Human Resources and Organization Development (MS)

Admission Requirements

The HROD Admissions Committee requires the following materials to make a decision about admission:

  • Graduate School Application: Complete the online application to the Graduate School.
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work. Unconditional admission requires a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 for all coursework taken.

    Applicants who have attended a college or university outside of the United States are also required to submit an evaluation of their transcript through either WES (World Education Services) or ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators). Please note that transcript evaluations can sometimes take several weeks.

    Please have transcripts sent to:
    Graduate School
    University of Louisville
    Louisville, KY 40292

    If transcripts are sent electronically,
    please have them sent to the following e-mail: gradadm@louisville.edu

  • All applicants for whom English is a second language must also submit official TOEFL scores of 79 or higher on the internet-based test, 213 or higher on the computer-based test. English proficiency can also be met by submitting official IELTS scores of at least 6.5 overall band score from the academic module exam or official Duolingo overall score of 105.  Students holding a bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited institution in the United States may be exempt from this requirement.
  • Two letters of recommendation. If you have studied at a college or university in the last five years, the admissions committee prefers to see at least one letter from a faculty member. Other references can include work supervisors. Personal references (e.g. family, friends) are not accepted.
  • Goal Statement Sheet [PDF]. The Admissions Committee evaluates applications based on how an applicant's goals, professional experiences, and commitment to education are an appropriate fit with this program.
  • Current Resume

Admission is competitive. Meeting the GPA minimum does not guarantee that prospective students will be accepted into the program. 

Program Information

The program requires ten courses consisting of 30 credit hours (including portfolio/fieldwork)  (thesis option–not available in all academic plans).

The curriculum in all four concentrations is centered around five program goals:

  • Investigate Gap
  • Produce Interventions
  • Implement and Lead Change
  • Evaluate Outcomes
  • Integrate Foundational Knowledge and Skills

MS in Human Resources and Organizational Development

Academic Plan Code(s): HRODMS, HRODMS_O

Program Purpose: To prepare professionals who lead people, performance, development, and learning through discovery and critical inquiry. 

Core Coursework18
Leadership in HROD
Strategic Human Resources
Evidence Based Research in HROD
Adult & Organizational Learning
Organizational Analysis
HROD Integrative Capstone
Electives 12
Choose 12 credit hours from the following:
Workplace and Information Ethics
Program and Organization Evaluation
Talent Acquisition and Management
Global Human Resources Development
Performance Management and Rewards
Diversity and Inclusion
Methods of Facilitation
Organizational Change and Consulting
Performance Improvement
Instructional Design and Development
Advanced Leadership Theory
Independent Study: HRE or IT
Minimum Total Hours30

Midpoint Assessment: Successful progress on Hallmark Assessment Rubrics, as determined by faculty advisor

Exit Assessment: Competency Self-Assessment/Reflection, program portfolio, and integration of research, theory, and practice or thesis

Degree Assessment:

  • A minimum of 30 credit hours with an overall GPA of 3.0; no more than two grades of C (six [6] credit hours)
  • Satisfactory completion of program portfolio