The Master's in Human Resources and Organization Development with a concentration in Workplace Learning and Performance educates professionals who lead workforce performance, development, and learning. Through the program, you can develop skills by exploring cutting-edge concepts and designing hands-on projects related to:
The MS HROD Program is...
"I transitioned to a career in instructional design thanks to this program and the solid foundation I received in research, theory and practice. From the commitment and competence of the faculty to the convenience of online courses, this program offers working adults the tools to improve performance in today's highly complex and rapidly changing organizations."
Elvin Serrano, Learning Technology Consultant, Humana
In this program, you gain skills to facilitate discovery and critical inquiry at the individual, team, and organizational levels. Specifically, you will be able to identify and "bridge the gap" between potential and actual performance in corporations, educational institutions, government agencies, healthcare organizations, the military, non-profit organizations, and community-based groups.
The master's program with a concentration in Workplace Learning and Performance can be completed 100 percent online.
All courses may be taken online and can be accessed at home or from anywhere in the world. You can complete the program entirely or partially online. Students who take all courses online are not required to visit Louisville at any time during the program. All courses require a time each week in the evening when students participate in live synchronous online class sessions. Courses are offered through an online course management system called Blackboard, provided as part of UofL tuition. Our online courses allow students to do the following:
The biggest benefit of online learning is that you can earn your degree from home while raising your family, working full-time, or while experiencing other life circumstances that make commuting to class difficult or impossible. At UofL, we offer online courses with the same instructors and same requirements as face-to-face courses.
Online learning is not for everyone. Successful online students:
For more information, visit the UofL Online Learning Website.
All courses are offered online and in the evening. Most full-time students complete the program in a year and a half. Most part-time students complete the program in 2-3 years. However, you can take up to six years to finish.
The program requires 11 courses--33 hours (portfolio/fieldwork option) or 36 hours (thesis option).
We develop practitioners who lead training, learning, and workplace performance through both problem solving efforts and building on existing organizational strengths. Competencies are developed through five program goals and a final capstone experience:
*Select one of these electives.
The current Program Requirement Form [PDF] outlines specific requirements and the Program Map [PDF] provides a visual presentation of the curriculum.
New students can begin courses in the fall, spring, or summer terms. The HROD Admissions Committee has three review cycles each year:
| Admission Cycle | Deadline for Submission of ALL Materials | Term for Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Admissions Cycle | June 15th | Fall |
| Spring Admissions Cycle | October 15th | Spring |
| Summer Admissions Cycle | February 15th | Summer |
Please note: If you cannot complete the application prior to the final admission cycle deadline, contact the HROD Program Representative, to determine whether space remains so that you can be considered for admission.
Download Step-by-Step Application Instructions [PDF]
Admission is competitive. Meeting the GRE and GPA minimums does not guarantee acceptance into the program. The HROD Admissions Committee requires the following materials to make a decision about admission:
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.
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.
The program requires 11 courses. Tuition amounts are for the 2012-2013 school year, and change each year, as determined by the Board of Trustees. The amounts below include all tuition fees, excluding books.
| Kentucky Residents | Out-of-State Residents | Active Duty Military Students | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face-to-Face Courses | $1,797 per 3-hour course | $3,741 per 3-hour course | $750 per 3-hour course |
| Online Courses | $1,980 per 3-hour course | $1,980 per 3-hour course | $750 per 3-hour course |
| Ft. Knox Extended Campus | $1,500 per 3-hour course | $1,500 per 3-hour course | $750 per 3-hour course |
For additional information about tuition/fees, please visit the Bursar's Office website and go to their tuition/fees page.
Tuition remission is available to all full-time and most part-time University of Louisville employees. Books and/or other course materials must be purchased by participants.
Please note: Our program at the Ft. Knox Extended Campus is offered at a rate of $16,500 ($1,500 per 3-hour course), if the program is completed in four years.
Recent graduates from this program, without previous full-time experience in the field, typically work as Instructional Designers, E-learning Specialists, and Trainers. Graduates with more previous experience hold roles such as Director of Employee Development, VP of Organization Development, Training Director, Instructional Design Manager, and Chief Learning Officer.
Our student population is very diverse. Students range from recent college graduates to seasoned learning and performance professionals with years of experiences. Approximately 30 percent of our students currently work in workplace learning-related positions, 30 percent are full-time students, and the rest 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 work situation. For example, rather than merely learning about how to conduct a needs assessment of an organizational problem, you will actually conduct a real needs assessment in an organization.
This program is intense. The faculty expect you to work hard, think deeply, and apply what you have learned to real-life situations. The courses require that you think critically 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 Workplace Learning and Performance field. These projects can require more work than you may 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.