Human Resources and Organizational Development specializations
Get an in-depth look at Human Resources and Organizational Development specializations
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We are proud that the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has acknowledged that our Masters of Science in Human Resources and Organizational Development is officially aligned with SHRM’s HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates. The HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates were developed by SHRM to define the minimum HR content areas that should be studied by HR students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The guidelines -- created in 2006 and revalidated in 2010, 2013 and 2017 -- are part of SHRM's Academic Initiative to define HR education standards taught in universities. Our master’s program is listed on the Society for Human Resource Managements (SHRM) website: Master of Science (MS
View the general admission requirements, degree requirements, and concentration requirements for Human Resources and Organizational Development here
Human Resources and Organizational Development Specializations In Depth
Overview
The labor market data are clear: there is a growing demand for baccalaureate and graduate degree attained human resources staff, managers, and leaders within positions of human resources, organizational development, talent management, and human capital. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the occupational outlook for managers and specialists in the field of human resources is expected to grow 116% by 2024 (N = 6820) in the State of Kentucky alone, and national levels indicate similar signs of exponential growth. The most recent projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2016-17 Occupational Outlook Handbook places employment of human resources managers at 9 percent through 2024, faster than average relative to other occupations, nationwide.
If you value the performance, development, learning of people and organizations, we hope you will consider joining our program!
Program Options
Our innovative master's programs have a common emphasis on leading performance, development, and learning through discovery and critical inquiry.
| Concentration | Focus | Location/Delivery |
| Human Resource and Organization Development | Strategic and tactical human resources and organization development at the local, national, and global level. Focused on the implementation of human resource leadership, organizational development, and workplace learning and performance. |
Resources and Certs
Resources and Certification Information for Human Resource Management Professionals
The Master of Science in Human Resources and Organizational Development (MSHROD) is officially aligned with, and recognized by, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the premiere professional home for professionals in the Human Resource field, as being a partner program. Being SHRM aligned ensures prospective students that the MSHROD prepares graduates within SHRM’s recommended guidelines for excellent Human Resource education at the graduate level. Prospective students can be sure that the MSHROD program offers a broad and comprehensive curriculum in Human Resources that reflects industry agreement regarding the standards that constitute a broad and deep education in the field of Human Resources.
The MSHROD at the University of Louisville is the only school based in Kentucky recognized by SHRM as an aligned school. Guidelines for SHRM alignment are revalidated every three to five years.
SHRM-CP Exam and Certification
Starting Fall 2017, students who are in their last semester of the MSHROD will be eligible to sit for the SHRM-CP exam. To qualify for this incredible benefit offered only through SHRM aligned programs, students must be in their final semester of course work from a SHRM aligned program such as the MSHROD, be in good standing for graduation, and have a minimum of 500-direct hours of hands on, real world experience in the areas of human resources (hours can include in-course projects as well as course-related field work and experiences such as those in the MSHROD). The SHRM-CP is the standard in certification for Human Resource professionals across the globe, and according to SHRM is "among the first HR certifications that is focused on teaching and testing the practical, real-life information HR professionals need to excel in their careers today."
More information about the SHRM-CP exam can be found here:
https://www.shrm.org/certification/about/aboutshrmcertification/pages/shrm-cp.aspx
Resources and Certification Information for Learning and Development Professionals
For students in the Leadership, Training and Organization Development (LTOD) track in the undergraduate degree (B.S. Organizational Leadership) and students in the M.S. HR and Organization Development (MS HROD) degree program, the Association for Talent Development (ATD), is the premier national organization for learning and development professionals. ATD is heavily vested in higher education, especially in the areas of talent development, training, and organizational development. ATD offers professional certifications, scholarships, and dissertation awards in addition to many other content-related services.
Curriculum in the LTOD track (BS OLL) and in the MS HROD program at the University of Louisville are aligned with the newest ATD standards and competencies. Each class throughout our undergraduate and graduate program is grounded in real-world practice and designed for the scholar-practitioner. Students who complete their degree at the University of Louisville will be well prepared to sit for either the Certified Professional in Learning Performance Certificate (CPLP) or the Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD) certifications. More information about each of those certifications can be found here https://www.td.org/Certification.
