“As the world gets back to work, we know it won’t be business as usual. HR leaders are the ones who will put workplaces back together…”
-Johnny Taylor, President and CEO of the Society for HR Management
Whether we like to admit it or not, COVID and the “Great Resignation” have forever impacted the workplace and employees’ expectations. These mixed in with other evolving factors have human resource professionals everywhere facing new challenges for organization development.
So, how do we tackle these challenges straight on and structure the future’s better-than-before organization for employers and employees alike? By expanding expertise and skills in data-driven decisions, find and keep qualified talent, as well as ensuring the workplace is inclusive and safe for employees’ physical and mental health. This is of course easier said than done, but with the University of Louisville’s Master’s in Human Resources and Organization Development program, you can develop these skills and more to be effective and stay agile among the societal changes.
Why choose UofL’s online Master’s in HR and Organization Development?
Skills learned can be immediately applied to your everyday work
Renowned and engaged faculty and staff who are committed to helping each student meet their educational goals
Flexible, 100% online coursework so you can balance education with work and life priorities
Our SHRM-aligned curriculum ensures the program aligns with Society for HR Management’s standards as well as prepares you to take the SHRM-CP exam
U.S. News and World Report ranks UofL’s online graduate education programs as some of the best across the nation
Special opportunities and rate reductions for eligible military service members and federal employees
Learn more about UofL’s online master’s in HR and Organization Development program here.
Shine brighter: Get the credit you deserve with UofL Online’s CBE Program
When Rachel McClain was researching options to go back to school and found the online healthcare leadership program at the University of Louisville (UofL), she knew it was exactly what she needed. “It instantly made me smile,”she said. “It was perfect.” Indeed, it was a perfect match.
For Program Director Lee Bewley, the feeling was mutual. “Our first introduction to Rachel McClain was great,” he notes. “She had several years of experience working in the healthcare field and she had the time to focus on her own development.”
Rachel went to work in the healthcare industry after earning her associate’s degree. “I was making what I thought was decent money at the time and it didn’t require me to have a degree,” she says. But what she calls “extenuating circumstances” changed her perspective on everything.
Turning darkness into light
“I woke up one morning and it was really blurry,” Rachel explains. “I ended up losing feeling in my face and, ultimately, I had a stroke.” She was in recovery for six months afterwards and says the entire experience led her to think about her journey and the path she wanted to follow.
“It definitely changed how I thought about life,” she says. “That’s when I really took the turn and said no time like the present. It’s time to go back to school.”
The 100% online CBE program recognizes previous college credit hours and work experience, and Rachel had both. She could also customize her education and move at her own pace, as UofL’s CBE program gives students the ability to test out of courses for which they master certain competencies and progress through their degree based on knowledge they still need to acquire. “I was able to finish a course and then immediately start one up within 72 hours,” she notes.
Lee Bewley was impressed with Rachel’s skills and experience as she progressed through her program. “What we found as Rachel was going through the courses is that she had already developed a number of healthcare leadership and management competencies,” he says. “Our role was to provide her with the incremental development and one-on-one support necessary for successfully demonstrating those competencies and earning credits toward her degree.”
Rachel’s experience from the beginning and throughout the program was excellent. “From my success coach to financial aid, everyone that I spoke to it was incredible,”she shares. “They were motivating, they were supportive, and they were encouraging.”
Both the people at UofL and the design of the program helped her get her degree faster. “I was able to finish this online program in about ten months because it was tailored to me specifically,” she explains. “It provides so much flexibility that it’s kind of a no-brainer.”
A brighter future
Rachel’s story highlights her own unique circumstances, but many adult learners and professionals seeking a flexible path to finish their degree can relate to her story. The opportunity to customize your learning experience from start to finish, show what you know and get the credit you deserve is open to anyone with the right background.
Incoming students can transfer 36 hours or more of General Education credits from any regionally accredited institution. In addition, the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) course allows you to obtain credit for professional knowledge and skills developed in your career. That can mean earning up to 48 credit hours tuition-free, which lets you save up to $23,856 over the course of the program.
The remaining 12 courses (36 hours) to complete the degree are offered in two formats:
Flex Pace gives students 32 weeks to move through the program, providing more flexibility and self-direction. The curriculum is based on the National Center for Healthcare Leadership’s (NCHL.org) competency model, which is one of the leading industry standard models for healthcare executive competencies development.
Set Pace is structured on 8-week traditional terms but still offers flexibility in the length of time it takes to complete the program. Students can finish their degree in as little as three intensive semesters or in as many as are needed.
No matter which option you choose, what’s important is taking the first step on your journey to a bachelor’s degree. Returning to school and reaching her goal has given Rachel a sense of accomplishment and purpose. “This program has definitely prepared me for the future, and it’s given me confidence to pursue things that I wouldn’t have pursued in the past,” Rachel says. “It’s given me a degree and that was what I really wanted. It’s an amazing feeling; I feel empowered and I feel confident.”
Follow Rachel’s lead. Customize your learning experience from start to finish, show what you know and get the credit you deserve. Let UofL Online bring campus and career advance to you with the online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning – Healthcare Leadership program.
Amy Lear (pictured above) started her college degree 20 years ago, but put it on hold to support and raise her family. When her son was ready to start high school, she knew it was time to go back. “I had that expectation for him to go to college,” she says. “I wanted to lead by example.”
Amy met with an advisor at UofL and, after talking about her goals and experience, the advisor told Amy she had the perfect program in mind to build on her background and career goals — the online B.S. in Organizational Leadership & Learning (OLL).
During his time in the military, Robert Carlson attended college, but didn’t graduate. After leaving the service, he took time to reflect on his life and career goals. “It wasn’t so much how to make money because I knew that I had skills that would be marketable,” he explains.
