Human resource development MA
in Organizational Leadership, Policy and DevelopmentHuman 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
GRE: 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
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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
Detailed application instructions
Click here to access the online application for admission.
Required fields in the application for admission are: Personal Information, Application Information, Educational Background, Languages, Awards & Activities, Employment/Residence Information, Financial Support, Applicant Statements #1 & #2, Recommendation Letters (limit 2), and Resume or CV. All other fields or application materials are optional, but will be taken into consideration if submitted.
Fees:
Review information about application fees here.
Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts or academic records should be uploaded directly to the online application. Please do not mail in paper copies of your transcripts, there is no need for official transcripts or academic records for initial review. If you are admitted, the University will then request official copies of this material. Click here for more information about transcripts and credentials.
GRE scores are not only not required, they are not considered for applications to this program.
Statement #1, Personal Statement (required): Please provide a statement outlining your immediate educational and long-range career objectives in relation to your chosen field. If there is a particular faculty member with whom you wish to study, please give that person’s name and explain why you want to study with that person. You may also wish to include other information, such as any undergraduate research experience, internships, or other experiences you may have had to document your preparation for advanced study in your chosen field. If you are applying for the Ph.D.—CIDE/Leadership for
Intercultural and International Education (LIIE) or the Ph.D—EPL/Executive cohort programs, indicate this in your statement as well. [Please do not exceed two pages.]
Statement #2, Diversity Statement (required): Enrolling and graduating a diverse student body is central to the University of Minnesota’s mission. Please write a statement that identifies the distinctive qualities, characteristics, and life experiences you would contribute to your graduate program and to the education of fellow students at the University of Minnesota. You may wish to include examples that address your contribution to the diversity of the student body and illustrate your motivation to succeed by setting high standards for accomplishing intellectual and other goals, overcoming obstacles to achievement, and/or helping others to gain access to the resources necessary for success. [Please do not exceed one page.]
Statement #3: Extenuating Circumstances (optional): If your grades and/or test scores are not strong, and you would like to provide an explanation, please do so. [Limit 1200 characters.]
Two letters of recommendation (required). The strongest recommendations typically come from current or former professors who can assess your potential for graduate work. Other recommenders, such as employers, are also acceptable.
English Language Test Scores (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.) Click here for more information about TOEFL Scores.
Common Ground Consortium Fellowship: If you wish to be considered for a Common Ground Consortium fellowship for African-American students indicate this by uploading your statement in the "Program Supplementary Information -Upload #1" section. The statement should briefly address the following: Given that the UMN is a public land grant institution, it is imperative that CGC scholars can both benefit personally from their membership in the program as well as further the university’s founding mission to contribute to scholarship that benefits the local and greater communities. Please describe how your participation as a CGC scholar would do the following: (a) enhance your graduate student experience, (b) prepare you for your chosen career, and (c) benefit the public.
Questions?
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