Graduate Studies in Human Resource Development

Master of Science in HRD

The Master of Science in Human Resource Development degree is a generalist program that provides students with a comprehensive overview of the HR field. The courses provide a practical environment where students have the opportunity to perform many of the business activities that practitioners regularly encounter.

Students may choose to study the MS in HRD in either an online or an on campus format. Currently, students are not permitted to move between the two formats.

Curriculum

The Master of Science in HRD is a 36 credit program, of which 27 credits are required courses. Students take an additional 9 credits in electives. Some students are eligible to have the 6 credits of prerequisite courses waived (see below). Students must either complete or receive waivers for the two prerequisite courses (3 credits each) prior to beginning the MS in HRD program. All 3-credit courses are 8 weeks, and 1.5 credit courses are 4 weeks. Students also complete a capstone experience prior to graduating.

Click here to view the Graduate Studies Course Catalog for descriptions of courses.

Prerequisite Courses (3 credits each)

With 1 or more years of HR experience, students are eligible to waive the Intro to HR in the Business World course. With prior research writing experience, students are eligible to waive the Critical Evaluation and Research Writing course.

HRD 8101: Introduction to HR in the Business World
HRD 8102: Critical Evaluation & Research Writing

Total Credits of Prerequisite Courses: 6

Required Courses (3 credits each)

HRD 8419: Foundations of Strategic HR
HRD 8003: Financial & Human Capital
HRD 8215: Employment Law
HRD 8210: Strategic Workforce Planning
PSY 8475: Training & Development
PSY 8875: Organization Development
HRD 8006: HR Analytics

Total Credits of Required Courses: 21

Elective Courses (9 credits)

The HRD Department offers both 1.5-credit and 3-credit elective courses to complete 9 credits of electives. Not all electives are currently available online.

3-Credit Electives

HRD 8212: Total Rewards - Compensation
HRD 8213: Total Rewards - Benefits
HRD 8214: HR Technology
HRD 8421: Diversity in a Global Economy
PSY 8425: Organizational Behavior
HRD 8420: Strategic & Global HR Leadership
HRD 8007: Quantitative & Qualitative Research Methods (6-credit course/16 weeks)

1.5-Credit Electives (16 week course)

HRD 8007: Quantitative & Qualitative Research Methods

1.5-Credit Electives (4 week courses)

HRD 8345: Relational Capital
HRD 8303: Ethics
HRD 8899: Contemporary Special Topics in HR

Total Credits of Elective Courses: 9

Total Program: 36 credits

Admission Requirements

Bachelor's Degree from a regionally accredited college or university
3.0 or better undergraduate GPA
Resume
Statement of Goals
Academic writing sample*

Waivers
*Students may apply for a waiver of the HRD 8102: Critical Evaluation & Research Writing course by including an academic writing sample with their application.

Students may apply for a waiver of the HRD 8101: Intro to HR in the Business World if they have one or more years of HR experience.

Below a 3.0 Undergraduate GPA

Students with below a 3.0 undergraduate GPA are considered for admission based on work history, GRE/GMAT scores, or other demonstration of ability to handle graduate level work. Please contact the HRD office to discuss your individual situation.

Click here to apply to the online program, MS in HRD.

For campus applicants: Villanova is transitioning to a new application management system. Please check back after August 1 to begin an application in our new system. If you have not completed your application for Fall 2018, please contact the Graduate Studies Office at gradinformation@villanova.edu.