What is Human Resource and Organization Development?
The Master of Science in Leadership with an Option in Human Resource and Organization Development is designed to provide depth for leaders to develop advanced expertise in HR leadership to develop, implement, and align HR strategies with organizational practices, and ultimately, achieve organizational outcomes. Curriculum is aligned with SHRM competencies and includes specialized areas of the HR function to include HR strategy, talent management, staffing, performance management, training and development, HR metrics, leading changes, and organizational leadership. Graduates will be prepared for careers that allow them to contribute to strategic advancement in business settings, in the nonprofit sector, and in the public sphere.
Effective human resource practices enhance organizational practices by contributing to employee and customer satisfaction, innovation, productivity, effective processes, retention, organizational reputation, and overall success of the organization. UNH CPS will be able to provide HR education where leaders will benefit from the offerings to more effectively lead organizations and achieve better outcomes. The focus is on aligning people, strategies, and organizational outcomes.
Why study Human Resource Management at UNH College of Professional Studies?
The M.S. in Leadership, Human Resource & Organization Development Option is aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). SHRM is the foremost expert, convener and thought leader on issues impacting today's evolving workplaces. The SHRM curriculum guidelines are part of SHRM’s Academic Initiative to define HR education standards taught in university business schools and help universities develop degree programs that follow these standards. The alignment of this program to SHRM highlights the relevance of our curriculum in preparing students to excel in their roles as HR professionals. Having the relevant competencies is essential to developing and implementing world-class HR strategies. This program combines business essentials with employee development and organizational performance.
Potential Career Areas
- Human Resources Management
- Employee management
- Change management
- Compensation and benefits management
- Diversity, equity and inclusion management
- Employee relations management
- Executive Coaching
- Human resources business partner management
- Human resources coordination
- Human resources risk and compliance management
- Leadership coaching
- Training and development management
Curriculum & Requirements
The Master of Science in Leadership with an Option in Human Resource and Organization Development is designed to provide the foundation for human resources professionals to develop advanced expertise in HR leadership to effectively develop, implement, and align HR strategies with organizational practices, and ultimately, achieve organizational outcomes. Curriculum is aligned with SHRM competencies and include specialized areas of the HR function to include HR strategy, talent management, staffing, performance management, training and development, HR metrics, leading changes, and organizational leadership. Graduates will be prepared for careers that allow them to contribute to strategic advancement in business settings, in the nonprofit sector, and in the public sphere.
Degree Requirements
Minimum Credit Requirement: 30 credits
Minimum GPA: 3.0
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HRM 805 | Managing Human Resources in a Global Economy | 3 |
| HRM 810 | Business Acumen: Role of HR in Business | 3 |
| or HRM 830 | HR Technology and People Analytics | |
| HRM 815 | Employment Law and Ethics | 3 |
| LD 804 | Leading Teams | 3 |
| LD 820 | Cultivating Your Leadership Capabilities | 3 |
| LD 823 | Emergence of a Strategic Leader | 3 |
| MGMT 805 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
HRM 820 | Recruitment and Selection | |
HRM 821 | Strategic Rewards and Performance Management | |
HRM 822 | Talent Management and Development | |
| Integrative Capstone | ||
| HRM 850 | Integrative Capstone: HR Strategy | 3 |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Graduate credit is only granted for courses completed with a grade of B- or higher.
This graduate program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with certain undergraduate degree programs.
General Accelerated Master's policy, note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher grade expectations) compared to the policy.
Please see the Graduate School website and contact the department directly for more information.
Our Accelerated Master of Science in Leadership: Human Resource and Organization Development provides an opportunity for UNH undergraduate students to begin graduate study while completing a bachelor’s degree—making you stand out among other job applicants and increasing your earning potential. Qualified students can begin earning graduate credit during their undergraduate programs, allowing them to maximize their time on campus and return on their educational investment.
Accelerated Master's Requirements
- Student must have GPA of 3.2 or higher to qualify.
- Students must formally apply to the Graduate School and be accepted into the relevant Accelerated Master’s program before enrolling in the 800-level courses.
- Students must complete 90 credits before taking 800-level courses.
- Qualified students may complete up to 12 credits at the 800-level during their undergraduate studies, earning dual credit toward their B.S. and M.S. degrees.
- Once a qualified student matriculates into the MSLD-HR&OD program (after completing their undergraduate degree), students then complete the remaining required graduate level coursework to fulfill the 30-credit MSLD-HR&OD program requirements.
Leadership: Human Resource and Organization Development (M.S.) Accelerated Option (4+1)
The Leadership: Human Resource and Organization Development M.S. is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with the following undergraduate programs:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Studies: Management (B.S.) | ||
| Business Management (B.S.) | ||
| Human Resource Management (B.S.) | ||
| Approved 800-level courses completed during undergraduate senior year: | ||
| LD 804 | Leading Teams | 3 |
| LD 820 | Cultivating Your Leadership Capabilities | 3 |
| LD 823 | Emergence of a Strategic Leader | 3 |
| MGMT 805 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
Program Learning Outcomes
Students will have the opportunity to:
- Formulate flexible methods of leadership to adapt to changing conditions in organizations, situations, cultures, and external events.
- Evaluate organizational relationships and their ability to contribute to organizational effectiveness.
- Develop change management methods informed by evidence-based leadership theories that enable an organization to achieve its goals and mission.
- Develop an ethical framework for implementing a leadership model consistent with an organization’s mission, goals, and culture.
- Assess the field of human resource management and its relevance to leadership practices in organizations.
- Integrate HR concepts to build a competent, committed workforce, and a flexible, integrated, cost-effective organization.
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
Application fee: $65
Campus: Online
New England Regional: No
Accelerated Masters: Yes (for more details see the accelerated masters information page)
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.
