Drexel University Online

Drexel Online. A Better U.

Human Resource Master's Degree Online

Curriculum

The Master of Science in Human Resource Development is a unique two-year program, developed by faculty who are leading practitioners in their field. Their experience and knowledge of current trends and practices lends a customized aspect to every area of study, from core courses to the four areas of concentration that are offered with this program.

Through a successful blend of experiential-based learning, broad research, and in-depth academics, students graduate with the following outcome-oriented competencies and capabilities.

  • Formulate HRD strategies that attract, develop, and retain the best human capital and talent.
  • Design and implement workplace learning and performance interventions to achieve employee and organizational goals.
  • Develop effective consulting, coaching, and mentoring skills to sustain learning, performance, and chance in the workplace.
  • Lead strategic change initiatives and manage projects in any organizational setting.
  • Evaluate HRD programs and interventions to determine their quality, value, and effectiveness.

The program is 45 credit hours, consisting of 39 credits of coursework (30 core credits; 9 concentration credits) and a capstone course that includes a capstone project, resulting in a submission of a capstone research paper and final presentation, totaling six credits.

The program's core curriculum, comprising 30 credits, provides a comprehensive understanding of human resource development, from its foundations to the most successful workplace learning, performance, and change strategies.
*Please note:  The core courses listed below are not listed in the curricular sequence in which the courses are taken; consult the recommended plan of study.
 
*This page is currently under construction. Please note that EHRD 606, EHRD 607, and EHRD 608 are also required courses.

Core Courses — 30 credits
EDHE 660Principles of Adult Education3.00 credits
EDUC 804Study Edu Orgs & Progrms3.00 credits
EHRD 500Foundations of HRD3.00 credits
EHRD 600Consulting/Leadership Coaching3.00 credits
EHRD 601Leading and Evaluating Change3.00 credits
EHRD 602Coaching and Mentoring for Sustainable Learning3.00 credits
EHRD 603Performance Competencies3.00 credits
EHRD 604Development of Human Resources3.00 credits

Concentration Areas — 9 credits

Strategic Human Resources:
Students learn the essentials of organizational leadership, learning, and strategy creation in terms of designing and aligning HRD practices within the broader context of strategic human resources management.
EHRD 605Organizational Learning & Strategy3.00 credits
MGMT 640Strategic Human Resource Mgmt3.00 credits
ORGB 631Leading Effective Orgs3.00 credits

Evaluation & ROI:
Students develop critical competencies for evaluating the quality, value, and impact of HRD programs, interventions, and solutions. Focus is on evaluation models, frameworks, and processes, survey construction and other data collection methods, measuring HRD's impact and return-on-investment.
EDHE 682The Evaluation Process3.00 credits
EDHE 684Evaluation and Assessment in Practice3.00 credits

ISD & E-Learning:
Students learn instructional design and development fundamentals and a wide range of e-learning technologies associated with training and learning delivery and online education.
EDLT 550Introduction to Instructional Design3.00 credits
ELL 501Purpose/Business of E-Learning3.00 credits
ELL 502E-Learning Technologies3.00 credits

Project Management Concentration:
Students develop project management capabilities for application in a variety of fields. Coursework is aligned with the internationally recognized Project Management Institute's Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).
PROJ 501Intro to Project Management3.00 credits
PROJ 502Project Planning & Scheduling3.00 credits
PROJ 603Project Management Leadership3.00 credits

Capstone/Co-op Requirement — 6 credits
EHRD 715Capstone Co-op with Portfolio I1.50 credits
EHRD 716Capstone Co-op w/Portfolio II4.50 credits

Course Descriptions

EDHE 660 Principles of Adult Education - 3.00 credits

This course explores in-depth analysis of relevant theories relating to contemporary application of adult learner materials and methods. Many adult education theories and practices are explored to provide the participants with a broad understanding of andragogy (the art and science of teaching adults) and how it related to their field.

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EDUC 804 Study Edu Orgs & Progrms - 3.00 credits

Covers the differences between evaluation and other disciplines; how to design an evaluation framework to work with; transformations in evaluation; new methodological approaches, including performance measurement; and issues that evaluators must deal with.

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EHRD 500 Foundations of HRD - 3.00 credits

Introduces HRD as a professional field of practice, places HRD within the context of the contemporary workplace, presents theories, paradigms, and issues in the field; introduces the concept of a learning organization and the HRD practitioner as a change agent.

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EHRD 600 Consulting/Leadership Coaching - 3.00 credits

Prepares students to be effective consultants and coaches for management. Covers diagnostic and intervention strategies, interpersonal communications, negotiation/mediation skills, ethics, and measurements.

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EHRD 601 Leading and Evaluating Change - 3.00 credits

This course serves as introduction to the study and practice of organization development and change. Students will gain a broad understanding of the field including its philosophy, history, models, and techniques used in facilitating system-wide as well as incremental organizational change and improvement. Issues related to values, ethics, and organizational assessment and diagnosis are explored.

