Program Availability
The Master of Science (MS) in Human Resource Development is offered on the Indiana State University campus in Terre Haute, Indiana. It can be completed fully online or in person. The program is open to U.S. and international applicants who satisfy admission requirements.
Admission Requirements
The following is an overview of admission requirements for the HRD MS. Find a complete list of admission requirements and application instructions at the bottom of this page.
- Undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or higher.
- Resume
- Statement of Goals
- Official transcripts (International students may apply with unofficial transcripts.)
- Three references
- English Proficiency Exam Scores (international students only)
No GMAT or GRE is required.
Students who do not meet the minimum requirements for regular admission may be considered for conditional admission if there is sufficient evidence that the individual is likely to succeed in the program.
Why Earn a Master’s in HRD at Indiana State?
Our HRD program will prepare you for exceptional career opportunities in higher education, industry, social agencies, and government. Coursework is designed to enable you to complete your degree while maintaining full-time employment or other responsibilities.
Customize the Program to Meet Your Career Goals
Indiana State’s HRD Program focuses on planning, managing, organizing, and evaluating training and HR development activities. Coursework is based in business, education, psychology, and related behavioral sciences.
Our program offers you a flexible core curriculum with the option of completing a thesis or a technical specialization in an area that reflects your current field of employment, work experience, or specific area of interest.
The program offers two start times—fall and spring. You can complete the program in as few as 1.5 years of full-time study. You also have the option of part-time study. However, the program must be completed within 7 years. The average completion time is 24 months.
Learn from Our Excellent Faculty
Our faculty have extensive, relevant industry experience and are committed to guiding you through comprehensive coursework that reflects real-world industry situations and challenges. Advisors will assist you with your selection of courses prior to registration each semester.
Small class sizes allow you to work closely with your professors and collaborate with classmates on interactive projects. And, you will have opportunities to network with area professionals through the Wabash Valley Collegiate Society for Human Resource Development (SHRM).
The Princeton Review has recognized the Indiana State University Scott College of Business as a Best in Business School for 17 years in a row.
What You’ll Learn in the HRD Program
The Master of Science in Human Resource Development offers thesis and non-thesis degree options and may be completed with 33 – 36 total credits. Either option may be completed by on-campus or online students.
Program graduates are qualified as specialists with the expertise to:
- Analyze, design, and implement effective human resource development programs to increase functional capabilities in international and multicultural environments.
- Provide leadership and guidance regarding the concepts and practices of human resource development and its effect on organizational leadership, culture, and growth in both the public and private sector.
- Provide expertise in establishing the foundations for and the evaluation of the many facets of HRD training programs.
Required Courses
The following are Core Courses for the HRD MS:
- Overview of Human Resource Development (Waived for students with an HR or HRD degree.)
- Developing Performance Based Occupational Curriculum
- International and Cross-Cultural Training
- Systematic Design of HRD Programs
- Leadership of Human Resource Development
- Rationale and Evaluation of HRD Programs
- Research Methods
- Capstone or Master’s Thesis
Elective courses will be selected with a program advisor.
Program Cost
The cost of attending the HRD MS program will vary depending on the student’s residency status and whether the program is taken on campus or online. For the online program, tuition costs per credit hour total approximately $15,200 to $16,600 for Indiana residents, from $19,800 to $21,600 for out-of-state students, and from $29,200 to $31,900 for international students, plus any additional fees. Exact cost will be determined by the total number of credit hours taken and the approved tuition fees for that academic year.
Career Possibilities for HRD Graduates
Human resource development specialists provide the training and education in technical, supervisory, motivational, diversification, and orientation areas, which organizations require to be successful and productive enterprises. These professionals conduct, plan, and manage education, training, and other human resource development activities.
Jobs typically held by human resource development graduates include those with responsibilities for training and development, organization development, career development, performance management systems, union/labor relations, work-life initiatives, and other human resources functions.
The job outlook is strong for human resource specialists. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of human resource specialists to grow 8% from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations.