Instead, he was more focused on who he wanted to become and what he wanted to do, questions he says he didn’t have answers for when he first went to college. Robert says he attended another university to finish his degree but it wasn’t the right fit. That’s when he discovered the OLL program through UofL Online and knew he’d found what he was looking for.
Building Confidence, Reaching Goals
Amy and Robert had very different paths, but both had the drive to finish their degrees with the benefit of work and life experience. “The Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership & Learning is a perfect program for adults with some college but no degree,” says Assistant Professor Matt Bergman. “We acknowledge what you have done within the workforce and translate that into academic credit.”
In the OLL program, validation of knowledge, skills and competencies starts with the first major course — Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). The PLA course helps students evaluate and document their learning from work experiences, college credits and specialized training to receive up to 48 credit hours (the equivalent of 16 courses). It not only helps students accumulate credit hours, it also helps build their confidence.
“The process is amazing,” says Matt. “It helps dig into their experiences and their evolution within the workforce.”
“To stop and evaluate those 20 years and really see those accomplishments that you probably take for granted was huge,” says Amy. “To have the opportunity to have 28 hours go towards my college degree and not have to pay the additional fees or attend those additional classes was amazing.”
A Supportive Learning Community
Matt says his favorite part of every semester is hearing the students’ stories and learning their reasons for returning to school to finish their degree, whether it’s career advancement or personal fulfillment. While the “why” varies, he says the OLL program is designed to support each student’s individual success.
“We have a solidarity movement in our program. We will lift each other up, we will create the space to make this a priority in your life and to fulfill the long-held dream of finishing your college degree,” he explains.
All of the full-time faculty in the OLL program have industry experience that directly links to the concepts taught in the classroom, but what makes the program stand out is the dedication to helping each student understand and be able to apply what they learn. “If I had a question, they immediately responded in email,” says Amy. “If that question needed to be answered in person, we were setting up a time and meeting face to face.”
And because the program is 100% online, students can access courses and tools from anywhere and create a schedule that works best for them. It allows students to complete their degree on their terms, with the option to accelerate their degree completion to just three intensive semesters.
For many students, the B.S. in Organizational Leadership & Learning is the degree they need for professional and personal growth, but it also provides an excellent foundation for advancing to the online Master of Science in Human Resources and Organization Development, or other graduate program that fits their career path.
Moving Forward, Fulfilling Dreams
“My wish for our students when they graduate is to fulfill their life’s dreams,” say Matt. “That sounds hokey but it is so true, because with that piece of paper, they have opportunities that were not available to them prior to graduation.”
“Participating in the OLL program really did change the course of my life,” Robert says. “If you want to be surrounded by people who get it and who respect the experience you have and who will help you continue on your trajectory, continue moving forward, then it’s the right program to get into.”
UofL Online can bring the campus to you with the online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning. Find out more and apply today.
Pursuing your online bachelor’s in organizational leadership (BSOLL) from University of Louisville is a strong first step to grow as a leader. As you look toward applying your knowledge to the workplace, don’t be taken by surprise. For many new business leaders, the workplace of tomorrow will look a little different.
Gone are the days of business suits, dedicated desks and rigid standards. Even brick-and-mortar offices are on the outs. Iconic companies like Google are pioneering a fresh approach to attract a new talent pool — Millennials and Gen Z.
Consider the signs of change you’re probably already seeing:
A young workforce. Millennials grew to become the majority of the national workforce in 2015, and Gen Z workers are close behind. That means major change is on the way. Your leadership tactics must anticipate change.
Shifting works styles and expectations. New workers have a greater desire to influence their work environment, often by defying corporate structure or defining work standards that embrace a more relaxed approach. Frankly, many younger workers have no patience for “the way it’s always been done.”
Early tech adoption. New tech tools are infiltrating the office, and not just in the IT department. You may already be using tech-based workflow solutions such as Slack and Trello. This will only continue.
New ways of thinking. Office culture is changing. Emphasis is shifting toward more transparency, more mobility and worker input in daily operations. Flexible hours, 360-degree training and the creation of mentors (not managers) are just a few examples.
The organizational leadership and learning curriculum crafted by UofL faculty anticipates these shifting workplace dynamics. Courses are developed around ways the business world is changing — the ways you’ll realistically apply the knowledge you gain through your online degree. Here are a few course highlights that emphasize proactive leadership in the workforce:
ELFH 300 Prior Learning Assessment (Portfolio Class)
First of all, take credit for the experience you have already gained on the job. Based on your professional experience, you can earn up to 48 credits tuition free!
ELFH 412 Coaching and Talent Management
Understand the knowledge, skills and dispositions for new leaders in talent management, career development and coaching. You’ll learn the best ways to maximize team performance and reach key goals for each individual and the organization overall.
ELFH 414 Diversity
Explore the challenges and rewards of differences within your workplaces. You’ll focus on the application of cultural competence and diversity solutions within a changing office environment.
ELFH 420 Negotiation and Conflict Management
Understand the nature of conflict (types, sources and processes) with special emphasis on organizational conflict and how it’s evolving. You’ll gain skills in negotiation, mediation and alternative dispute resolution options.
ELFH 442 Supporting Organizational Change
Anticipate the course of change! You’ll discuss causes of change in your organization and the professional and personal competencies you can bring to the table to support healthy change.
Enroll at University of Louisville Today
Put your experience to work and start down the path to becoming a great business leader. Learn more about UofL’s online bachelor’s in organizational leadership and learning.
About UofL Online Learning
The University of Louisville currently offers online programs in various areas of study for adult learners who are not able to come to a physical campus, but want to earn a college degree or certificate and advance their career.
The University of Louisville is a nationally-recognized, metropolitan research university, with a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences, as well as the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our diverse community of learners.
