Linda Underhill, Department Chair and Graduate Program Director
(585) 475-7359, lmuism@rit.edu
Program overview
Human development is at the heart of workplace development in any organization. The MS in human resource development provides the next level of learning in creating a strategy for human capital. The program teaches professionals to leverage specific essential competencies to create a flexible workforce that adapts to change and aligns with strategic organizational goals so that human resource professionals can grow talent and remain competitive in the 21st century.
Plan of study
The degree requires a minimum of 33 credit hours. Students are required to complete a comprehensive exam at the conclusion of their course work. Students who wish to complete a graduate project or thesis in place of the exam must have the approval of the faculty and department chair.
Electives
Electives are chosen by the student and are used to fulfill their career interests. Courses may be taken in other graduate-level programs, with permission. A limited number of credit hours (not counted toward another degree) may be considered for transfer credit from another college or university.
Curriculum
Human resource development (comprehensive exam option), MS degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| GRCS-701 | Research Methods | 3 |
| HRDE-710 | Foundations in Human Resource Development | 3 |
| HRDE-711 | Program Evaluation and Design | 3 |
| HRDE-712 | Performance Analysis and Development | 3 |
| HRDE-733 | Instructional Design | 3 |
| HRDE-785 | Strategic Human Resource Development | 3 |
| Elective or Concentration Courses | 9 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| HRDE-795 | Comprehensive Examination | 0 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 33 | |
Human resource development (project option), MS degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| GRCS-701 | Research Methods | 3 |
| HRDE-710 | Foundations in Human Resource Development | 3 |
| HRDE-711 | Program Evaluation and Design | 3 |
| HRDE-712 | Performance Analysis and Development | 3 |
| HRDE-733 | Instructional Design | 3 |
| GRCS-702 | Principles of Research Communication | 3 |
| Elective or Concentration Courses | 9 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| HRDE-797 | Capstone Project | 3 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 33 | |
Human resource development (thesis option), MS degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| GRCS-701 | Research Methods | 3 |
| GRCS-702 | Principles of Research Communication | 3 |
| HRDE-710 | Foundations in Human Resource Development | 3 |
| HRDE-711 | Program Evaluation and Design | 3 |
| HRDE-733 | Instructional Design | 3 |
| HRDE-712 | Performance Analysis and Development | 3 |
| HRDE-733 | Instructional Design | 3 |
| Elective of Concentration Courses | 9 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| HRDE-798 | Thesis | 3 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 33 | |
Concentrations
| Organizational learning—Choose three of the following: | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
| HRDE-720 | Theories of Organizational Development | 3 |
| HRDE-721 | Organizational Learning and Knowledge Management | 3 |
| HRDE-722 | Talent Development | 3 |
| HRDE-723 | Group Dynamics and Facilitation Skills | 3 |
Admission requirements
To be considered for admission to the MS program in human resource development, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university,
- Submit official transcripts (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work,
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above (or evidence of relevant professional performance),
- Submit two letters of reference,
- Submit a writing sample designated by the department,
- Participate in an interview with a faculty member (when required by department)
- Submit an official graduate application.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Minimum scores of 570 (paper-based) or 88 (internet-based) are required. Scores from the International English Language Testing Systems (ILETS) and Pearson Test of English (PTE) will be accepted in place of the TOFEL. The absolute minimum score for consideration for admission is 6.5 for the IELTS and 62 for the PTE. Upon arrival at RIT, international students may be asked to take an English language proficiency exam. Those who do not meet the minimum standard will be required to take additional English language courses.
All required admission materials must be submitted and reviewed by faculty prior to the completion of 9 credit hours of graduate work in the program.
Additional information
Advising
Upon matriculation, each student is assigned an adviser who will work with the student to develop a plan of study.
Quarter Curriculum - For Reference Only
Effective fall 2013, RIT converted its academic calendar from quarters to semesters. The following content has been made available as reference only. Currently matriculated students who began their academic programs in quarters should consult their academic adviser for guidance and course selection.
Program overview
The master of science degree in human resource development prepares students to influence the human assets of an organization to positively impact organizational outcomes.
The program requires students to build competencies in effective employee and talent development practices as used by world-class organizations, outcome and evidence-based training and learning, instructional design and delivery, career development, and workforce development. The curriculum combines a competency-focused program with solid scholarship, writing, and analytical skills required of today’s human resource professional.
Applicants to this program are often experienced human resource practitioners eager to build new competencies in training, instructional design, talent management, and employee development; managers who want to encourage employees to reach their potential; and individuals interested in starting a career in the human resource field. Courses are offered in the evening and online.
