Human Resource Development, B.S.

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Requirements for the major in human resource development, B.S. program

The curriculum described shall be followed by students admitted to pre-HRD status. Admission to pre-HRD status requires a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or better. Students admitted to Oakland University pre-HRD status prior to fall 2010 may choose to satisfy either the degree requirements listed in this catalog or those in the catalog of the academic year in which they were initially admitted to Oakland University pre-HRD status (or any catalog during the interim), provided that catalog is not more than six years old at the time of graduation. Students who transfer to the School of Education and Human Services after admission to the university or who are readmitted to the university are required to follow the requirements of the catalog in effect at the time they transfer or are readmitted.

To earn a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in human resource development, students must:

Complete a minimum total of 124 credits.
Complete at least 32 credits in courses at the 300 level or above at Oakland University.
Take the last 8 credits needed to complete the baccalaureate degree requirements at Oakland University.
Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50.
Satisfy the writing requirement (see Undergraduate degree requirements).
Complete the university general education requirement with a minimum total of 40 credits (see Undergraduate degree requirements).
Satisfy the university U.S. diversity requirement (
HRD 367
in the HRD major satisfies this requirement).
Complete the human resource development core (32 credits), human resource development focus area courses (32 credits), internship or alternative (8 credits), and general electives (12 credits) with a minimum grade of 2.8 in each HRD required course.

Required courses for the bachelor of science degree in human resource development

The program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in human resource development includes the following HRD courses, electives and internship.

A. HRD Core Courses – 32 credits

Core courses introduce important theoretical constructs and tool skills for pursuing a major in human resource development. Students must earn a minimum grade of 2.8 in each of the following core courses:

HRD 303 - Ethics in Human Resource Development (4)
HRD 306 - Introduction to Human Resource Development (4)
HRD 309 - Technology Applications in HRD (4)
HRD 310 - Instructional Design (4)
HRD 324 - Work and the Law (4)
HRD 363 - Group/Team Development and Leadership (4)
HRD 367 - Cultural Diversity in the Workplace (4)
HRD 372 - Staffing, Performance Evaluation and Interaction within Organizations (4)

B. HRD Focus Area Courses – 32 credits

The student may take up to eight credits of HRD Focus Area courses before completion of the core courses and admission to major standing. Additional HRD Focus Area courses may not be taken without admission to major standing. HRD Focus Area courses must be completed with a minimum grade of 2.8.

There are four HRD Focus Areas: Organization Development, Training & Development, Career/Leadership Development and Employment Systems & Standards. The student is required to take the asterisked (*) course in each of the four HRD Focus Areas plus one Elective course in each of the four HRD Focus Areas.

C. General Elective Courses – 12 credits

The general electives allow students to take courses that support their individual interests and career aspirations. General elective courses must be at the 100 level or higher, and may be from HRD or any other field of interest.

D. Human Resource Development Internship – 8 credits

Internship requirements may be met by completion of a professional internship, a research internship, a project internship or a combination of two or three of these options. Applications for internship must be submitted by the designated deadlines (fall semester-June 15, winter semester-October 15 and summer semester-February 15). Applications will not be accepted after the deadline. Internship must be completed with a minimum grade of 2.8.

Professional internship

In order for a student to complete a professional internship, 8 credits must be completed at an approved internship placement site for a total of 320 hours of work in the field of human resource development.

Research internship

A research internship of 8 credits may be completed by students who have the requisite backgrounds and skills to produce research work at the undergraduate level in the field of human resource development. To qualify for a research internship, students are required to have previously successfully completed the courses normally required for an HRD internship plus any additional courses appropriate for the acquisition of skills necessary for completion of the internship project(s).

Students wishing to pursue a research internship must complete an application form available at the HRD internship office, including describing the proposed research internship. This form must also be signed by the HRD faculty member who has agreed to supervise the student. Completed applications must be submitted no later than the dates designated above for internship approval. Applications will be reviewed for approval or disapproval by a committee of the HRD department.

It is required that a student intending to pursue this internship has previously conferred with an HRD faculty member regarding the availability of an appropriate research project and the willingness of the HRD faculty member to supervise the intern in completion of the research project.

Project internship

A project internship of 8 credits may be completed by students who have completed a minimum of two (2) years of work in the field of Human Resources or are subject to special circumstances. To qualify for a project internship, students are required to have previously successfully completed the courses normally required for an HRD internship plus any additional courses appropriate for the acquisition of skills necessary for completion of the internship project(s).

It is required that a student intending to pursue a project internship has previously conferred with an HRD faculty member regarding the availability of an appropriate project or projects to complete as part of the internship and the willingness of the HRD faculty member to supervise the intern.

Applications must be obtained from the HRD Internship Coordinator. Completed applications must be submitted no later than the dates designated above for the internship approval. Applications will be reviewed for approval or disapproval by a committee of the HRD department.