Program Website: http://www.clemson.edu/mhrd/

Introduction

The Human Resource Development (HRD) field is a specialized blend of education anchored in systems, economic and psychological theory and focused on the improvement of human and organizational performance. The Master of Human Resource Development (MRHD) degree program at Clemson University is designed to prepare problem solvers who are equipped to foster critical and creative thinking on a variety of performance issues in business, industry and the public sector.

HRD specialists commonly help organizations or people identify performance gaps between current and desired performance and then develop and deliver appropriate interventions. The MHRD program is designed to enhance a variety of activities found within modern organizations. Designed for in-career professionals, program participants come from many different fields and disciplines. Prior experience or coursework in HRD is not required; however, work experience is highly preferred.

The MRHD program is designed to meet the educational needs of practitioners, and for this reason, it is taught by practitioners’ use of the latest Internet technologies to create an interactive environment that meets the needs of busy professionals wanting to update their skills and abilities to improve human and organizational performance.

Program of Study
The core content of the program was developed around the competencies identified by the International Society for Performance Improvement and the American Society for Training and Development as essential for effective leadership in the areas of human performance improvement. If admitted into the program, you must successfully complete a 36-semester hour program comprised of 12 required courses.

First Year Courses
HRD 830 Concepts of HRD
HRD 820 Human Performance
HRD 847 Instructional Systems Design
HRD 880 Research Concepts and Skills
HRD 890 HPI Instrumentation
HRD 870 Consulting for Education and Industry

Second Year Courses
HRD 845 Needs Assessment for Education and Industry
HRD 860 Instructional Materials Development
HRD 849 Evaluation of Training and Development
HRD 897 Applied Research and Development
HRD 825 Organizational Performance Improvement
HRD 882 Knowledge Mgt. for Improved Performance

Meeting Current and Future Needs
As business continues to evolve from manufacturing to a knowledge-based economy, and as focus changes from a local to a global perspective, challenging new issues are identified. Unlike the manufacturing processes of the past where jobs could be broken down into clearly identified steps, today’s leaders and managers have to rely on employees to develop and implement effective solutions as problems are encountered.

Today we must develop not just a competent workforce but one capable of performing in a constantly changing environment, and one able to respond to and resolve new challenges through the use of effective and efficient problem solving skills. For this reason, one of the major goals of this program is to provide a framework that includes creative and critical problem solving skills accompanied by an appreciation for
diversity and ethics in order to develop a more humanistic process for improving workplace performance.

Facts About the Profession
Fact: Based upon Bureau of Labor Statistics for the period 2002 to 2012, training and development specialists will be among the top 20 hottest career fields. For more information see the March 21st, 2005 issue of Fortune magazine.

Fact: On average, HRD/HPI professionals with a bachelor’s degree earn $45,760 while HRD specialists with a master’s degree earn $54,964.

Fact: In May of 2004 the median salary for training and development managers was $67,460. The middle 50% earned between $49,060 and $91,020. Between now and the year 2014, the profession is expected to grow 18-26%.

Fact: Clemson University is a top-ranked doctoral granting research university and a Phi Beta Kappa institution. Kiplinger magazine ranked Clemson as one of the best values in higher education among public institutions.

Student Outcomes
Graduates of the program are employed in a broad spectrum of organizations including manufacturing, transportation, health, financial, social services, non-profit, government, education and the military. Graduates are prepared to perform a variety of human resource development and human performance improvement functions.

Graduates of the MHRD program are currently working for international, national and regional companies that include Sperion, BMW, Sealed Air/Cryovac, Milliken, Michelin, Marriott, Price Waterhouse, ZF Lemforder, Bosch, Duke Energy, New South Communications, Torrington, Square D, Schlumberger, Compact Air Products, US Engine Valve and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Financial Aid
Fellowships and assistantships are administered by the colleges or departments, and applicants should contact the department for more details. The Federal Stafford Loan is the only form of federal aid available to you through Clemson University’s Financial Aid Office. For additional information on graduate financial aid, you should visit http://virtual.clemson.edu/groups/finaid/graduate.htm.

Cost of Study
Tuition is $495 per semester. No additional costs are charged for students who live or are transferred to other sections of the country or the world.

Faculty
Faculty who teach in the program are active in professional organizations, commissions and committees serving at the state, regional, national and international levels. In addition to holding the doctoral degree in their respective disciplines, both full-time and adjunct faculty, on average, have 10 or more years of experience as practitioners.

