Human Dimensions of Organizations (HDO)

Drawing on an innovative combination of liberal arts, behavioral sciences, and social sciences, HDO's mission is to meet a need not addressed by existing education options: providing a deep understanding of people, the key components of any organization.

Technical expertise in a particular domain is a necessary element for workplace success. However, recognizing behaviors and motivations, communicating across organizations and cultures, and thinking strategically to solve complex problems – a few examples of core competencies developed in HDO – are the skills that create transformational leaders.

To advance our mission of better understanding the people who drive today's global marketplace, we developed three types of innovative education opportunities:

We launched a Bachelor of Arts Degree program in fall 2016. The undergraduate program teaches students to explore, learn, and articulate the ways the liberal arts and social and behavioral sciences can address practical problems facing organizations.

Our 15-Month Executive Master's Degree is designed for leaders in the business, nonprofit, government, and military sectors searching for a more comprehensive understanding of how human behavior and experience affects organizational success. Students graduate from the Master's program equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to make their organizations more effective, creative, and efficient.

Our Professional Training programs allow individuals, teams, and organizations the opportunity to train with UT Austin’s top faculty members in a professional-friendly format. These programs provide practical and immediately applicable tools for solving key organizational problems, ranging from personal motivation and growth to strategic organizational leadership. Training options include One-Day Seminars, Certificate Programs, and Custom Programs.