Master of Human Resource Development

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Arkansas

Program Overview

The Master of Human Resource Development prepares professionals to become effective HRD practitioners, educators, managers, and organizational consultants across academic, public, and private sectors. This 30-credit, fully online, non-thesis program focuses on workforce development, career planning, organizational improvement, workplace learning, and strategic HR management.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Human Resource Development Foundations: Students build foundational knowledge through Foundations of Human Resource Development (HRDE 51103), Career Transitions (HRDE 51203), and Human Resource Development Diversity Issues (HRDE 51303). They also study Organizational Analysis (HRDE 52103) and Strategic Human Resource Development (HRDE 52203).

Year 2 – Strategic Development and Workplace Learning: Students advance their expertise through Human Resource Development Employment, Legal, and Ethical Issues (HRDE 52303), Facilitating Learning in the Workplace (HRDE 53103), International Human Resource Development (HRDE 53203), and Human Resource Development Technological Resources (HRDE 53303). They complete a capstone experience/comprehensive examination in their final semester.

Credits: 30 | Delivery: Fully online | Format: Non-thesis | Research requirement: 3 credits

Focus Areas

Strategic human resource development, career development, organizational analysis, workplace learning, training and development, diversity management, employment law, international HRD, educational technology.

Learning Outcomes

Develop HRD strategies, analyze organizational needs, design workplace learning programs, manage career development, improve employee performance, address workplace diversity, understand employment regulations, implement technology-based learning solutions.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The university does not specify a separate professional accreditation for the MHRD program. The curriculum emphasizes professional competencies in workforce development, organizational learning, training, and strategic HRD.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Employability: The university does not publish a program-specific employment rate or employability ranking for the MHRD degree.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The M.H.R.D. program at the University of Arkansas combines human resource development theory with practical applications in organizational and workplace settings. Students explore employee training, organizational needs assessment, career development and technology-supported learning. The fully online format allows students to apply concepts to professional environments while completing research-based coursework and a final capstone assessment.

Program-specific practical opportunities include:

Organizational Analysis: Develop skills in identifying organizational needs and evaluating workplace performance improvement opportunities.
Workplace Learning: Apply instructional methods, coaching, team-building and formal and informal employee learning strategies through HRDE 53103.
Training and Development: Explore training needs assessments, instructional design and employee development approaches.
Technology Integration: Evaluate technological resources and select appropriate tools to facilitate and manage workplace learning through HRDE 53303.
Research Experience: Complete Research Methods in Education (ESRM 50103), developing research knowledge relevant to educational and organizational settings.
Capstone Experience: Complete a Capstone Experience/Comprehensive Exam in the final academic semester to demonstrate mastery of the program.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Master of Human Resource Development can pursue professional opportunities as educators, managers and consultants across academic institutions, public organizations and private businesses. The program prepares students to improve workforce performance, develop employee training initiatives, manage organizational change and support career development.

Career Opportunities:

Human Resource Development Manager
Training and Development Specialist
Organizational Development Consultant
Career Development Specialist

University Career Support:

Career Counselling: The Offices of Career Connections provides career counselling appointments, including virtual services.
Resume and Interview Preparation: Students can access resume and cover letter reviews, mock interviews and professional development guidance.
Handshake: The university's career platform connects students and recent graduates with employers, job opportunities, internships and career events.
Career Fairs: Students can access career fairs, employer events and job-search assistance.

Employment Statistics and Salary: Program-specific graduate employment rates, placement percentages and salary figures are not published in the official program information.

University–Industry Partnerships: Specific industry partnership agreements or employer collaborations dedicated to the M.H.R.D. program are not mentioned in the official sources.

Long-term Accreditation Value: A specific professional accreditation for the M.H.R.D. is not stated. However, the degree develops competencies in strategic HRD, organizational development, employee training and workplace learning.

Graduation Outcomes: Students graduate after completing 30 credit hours, maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and passing the Capstone Experience/Comprehensive Exam in their final academic semester.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates interested in advanced academic study, research or leadership positions can consider the University of Arkansas's Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Human Resource Development. This 54-credit-hour online doctoral program develops advanced expertise in organizational development, leadership, research methods, program evaluation and workforce training. Students complete doctoral research and a dissertation, subject to the program's admission requirements, including an earned master's degree.