Overview

“Attending Villanova for my master’s degree (in HRD) was one of the best professional decisions I ever made. I found the program rigorous and rewarding. The faculty offered current and comprehensive industry knowledge. The core curriculum was grounded in the business of human resources; the electives were varied and relevant. The course designs complemented the subject matter, and there was an appropriate balance of individual and group projects. The support of both faculty and students contributed to my success in the program. I highly recommend Villanova’s (HRD) Program.”

Mary Gill
Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins

The MS in HRD is based on generalist preparation, emphasizing strategic planning, statistics, employment, training, and organizational development. The program is ideal for students pursuing jobs in corporate human resource departments or in human resource consulting firms.

• Total Credits Required: 33*
  (*30 credits if eligible for Internship Waiver)
• Average Credits per Course: 3
• Total Courses Required: 10-11
• HR/IR Courses Required: 6
• Average Time for Completion: 1 1⁄2 -2 years full-time; 3-4 years part-time.
• Maximum Time Allowed for Completion: 6 years

Final Program Requirements

The Dean of Graduate Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences requires that all graduate programs either:

• require a thesis or,
• administer a comprehensive exam as a capstone for each program

The HRD program offers students two comprehensive examination options for meeting this requirement. One must be taken and passed in order to graduate.

Two comprehensive exam options

1. The traditional essay format comprehensive exam. This exam covers three primary areas: Statistics, Financial Management, and Human Resources. Students are given questions from which they select one - three to answer (depending on area). The questions are broad-based, covering situational events which occur in Human Resources. Exams are graded by multiple reviewers on a letter grade basis.
2. The standardized Professional in Human Resources (PHR) exam or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), developed by the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) and administered by ASI. Those students who present evidence of having passed either the PHR exam or the SPHR exam will be considered to have passed the comprehensive examination required for the MS degree in Human Resource Development (HRD). You may request materials on the PHR/SPHR or to register for it online. If you have received notice that you have passed either the PHR/SPHR, make sure the HRD Office has a copy of this notice. You may fax it to us at (610) 519-5826.

View the details for the PHR and the SPHR to see which exam is right for you.

Graduation

When you expect to graduate, you must download and submit an application to graduate within the first month of your final semester. You may complete this form on-line, print and submit by fax to the Graduate Studies Office, at (610) 519-7096. Note: A copy of this form should also be faxed to Patricia Russell, HRD Program Coordinator at (610) 519-5826.