Curriculum for Human Resource Development
The Master of Science in Human Resource Development (HRD) is a unique two-year program, developed by faculty who are leading researchers and practitioners in their field. Their experience and knowledge of current trends and practices lends a customized aspect to every area of study, from core courses to the four areas of concentration that are offered with this program.
Through a successful blend of experiential-based learning, broad research, and in-depth academics, students graduate with the following outcome-oriented competencies and capabilities.
- Formulate HRD strategies that attract, develop, and retain the best human capital and talent.
- Design and implement workplace learning and performance interventions to achieve employee and organizational goals.
- Develop effective consulting, coaching, and mentoring skills to sustain learning, performance, and change in the workplace.
- Lead strategic change initiatives and manage projects in any organizational setting.
- Evaluate HRD programs and interventions to determine their quality, value, and effectiveness.
The program is 45 credit hours, consisting of 39 credits of coursework (30 core credits; 9 concentration credits) and a capstone course that includes a capstone project, resulting in a submission of a capstone research paper and final presentation, totaling six credits.
The program’s core curriculum, comprising 30 credits, provides a comprehensive understanding of human resource development, from its foundations to the most successful workplace learning, performance, and change strategies.
For course descriptions, please see the Drexel University Online Course Catalog.
HRD Core Courses – 30 Credits
| Code | Name | Credits |
| EHRD 500 | Foundations of Human Resource Development | 3.0 |
| EHRD 601 | Leading and Evaluating Change | 3.0 |
| EHRD 603 | Performance Competencies | 3.0 |
| EHRD 604 | Development of Human Resources | 3.0 |
| EHRD 606 | Human and Organizational Performance | 3.0 |
| EDUC 804 | Program Evaluation in Organizations | 3.0 |
| EDHE 660 | Principles of Adult Education | 3.0 |
| EHRD 600 | Organizational Consulting | 3.0 |
| EHRD 607 | Global Human Resource Development | 3.0 |
| EHRD 602 | Coaching and Mentoring for Sustainable Learning | 3.0 |
HRD Concentration Areas – 9 credits
Strategic Human Resources: The following courses in the Strategic Human Resources curriculum are highly recommended. Any substitution must be approved by the faculty advisor:
| Code | Name | Credits |
| ORGB 631 | Leading Effective Organizations | 3.0 |
| MGMT 640 | Strategic Human Resource Management | 3.0 |
| EHRD 605 | Organizational Learning and Strategy | 3.0 |
Instructional Design (ISD) & E-Learning: The following courses in the ISD & E-Learning curriculum are highly recommended. Any substitution must be approved by the faculty advisor:
| Code | Name | Credits |
| ELL 501 | The Purpose and Business of E-Learning | 3.0 |
| ELL 502 | E-Learning Technologies | 3.0 |
| EDLT 550 | Introduction to Instructional Design | 3.0 |
Project Management: The following courses in the Project Management curriculum are highly recommended. Any substitution must be approved by the faculty advisor:
| Code | Name | Credits |
| PROJ 501 | Introduction to Project Management | 3.0 |
| PROJ 502 | Project Planning and Scheduling | 3.0 |
| PROJ 603 | Project Management Leadership | 3.0 |
Evaluation & Return on Investment (ROI): The following courses in the Evaluation & ROI curriculum are highly recommended. Any substitution must be approved by the faculty advisor:
| Code | Name | Credits |
| EDHE 682 | The Evaluation Process | 3.0 |
| EDHE 684 | Evaluation and Assessment in Practice | 3.0 |
| EHRD 608 | Evaluating the Value and Impact of HRD Interventions | 3.0 |
HRD Capstone/Co-op Requirement
EHRD 715/716 - Capstone: Co-op with Portfolio
For the MS in Human Resource Development program, the Capstone/Co-Op experience can take one of three forms:
- A defined capstone research project which is sponsored by a partnering organization. A defined capstone research project must involve a comprehensive front-end assessment or back-end program evaluation – for example:
- Assessment (i.e., front-end): A strategic needs assessment, performance and root cause analysis, organizational diagnosis, or employee/customer survey effort designed to identify HRD priorities for learning, development, performance improvement, action planning and change, and/or organizational effectiveness.
- Evaluation (i.e., backend): A comprehensive evaluation project involving the measurement and evaluation of an existing HR, training and learning, OD and change, and/or performance improvement program, solution, or intervention.
- An independent research project designed by the student. For the independent research project option, the Capstone/Co-op instructor serves as the advisor/supervisor of the project in order to simulate the Capstone/Co-op experience. This is a writing intensive option involving:
- A thoughtful introduction of the research including the purpose of the study, research question(s), and thesis statement (i.e., a declaration of what you believe and what you intend to prove).
- A thorough, yet focused review of the literature related to the topic.
- A synthesis and analysis that advances our understanding of the topic (e.g., provides new insights and conclusions into a pressing problem in the field; offers a new and useful model or heuristic relevant to HRD).
- A traditional Co-op consisting of a part-time appointment and/or internship within an organizational setting (20-25 hours per week, in person or telecommuting online) for at least 10 weeks (i.e., a full term). In addition, this option requires a focused literature review on the work being performed and the development of career plan related to the experience.
- Note: This option cannot occur within your current place of employment and is generally geared for those who are not employed and/or career changers (i.e., students new to the field and practice of HRD).
