Graduate Programs

UConn School of Business Announces New Graduate Human Resource Management Programs

Posted on by

The UConn School of Business just announced two new graduate programs in Human Resource Management available to students starting this fall – the Master of Science in Human Resource Management (MSHRM) and the Advanced Business Certificate in Human Resource Management.

Following a rigorous academic review by the Management Department and subsequent approval by School of Business faculty, the programs were officially approved by the UConn Board of Trustees on June 25, 2014. Applications to the program are currently being accepted for the fall cohort.

Stemming from the former Master of Professional Studies in Human Resource Management, an online-only program previously offered by UConn’s Center for Continuing Studies, the new programs are offered by the business school in a hybrid learning format that incorporates the flexibility of online education with the interactivity and connectivity of on-campus seminars.

“Every course in the program has been updated and several new courses have been added to facilitate greater integration across the curriculum and collaborative learning among members of the cohort,” said Greg Reilly, assistant professor and academic director for UConn’s Graduate Programs in Human Resource Management.

“We are delighted to deliver opportunities for human resource professionals to expand their education through the School of Business,” said Dean John Elliott.

MSHRM Degree

The MS in Human Resource Management (MSHRM) is a 33-credit, part-time program designed for professionals seeking skills to effectively lead and manage the complexity of human resources in a dynamic global environment. The program design enables students to focus on a single course each seven-week accelerated session while completing the program in 22 months with their cohort. Each session includes two integrated Saturday Seminars at UConn’s Graduate Business Learning Center in downtown Hartford.

The Graduate Programs in HRM are built upon a foundation of comprehensive curriculum designed specifically to develop strategic HR competencies in a collaborative learning environment of high-achieving peers and accomplished faculty. The curriculum reflects the skills needed for HR leaders to be partners with senior management, including core business areas such as business acumen, risk management, metrics and analytics, negotiation and ethical leadership.

Advanced Business Certificate in Human Resource Management

The Advanced Business Certificate in Human Resource Management is a 12-credit option for students seeking a concentration or detailed study in Human Resources, either as an addition to their existing graduate studies, or as an entry to graduate business degrees. Expected completion time for the certificate is two semesters. The certificate is designed to support students who choose to transition from the certificate to the MSHRM program as well.

More information about UConn’s Graduate Programs in Human Resource Management can be found at http://hrm.business.uconn.edu or HRM@business.uconn.edu.

UConn Executive MBAs Experience Business in South Africa

Posted on by

Executive MBA South AfricaEach year, a team of UConn’s Executive MBA (EMBA) students travel abroad to enrich their experience and understanding of global business issues. As part of the curriculum, the international study trip enables participants to experience firsthand how concepts and theories learned in the classroom are applied in the global arena.

The program’s latest destination was South Africa, a diverse, emerging global market that serves as the gateway to the African continent. Students returned equipped with new knowledge and insights, having visited with executives from an array of companies and industries. The business visits covered discussions on topics such as investments in the country, banking, business ownership, and various challenges and opportunities:

“Investing in South Africa: High risk or High Return?”
Mteto Nyati, Managing Director, Microsoft

“Finance and Banking in South Africa”
Carolina Reddy, Head of Distribution and Sales, Standard Bank

“Challenges and Opportunities in the South African Real Estate Industry”
David Stoll, Regional Head and Martin Kearns, Development Executive at Victoria and Albert Waterfront, both of Growth Point

“Retail Strategies for Low-Income Population”
Suzanne Ackerman-Berman, Transformation Director, Pick n Pay

“Labor Market Challenges in South Africa”
Nico Grobbelaar, Executive Director of Human Resources, Paarl Media Group

“Building a Successful Business in South Africa”
Tony Gerrans, CEO, Grotto

“The Wine Industry in South Africa”
Gary Jordan, Owner, Jordan Wines

While in South Africa, students also explored its cultural history. One of the cultural highlights was The Apartheid Museum—the first of its kind—illustrating the rise and fall of apartheid, the system of racial segregation in South Africa that blighted much of its progress for half a century. EMBA students were also able to visit Robben Island; where Nelson Mandela served his prison term for his rebellion against the Apartheid regime.

A guided tour of Johannesburg and Soweto—an urban section of the city—immersed the EMBAs in its turbulent history and diversity of people and cultures.

“Understanding the history and culture of a country in which you conduct business is critical,” said Noel Petrolati, a current EMBA student. “I knew it was important, but to see and experience South Africa’s turbulent past and to see its economic development was enlightening,” she said.

SC2 Hartford Challenge

Posted on by Brian Kelleher

The SC2 Hartford Challenge is a US EDA grant-funded program offered through the President’s Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) initiative.  The SC2 Challenge is an opportunity to create an economic development strategy and actionable plan—one that includes game changing policy, infrastructure and programming—to drive positive change for Hartford and impact revitalization efforts for other cities. Hartford’s goal is to become internationally known as the city where entrepreneurs come to start and stay to grow their businesses.

The City is calling for the formation of qualified teams by July 24thto submit their proposals. The top three proposals will share $100,000 in prize money. The top six teams will each be tasked with developing detailed, actionable economic development plans. These six teams will share $800,000 in EDA-funded prizes. The top prize is $500,000. UConn’s School of Business is honored to be a member of the review panel.

