Graduate Program - Program Overview

NOTE: For all students in the program the following will be required:
1. A total of 36 credit hours of study; .
2. Completion of the Departmental Comprehensive Examination. .

Your HRD Advisor's Role .
Once a student has enrolled in the program, the student will receive a letter . stating the name of their advisor. This letter also informs the student to contact their advisor to develop a plan of study (see Forms: Plan of Study).

Tuition Waiver Forms .
Tuition waiver forms will be available each semester. Forms are available in a. packet on the bulletin board outside the ELAD/HRD department office in CLS 4010 (also see Forms: Tuition Waiver). Tuition waivers are based on merit and contributions to the HRD program.

Other Program Requirements .
Students must meet a number of requirements prior to the end of the semester in. which they plan to graduate:
     1) Grades .
          * A GPA of at least 3.0 .
          * No more than 6 hours of "C" grades .
          * No grade less that a "C" may be counted toward the degree.
      2) Formal application for candicacy.   An "Application for Candidacy" form .
           can obtained from the Graduate College in CLS 4029. It should be filed
           once the student has completed 12 hours of graduate course work at NEIU
           with a GPA of 3.0 or above.
      3) Application for graduation.   An "Application for Graduation" can be .
           obtained from the Graduate College (CLS 4029). It should be filed during
       the semester in which the student plans to graduate. The dates that the
           form is available and when they should be complete dare listed in the
           "Schedule of Classes" which is published each semester.
       4) Pass a written comprehensive exam given at the beginning of each .
            semester. The exam should be taken during the semester in which the
       student plans to graduate. Applications for the exam should be completed
            the semester PRIOR to the semester the student plans to graduate.
            Applications can be obtained on the bulletin board outside of CLS 4010
            (also see Forms: Comprehensive Exam).

Graduate Courses
ELAD-HRD-400 Human Resource Development and the Organization, 3
credits. Study of the role of HRD in relation to the needs, purposes, structures and processes of organizations in order to maximize the effectiveness and value of HRD to the organization. Prerequisite: Admission to HRD MA. degree program or graduate standing and consent of instructor.

ELAD-HRD-401 The Adult Learner 1, 3 credits. An analysis of adult leaning theory and research in relation to practice in the field of training and human resource development, including study of how adults acquire and use knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Application of theory in varied adult learning situations will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and ELAD 40-HRD-400.

ELAD-HRD-402 Adult Learner II, 3 credits. in depth focus on individual difference characteristics of adults that affect learning. Consideration of such characteristics as motivation, learning styles, perception of self and others, culture, experiential background, memory/information processing, attribution, cognitive structures, and metacognition. Research paper required that includes application to HRD field. Prerequisite: ELAD-HRD-401.

ELAD-HRD-403 Presentation and Facilitation Strategies for HRD, 3 credits. Course is designed to provide students with both the theoretical and the application skills for presenting and facilitating instructional programs for both groups and individuals. Topics will include preparing for a presentation, audience analysis, use and design of visual aids, feedback, techniques for group facilitation, and dealing with difficult participants. The course will also deal with strategies for presenting recommendations for implementing and evaluating HRD programs. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and ELAD-HRD-400.

ELAD-HRD-405 Needs and Task Analysis In Human Resource Development, 3 credits. Defining gaps between desired and actual performance and specifying the cause of the gaps. Identifying and analyzing tasks and job content for the purpose of developing training designed to accomplish specific results in a job or organization. The design, development, and application of techniques and instruments to use in obtaining information on needs and tasks. Prerequisite/ corequisite: Graduate standing and ELAD-HRD-400.

ELAD-HRD-406 Instructional Design in Human Resource Development I, 3 credits. The process of preparing objectives, defining content, selecting and sequencing learning activities for specific training/education/development programs. Includes selection of methodology, including use of media and computer technology, critique and redesign of off-the-shelf materials, and evaluation. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and ELAD-HRD-401.

ELAD-HRD-407 Measurement and Evaluation in Human Resource Development, 3 credits. Determining the effectiveness of HRD learning programs and services. Making decisions on how, what, and when to measure and what standards to use in evaluation. The design, development, and application of techniques and instruments to use in obtaining measurement data. Cost/benefit analysis of the impact of HRD on the organization. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and ELAD-HRD-406.

ELAD-HRD-408 Instructional Design In Human Resource Development II, 3 credits. In this course, students study advanced instructional design techniques as they go through the process of assessing needs, designing and developing instruction, and developing both an assessment and an implementation plan for their training. Students develop an instructional program designed to meet client needs, giving them an opportunity to apply theories learned in earlier courses, as well as acquainting them with additional instructional strategies for developing an expanded instructional program. Prerequisite: ELAD-HRD-406.

