Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Program

• 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.

*Electives are subject to change.

Meet your cohort peers and faculty in person on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia at an optional two-day recognition ceremony and networking event*. This event takes place once every four cohorts, providing an opportunity to network with your peers and professionals from other cohorts to create a lifelong community of global executives.

Note: *A registration fee of US$250 is applicable.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

For the program refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.

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.