College of Education and Human Development

Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development

Human resource development MA

in Organizational Leadership, Policy and Development

Human resource development is a growing field focused on how workers manage internal knowledge creation and productive processes in their organizations, continuously grow and change, and develop leadership capabilities. This Human Resource Development (HRD) track program will help you gain valuable industry experience, learn key models and strategies in training and development, and prepare to enter into a number of research-focused fields and careers.

Benefits

M.A. students in Human Resource Development gain the capacity to:

  • Explore a variety of development approaches and options and make recommendations based on an organization’s goals.
  • Increase an organization’s or unit’s effectiveness through research-driven strategies and programs.
  • Prepare for a doctoral program or to work in training and development research.
  • Develop a deep understanding of the field and easily translate that understanding to skills and leadership for different industries and contexts.

Careers

  • Faculty at a 2-year community college
  • Director of learning
  • Manager of talent development

Coursework

M.A. students choose between Plan A and Plan B options. Plan A students register for thesis credits, write a master's thesis, and meet with their committee members for an oral defense of the thesis. Plan B students write a final examination paper that they submit to their committee members for review and approval.

    General aspects (3 credits)

    • OLPD 5801—Survey: Human Resource Development and Adult Education (3 cr)

    Program core (16 credits)

    Advisor can substitute courses as appropriate.

    • OLPD 5201—Strategies for Teaching Adults (3 cr)
    • OLPD 5605—Strategic Planning through Human Resources (3 cr)
    • OLPD 5607—Organization Development (3 cr)
    • OLPD 5615—Training and Development of Human Resources (3 cr)
    • OLPD 5696—Internship: Human Resource Development (4 cr required; no more than 6 credits count toward the program)

    Research (7 credits)

    • OLPD 5819—Evaluating and Using Research in Organizations and Education (3 cr)
    • OLPD 8815—Ethics and Responsible Research (1 cr)
    • Plus an 8xxx qualitative or quantitative research course (3 cr)

    Related fields

    The master’s degree requires at least 6 semester credits be taken outside the HRD program track that directly relate to the student’s area of study. Courses should be selected in consultation with the advisor and should constitute a solid coursework foundation for the student’s thesis. These courses may include additional methods courses taught outside the department.

    Electives

    Credits to total a minimum of 36 graduate-level coursework credits.

    Plan A: Thesis credits (10 credits)

    • OLPD 8777—Thesis Credits: Master's (10 cr)

    General aspects (3 credits)

    • OLPD 5801—Survey: Human Resource Development and Adult Education (3 cr)

    Program core (16 credits)

    Advisor can substitute courses as appropriate.

    • OLPD 5201—Strategies for Teaching Adults (3 cr)
    • OLPD 5605—Strategic Planning through Human Resources (3 cr)
    • OLPD 5607—Organization Development (3 cr)
    • OLPD 5615—Training and Development of Human Resources (3 cr)
    • OLPD 5696—Internship: Human Resource Development (4 cr required; no more than 6 credits count toward the program)

    Research (7 credits)

    • OLPD 5819—Evaluating and Using Research in Organizations and Education (3 cr)
    • OLPD 8815—Ethics and Responsible Research (1 cr)
    • Plus an 8xxx qualitative or quantitative research course (3 cr)

    Related fields

    The master’s degree requires at least 6 semester credits be taken outside the HRD program track that directly relate to the student’s area of study. Courses should be selected in consultation with the advisor and should constitute a solid coursework foundation for the student’s thesis. These courses may include additional methods courses taught outside the department.

    Electives

    Credits to total a minimum of 36 graduate-level coursework credits.

    Plan B: Project or paper (3-6 credits)

    Plan B project/paper is prepared under the guidance of advisor and committee - must represent no fewer than 120 hours of work.

    • OLPD 5893—Directed Study in OLPD (1-4 cr)

    How to apply

      Admission Deadline

      Applications are due by February 1 for a Fall semester start. Fall semester start only.

      Applicants may only apply to one OLPD track.

      Applications are not complete until ALL required materials and fees have been received. If anything is missing, your application may not be considered until the next review date the following year. It is strongly recommended to apply at least two weeks before any submission deadlines.

      Applications are processed by the Graduate School. A decision for admission notice will be emailed to you once your application is carefully reviewed by the department's admission committee and your transcripts and any credentials (test reports, diploma copies, etc.) are authenticated by Graduate School officials.
       

      Admission Requirements

      Degree: Bachelor's degree

      GPA: Undergraduate 3.0

      Note: Applicants should not submit GRE scores, as they will not be considered in the review process.

      TOEFL/IELTS Scores (Not required for U.S. students):

      • TOEFL: Internet based = 79 or above
        (21 writing/19 reading)
      • IELTS = 6.5

      Tuition and funding

      Tuition information: CEHD | OneStop

      Financial aid: CEHD | OneStop

      Readmission

      If a graduate student in an OLPD program has become inactive they must follow the readmission procedures.

      Whether you seek reactivation after accidentally being discontinued this term or want to return after a long absence these are the steps needed to re-apply.

      1. Complete the proper online readmission application.

        If you have been away from the program less than five years use the Express Readmission Application and email it to olpd@umn.edu. All others must submit the Online Application for Readmission
         
      2. Once received, the department will forward your application to the appropriate admissions committee. Readmission decisions are normally determined by the program’s admissions committee, not any one individual faculty member.

        Readmission is never guaranteed. Decisions for readmission are based on a review of previous progress toward degree completion, the proposed timeline for completion, the availability of faculty resources, and/or any additional application materials they may request from you. Individual programs/tracks reserve the right to readmit students under the current graduate program requirements, rules, and guidelines. They may also request an applicant to provide additional information prior to making a decision.
         
      3. Once the committee makes their recommendation, the department’s DGS will sign off on the decision and forward the result to the central Graduate Admissions Office for processing. Once processed, you will be notified of the decision.

      Individual department programs and tracks reserve the right to require readmitted students to retake coursework if they deem it appropriate. Readmitted students are also required to abide by current time-to-degree policies as determined by the University, which may differ from the policy in place when they first started the degree program.

      Individuals seeking readmission to the Ph.D., Ed.D., and M.A. program tracks in the former EDPA, WHRE, and WCFE majors can only reapply to the appropriate program track under the Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) major name.

      Questions?

      We’re here to help. Simply complete this form and a member of our department will be in touch.