Master of Science in Organization Development and Strategic Human Resources
The Master of Science in Organization Development and Strategic Human Resources (ODSHR) is a 42-credit hour program that prepares students for the changing roles and demands of OD and HR professionals, as that of strategic partners. The ODSHR program is also designed for expert practitioners or mid-level managers who represent a myriad of organizations and would like to advance or transition their careers by integrating a cadre of organization development and human resource skills in the public, private, or nonprofit sectors. In brief, the ODSHR program provides each student with a strong foundation to pursue careers as a:
- Leader and facilitator of individual and organizational change and learning. Understand what it takes to lead organizations following their strategic missions and strategic human capital needs in fast-paced, complex business environments.
- Strategic intervention specialist. Apply the most up-to-date and cutting-edge principles and knowledge to analyze, diagnose, and implement solutions to organizations and systems.
- Evaluator of outcomes. Measure and monitor the recommended interventions and set up monitoring capability to measure outcomes.
- Instrument of change. Apply theories of communication, knowledge of personality, and leadership style to understand oneself, thereby becoming more effective in building and maintaining partnerships with key stakeholders to successfully manage change.
- Specialist in mastering the professional literature in the field of strategic human resources and organizational development and learning.
The Masters in Organization Development program focuses on core competencies, which integrate organization development and human resource content with an emphasis on strategic human capital and development. The program incorporates building a learning community, an electronic portfolio, and, most importantly, courses and assessments based on the understandings and learning outcomes mentioned above.
Admitted students are required first to complete a set of core courses that provide a common body of knowledge. After completing the core, students must declare their academic concentrations in strategic human resources, organization development, or a general concentration track. In the general concentration track, students develop their own areas of study by selecting courses from the list of ODSHR concentration offerings. Students apply their learning in the final degree requirements, Research Methods and Directed Field Work. Students contract with a real organization to provide a service that is reflective of their OD or HR specialization.
Program Locations: Degree can be completed at the Columbia campus with courses also being offered at the Downtown Baltimore and Washington, DC campuses.