The Scott College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (https://www.aacsb.edu) (AACSB International), an accreditation held by only five percent of business schools worldwide. AACSB is the benchmark standard for high-quality business education in America and around the world.
The Human Resource Development Program is an affiliate of SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management).
Admission Requirements and Application Instructions
Applicants to the Human Resource Development MS program must satisfy the following requirements to be considered for admission. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for regular admission to the Scott MBA, an applicant must:
- Have earned a bachelor’s degree and a minimum cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) that meets one of the following:
- 2.7 in all undergraduate course work
- 3.0 in the last 60 credits of undergraduate course work
- 3.0 in the applicant’s major field of study
- 3.0 in all courses taken at the graduate level (minimum 9 credit hours).
- Submit a professional resume.
- Submit a Statement of Goals.
- Provide three references.
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency as required by the Office of Graduate Studies (international applicants only).
Meeting the minimum requirements listed above does not guarantee admission. An admission decision is based upon all previous academic coursework, resume, and, if required, English language proficiency.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum criteria listed above may be admitted on a conditional basis if there is sufficient evidence of likely success in the program.
If applicable to the HRD MS, a maximum of six credit hours of approved graduate course work may be accepted as transfer credit into the HRD MS program. Applicants would need to submit documentation in support of this request.
How to Apply
Complete the online application for admission to Indiana State at https://apply.indstate.edu/apply/
Submit a nonrefundable application fee of $45.00 (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) or $65.00 (international students) payable by Visa, MasterCard, or check or money order payable to Indiana State University. Submit payment to: Indiana State University, Graduate Admissions, Welcome Center, 318 North Sixth Street, Terre Haute, IN, 47809.
Domestic Applicants: Submit official transcripts from all previously attended institutions. To be official, transcripts must be sent directly from the college attended to: Graduate Admissions, Indiana State University, Welcome Center, 318 North Sixth Street, Terre Haute, IN, 47809. E-transcripts should be sent to admissions@indstate.edu. Students who have previously attended Indiana State University do not need to have their transcripts sent to Graduate Admissions. We already have access to transcripts from Indiana State University.
International Applicants: Please upload unofficial transcripts from all previously attended institutions. Official transcripts are required if an admission is received. To be official, transcripts must be sent directly from the college attended to: Graduate Admissions, Indiana State University, Welcome Center, 318 North Sixth Street, Terre Haute, IN, 47809. E-transcripts should be emailed to admissions@indstate.edu. Students who have previously attended Indiana State University do not need to have their transcripts sent to Graduate Admissions. We already have access to those transcripts.
Submit a professional resume, three references, and a Statement of Goals describing your interest in and goals for the program.
Letters of Recommendation are optional. If submitting letters, please email them to admissions@indstate.edu.
International Applicants: Please also upload a government-issued ID with your application. Upload relevant pages (picture info) from your passport.
International applicants are asked to:
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Meet the University requirements for English proficiency.
To be considered for admission, applicants must have their official test score report sent directly from the testing center to: Indiana State University, Graduate Admissions, Welcome Center, 318 North Sixth Street, Terre Haute, IN, 47809.
Accepted language tests include Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo.
- Provide proof of financial support if an admission is received.
- See additional information about applying as an international student.
Application deadlines for the HRD MS are August 1 for the Fall term and December 1 for the Spring term. These dates apply both for on-campus and online program enrollment. However, applicants are encouraged to apply by the priority deadline to ensure full consideration for their desired term. Processing of applications typically takes fewer than 30 days.
| Start Term | Priority Application Deadline* | Final Application Deadline |
| August | June 15 | August 1 |
| January | October 15 | December 1 |
* International students must apply by the Priority Application Deadline in order to receive full consideration.
Next Steps
Once admitted, you will receive notification from the University and will be provided your University ID number, which is needed to activate your University username on the MyISU Portal. The Portal offers access to online registration, University records, and other important services, including e-mail and University announcements.
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Business Administration (MBA)
Master's
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Business Administration (BS)
Bachelor's
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Human Resource Development for Higher Education and Industry (BS)
Bachelor's