If you would like more information, please contact Stephen Cole at the Hartford Economic Development Division  at COLES001@hartford.gov or 860-757-9071. Please note: SC2 Hartford registration closes July 24th, and proposals are due September 22nd.  Learn more at hartford.sc2prize.com/

MS HRM and Advanced Business Certificate in HRM Approved by UConn’s Board of Trustees

Posted on by Brian Kelleher

The University of Connecticut School of Business is pleased to announce that updates to its MS HRM degree program, as well as a new graduate certificate in HRM, have been approved unanimously by UConn’s Board of Trustees. Following a rigorous academic review by the Management Department in January 2014 and subsequent approval by the Faculty of the School of Business, the former MPS HRM program was redesigned to accommodate today’s working professional and align the curriculum with the needs of tomorrow’s HR leaders. Every course in the program was updated and several new courses were added to the Graduate Catalog, including Managing Risk in the Workplace, Talent Management Through the Employee Lifecycle, and Consultative Management for Business Function Professionals. The new program is a 33-credit cohort program with concentrated seven-week sessions in a defined sequence. The benefits of this design include greater integration across the curriculum, collaborative learning across the cohort, and the ability to focus on one course per session while completing the degree in 22 months.

For more information, please contact us at 860-486-4176 or HRM@business.uconn.edu.

Scholarship Opportunities for HRM Students

Posted on by Brian Kelleher

SHRM, the SHRM Foundation and the HR Certification Institute are now accepting applications for the Susan R. Meisinger Fellowship for Graduate Study in HR until August 18, 2014.  The fellowship is designed to support master’s degree students who are either members of SHRM or certified HR professionals through the HR Certification Institute. Sponsored jointly by SHRM, the SHRM Foundation and the HR Certification Institute, the fellowship supports those who want to leverage significant past contributions to the HR management field and who plan to continue contributing to the profession by earning a master’s degree in HR.

One winner is selected annually to receive a fellowship of up to $10,000. Additional fellowships may be awarded, depending on funding available, quantity and quality of applicants, and the discretion of SHRM. Each fellowship is renewable for one additional year for a total of two years of graduate study and up to $20,000 total for the fellowship. Doctoral students are not eligible for this award.

How to Apply
Download and complete the application form, compile all required materials, then mail your completed application package to:

Meisinger Fellowship
SHRM Foundation Administrator
1800 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 535-6020

All required materials must be submitted together in one package. Applications will not be returned. Completed applications must be received by Monday, August 18, 2014. All applicants will be notified of results via mail by October 31, 2014.

Special Guest Speaker During ACCT 5505

Posted on by Brian Kelleher

The online MS in Accounting Program held its four day in-residence class, Acct 5505, from May 19-22, welcoming 100 new students to UConn. One highlight from the week was a speech from our welcome dinner’s keynote speaker, MSA alum, Ann Kummer. Ms. Kummer is a tax manager at Kirshon & Company, P.C., a firm located in Poughkeepsie, NY, and serving the Hudson Valley. She has nearly two decades of experience in public accounting and expertise in tax compliance matters including tax preparation and representation for high net-worth individuals, trusts and estates, partnerships, and corporations. Continue Reading

Experience a Top Ten Business Law Program!

Posted on by

Bloomberg Businessweek has named the UConn Business Law program as one of the top ten programs in the U.S.

This ranking is based on survey responses from graduating seniors regarding their learning experiences in Business Law classes. Members of the Business Law faculty have repeatedly earned national recognition from their peers for their teaching methods and classroom mastery.Continue Reading

Top Big Data & Analytics Masters Programs: Preparing Students for a Digital Future

Posted on by Anna Radziwillowicz

We’re very excited to share that we have been listed as one of over 25 ‘most prominent big data and analytics degree programs” by BI Software Insight. Big data is a revolution that will transform our lives and our uniquely combined degree focusing in both analytics and project management is positioning our graduates for success. Our graduates are prepared to leverage and manage data as well as develop data-driven solutions. See more at Top Big Data & Analytics Masters Programs.

2014 Outstanding Ph.D. Student Scholar Award

Posted on by

We are pleased to announce the winner of the 2014 UConn School of Business Outstanding Ph.D. Program-wide Student Scholar Award.

The purpose of the program-wide award is to recognize a Ph.D. Student Scholar in the School of Business, regardless of stage in the doctoral program, for outstanding scholarly performance.

The award is determined by department nomination and vote by the department faculty coordinators and academic director.

From a group of highly-deserving doctoral student nominations from each department, the recipient of the 2014 Program-wide Outstanding Ph.D. Student Scholar Award is:

Management – Margaret Luciano

Luciano will be entering her fifth year in the Management concentration of the doctoral program in Fall 2014 at the dissertation phase.

Please join us in congratulating Margaret for her scholarly excellence.

U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey to Headline Auriemma UConn Leadership Conf.

Posted on by

Martin DempseyStorrs, Conn.  – The nation’s highest-ranking military officer will deliver the keynote address at this year’s Geno Auriemma UConn Leadership Conference, Oct. 22 to 23 at the Mohegan Sun Convention Center in Uncasville, Connecticut.

U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Martin Dempsey is scheduled to address conference attendees on the first day of the event. Coming on the heels of Geno Auriemma‘s 9th NCAA National Basketball Championship, this conference will focus on Leading for Innovation and Change.Continue Reading