Human Resource Development, MHRD

• Overview

  Introduction
  The Human Resource Development (HRD) field draws from systems design, psychology, education, sociology, organization development and management theory to improve human and organizational performance. The Master of Human Resource Development (MHRD) degree program at Clemson University prepares people to become strategic thinkers and problem solvers who can address a broad spectrum of performance issues within business, industry and the public sector. HRD specialists commonly help organizations and people to identify performance gaps and to deliver appropriate interventions that improve human performance in the workplace. Designed for in-career professionals, program participants come from many different fields and disciplines. Prior experience or course work in HRD is not required. However, work experience is highly preferred. The MHRD program is taught by practitioner-scholars using the latest Internet technologies to create an interactive environment that meets the needs of busy professionals wanting to update their skills and abilities to improve human and organizational performance.

  Meeting Current and Future Needs
  Today's employees must develop and implement effective solutions to solve difficult business problems. For this reason, one of the major goals of this program is to provide a framework that includes creative and critical problem-solving skills, and the appropriate use of emerging technologies, accompanied by an appreciation for diversity and ethics to develop highly valued and productive workplaces.
  
  Job specialties within the profession include:

  • Instructional Designer/Technologist
  • HRD/Training Specialist
  • Human Performance Improvement Consultant
  • E-Learning Specialist
  • HR Generalist
  • Training Manager
  • Program Designer
  • Curriculum Designer/Developer
  • Training Facilitator
  • Program Evaluator
  • Organizational Development Consultant
  • Corporate Learning Specialist
  • Chief Learning Officer
• Admission Requirements

  Admission to the Program
  The Human Resource Development master’s program admits students for a spring or fall entrance term. Only complete applications are considered for admissions. Applications are evaluated on a continual basis until the application deadlines have passed.

  Application Deadlines
  All application materials must be submitted by the following deadlines:

  • June 30, to enroll in the fall semester
  • November 15, to enroll in the spring semester

  Application Requirements
  To be considered for the program, applicants must:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Submit an online Graduate School application which requires:
    • Unofficial transcripts (official transcript(s) will be required if accepted into the Program)
    • A current resume
    • Two recommendation forms
      • Recommendation forms are emailed directly to recommenders via the online application process
    • A personal statement
      • Statement should Include any relevant experience in Human Resources, HRD, and/or Organizational Development
    • A response to three of the essay questions listed below
    • Official TOEFL/IELTS scores for international students

  Essay Questions

  Responses for each short answer prompt should be double spaced and one to two pages. Please select three of the five questions. Responses should be uploaded as one document on the next page of the application.

  • If individuals, teams and organizations are to improve, they need to effectively develop the talents of their workforce. Describe a current issue individuals and organizations experience in the workplace and how the field of human resource development might be used to address the issue.
  • Describe a situation when you were able to bring about positive change in others. What was the issue? What did you do? How did you know that you were a successful change agent?
  • Describe a time when you had to improve the performance of an individual, team, or organization; include: a description of the organization, how you determined there was a problem, and your approach in identifying an appropriate intervention.
  • Describe a time where you had to develop a learning intervention (instruction and training) to improve the skills, knowledge and attitudes of adults in the workplace. Describe your approach to planning, design and developing the learning intervention?
  • Describe a situation when you led others, how you approach leading others, what you learned about your leadership skills and how did your leadership benefit others?

  Additional information concerning supporting materials
• Program Requirements

  Human Resource Development MHRD (30 credit hours):

  Core course requirement (18 credit hours)

  HRD 8250 Organization Development (spring)
  HRD 8800 Research Concepts and Skills (spring) 
  HRD 8100 Foundations of HRD Leadership (summer)
  HRD 8490 Human Resource Development Program Evaluation (summer)
  HRD 8300 Concepts of Human Resource Development (fall)
  HRD 8470 Instructional Systems Design (fall)

  Concentration course requirement (12 credit hours)**

  Student will choose ONE of the following concentration areas:

  Comprehensive HRD Concentration - This option is for students who would like general exposure to all the core elements of HRD: learning and development, organization development, and career development.  Students will choose 12 hours of HRD courses among which may include:

  HRD 8110 Leading the Learning Organization
  HRD 8120 Intercultural Workplace Learning Leadership
  HRD 8200 Human Performance Improvement
  HRD 8450 HRD Learning Analytics
  HRD 8600 Instructional Materials Development
  HRD 8820 Knowledge Management for Improved Performance
  HRD 8900 Instrumentation for Human Performance
  HRD 8970 Applied Research and Development

  Athletic Leadership Concentration - The intercollegiate athletic option was developed to provide a unique opportunity for individuals wanting to pursue a career in intercollegiate athletics. Based upon the curriculum, the AL option substitutes four courses that focus on ethics, psychology, leadership and administration.  Students will choose 12 hours of AL courses among which may include:

  AL 8490 Athletic Leadership Development
  AL 8610 Athletic Leadership for Intercollegiate Administration
  AL 8620 Psychological Issues in Collegiate Athletics
  AL 8640 Ethical Issues in Collegiate Athletic Administration

  Learning Leadership Concentration - This option is for students interested in increasing the leadership capacity of individuals and organizations. Participants will: enhance their individual leadership skills and learn how different leadership styles can improve organizations; enact leadership across cultures; enhance leaders’ capacity to build engaged, effective, and productive teams; facilitate the leadership development of others; and, manage the learning and HRD functions in organizations. Students will choose 12 hours of HRD courses among which may include:

  HRD 8120 Intercultural Workplace Learning Leadership (3)
  HRD 8820 Knowledge Management for Improved Performance (3)
  HRD 8110Leading the Learning Organization (3)
  HRD 8700 Consulting for Education and Industry (3)
  HRD 8105 Foundations of Mentoring & Coaching (3)
  HRD 8970 Applied Research and Development (3)

  Organization Development, Innovation & Change Concentration
  HRD 8450 - HRD Learning Analytics
  HRD 8200 - Human Performance Improvement
  HRD 8900 - Instrumentation for Human Performance
  HRD 8970 - Applied Research and Development

  ** Students must complete all core courses before beginning concentration courses.

• Program Delivery

  Courses are offered in eight-week terms (excluding summers which are five-week terms). Taking one course at a time, students complete two courses each semester. Most students complete the program within five semesters.

  With the support of CU Online, Clemson uses the most advanced online technology to provide a rich, supportive, seamless learning environment. Courses will be asynchronous thus allowing students to access courses when and where they need. 

  While students have great flexibility in asynchronous learning, there are key deadlines in each course when learning modules must be completed. Students will be provided with timely support from instructors and technology personnel so that learning is maximized. 

  Canvas, a very user friendly learning management system, is used for all courses to guide the learning experiences. An orientation module will be provided before the start of the program to allow students to become comfortable with expectations and the technologies before classes formally start.

• Financial Information

  Tuition and Fees
  Explore information on tuition and fees using the Student Financial Services’ tuition and fee calculator (be sure to choose the ‘online’ tab at the top of the page).

  Financial Aid
  For information regarding Financial Aid, please contact the office of Student Financial Aid.

• Information Sessions & Calendar

  Review our College of Education Graduate Calendar to view upcoming events and information sessions.

  Graduate Event Calendar
• Find Out More

  For more information regarding the program or questions associated with applying to the program, please contact Ashley Vaughan at avaugha@clemson.edu.

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