Master of Science in Human Resource Development

The Professional MS HRD program at University of Houston fundamentally shifted how I think about organizations, people, and performance. It pushed me beyond traditional HR thinking toward a strategic, systems-level perspective — one grounded in human performance, evidence-based decision making, and the discipline of diagnosing before designing. The program’s focus on organizational development and change leadership gave me the tools to not just react to organizational change, but to architect it — whether a company is scaling rapidly or navigating a merger or acquisition. Today, I apply those same frameworks to drive workforce strategy and build the organizational capabilities that move businesses forward.

— Souzi Weiland, Vice President, People and Culture, Signal Energy, UH HRD advisory board member, Class of 2010

The Professional MS HRD program at University of Houston truly transformed how I lead, design learning experiences, and drive workforce development. With the knowledge and tools gained through the program, I’ve built initiatives that empower professionals and strengthen organizations—from launching learning platforms that connect students with recruiters to leading leadership development programs recognized for their impact on promotion and performance. Today, as a Training Coordinator for the City of Houston, I create innovative learning experiences that help employees adapt, grow, and thrive. The MS HRD program equipped me with the foundation to build leaders, design talent pipelines, and lead change across organizations.

—Jessica Gonzalez, Training Coordinator, City of Houston, HR & Leadership Development, Class of 2019

The Professional MS HRD program at University of Houston transformed how I think about organizations, performance, and people. As an engineer, I entered the program seeking to expand beyond technical expertise and develop a more strategic, systems-oriented perspective. Courses like instructional design reshaped how I approach learning and performance, guiding me toward a career focused on enablement—helping people learn and perform at scale. That foundation has taken me across industries, from designing learning programs at Amazon Robotics to leading global operations at AWS. The program taught me to ask better questions, understand the business behind challenges, and build strategies that scale. Today, I’ve come full circle, teaching in that same program and helping other professionals experience the same transformation I did.

—Alejandra Moreno, Senior Program Manager, AWS International Expansion, UH Adjunct Faculty,  Class of 2014