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Graduate Studies in Human Resource Development

Certificates in Human Resources Development

certificates

HRD is excited to offer four concentration certificates that can be earned independently or in conjunction with the Master's program.

Each certificate in HR requires 15 credits, all of which are directly transferable to the MS in HRD, if students should decide to complete the MS degree. Each certificate is tailored to important areas in the HR field so that students can become experts. Additionally, the certificate options can be used within the Master's Degree to develop a specialization and to tailor the students' education to their interests and career goals. 

Prior to beginning any of the HRD certificate programs, students must complete or receive waivers for two prerequisite courses: HRD 8101 and HRD 8102. Students with a year or more of HR experience are eligible to waive HRD 8101: Introduction to HR in the Business World.  Students with prior research writing experience are eligible to waive HRD 8102: Critical Evaluation and Research Writing.

In accordance with Villanova policy, no course may be triple counted toward a third credential in any program.

Villanova graduate student in Human Resource Development works in the library

Inclusion & Diversity Strategy Certificate

The courses in the Inclusion & Diversity Strategy Certificate will prepare students to support and lead strategic inclusion and diversity efforts in a variety of organizational settings.

The courses in the Inclusion & Diversity Strategy Certificate will prepare students to support and lead strategic inclusion and diversity efforts in a variety of organizational settings. All courses taken in the certificate are directly transferable to the MS in HRD, if students should decide to complete the MS degree.

Curriculum

The Inclusion & Diversity Strategy Certificate is comprised of 15 credits. See below for the breakdown of credits that must be completed.

Required Courses

  • HRD 8419: Foundations of Strategic Human Resources (3 credits)
  • PSY 8875: Organization Development (3 credits)
  • HRD 8421: Diversity in a Global Economy (3 credits)
  • HRD 8304: Emotional Intelligence (1.5 credits)
  • HRD 8305: Cultural Competence, Equity, & Social Justice (1.5 credits)
  • HRD 8306: Measuring I&D Initiatives and Effectiveness (1.5 credits)
  • HRD 8307: Work, Family, and Career Considerations (1.5 credits)

Total Program: 15 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.

Students who are seeking a certificate but are NOT enrolling into the full MS program are required to have 1 year of HR experience and demonstrate graduate/research writing ability in order to waive the pre-requisite courses (HRD 8101 & HRD 8102). Otherwise, students must complete HRD 8101 & HRD 8102.

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.

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HR Business Partner Certificate

The HR Business Partner Certificate will provide students with a strong foundation in the major human resources functions which integrate to support the overall objectives of the business.

The HR Business Partner Certificate will provide students with a strong foundation in the major human resources functions which integrate to support the overall objectives of the business. All courses taken in the certificate are directly transferable to the MS in HRD, if students should decide to complete the MS degree.

Curriculum

The HR Business Partner certificate is comprised of 15 credits. See below for the breakdown of credits that must be completed.

Required Courses

(3 courses, 3 credits each = 9 credits)

  • HRD 8419: Foundations of Strategic HR
  • HRD 8003: Financial and Human Capital
  • HRD 8215: Employment Law

Elective Courses
(2 courses, 3 credits each = 6 credits)

Students must select two of the following courses.

  • PSY 8475: Training & Development
  • HRD 8212: Total Rewards: Compensation
  • HRD 8213: Total Rewards: Benefits

Total Program: 15 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.

Students who are seeking a certificate but are NOT enrolling into the full MS program are required to have 1 year of HR experience and demonstrate graduate/research writing ability in order to waive the pre-requisite courses (HRD 8101 & HRD 8102). Otherwise, students must complete HRD 8101 & HRD 8102.

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.

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HR Leadership Certificate

The HR Leadership Certificate is designed for HR professionals who will assume leadership roles in their organization. The courses in this certificate focus on aligning the human resource strategy with the strategic organizational objective. 

