Program Availability
The campus-based and online Scott Master of Science (MS) in Human Resource Development (HRD) is open to U.S. and international students who hold (or anticipate) a bachelor’s degree and meet the program’s admission requirements.
Admission Requirements
Below is an overview of the admission requirements for the HRD MS program. For a complete list of requirements and application instructions, please see the bottom of this page.
- Undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or higher
- Resume
- Personal Statement
- Official transcripts (International students may apply with unofficial transcripts)
- Letters of Recommendation (not required, but encouraged)
- English Proficiency Exam Scores (for international students only)
No GMAT or GRE required.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for regular admission may be considered for conditional admission if sufficient evidence suggests the potential for success in the program.
Why Earn a Scott MS in HRD at Indiana State?
The Scott MS in HRD at Indiana State prepares you for exceptional career opportunities in higher education, industry, social agencies, and government. With flexible coursework, you can complete your degree while maintaining full-time employment or managing other responsibilities, making it a practical choice for professionals.
Customize the Scott MS HRD to Meet Your Career Goals
The Scott MS HRD at Indiana State focuses on planning, managing, organizing, and evaluating training and HR development activities, with coursework rooted in business, education, psychology, and related behavioral sciences.
The program offers a flexible core curriculum with the option to complete either a thesis or a technical specialization tailored to your current field of employment, work experience, or area of interest.
With two start times—fall and spring—you can complete the program in as little as 1.5 years of full-time study or choose part-time study. The program must be completed within 7 years, with the average completion time being 24 months.
Learn from Our Excellent Faculty
The faculty in the Scott MS HRD program bring extensive industry experience to the classroom and are dedicated to guiding you through coursework that addresses real-world challenges. Advisors will help you select the right courses before registration each semester, ensuring your studies align with your career goals.
With small class sizes, you’ll work closely with professors and collaborate with classmates on interactive projects. You'll also have the opportunity to network with local professionals through the Wabash Valley Collegiate Society for Human Resource Development (SHRM).
The Princeton Review has recognized the Scott College of Business at Indiana State University as a Best Business School for 17 consecutive years.
What You’ll Learn in the Scott MS HRD
The Scott MS in Human Resource Development offers both thesis and non-thesis options, with a total of 33 to 36 credits required for completion. Both options are available to on-campus and online students.
Graduates of the program will be qualified as specialists with the expertise to:
- Analyze, design, and implement effective human resource development programs that enhance organizational capabilities in diverse, multicultural environments.
- Provide leadership and guidance on human resource development concepts and practices, impacting organizational leadership, culture, and growth in both the public and private sectors.
- Offer expertise in establishing and evaluating the foundations of HRD training programs.
Required Courses
The following are Core Courses for the Scott MS HRD program:
- 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 in consultation with your program advisor.
Cost and Financial Aid
The Scott MS HRD offers a valuable return on investment by combining academic excellence, flexibility, and affordability. Full tuition information is available on the Student Services website.
The actual tuition cost will depend on several factors, including:
- The number of credit hours you take each term
- When you take your courses
- The length of time it takes to complete your degree
Scott MS HRD students may receive financial aid through various sources, including:
- Employer support
- Loans
- Assistantships and scholarships
Career Possibilities for Scott MS HRD Graduates
Human resource development specialists play a crucial role in driving organizational success by delivering the training and education that companies need to remain competitive. These professionals focus on areas such as technical skills, supervisory training, motivation, diversity, orientation, and—importantly—talent development. They are responsible for conducting, planning, and managing various HR development activities that foster growth and enhance organizational productivity.
Typical roles held by Scott MS HRD graduates include positions with responsibilities in talent development, training and development, organizational development, career development, performance management, labor relations, work-life initiatives, and other HR functions.
Graduates of the Scott MS HRD program are highly versatile, equipped to take on leadership roles in corporate, government, education, and non-profit sectors. The program prepares students to strategically contribute to talent development initiatives that attract, develop, and retain top talent within their organizations.
The Scott College of Business holds prestigious accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), a distinction earned by only six percent of business schools worldwide. The Scott MS in Human Resource Development program is also an affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the leading professional organization in human resource management.ce Development Program is an affiliate of SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management).
Admission Requirements and Application Instructions
Applicants to the Scott MS in Human Resource Development program must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission. Please note that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for regular admission to the Scott MS in Human Resource Development, 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 and personal statement.
- References (not required, but encouraged).
- 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.
In some cases, a statement of purpose, personal interview, and/or letters of reference may be requested to support an application
If applicable, a maximum of six credit hours of approved graduate coursework may be accepted as transfer credit into the Scott MS in Human Resource Development program. Applicants must submit appropriate documentation to support this request.
How to Apply
Complete the online application for admission to Indiana State.
Submit a nonrefundable application fee of $93.00 (including a $35 Indiana State University application fee and a $78 BusinessCAS processing fee) for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, or $113.00 (including a $55 Indiana State University application fee and a $78 BusinessCAS processing fee) for international students.
Domestic Applicants:
When applying, submit official transcripts from all previously attended institutions. If you have any undergraduate work or degrees from Indiana State University, you do NOT need to request them. They will automatically be uploaded to your application after you submit it.
International Applicants:
When applying, upload unofficial transcripts from all previously attended institutions. If admitted, official transcripts will be required. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly from the institution 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.
• Professional Resume
• Personal Statement
• References (not required but encouraged)
• International students must upload a government-issued ID with your application. Upload relevant pages (picture info) from your passport.
International applicants are asked to:
- Meet the University’s requirements for English proficiency.
To be considered for admission, upload your official test score report from one of the accepted language tests—TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo—at the time of application.Provide proof of financial support if admitted. - Provide proof of financial support if admitted.
- For more details, see additional information about applying as an international student.
The Scott MS HRD program offers start terms in August and January for the on-campus format, while the online program provides additional start dates in August, October, January, March, and June. Applicants are encouraged to apply by the priority deadlines listed below to ensure full consideration for their preferred term. Application processing typically takes less than 30 days.
Start Term | Priority Application Deadline* | Final Application Deadline |
August | July 15 | August 1 |
January | November 15 | December 1 |
* International students must apply by the Priority Deadline for consideration.
Next Steps
Once admitted, you will receive notification from the University, along with your University ID number. This ID number is required to activate your University username on the MyISU Portal. The Portal provides access to online registration, University records, email, and important announcements, as well as other key services.
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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