If you’re an HR professional looking to advance your career, choosing a graduate program aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) can be a game changer. But what exactly does SHRM alignment mean—and why does it matter? 

SHRM is the world’s largest HR professional society, setting the standard for excellence in human resources. When a graduate program is SHRM-aligned, it means the curriculum meets the rigorous guidelines defined in SHRM’s HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates. In short, you’re learning exactly what the industry expects. 

Here’s why that matters to you: 

• Industry Relevance: You gain knowledge and skills employers value most—because they’re based on the SHRM curriculum! 

• Certification Ready: SHRM-aligned programs prepare you to sit for SHRM-CP exam, giving you a competitive edge in a crowded job market. 

• Professional Credibility: Earning a degree from a SHRM-aligned program signals to employers that you’re committed to high professional standards and long-term HR excellence. 

That’s exactly what you’ll find in the University of Louisville’s Online Master of Science in Human Resources and Organization Development (HROD). This fully online program is SHRM-aligned, flexible for working professionals, and designed to help you build expertise in strategic HR leadership, talent development, and organizational change. 

UofL’s MS in HROD program director, Dr. Brad Shuck, had this to say of the significance of SHRM-alignment: “The future of work won’t wait for anyone—and neither should your HR education. SHRM alignment isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a non-negotiable. UofL’s online MS in HROD program was built with this in mind, ensuring that students aren’t just learning theory—they’re mastering the competencies today’s organizations demand and tomorrow’s leaders will require. It’s not just relevant—it’s relentlessly future-ready.” 

Don’t just take our word for it. Watch the video testimonial below of Raphael Garcia, a recent graduate of our MS in HROD program, as he describes how this program helped him to prepare for the next step in his career!