The HR Leadership Certificate is designed for HR professionals who will assume leadership roles in their organization. The courses in this certificate focus on aligning the human resource strategy with the strategic organizational objective. All courses taken in the certificate are directly transferable to the MS in HRD, if students should decide to complete the MS degree.

Curriculum

The HR Leadership certificate is comprised of 15 credits. See below for the breakdown of credits that must be completed.

Required Courses

  • PSY 8875: Organization Development (3 credits)
  • HRD 8003: Financial & Human Capital (3 credits)
  • HRD 8420: Strategic & Global HR Leadership (3 credits)
  • HRD 8421: Diversity in a Global Economy (3 credits)
  • HRD 8303: Ethics (1.5 credits)
  • HRD 8345: Relational Capital (1.5 credits)

Total Program: 15 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.

Students who are seeking a certificate but are NOT enrolling into the full MS program are required to have 1 year of HR experience and demonstrate graduate/research writing ability in order to waive the pre-requisite courses (HRD 8101 & HRD 8102). Otherwise, students must complete HRD 8101 & HRD 8102.

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.

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Organization Development Certificate

The certificate in Organization Development will prepare students to evaluate overrall organization effectiveness and lead planned change initiatives in their organization resulting in positive organization change. 

The certificate in Organization Development will prepare students to evaluate overall organization effectiveness and lead planned change initiatives in their organization resulting in positive organization change. All courses taken in the certificate are directly transferable to the MS in HRD, if students should decide to complete the MS degree.

Curriculum

The Organization Leadership certificate is comprised of 15 credits. See below for the breakdown of credits that must be completed.

Required Courses
(5 courses, 3 credits each = 15 credits)

  • PSY 8875: Organization Development
  • HRD 8210: Strategic Workforce Planning
  • PSY 8475: Training & Development
  • HRD 8421: Diversity in a Global Economy
  • PSY 8425: Organizational Behavior

Total Program: 15 credit

 

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.

Students who are seeking a certificate but are NOT enrolling into the full MS program are required to have 1 year of HR experience and demonstrate graduate/research writing ability in order to waive the pre-requisite courses (HRD 8101 & HRD 8102). Otherwise, students must complete HRD 8101 & HRD 8102.

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.

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People Analytics & Research Certificate

The courses in the People Analytics & Research Certificate will lead students to the use of evidence-based analysis through the understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods that will inform strategic business decisions. 

The courses in the People Analytics & Research Certificate will lead students to the use of evidence-based analysis through the understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods that will inform strategic business decisions. All courses taken in the certificate are directly transferable to the MS in HRD, if students should decide to complete the MS degree.

Curriculum

The People Analytics & Research certificate is comprised of 15 credits. See below for the breakdown of credits that must be completed.

Required Courses

  • HRD 8006: People Analytics (3 credits)
  • PSY 8875: Organization Development (3 credits)
  • HRD 8008: Quantitative & Qualitative Research Methods (6 credits)
  • HRD 8214: HR Technology (3 credits)

Total Program: 15 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.

Students who are seeking a certificate but are NOT enrolling into the full MS program are required to have 1 year of HR experience and demonstrate graduate/research writing ability in order to waive the pre-requisite courses (HRD 8101 & HRD 8102). Otherwise, students must complete HRD 8101 & HRD 8102.

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.

             

Certificate Policies and Procedures

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Certificate Intent Form

Any current HRD student interested in pursuing any of the 4 Certificates must complete and submit the Certificate Intent Form (below) for review by the Department. 

  1. Download the Certificate Intent Form and save locally
  2. Complete required sections
  3. Submit for review to the Graduate Program in HRD

Intent forms must be filed at least one semester before the student intends to graduate. Submission deadlines coincides with the Graduation Application Deadline for each term as follows:

    Summer Graduates: June 15

    Fall Graduates: September 15

    Spring Graduates: January 31

 

 

* Certificate Intent Form.pdf
Certificate Intent Form
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