Below is a comprehensive list of resources that ATD provides for students enrolled in aligned curriculum:
- Student and New Professional Idea Book
- ATD Dissertation Award
- L&D Degree Directory
- ATD Young Professional Resources
- ATD Online Library
- Higher Education Blog
- Starting a career in training document
- ATD Young Professionals LinkedIn Group
Local ATD Chapters
There is likely a local chapter of ATD in your area that you could join at a reduced cost. These chapters promote student activity through service work, presentation opportunities and above all networking opportunities. The local chapter in the Kentuckiana area is located right here in Louisville (http://atdky.org) with an ATD Geographic Interest Group (GIG) in Lexington, which is part of local Louisville-based chapter. Both of these organizations meet monthly on different dates.
For more information on chapters nation-wide, check out the National Chapter Locator.
Application Deadlines
New students can begin courses in the fall, spring, or summer terms. The HROD Admissions Committee has five review cycles each year:
| Priority Application Deadline | Term | Start Date |
| August 1 | Fall Ⅰ | August |
| September 1 | Fall ⅠⅠ | October |
| December 1 | Spring Ⅰ | January |
| February 1 | Spring ⅠⅠ | March |
| May 1 | Summer | June |
Please note: We admit students on a rolling basis. The priority deadlines help you complete the application process on time, be notified of acceptance and enroll before the term begins. We review applications as they become complete, and admit students for a specific term up to the day classes start. We recommend you work on and submit your complete application well in advance of the preferred deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time.
Curriculum
For more details about program curriculum, visit the Graduate Catalog.
Contact
Dr. Brad Shuck
Professor, Human Resources and Organizational Development
Educational Leadership, Evaluation, and Organizational Development
College of Education and Human Development
University of Louisville
Louisville | Kentucky | 40292
Office: 502.852.7396 (p)
brad.shuck@louisville.edu (e)
FAQs: Human Resources and Organizational Development Specializations
Once you are admitted to the program, you may request to transfer up to 6 credit hours if the HROD Program Committee approves the request. Courses can be transferred only if they cover the same content as a course in our program. After HROD approval, transfer requests are submitted to the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies.
Tuition amounts may change each year as determined by the UofL Board of Trustees. For current tuition rates, please visit the Bursar's Office Tuition page.
Students should select the best elective courses which align with their career goals and interests. For example, students who desire a stronger emphasis in Human Resource functions might consider electives such as LEAD 612 and LEAD 631. For students desiring a stronger focus in Workplace Learning might consider electives such as LEAD 663 and LEAD 672.
Our SHRM-aligned curriculum is built by industry experts therefore students acquire the knowledge and abilities needed to efficiently implement human resource leadership including improving workplace learning and performance, talent acquisition, and using evidence-based research for decision-making. This program includes professional portfolio completion to better prepare students for their next career move.
Our student population is very diverse. Students range from recent college graduates to seasoned HROD professionals with years of experience. Approximately 30 percent of our students currently work in HROD-related positions, 30 percent are full-time students, and the remainder work in other full-time positions.
All courses require readings, smaller assignments, and a Hallmark Assessment. The Hallmark Assessment is the culminating large project that requires that you integrate most of the course content into one large task. Most Hallmark Assessments require that you conduct a project in a real organization. For example, rather than learning about how to conduct a needs assessment of an organizational problem, you will actually conduct a real needs assessment in an organization.
This graduate program is intense. The faculty expect that you work hard, think deeply, and apply what you've learned to real-life situations. The courses require that you think seriously and use sound ideas, in order to move beyond fads and temporary trends. You'll find that each course requires you to apply what you've learned to the HROD field. These projects can require more work than you might find in other courses, but our students report that the reward is worth the extra effort.
Full-time students need at least a year and a half to complete the degree. Most part-time students complete the program in 2-3 years; however, you can take up to six years. Students with full-time jobs cannot take more than two courses per semester