaders.
I have a full-time job. What is the time commitment expected from me?
The CHRO Program has been designed with your busy schedule in mind. You will be required to commit not more than three to five hours per week, enabling you to benefit from this transformative program while fulfilling your day-to-day work responsibilities. The impactful program offers a blend of self-paced modules and live interaction.
Credentials and Recognition
Does the program grant Wharton alumni status?
While the program does not grant alumni status, it opens up a unique pathway to apply for the prestigious Wharton alumni status upon further qualification criteria and additional tuition. As an alum of this transformative program, you get exclusive access to a wide range of professionals, events, and networking opportunities. You can also benefit from additional tuition assistance upon enrolling in further online electives from Wharton Executive Education.
Will I earn an HR certification from Wharton?
No, participants who successfully complete the program receive a certificate of completion from Wharton Executive Education, validating their expertise in strategic HR leadership.
Fees, Payment, and Policies
What is included in the price of the program?
The program fee covers teaching fees, all academic material, and access to online coursework. The fee does not include the registration fee of US$250 for the optional two-day on-campus networking and recognition ceremony, accommodation expenses for the on-campus event, travel expenses (domestic and international, including visa fees), and any other expenses not specifically mentioned in the program fees.
Is there any discount or financial aid?
You can pay the full program fee upfront or pay in easy installments. If you apply well in advance of the program start date, you can receive a tuition fee benefit. If you would like to approach your company with a sponsorship request for this program, here is a customizable template that you can use.
Who will be collecting the payment for the program?
Emeritus collects all program payments, provides learner enrollment and program support, and manages learning platform services.
What is the program refund and deferral policy?
To view the program refund and deferral policy, please visit the Refund and Deferral Policy page.
Are there any restrictions on the types of funding that can be used to pay for the program?
Program fees for Emeritus programs with Wharton & Emeritus may not be paid for with (a) funds from the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2008, or similar types of military education funding benefits or (b) Title IV financial aid funds.
Connect with a Program Advisor for a 1:1 Session
Email: wharton_chro@emeritus.org
Phone: +1 561 486 7448 (U.S.) / +44 1135 191350 (U.K.) / +971 80 0088601095 (U.A.E.) / +52 55970 90243 (LATAM)
Early applications are encouraged. Admissions are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Flexible payment options available.
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