Technology Requirements
You need access to email and the Internet, and you need to have the ability to read a CD-ROM or DVD. You also need current versions of your operating system, word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software. Since these courses involve sending and receiving large files of information, you will need a computer, web cam, microphone and DSL or other high-speed internet connection.

To be successful, you will need to allocate sufficient time in your schedule to access course materials, participate in online classes and discussion groups and to complete all assignments as described in the syllabus for each course. All testing will be conducted online. Because the MHRD is a rigorous program with a highly selective and limited enrollment, you must be prepared to allocate six to eight hours a week for each of the courses you take.

If you are accepted into the program, you are highly advised to have a mentor, one or two levels above your current position in the organization to serve as an advisor and advocate.

What Our Students and Graduates Say about the Program
“Who would think that after more than 20 years of completing my undergraduate work, I would consider going back into the class room? With a family and all of the extracurricular activities that go along with three children and a career where I travel two, maybe three days a week; I knew I would never be able to find the time to fit post-graduate work into my schedule. Then I learned about Clemson University’s HRD master’s degree program. This program is designed for people just like me! With classes that are online and in the evenings, this fits
my schedule perfectly. I can even attend my classes while I am on the road. The curriculum fully represents the methodology used in my consulting position. I recommend this program to anyone looking to make a career change or to enhance their current expertise.”

L. Eric Nelson
Management Consultant
YMCA of the USA


“Clemson’s MHRD program is great! It’s exactly what I was looking for because I love working with people, solving problems and managing projects, which is what this program is all about. Despite hectic personal and work schedules, the flexibility of the online program allows me the opportunity to get a quality education from a top-ranked school like Clemson. As an active duty Air Force Officer, I travel quite a bit and move fairly often, so the online format keeps me from missing classes and allows me to start and finish the program without the worry of finding classes to transfer back to the program, or even worse, having to start a new program at a new school. If this program did not exist, I would not have been able to work on a degree with my current schedule. I definitely recommend this program for anyone looking for a high quality degree with a need for flexibility.”

Captain Anthony Bryant
US Air Force


"Clemson’s MHRD program was exactly what I was looking for when I decided to return to graduate school after 16 years. I had been looking for a program that offered more than the “touchy feely” philosophical approach and administrative HR duties courses and Clemson’s curriculum provides updated skills, web-based instructional design and performance improvement methodologies that are necessary to be competitive in today’s real world. My fellow students were a culturally diverse group, with an age range from 22 years to 52 years, employed, unemployed and never employed! Class participation was great and the variables the student demographics provided sourced very interesting and sometimes heated discussions! The professors were experts in their fields, had experience in the real world outside of academia, and each had a good sense of humor; plus, they were always willing to help, direct and assist. What could be better? The program reinforced what I already knew, provided me with new knowledge and skills to support my career transitioning and rejuvenated my learning interests! Also, the professors aren’t ‘flat leavers’: they remain a resource to students who wish to continue to communicate after graduation. Clemson’s MHRD program is well worth the investment of time and money; it’s the best investment in myself I have made in a long time!”

Barbara A. Cromar
Performance Improvement Consultant

How to Apply

In order to apply to the MHRD program at Clemson University, you must:

• complete the application packet available from the Graduate School at www.grad.clemson.edu/p_apply.html. Applications, along with a $50 nonrefundable fee, should be received no later than five weeks prior to registration. Every required item in support of the application must be on file by that date. The application packet must include the application, official transcripts, an application letter detailing your professional goals, a resume describing your education and work history and two letters of reference
• have a baccalaureate degree with a preferred minimum GPA of 3.0
• submit acceptable GRE scores (For more information on taking the GRE General Test go to www.GRE.org.)
• have three or more years of relevant, full-time (preferred) work experience. (If you have five or more years of full-time work experience, you may request that the GRE requirement be waived.)
• complete the online Keirsey™ Temperament Sorter®-II and Campbell™ Interest and Skill Survey®. To take these online assessments, go to www.keirseycampbell.com and click on “Purchase Here.” Use the promotion code (CLEMS0323) to have your scores for both assessments sent to the MHRD admissions committee at Clemson University. A nominal fee is charged by the company that provides these assessments.

For More Information

Dr. Philip McGee, EdD
MHRD Program Coordinator
Clemson University
University Center Greenville
PO Box 5616
225 S. Pleasantburg Drive
Greenville, SC 29606-5616
Telephone: (864) 250-6710
Email: pmcgee@clemson.edu
Web:clemson.edu/mhrd