ELAD-HRD-409 Television Production In Human Resource Development, 3 credits. This course will explore techniques of television production and utilization as they apply to the field of human resource development. Students will learn the principles of camera operation, lighting, composition, video and audio recording, video editing, field production, directing and scripting. The approach will be hands-on; students will write and produce video training materials using instructional design principles. Prerequisite: ELAD-HRD-382, 406 and consent of instructor.

ELAD-HRD-410 Administration of Human Resource Development Programs, 3 credits. Development and monitoring of Human Resource Development programs that are consistent with the organization's present and future needs. Preparation of long-range plans for the HRD function in an organization and articulation of viewpoints and services to management. Study of how successful HRD practices work in selected organizations. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and ELAD-HRD-405.

ELAD-HRD-411 Consulting In Human Resource Development, 3 credits. This course examines the roles of both internal and external consultants within an organization as they analyze both training and non-training interventions to improve performance. Students work with case studies to examine various aspects of the consulting process. Topics covered include client-consultant relationships, diagnosing organizational situations, developing contracts, marketing your services, etc. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and ELAD-HRD-406 or consent of instructor.

ELAD-HRD-412 Project Management In Human Resource Development, 3 credits. Study of the principles of project management as they relate to the development of HRD programs. Application of the principles to HRD projects that are both in the planning stage and in progress will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and ELAD-HRD-405.

ELAD-HRD-413 Independent Study in Human Resource Development, 3 credits. In-depth study of special areas in human resource development. Prerequisite: 12 hours of graduate study in HRD and consent of instructor.

ELAD-HRD-415 Seminar In Human Resource Development, 3 credits. The seminar will be taken concurrently with Practicum in Human Resource Development I. The objective is to synthesize what has been learned in the classes and apply this learning to on-site problems for which the students are asked to develop training solutions. Prerequisite: Master's degree candidacy in HRD, completion of ELAD-HRD-400, 401,403, 405, 406, 407, and written consent of advisor.

ELAD-HRD-416 Practicum in Human Resource Development I, 3credits. Students will do a supervised practicum either in the organization in which they are presently working or in an appropriate site approved by program faculty. While participating in the practicum, the students will be involved in a specified sequence of HRD activities that will include participation in the design and presentation of a training program. Prerequisite: Master's degree candidacy in HRD, completion of ELADHRD-400, 401,403, 405. 406, 407, and written consent of advisor.

ELAD-HRD-417 Practicum In Human Resource Development II, 3 credits. See description of Practicum in HRD I. Students have the option of taking additional practicum hours if the field setting provides an opportunity to design and present a training program that is more involved and will require an extended time commitment. Practicum in HRD I and Practicum in HRD II can be taken during the same term if it can be clearly established that the student will have time for an extended Commitment. Prerequisite: Master's degree candidacy in Human Resource Development, completion of ELAD-HRD-400, 401, 403, 405, 406, 407, and written consent of program advisor.

ELAD-HRD-418 Topical Seminar In Human Resource Development, 3 credits. Advanced study and application of the concepts and principles that are the basis for specific areas in the Human Resource Development field. Consult the Schedule of Classes for specific topics. Prerequisite: graduate standing; six hours of graduate study in HRD or consent of instructor.

ELAD-HRD-419 Project in Human Resource Development, 3 credits. Students prepare a project that involves the application and/or extension of the knowledge and skills developed in the courses that they have completed. The project may be in the form of an instructional program or a paper on a specific aspect of Human Resource Development. Prerequisite: Master's degree candidacy in Human Resource Development and approval of advisor.

ELAD-HRD-420 Thesis Seminar in Human Resource Development, 3credits. Guidance of students conducting research and writing a thesis to fulfill the requirements of the program, Master of Arts in Human Resource Development. Prerequisite: Master's degree candidacy in Human Resource Development and invitation by program advisor.

ELAD-HRD-462 Instructional Strategies in Human Resource Development, 3 credits. This course will explore various strategies that can be used to facilitate learning in a variety of situations. Strategies such as advance organizers, concept mapping, imagery, etc. will be studied in terms of their advantages, limitations, and applications. The course will explore different types of learning, such as declarative knowledge, concepts, motor skills, etc. The different types of learning will be studied in terms of their characteristics and the implications those characteristics have for selecting and using instructional strategies. Prerequisite: Master's degree candidacy in Human Resource Development and invitation by program advisor.

ELAD-HRD-490 Multimedia: Application and Design, 3 credits. This course presents an overview of varied aspects of multimedia as used in the HRD field. Course content blends theory and application as students learn the basic elements of instruction, interaction, and the impact of technology on instruction. Students use an authoring program to design instruction which meets criteria for effective teaching/learning. Students will use multimedia as a vehicle for research and communication through e-mail and Internet access. Prerequisite: Master's degree candidacy in Human Resource Development and invitation by program advisor.

Requirements for a Master's Degree in HRD