Master of Science in Leadership & Human Resource Development with a concentration in Workforce Development
Program Overview
Master of Science in Leadership and Human Resource Development with a Concentration in Workforce Development
The Master of Science in Leadership and Human Resource Development with a concentration in Workforce Development provides fundamental knowledge and skills for understanding human resource development challenges, training and development needs, and change management approaches. This program supplements this knowledge with expertise in identifying, analyzing, and planning for broader workforce development trends that affect employee-employer dynamics in the workplace.
About the Program
Our 36-hour, 12-course on-campus hybrid program integrates the teaching and learning advantages of one-to-one, direct student-professor interaction with the efficiencies and flexibility of web-based learning. Courses integrate web-based learning activities with face-to-face coursework in ways that pedagogically complement, reinforce, and elaborate on one another while maintaining a high level of in-person and individual interaction between student and professor.
Why Choose this Program?
Graduates will develop the skills necessary to approach workforce development strategically, analyze skill and competency needs in the workforce, and implement workforce development processes that enable organizations to develop employees in ways that meet the current and future challenges associated with global competition, talent development, changing technology, and other pressures. The MS LHRD with a concentration in Workforce Development diversifies the career potential of the LHRD professional by preparing them to forecast and plan for macro labor force changes that may eventually shape and influence individual organizational environments.
What Makes Our Program Different?
Our program prepares students to improve effectiveness at a range of professional organizations. Graduates often excel in senior HR leadership and consulting roles. The programs enable students to feel confident in their ability to identify and analyze workplace conflicts and develop solutions, help organizations achieve their business and leadership goals, and use evidence-based practice to help companies make lasting, organizational changes.
Career Opportunities
The highly transferable capabilities learned through the MS LHRD w/ WFD program have allowed our graduates to obtain a variety of careers, such as:
- Compensation and Benefits Manager
- Labor Relations Specialist
- Employee Recruitment and Staffing Specialist
- Training and Development Specialist
- Human Resource Manager
- Leadership Development Consultant
- Learning and Development Manager
- Learning Technologies
Admission Requirements
Required Application Materials
- Resume or CV with a complete and accurate chronological outline of all previous college-level education and full-time professional work experience
- Undergraduate transcripts
- Post-baccalaureate transcripts
- Graduate transcripts
- Personal statement expressing your interest in the program, introducing yourself to the faculty, describing your professional and academic goals, and explaining how you think our MS program fits your interests and goals.
Regular Admission
An applicant is eligible for regular admission if the applicant meets one of the following Grade Point Average (GPA) requirements:
- The applicant's cumulative undergraduate GPA or last 60 credit hours from earned bachelor's degree is at least 3.0.
- The applicant's cumulative undergraduate GPA or last 60 credit hours from earned bachelor's degree is between 2.75 to 2.99 and the applicant has earned a 3.0 or higher in at least nine hours of graduate-level coursework.
Probationary Admission
An applicant is considered for probationary admission:
- If their cumulative undergraduate GPA or last 60 credit hours from earned bachelor's degree is 2.75 to 2.99.
- An applicant who is eligible for probationary admission (based on GPA requirements above) is required to submit two letters of recommendation.
GRE/GMAT
A GRE/GMAT score is not required for application. However, a GRE/GMAT score may be requested at the department's discretion.
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) or Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)
Graduate students may submit requests and may be eligible for prior learning assessment (PLA) or credit for prior learning (CPL) provided the equivalent non-credit experience or training was completed within the last five years.
Deadlines
We admit students to the program throughout the year. Applications are due by the below dates for the corresponding semesters:
- Fall semester - May 15
- Spring semester - October 15
- Summer semester - April 15
Please note: Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not ensure acceptance into the program. All applicants must adhere to the application procedures and deadlines established by the LSU Graduate School and the School of Leadership and Human Resource Development.