Strategic Human Resources
About
Elevate Your Skills as an HR Business Partner
Move Beyond Administration. Accelerate Your Career.
The Strategic Human Resources Certificate goes beyond traditional administrative functions, focusing on developing the HR professional’s ability to interpret business dynamics and translate them into human capital implications. It’s a versatile option for those looking to build expertise in HR, whether for career advancement, career change, or better performance in their current roles.
Earning the academic certificate in Strategic HR, especially when combined with an MBA or MS, can significantly enhance your skill set, increase your competitiveness in the job market, and prepare you for leadership roles that require a deep understanding of the intersection between business strategy and human resources management.
Specific content areas in the course include:
- Aligning a company’s goals with its workforce needs, culture, and organizational strengths.
- Evaluating and understand a business by examining its finances, products, services, markets, and unique qualities.
- Driving transformation in the employee experience and enhance a company’s value proposition for employees.
The program is ideal for:
- HR Executives, Vice Presidents, and Directors: Leaders looking to enhance their strategic impact and business acumen.
- HR Business Partners, Field HR, and HR Generalists: Professionals aiming to elevate their strategic contributions within their organizations.
- Talent Management, Organizational Development, and Performance Professionals: Experts seeking to deepen their understanding and influence in strategic HR practices.
- Consultants: Advisors who want to expand their strategic HR knowledge and offer more value to their clients.
This program is ideal for human resources and other professionals who aspire to gain a higher level of business acumen and the ability to contribute strategically.
Listen to Dr. Dale Albrecht discuss the benefits and value of the Strategic Human Resources Certificate for your career:
Program Information
- The four-course program can be completed in two semesters
- The completed 12 academic credit hours can be applied as a Strategic Human Resources concentration to the MS in Leadership and Organizational Development
- The fully online program can be attended from anywhere
- Enrollment is available for fall and spring sessions
- As a value-added benefit, students enrolled in this program are invited to attend regularly scheduled Expert Forums in a variety of related subjects.
Curriculum
Earn an Academic Certificate
The Academic Certificate in Strategic Human Resources utilizes state-of-the-art distance learning methodologies. Students will learn through both self-paced, asynchronous course components as well as synchronous, live virtual classes delivered through web conferencing with integrated audio. This technology supports interactivity and collaboration, creating a powerful virtual learning experience.
Academic certificates offer graduate-level credits that focus on one central topic. Successful completion of the courses leads to the official conferral of the certificate by the University. In addition, these credits may be applied to the Master of Science in Leadership and Organizational Development as a concentration. More options for tuition assistance are possible when you enroll in an Academic Certificate, including employer-based tuition assistance programs and veteran’s benefits. Master of Science students may be eligible for federal financial aid.
As a University-based program, the Certificate in Strategic Human Resources meets the rigors of academic accreditation organizations. The design of the program offers the benefits of resources available within a major university in combination with the expertise of faculty with real-world business and human resources experience. As a distance learning program, we are accessible from any point across the globe that has a strong internet connection. In other words, virtually anywhere.
The Academic Certificate in Strategic Human Resources is a 32-week program, spanning two semesters and comprising four eight-week courses. This certificate program employs a peer learning approach and incorporates case studies to illustrate key concepts. The curriculum also includes Monthly Expert Forums, featuring talks by specialists in the field. All aspects of the program are taught by experienced professionals.
Professional Certificate
Professional Certificates are noncredit courses designed for individuals or organizations who want to gain additional knowledge and certification relevant to their industries, but without earning academic credit. For more information, contact aura.thomas@utdallas.edu.
Educational Components
The educational component of the program consists of four classes. Course requirements include readings, online lectures, videos, articles, case reviews, discussion boards, and web conferences.
OB 6378 Appraising a Business Enterprise
This course orients students to commercial value chains, business models, and viewing business as systems. This course explores value chains to understand how they deliver goods and services into the marketplace to derive both value-in consumption and value-in-profitability for firms. The course explores both supply systems and go-to-market systems in real case studies. Students learn to assess a firm’s level of health and to derive workforce implications.
OB 6379 Evaluating Culture in Organizations to Improve the Employee Value Proposition
This course reviews the dimensions of organizational culture and the use of culture surveys in an international context. The role of leadership and HR in establishing, managing, and changing culture is explored. The concept of the employee value proposition is established along with its impact on the organization’s ability to attract, develop and retain talent in the global marketplace. The student defines current and future cultural elements along with an employer brand.
OB 6346 Leading Organizational Change
This course is designed to help students view and think about organizations from a systems vantage point. Systems thinking is a core skill that is developed using rich case studies. Organizational design methods are studied to ground the student in the discipline and to place the design engagement in the context of viewing the organization as a system. Case studies are used to explore global uses and differences and how they impact the business systems.
OB 6356 Leadership Decision Making
This course develops leaders in the cutting-edge science and research around decision-making in a business setting. Executives recognize the important impact that decision-making has on the effective operation of a business. The learner is exposed to the normative and behavioral models of decision-making. This course starts with a broad educational foundation in decision sciences and then goes beyond academics and focuses on developing the leader’s ability to select appropriate decision models and methods to maximize the effectiveness of group decision processes.
Learn Remotely
Attend from Anywhere
The Strategic Human Resources Certificate offers two intakes annually: spring (mid-January) and fall (mid-August). Additionally, students enrolled in the MS in Leadership and Organizational Development (MS LOD) with a concentration in Strategic Human Resources can join the program during the summer term.