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EHRD 602 Coaching and Mentoring for Sustainable Learning - 3.00 credits

The purpose of this course is to develop leaders at executive levels into organizational mentors who help to sustain a learning culture in organizations. Using readings, written assignments, self-assessments, case studies, and group activities, students will learn specific skills & concepts of effective mentoring/coaching for building learning communities in organizations. The course will address how coaching and mentoring can be used as effective development initiatives for nurturing learners at all levels within organizations.

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EHRD 603 Performance Competencies - 3.00 credits

Using their own organization as a learning laboratory and a company sponsor/mentor, students will demonstrate 4 core competencies: 1) Technical Competencies (related to the technical aspects of training; 2) Business Competencies (related to the understanding of staffing principles and budgeting); 3) Intellectual Competencies (related to thinking and processing of information) and 4) Interpersonal Competencies (related to how we interact and communicate with others. Students will present a case study critiqued by instructor and company mentor.

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EHRD 604 Development of Human Resources - 3.00 credits

The purpose of this Advanced Seminar Course is to develop human resources in the organization. Students will learn ways to invest in the talents and expertise of people within a culture conducive to information and knowledge sharing of professional practices. Career development and succession planning will be studied and applied for future leadership practices.

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EHRD 605 Organizational Learning & Strategy - 3.00 credits

This course assists leaders at executive levels understand the need to align learning functions with strategic, organization goals; develop awareness and understanding of how organizations are designed and structured; and the implications of leading and managing learning organizations. Using a research-based model of organization theory, students will learn to build organizational cultures that support strategic alignment of learning by making learning relevant to businesses' daily workflow.

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MGMT 640 Strategic Human Resource Mgmt - 3.00 credits

This course examines how line managers can determine the most effective HR practices. HR practices examined include job designs, reward systems, development and appraisal systems, and internal and external staffing approaches. Students are encouraged to think strategically about different aspects of managing the organization's human assets.

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ORGB 631 Leading Effective Orgs - 3.00 credits

Prepares students to make informed decisions as leaders in common institutional and environmental contexts. The focus of the contingency-based perspective of this course is to help leaders understand how best to motivate and coordinate employees and to control outcomes in a manner that ensures they fulfill strategic objectives.

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EDHE 682 The Evaluation Process - 3.00 credits

This course provides the students with knowledge of the evaluation process. Students will learn about how to establish the goals for the evaluation, how to choose or develop various instruments, and identify data collection points. The course will also explore the various technologies and software to use in evaluation as well as what resources can be used to support the evaluation effort.

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EDHE 684 Evaluation and Assessment in Practice - 3.00 credits

Evaluation and Assessment in Practice covers important aspects of the development and execution of a program evaluation plan, including complying with ethical standards, collaborating with stakeholders, building a project management plan, and effectively communicating results.

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EDLT 550 Introduction to Instructional Design - 3.00 credits

Students examine the research and theory of instructional design models and formats in educational, corporate, and workplace settings. Students identify the interrelationships of context, technology and media resources, learner needs and goals, and learning and assessment strategies through case study analysis. Students design an action plan for a learning need.

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ELL 501 Purpose/Business of E-Learning - 3.00 credits

Examines the business side of e-learning. Explores historical, organizational and strategic issues associated with developing and delivering e-learning through a wide range of topics. Non-profit and profit models used for marketing and delivering e-learning products are examined and business practices, as they affect the success of e-learning enterprises, are examined.

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ELL 502 E-Learning Technologies - 3.00 credits

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the wide range of emerging e-learning technologies, a description of what is in store for the near future, and foundational elements for sound decision making regarding technological responses to well-defined learning problems.

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PROJ 501 Intro to Project Management - 3.00 credits

This course will prepare students to manage scheduling, supply management, project team recruiting, resource allocation, time/cost tradeoffs, risk assessment, task coordination, team-building, progress monitoring, and post-project assessment through a comprehensive overview of project management. Case studies are used to illustrate the principles and tools of project management as a process.

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PROJ 502 Project Planning & Scheduling - 3.00 credits

This course will prepare students to master concepts in project planning, scheduling and control. Project scheduling methods are covered including: critical path systems, critical chain scheduling, statistical analysis, Program Evaluation Review Technique, linear resource leveling, and legal ramifications on contracted projects.

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PROJ 603 Project Management Leadership - 3.00 credits

Examines the environments required for building and maintaining successful project management teams. Prepares and guides project managers to use human resources effectively and confidently through good management and wise leadership.

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EHRD 715 Capstone Co-op with Portfolio I - 1.50 credits

The School of Education has partnered with the Steinbright Center to provide a part-time co-op for working students for 2 terms. This is the first of a two course sequence. At the end of the co-op, students submit a portfolio and make a presentation on an Action Research Project or an Evaluation Project completed in the Capstone Co-op workplace setting.

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EHRD 716 Capstone Co-op w/Portfolio II - 4.50 credits

EHRD 716 is Part II of the Capstone Co-op Portfolio Project; a partnership provided by the School of Education and the Drexel Steinbright Center. This is the second course in a two course sequence. At the end of the co-op, students submit a portfolio and make a presentation on an Action Research Project or an Evaluation Project completed in the Capstone Co-op workplace setting.

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