Online Master’s in Human and Organization Performance Effectiveness (HOPE)
Advance Your Career in Human and Organization Performance
KU’s online master’s in human and organization performance effectiveness prepares professionals to improve organizational performance, develop talent, and lead change across industries.
This program focuses on how organizations function at every level, helping you align people, processes, and systems to drive measurable results. You’ll build practical skills in performance improvement, leadership, and organizational development that can be applied immediately in your current role.
Designed for working professionals, the fully online allows you to advance your career without pausing it.
Why choose KU’s online master’s in Human and Organization Performance Effectiveness? (HOPE)
The University of Kansas is an AAU member and Carnegie R1 research university, placing this program within a nationally recognized academic and research environment.
The online HOPE program blends leadership development, human resources strategy and performance improvement into a flexible graduate experience. Courses are grounded in real-world application, helping you translate theory into action immediately in your current role.
You will graduate prepared to support organizations through growth, change and complexity while advancing your own leadership trajectory.
What you’ll learn
In the online Human and Organization Performance Effectiveness master’s program, you will develop skills to::
- Translate organizational strategy into action across teams and functions
- Align organizational systems to ensure planned change is implemented and sustained
- Leverage resistance as an asset to strengthen the change process
- Gather, analyze and apply data to complex organizational decision-making
- Lead organization-wide planning efforts beyond a single division view
Coursework emphasizes practical application through projects and case-based learning that connect directly to your professional experience.
What careers are possible in human and organizational performance?
A master’s in human and organization performance effectiveness prepares you for roles focused on improving how organizations operate, develop talent, and drive measurable results. Graduates of the online HOPE program pursue leadership and people-focused roles across a wide range of industries, including business, healthcare, education, government and nonprofit organizations. These roles offer strong earning potential and long-term stability. According to Lightcast*, professionals in this field often earn between $75,000 and $90,000 annually, depending on experience, role, and industry.
Titles vary by organization and industry; graduates may pursue roles such as:
- Program Manager
- Human Resources Manager
- Human Resources Business Partner
- Training and Development Manager
- Training and Development Specialist
- Organizational Development Specialist
- Compliance Officer
- Compensation and Benefits Manager
This degree is well suited for professionals seeking to move into leadership roles or expand their influence within their organization.
*Source: Lightcast. The career information provided is not specific to the KU program or its graduates. There is no guarantee of obtaining these positions.
Career outlook
Take the next step
Request information to learn more about KU’s fully online Master of Science in Human and Organization Performance Effectiveness, including admissions requirements, curriculum details, and upcoming start dates. Our team is here to help you decide if this program is the right fit for your goals.
Skills you’ll build
Through this online master’s program, you will strengthen in-demand skills such as:
- Leadership and management
- Performance management and improvement
- Change management
- Data analysis and evaluation
- Communication and collaboration
- Strategic planning and operations
These skills are widely applicable and valued across industries and organizational settings.
Learning designed for working professionals
Built for working professionals, the fully online format allows you to balance graduate study with your professional and personal commitments. Courses are delivered online, giving you the flexibility to engage with coursework on your schedule while staying connected to KU faculty and peers.
You will benefit from:
- 100% online coursework
- Structured courses with consistent deadlines
- Faculty with academic and professional expertise
- Opportunities to apply learning directly to your current role
Why earn your online master’s at KU?
As a Jayhawk, you join a nationally recognized public research university with a long-standing commitment to academic excellence. KU’s online master’s programs combine the strength of a KU degree with the flexibility today’s professionals need.
You will graduate with:
- A respected KU credential
- Practical experience you can apply immediately
- A strong connection to the KU alumni network