On-Campus Master's Program

Program Description

The Master of Education (Ed.M.) with a concentration in Human Resource Development (HRD) is designed for individuals currently working in or aspiring to human resource development positions in a variety of organizational sectors. The program emphasizes:

  • Training and Development
  • Workplace Learning
  • Organization Development
  • Performance Improvement

Our HRD students and graduates work for community-based groups, corporations, educational institutions, government agencies, healthcare organizations, the military, and non-profit organizations. Courses are highly interactive and provide participants with a focus on training and development, organization development, and the use of technology for performance improvement at the individual and organizational levels.

Admission Requirements

Material required from all degree applicants include:

  • A graduate application. (Note: During the online application process, domestic students should choose one of the domestic degree programs listed in the Proposed Program drop-down menu; international students should choose one of the international degree programs.)
  • A current resume.
  • A personal statement. Describe your previous academic work in your proposed field of study and include a personal statement regarding your goals for graduate study and a professional career. In your response, list memberships in honor societies and professional organizations; scholarships, prizes, honors, or other recognition; and give titles of publications, major papers, or theses of which you are author or co-author (if published, give citation). Please limit your response to 1000 words.
  • 3 letters of reference.
  • Transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work. "Issued to Student" copies are not considered official by the Graduate College. Transcripts should be sent directly from your institutions to the address below.
  • A non-refundable application fee of $70.00 (USD) for domestic students and $90.00 (USD) for international students. (Fee rate applicable as of 2011.)

Required from doctoral applicants:

  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores (taken within four years of date of requested admission).

Required from certificate applicants, prior to completion of the first course in your program:

  • Transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work. "Issued to Student" copies are not considered official. Transcripts should be sent directly from your institutions to the address below.

Admission Criteria

The Division of Human Resource Development considers the following as criteria for admission to degree programs:

  • Quality of undergraduate work (a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last two years of undergraduate course work from the institution where the degree was conferred).
  • Quality of graduate work (if applicable).
  • Quality of recommendations contained in three letters of reference.
  • Relevance of work experience and career goals.
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), for applicants from non-English speaking countries. The minimum acceptable score is 590 for the paper version, 243 for the computer version and 96 for the iBT.
  • Availability of a suitable course of study and faculty advisor (doctoral applicants only).

Core Courses - 28 hours

All of the courses below:
      HRE 400: Principles of HRE
      HRE 411: Instructional Design
      HRE 472: Learning Technologies (online)
      HRE 530: Organization Development
      HRE 585: Program Evaluation (online)
      HRE 495 I: Research in Org. & Inst. (2 hrs. Offered online)
      HRE 495 II: Capstone Course (2 hrs. Offered online)

Plus one course from the following options:
      HRE 531: Quality Management and Business Process Improvement
      HRE 532: Strategic HRD
      HRE 534: Economics of Human Resources (LER cross-list)
      HRE 535: Consulting in HRD
      HRE 536: International HRD

At least twelve hours of course work must be at the 500 level.

Elective Courses - 8 Hours

Educational Psychology Foundations
   EPSY 407: Adult Learning and Development (4 hours)
   OR
   EPSY 408: Learning and Human Development with Educational Technologies (4 hours)
   OR
   Two hours in psychological foundations of learning (EPSY 400, 401, or 402) and two hours
   in psychological foundations of personality and development (EPSY 404, 405, or 406)

Social and Philosophical Foundations
   EPS 415: Technology & Education Reform (4 hours)
   OR
   Two hours in social foundations (EPS 400, 402, 403, 404, 420, 421, 423, 424, 426) and
   two hours in philosophical foundations (EPS 401, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414)

Students are also encouraged to enroll in one or more internship experiences (HRE 492), although the internship credit does not count toward the 36-hour course minimum requirement.

Example Program Plan

To be added

Application Information

  1. Download Step-by-Step Application Instructions for On-campus Programs (PDF)
  2. Apply Online apply

Student Forms and Policies for Current Students

  • Ed.M. Requirements & Advising Worksheet (HRD on-campus program)
    For students entering Fall 2010 or after 
    (PDF) (Word)

    For students entering Spring 2006 or after 
    (PDF) (Word)