Master of Arts in Work and Human Resource Education
Specialization in Human Resource Development

From the University of Minnesota Graduate School

• The Profession
• Delivery Format
• Program Curriculum
• Program Planning
• Admission Information 

The Profession

Human resource development (HRD) is a process of developing and unleashing human expertise through organization development and personnel training and development. A career in this field can lead to specialization in areas such as employee training, benefits management or job evaluation—or a career may demand a wide range of abilities and responsibilities. Work environments include business, nonprofit, educational, and governmental settings. Human resource development job titles can include: human resource managers; training and development specialists; employment, recruitment and placement specialists; compensation; benefits and job analysis specialists; and industrial and labor relations supervisors.

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Delivery Format

The majority of the required coursework for the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Human Resource Development program is available on the Rochester campus. To accommodate the busy schedules of educators, many courses are offered evenings, Saturdays, and during the summer.

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Program Curriculum

The M.A. in Human Resource Development program emphasizes research and theory culminating in a written thesis (Plan A) or extensive research project or paper (Plan B). There are no language requirements. The final exam is oral. Students have seven years to complete their degree beginning with the first coursework used in the program, and must maintain a 2.80 overall GPA.

PLAN A
Complete a minimum of 34 credits of: 5000-level courses, including 14 credits in the major, 6 credits in the related field, 10 thesis credits and electives as needed.

Core Requirements:

• HRD/AdEd 5001: Survey of Human Resource Development and Adult Education (3 credits)
• HRD 5201: Training and Development of Human Resources (3 credits)
• HRD 5301: Organization Development (3 credits)
• HRD 5196: Internship: Human Resources Development (4 credits)
• HRD 5105: Strategic Planning through Human Resource Development
  (3 credits)
• AdEd 5101: Strategies for Teaching Adults (3 credits)
• WCFE 8915: Ethical Responsibility in Research (1 credit)
  and
• One of the following courses:
  • WCFE 5901: Using Research in Work, Community, and Family Education (3 credits)
  • WCFE 8911: Foundations of Inquiry (2 credits)
  • WCFE 8912: Quantitative Research (3 credits)
  • WCFE 8913: Interpretive Research (3 credits)
  • WCFE 8914: Critical Science Research (3 credits)

Thesis:

• 10 credits

Electives:

• As needed to complete 34 credits

PLAN B
Complete a minimum of 30 credits of 5000-level courses, including 14 credits in the major, 6 credits in the related field, a 3- to 6-credit project or paper with remaining credits taken in either the major or related field, and electives as needed.

Core Requirements:

• HRD/AdEd 5001: Survey of HRD & Adult Education (3 credits)
• HRD 5201: Training and Development of Human Resources (3 credits)
• HRD 5301: Organization Development (3 credits)
• HRD 5196: Internship: Human Resources Development (4 credits)
• HRD 5105: Strategic Planning through Human Resource Development
  (3 credits)
• AdEd 5101: Strategies for Teaching Adults (3 credits)
• WCFE 8915: Ethical Responsibility in Research (1 credit)
  and one of the following courses:
  • WCFE 5901: Using Research in Work, Community, and Family Education (3 credits)
  • WCFE 8911: Foundations of Inquiry (2 credits)
  • WCFE 8912: Quantitative Research (3 credits)
  • WCFE 8913: Interpretive Research (3 credits)
  • WCFE 8914: Critical Science Research (3 credits)

Project or Paper:

• WCFE 5993: Directed Study in Work, Community, and Family Education (3 to 6 credits)

Electives:

• As needed to complete 34 credits

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Program Planning

The links below are available to help plan your program. Note: Please use the "back" key to return to the UMR website when done viewing.

• Detailed information about Plan A and Plan B is available in the University of Minnesota Graduate School Catalog.
• Use the Master of Arts Planning Sheet to help plan your program.

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Admission Information

Prospective master's degree students generally have completed an undergraduate degree or extensive coursework in the specialization area.

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• An acceptable score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Admission Process

STEP 1

Meet with University of Minnesota Rochester advisor Joseph Marchesani, Program Director for Education and Human Resource Development. To schedule an appointment, contact him at 507-280-2819 or 507-280-2829; e-mail march027@umn.edu.

STEP 2

Apply to the Graduate School online at http://www.grad.umn.edu/prospective_students/apply_online.html.
Note: This information is located on the Twin Cities website; please use your “back” key to return to the UMR website when done viewing.

Application Deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to apply for admission well in advance of the term in which they wish to enter the Graduate School (but no more than one year in advance of the proposed entry date). The Graduate School application, complete with all required materials, must be submitted by the following deadlines.

• Fall semester - June 15
• Spring semester - October 15
• Summer session - March 15

Deadlines that fall on a holiday or weekend will be extended through the next regular workday.

Many major fields have established deadlines earlier than those listed above and also require additional application and supporting materials. It is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain information about those deadlines and requirements from the director of graduate studies for the proposed major.

Degree Requirements and Transfer of Credits
Further information about pursuing a master's degree from the University of Minnesota, along with degree requirements and transfer of credit, can be found on the Graduate School Catalog website.

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