Curriculum
The degree requires completion of a minimum of 48 quarter credit hours, and can usually be completed in four consecutive quarters. However, the majority of students attend part time and take three years to complete the program.
Students choose electives that best meet their career interests. Courses may be taken in other graduate-level programs at RIT, with permission. A maximum of 12 credit hours (not counted toward another degree) may be considered for transfer credit from another college or university.
Upon matriculation, each student is assigned an adviser. Together, the student and adviser develop a plan of study. For specific questions about courses and a plan of study, the adviser or program chair should be consulted.
Semester conversion
Effective fall 2013, RIT will convert its academic calendar from quarters to semesters. Each program and its associated courses have been sent to the New York State Department of Education for approval of the semester plan. For reference, the following charts illustrate the typical course sequence for this program in both quarters and semesters. Students should consult their graduate program adviser with questions regarding planning and course selection.
Human resource development , MS degree, typical course sequence (quarters)
| Course | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| 0625-708 | Library Research | 1 |
| 0625-790 | Research Methods | 4 |
| 0626-755 | Graduate Writing | 3 |
| 0626-780 | Human Resource Management I | 4 |
| 0635-781 | Human Resource Management II | 4 |
| Choose two of the following: | 8 | |
| 0626-710 | Theories of Organizational Development | |
| 0626-720 | Theories of Career Development | |
| 0626-730 | Strategic Employee Development | |
| Professional Electives | 16 | |
| 0625-895 | Comprehensive Exam* | 0 |
| 0625-794 | Integrated Problem Solving | 4 |
| 0625-844 | Breakthrough Thinking, Creativity and Innovation | 4 |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 48 | |
* Students typically complete the Comprehensive Exam (0625-895), Intergrated Problemsolving (0625-794), and Breakthrough Thinking, Creativity and Innovation (0625-844). However, with department approval, students may request to complete a capstone project plus Breakthrough Thinking, Creativity and Innovation (0625-844), or a thesis (which requires no additional course work).
Human resource development, MS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| HRDE-700 | Research Design and Methods | 3 |
| HRDE-702 | Graduate Writing Strategies | 3 |
| HRDE-710 | Foundations in Human Resource Development | 3 |
| HRDE-711 | Program Evaluation and Design | 3 |
| HRDE-712 | Performance Analysis and Development | 3 |
| Concentration Courses | 12 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Integrated Problemsolving | 3 | |
| SERQ-770 | Breakthrough Thinking, Creativity and Innovation | 3 |
| HRDE-797 | Comprehensive Examination* | 0 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 36 | |
* Students typically complete the Comprehensive Exam (HRDE-797), Intergrated Problemsolving, and Breakthrough Thinking, Creativity and Innovation (SERQ-770). However, with department approval, students may request to complete a capstone project plus Breakthrough Thinking, Creativity and Innovation (SERQ-770), or a thesis (which requires no additional course work).
Concentrations (semesters)
| Organizational learning | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
| HRDE-720 | Theories of Organizational Development | 3 |
| HRDE-722 | Talent Development | 3 |
| HRDE-721 | Organizational Learning and Knowledge Management | 3 |
| HRDE-723 | Group Dynamics and Leadership | 3 |
| Training and development | ||
| HRDE-730 | Theories of Adult Learning | 3 |
| HRDE-731 | Team Process and Facilitation Skills | 3 |
| HRDE-732 | Learning Transfer | 3 |
| HRDE-733 | Instructional Design and Technology in HRD | 3 |
| Global HRD | ||
| HRDE-740 | Strategic HRD for global organizations | 3 |
| HRDE-741 | Global HRD leadership | 3 |
| HRDE-742 | Change leadership development | 3 |
| HRDE-743 | Training for global organizations | 3 |
A customized concentration of three courses may be developed, but requires department approval. A customized concentration cannot include additional business-related courses.
Admission requirements
To be considered for admission to the MS program in human resource development, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university,
- Submit official transcripts (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work,
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above (or evidence of relevant professional performance),
- Submit two letters of reference,
- Submit a writing sample designated by the department,
- Participate in an interview with a faculty member (when possible), and
- Complete a graduate application.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Minimum scores of 550 (paper-based), or 79 (Internet-based) are required. Upon arrival at RIT, international students may be asked to take an English Language Proficiency exam. Those who do not meet the minimum standard may be required to take additional English language courses.
All required admission materials must be submitted and reviewed by faculty prior to the completion of 12 quarter credit hours of graduate work in the program.