MASTER'S IN HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT CURRICULUM
LEARN. LEAD. LEVEL UP.
The Master of Science in HRD is a 36 credit program, of which 28.5 credits are required courses. Students take an additional 7.5 credits in electives. Some students are eligible to have the 3 credits of prerequisite courses waived (see below). All 3-credit courses are 8 weeks, and 1.5-credit courses are 4 weeks.
Course Scheduling
Our classes are scheduled in the evenings and are convenient for those working full time. On campus classes are scheduled from either 5:20 - 7:20 p.m. or 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. ET. Online courses are all scheduled from 8:30-10:30 p.m. ET. All 3-credit on campus and online classes are scheduled once per week, Monday-Thursday, and run for 8 weeks at a time; 1.5-credit electives run for 4 weeks.
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
Required Courses (28.5 credits)
- HRD 8101: Introduction to HR and Organizational Dynamics*
- HRD 8100: Evidence-Based HR Primer (1.5 credits)
- HRD 8419: Foundations of Strategic HR
- HRD 8003: Financial & Human Capital
- HRD 8215: Employment Law
- HRD 8210: Strategic Workforce Planning
- PSY 8475: Learning and Development
- PSY 8875: Organization Development
- HRD 8006: People Analytics
- HRD 8888: HRD Capstone: Leading HRD
*Students with three years of direct HR experience, or five years of professional organizational experience or an eligible HR certification (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, GPHR) are eligible to waive the Intro to HR and Organizational Dynamics course.
Elective Courses (7.5 credits)
The HRD Department offers both 1.5-credit and 3-credit elective courses to complete 7.5 credits of electives. Not all electives are currently available on campus
3-Credit Electives:
- HRD 8212: Total Rewards - Compensation
- HRD 8213: Total Rewards - Benefits
- HRD 8421: Diversity in a Global Economy
- PSY 8425: Organizational Behavior
- HRD 8420: Strategic and Global HR Leadership
- HRD 8499: Special Issues in HRD
1.5-Credit Electives (4-week courses):
- HRD 8345: Relational Capital
- HRD 8330: Ethics
- HRD 8304: Emotional Intelligence
- HRD 8305: Cult Comp, Equity and Social Justice
- HRD 8306: Measuring Inclusion & Diversity Initiatives and Effectiveness
- HRD 8307: Work, Family and Career Considerations
- HRD 8899: Contemporary Special Topics in HR
ACADEMIC CALENDARS
| Oct. 27 2025 | Registration for Spring I 2026 begins. |
| Jan. 12 | Classes begin |
| Jan. 18 | Last day for changes in registration status (drops, adds). Refer to Refund policy. |
| Jan. 19 | Withdrawal period begins (75% refund) |
| Jan. 20 | Comprehensive examination applications due to the department. |
| Jan. 25 | Last day for 75% refund (No refund after this date) |
| Feb. 1 | May Graduation Deadline - Last day to apply in the myNOVA portal for May graduation. Late fee applies after this date. |
| Feb. 22 | Last Day for Authorized Withdrawal without Academic Penalty (WX). Refer to Refund policy. |
| Mar. 8 | Last day of classes. |
| TBD | Registration for Summer 2026 begins |
| Mar. 11 | Grades due at 12 p.m. |
| Mar. 14 | Written Comprehensive Exam (Recommended) |
| TBD | Registration begins for Fall 2026 |
| May 19-20 | Commencement |
| June 26 | Last day for submission of work to remove incomplete ("N") grade. |
| July 10 | Last day for "N" grade conversion of final grade. Grade change forms must be submitted to registrar before 5 p.m. |
| Oct. 27 2025 | Registration for Spring I 2026 begins. |
| Jan. 12 | Classes begin |
| Jan. 18 | Last day for changes in registration status (drops, adds). Refer to Refund policy. |
| Jan. 19 | Withdrawal period begins (75% refund) |
| Jan. 20 | Comprehensive examination applications due to the department. |
| Jan. 25 | Last day for 75% refund (No refund after this date) |
| Feb. 1 | May Graduation Deadline - Last day to apply in the myNOVA portal for May graduation. Late fee applies after this date. |
| Feb. 22 | Last Day for Authorized Withdrawal without Academic Penalty (WX). Refer to Refund policy. |
| Mar. 8 | Last day of classes. |
| TBD | Registration for Summer 2026 begins |
| Mar. 11 | Grades due at 12 p.m. |
| Mar. 14 | Written Comprehensive Exam (Recommended) |
| TBD | Registration begins for Fall 2026 |
| May 19-20 | Commencement |
| June 26 | Last day for submission of work to remove incomplete ("N") grade. |
| July 10 | Last day for "N" grade conversion of final grade. Grade change forms must be submitted to registrar before 5 p.m. |
Find the full academic calendar here.