Our program is tailored to accommodate the busy schedule of working professionals, with live webinars scheduled no more frequently than one evening per week. Leveraging cutting-edge eLearning technologies, our curriculum fosters interactive learning experiences through online modules, engaging videos, live webinars, and vibrant discussion forums accessible anywhere in the world. Students are taught by faculty with real-world business and human resources experience. To provide flexibility and focus, courses are offered in 8-week “mini-mesters,” allowing students to immerse themselves in one subject at a time.
Students enrolled in the academic certificate have the option to use their 12 academic credit hours as a concentration in the 36 hours required to earn the Master of Science in Leadership and Organizational Development. Please contact the program for more information.
Minimum Technology Requirements
- High-speed internet access
- Computer with microphone/speakers and/or headset with microphone
- Webcam
Tuition
Tuition
Tuition for the Academic Certificate in Strategic Human Resources is $10,800.
- $900 per academic credit hour
- 12 credit hour program
- Tuition is due each semester, and payment for courses taken during that term must be made by the first day of that semester.
*Tuition is the same regardless of your status as a domestic (in-state or out-of-state) or international student.
Financing Options
Veterans – UTD has a dedicated Veteran’s Benefits Office that provides comprehensive support to all veterans and active-duty members of the U.S. military.
Employer-based Tuition Assistance – Many companies offer employer-based tuition assistance programs. Ask your company’s Human Resources Office about tuition programs.
Financial Aid – Students needing financial assistance may apply for long-term student loans. More information is available via the UT Dallas Financial Aid Office or by contacting the Executive Education Financial Services Manager.
Bill Mack
Financial Services Manager
The University of Texas at Dallas
Naveen Jindal School of Management Executive Education
whm101000@utdallas.edu | (972) 883-4114
Admissions
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
- Minimum of three years of professional work experience. As an Executive Education program, with no GRE or GMAT required for admission, your professional work experience is highly valued.
- Resume of your career experience.
- One-page personal statement which explains the following:
- What are your long and short-term professional objectives?
- How have your past experiences contributed to the definition of those objectives?
- What is your reason for pursuing the program?
- Letters of recommendation.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended.
- International applicants have additional requirements that are available upon request.
How To Apply
- Access the online application and sign up to create an account.
- Select “Executive/Professional” under “What level are you applying for.”
- Select “Naveen Jindal School of Management” under “What school are you applying to.”
- Select “Strategic Human Resources” under “What program are you applying for.”
- The admissions process requires submission of the following:
- Online application form
- Application fee
- Resume
- Personal statement
- Professional recommendations
- Official academic transcript(s)
- When completing the application form, the only required items are those marked with an asterisk. For example, we DO require your resume and personal statement to submit the application but we DO NOT require your unofficial transcripts to be uploaded to the application – though you are free to do so if you wish. Similarly, you are NOT required to list your recommenders. However, if you choose to do so the recommendation form will be emailed immediately upon entering their information.
If you wish to use the credit hours in the Academic Certificate as a concentration in the Master of Science in Leadership and Organizational Development, visit the Specialized Concentrations page.
Official Transcripts
Email your transcripts to aura.thomas@utdallas.edu or mail them to:
Attn: Aura Thomas
Organizational Behavior, Coaching and Consulting Program
School of Management, SM10
The University of Texas at Dallas
800 West Campbell Road
Richardson, Texas 75080-3021
Deadlines and Fees
| Semester | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | July 1, 2025 |
| Spring 2026 | November 16, 2025 |
The Strategic Human Resources Certificate offers two intakes annually: spring (January) and fall (August). Additionally, students enrolled in the MS in Leadership and Organizational Development (MS LOD) with a concentration in Strategic Human Resources can join the program during the summer term.
Applications are reviewed upon receipt of the online application, resume, and personal statement. After approval, admission is completed upon receipt of all required components. Candidates are notified shortly after the admission decision has been made. Early submission of all application materials is strongly recommended.
A nonrefundable $200 application fee payable online by credit card or by a check made out to The University of Texas at Dallas and mailed to:
Organizational Behavior, Coaching and Consulting Program
Executive Education, SM11
Attn: Aura Thomas
The University of Texas at Dallas
800 West Campbell Road
Richardson, Texas 75080-3021
FAQ
Certificates FAQ
Aura Thomas is your direct contact for the Organizational Consulting, Strategic Human Resources, Transformational Leadership Certificates, and the Certificate of Management.
What are the advantages of OBCC Programs?
- We are a university-based program housed within the Naveen Jindal School of Management’s Executive Education department.
- In place of GMAT or GRE scores, admission to the OBCC programs is based on your professional experience and letters of recommendation.
- Our directors work closely with you during your studies at UT Dallas, which gives you a more personalized, concierge-level experience.
- The 12 credits earned in the Academic Certificate program may be applied toward the Master of Science in Leadership and Organizational Development.
- Students enrolled in this degree program are invited to attend regularly scheduled Expert Forums in a variety of related subjects at no additional cost.
How do I pay for programs in Organizational Behavior, Coaching, and Consulting?
Tuition payment options include:
- Employer Tuition Reimbursement
- Veteran’s Benefits
- Financial Aid
- Personal Funds
Contact your program director for more information.
How do I apply?
All applications require your resume, a one-page essay, and letters of recommendation. Academic tracks require an official transcript of your undergraduate degree. You can apply online through the Organizational Behavior, Coaching, and Consulting website.
Contact Information
The University of Texas at Dallas
Naveen Jindal School of Management Executive Education
Organizational Behavior, Coaching, and Consulting
Aura Thomas
Director
MS in Leadership & Organizational Development
Academic Certificates in:
Organizational Consulting
Strategic Human Resources
Transformational Leadership
aura.thomas@utdallas.edu | 972-883-5754
