Program Overview

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Master of Science in Workforce Education and Development

The Master of Science in Workforce Education and Development degree program is a 30-credit, one-year, cohort-based program designed for professionals seeking to enhance the capabilities of employees, teams, and organizations in corporate, governmental, nonprofit, or educational settings. The program offers two emphasis areas: Talent Development and International TVET.

Talent Development

The Talent Development emphasis area focuses on empowering leaders in talent, career, and organization development. Students gain core competencies in career development, training, organization development, needs assessment, research methods, and ethical leadership. This program is ideal for professionals aiming to elevate a global enterprise or support a local business, providing a rigorous, flexible, and applied educational experience that fosters holistic development and change. Prospective career opportunities include roles such as Talent Development Specialist, Learning & Development (L&D) Manager, Organization Development Consultant, Workforce Development Specialist, Career Development Coordinator, or Corporate Training and Development Leader.

Program Structure and Course Sequence

• 424 Facilitating Career Development
• 471 Training in Industry and Business
• 540 Data Analysis OR STAT 500 Applied Statistics
• 572 Foundations in Organization Development and Change
• 573 Needs Assessment for Workforce Development Professionals
• 595A Internship
• 582 Assessing & Diagnosing OD
• 550 Research in WFED
• 596 Individual Studies (3 credits; can be split)
• Two Electives
  • WFED 451: Lean-Sigma for Professionals
  • WFED 472: Platform Skills for Workplace Learning and Performance OR WFED 588: Platform Skills
  • WFED 501: Scholarly Writing for WFED
  • WFED 529: Ethical Issues in WFED
  • WFED 540: Data Analysis in WFED (if not taken in the core sequence)
  • WFED 543: Evaluation of Investments in WFED
  • WFED 880: Facilitating Groups and Teams
  • WFED 884: Appreciative Inquiry
  • WFED 886: Laboratory in OD

International TVET

The International TVET emphasis area focuses on empowering global workforce education leaders. Students gain competencies in career development, workforce training, curriculum design, needs assessment, research, and ethical workforce education leadership, as well as the history and trends of workforce development worldwide. This program is suitable for U.S. domestic students aiming for a career in international workforce development or international students looking to advance TVET in their home country. Prospective career opportunities include roles such as TVET Program Administrator (Government, NGOs, International Agencies), Workforce Development Specialist, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Trainer, International Skills Training Coordinator, Education Policy Advisor, or Corporate Training and Development Leader.

Program Structure and Course Sequence

• 424 Facilitating Career Development
• 471 Training in Industry and Business
• 560 History & Philosophical Foundations of Workforce Education OR WFED 546 Work-Based Education in WFED
• 518 Curriculum & Instruction in WFED
• 540 Data Analysis in Workforce Education OR STAT 500 – Applied Statistics
• 573 Needs Assessment for Workforce Development Professionals (Online)
• 595A Internship (Your country)
• 550 Research in WF ED OR WFED 501 – Scholarly Writing in Workforce Education and Development
• 596 Individual Studies (3 credits; can be split) Master's paper
• Two Electives
  • WFED 472 – Platform Skills for Workplace Learning and Performance OR WFED 588 – Platform Skills
  • WFED 529 – Ethical Issues in Workforce Education and Development
  • WFED 806 – Program and Facilities Management for Workforce Development Professionals
  • Other specialized electives available based on student interests and career goals.

M.S. Degree Requirements

• Completion of 30 credits (M.S) in degree status
• Completion of Scholarship and Research Integrity (SARI) requirements

Application Process

If you are ready to proceed to the application but have NOT read the Graduate School requirements, please visit their website. If you have read the Graduate School requirements and are ready to apply, you may proceed to the application.

More Information

Details of the M.Ed. program can be found in the WFED Handbook. To find out what WFED graduate courses are offered and when, please see our course list. For more information on the program and faculty, please contact the WFED degree graduate staff assistant.

Contact

Dr. Hyung Joon Yoon, Professor-In-Charge

Application Deadlines

April 15 (International students), June 30 (domestic students)

Program Start

Fall Semester

Academics

The College of Education offers various departments and programs, including:

• Department of Learning and Performance Systems
• Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling, and Special Education
• Department of Curriculum and Instruction
• Department of Education Policy Studies

Department of Learning and Performance Systems

This department includes programs such as:

• Professional Personnel Development Center
• Workforce Education and Development
• Learning, Design, and Technology
• Lifelong Learning and Adult Education

Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling, and Special Education

This department includes programs such as:

• Rehabilitation and Human Services
• Educational Psychology
• Counselor Education
• Special Education

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

This department includes programs such as:

• Graduate Studies in C&I
• Professional Development School (PDS)
• Undergraduate Studies in C&I
• CIFE

Department of Education Policy Studies

This department includes programs such as:

• Comparative and International Education
• Educational Leadership Program
• Educational Theory and Policy Program
• Higher Education Program

Research & Grants

The College of Education is involved in various research initiatives and grants, including:

• College of Education Research Conference 2024
• Centers & Institutes
• Funding Opportunities
• Grant Resources
• Restorative Justice Initiative

About

The College of Education has various offices and initiatives, including:

• Dean's Office
• Office of Education and Social Equity
• Office of Faculty Affairs
• Associate Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate Education
• Diversity & Community Enhancement Committee
• Vision and Mission
• College of Education Strategic Plan
• Staff & Contact
• Accreditation and Program Review

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The College of Education has various opportunities for alumni and giving, including:

• Philanthropic Opportunities
• Stay Connected and Get Involved
• Alumni Society Awards
• Events
• Alumni Resources
• Alumni Society Board
• Alumni Student Teacher Network
• Mentoring
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The College of Education provides various resources for current students, including:

• Commencement
• Graduate Funding Opportunities
• Student Groups

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The College of Education provides various resources for faculty and staff, including:

• Faculty Council
• Operations
• Social Media Guidelines
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• Checklist for remote working capability
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• Technology Committee
• Graduate Recruitment Funding Programs

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PSU.EDU

The College of Education is part of The Pennsylvania State University.

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