What is Human Resource and Organization Development?
The Graduate Certificate in Human Resource and Organization Development is designed for professionals seeking to develop or enhance expertise in HR leadership, strategy, and organizational development. This certificate program provides foundational and advanced HR knowledge, equipping learners with skills to align HR functions with organizational goals, drive employee engagement, and support business success. The curriculum is aligned with SHRM competencies, covering key HR areas such as HR strategy, talent acquisition, performance management, training and development, compensation, and change leadership. Effective HR practices drive organizational success by enhancing employee satisfaction, fostering innovation, improving retention, and optimizing workforce productivity. This certificate provides leaders and HR professionals with the education and tools to implement impactful HR strategies and support organizational excellence.
Why study Human Resource and Organization Development at UNH College of Professional Studies?
The Graduate Certificate in Human Resource and Organization Development at UNH CPS is aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), ensuring that coursework reflects industry best practices and prepares students to meet the evolving challenges of today’s workforce. SHRM is the global leader in HR education and thought leadership, setting high standards for HR professionals. This alignment ensures that students gain the relevant skills and competencies to develop, implement, and manage HR and OD strategies that contribute to organizational effectiveness. This program is suitable for HR and OD professionals seeking to expand their expertise, business leaders seeking to enhance their people management skills, or individuals transitioning into HR and OD roles. The curriculum blends HR strategy, organizational leadership, OD, and talent management to prepare learners for key HR and OD functions in business, nonprofit, and public sector environments.
Potential Career Areas
- Human Resource Management
- Employee Relations Management
- Change Management
- Compensation and Benefits
- Training and Development
- HR Risk and Compliance
- Human Resources Business Partner
- Workforce Planning and Talent Acquisition
Curriculum & Requirements
The graduate certificate in Human Resource and Organization Development is designed to provide professionals with specialized knowledge in HR leadership, strategy, and organizational effectiveness. This certificate program equips students with the skills to develop, implement, and align HR strategies with organizational goals, ultimately driving business success and workforce engagement. Graduates of this certificate program will be prepared for leadership roles in various industries, including business, nonprofit organizations, and the public sector. Whether professionals are looking to advance in their current HR careers or transition into human resource management, this certificate provides the essential skills and knowledge needed to drive strategic HR initiatives and contribute to organizational success.
Minimum Credit Requirement: 12 Credits
Minimum GPA Requirement: 3.0
Graduate credit is only granted for courses completed with a grade of B- or higher.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HRM 805 | Managing Human Resources in a Global Economy | 3 |
| Select three courses from the following: | 9 | |
HRM 815 | Employment Law and Ethics | |
HRM 820 | Recruitment and Selection | |
HRM 821 | Strategic Rewards and Performance Management | |
HRM 822 | Talent Management and Development | |
Program Learning Outcomes
Students will have the opportunity to:
- Develop HR strategies that align with organizational goals, enhance workforce performance, and support business success.
- Utilize evidence-based HR and leadership practices to lead organizational change, foster innovation, and drive continuous improvement.
- Assess HR data, metrics, and analytics to inform decision making, improve workforce planning, and measure the impact of HR initiatives.
Deadlines
Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:
- Fall: Rolling Admissions. Final Deadline October 24
- Spring: Rolling Admissions. Final Deadline March 20
- Summer: Rolling Admissions. Final Deadline May 23
- Special: N/A
Campus: Online
New England Regional: No
New Hampshire Residents
Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.
Transcripts
If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC.
If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.
If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:
- Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
- Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.
Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Required
Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.
Personal Statement/Essay Questions
Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:
- Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
- Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.
Important Notes
All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.
International Applicants
Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.
