Master of Science in
Leadership & Human Resource Development
with a concentration in Workforce Development
Transforming Talent into Triumph
The Master of Science in LHRD with a concentration in Workforce Development provides the same fundamental knowledge and skills for understanding human resource development challenges, training and development needs, and change management approaches offered in the MS LHRD degree program, but supplements this knowledge with expertise in identifying, analyzing, and planning for broader workforce development trends that affect employee-employer dynamics in the workplace.
LSU’s Master of Science in Leadership & Human Resource Development with a concentration in Workforce Development approaches workforce development as a holistic human resource strategy whose purpose is to develop people to meet the needs of for-profit, not-for-profit, and governmental organizations in Louisiana and the region.
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 compliment, reinforce, and elaborate on one another while maintaining a high level of in-person and individual interaction between student and professor.
For more information on the 100%, fully online program, visit:
Online Master of Science in Leadership and Human Resource Development with a concentration
in Workforce Development
- LHRD 7001 Principles of Workforce Development (3 credit hours) Principles of workforce education and development programs conducted by business, industry, government and educational institutions at all levels; relationships to adult education, career/technical education, human resource development, career development, general education and society.
- LHRD 7171 Instructional Design for Human Resource Development (3 credit hours) Comprehensive introduction to the theory, principles, research and practices of instructional systems design (ISD) in human resource development (HRD) and training.
- LHRD 7571 Performance and Needs Analysis in Human Resource Development (3 credit hours) Theory and principles used in the analysis of performance problems in organizations; emphasis on application of performance theory and use of tools and techniques for analyzing organizational, process, and individual level performance problems.
- LHRD 7910 Human Resource Analytics (3 credit hours) Human resource and organizational behavior issues will be examined through the lens of measurement, analysis, and financial impact for the organization.
- LHRD 7005 Workforce Planning and Analysis (3 credit hours) Examines the process of workforce planning on a macro-level to develop students’ understanding of workforce planning models, the planning process, and the capability to carry out workforce planning and analysis to meet clients’ needs.
- LHRD 7110 Team & Group Dynamics (3 credit hours) Survey of team and work group dynamics.
- LHRD 7271 Leading Learning in Human Resource Development (3 credit hours) Principles, research, and practices of facilitating learning in human resource development (HRD) including facilitation skills for traditional classroom training, as well as informal work-based learning strategies.
- LHRD 7577 Training and Development in Organizations(3 credit hours) Survey of training and development functions in modern organizations. Focus is given to learning theory and strategies, program design, and evaluation in applied (field) settings. A multidisciplinary perspective is encouraged.
- LHRD 7602 Program Evaluation Design (3 credit hours) Systemic application of social research procedures for evaluating the conceptualization, design, implementation and utility of human resource and organization development programs.
- LHRD 7900 Applied Research Methods and Analysis in Organizations (3 credit hours) An experiential introduction to the applied research process in organizations including the conceptualization of applied research, designing studies, analyzing data, and reporting results to stakeholders.
| Semester Offered | Course |
|---|---|
|
Fall (1st Semester) 9 Credit Hours |
LHRD 7571 (in person) LHRD 7001 Session B (web-based) LHRD 7171 Session C (web-based) |
|
Spring (2nd Semester) 9 Credit Hours |
LHRD 7110 (in person) LHRD 7271 Session B (web-based) LHRD 7005 Session C (web-based) |
|
Fall (3rd Semester) 9 Credit Hours |
LHRD 7910 (in person) Elective #1 Elective #2 |
|
Spring (4th Semester) 9 Credit Hours |
LHRD 7900 (in person ) LHRD 7602 (web-based – 15 weeks) LHRD 7577 (web-based – 15 weeks) |
updated August, 2022
view the lhrd ms wfd curriculum worksheet
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.
Our MS degree is designed for:
- Human resource, organization development, training and development, and performance improvement professionals who increasingly deal with internal change initiatives
- Organizational leaders, including government and non-profit professionals, who want to be more effective at supporting change in their organizations
- HR professionals transitioning to new roles, who want to advance, or move into the exciting field of organization change and development
- Consultants looking to expand their skills and credentials
- Individuals interested in building the knowledge and skills to enable them to move into consulting
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 though the MS LHRD w/ WFD program has 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
$93,000
Management Consultant Annual Salary
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2021
11% +
2021 Job Outlook
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2021
Admission Criteria
- Resume or CV with a complete and accurate chronological outline of all previous college-level education and full-time professional work experience
- Two letters of recommendation
- Undergraduate transcripts
- Post-baccalaureate transcripts
- Graduate transcripts
- Personal statement expressing your interest in the program.
In 500 words or less introduce yourself to the faculty, describe your professional and academic goals, and explain 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.
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.
Alternatively, students may also be eligible for PLA or CPL if they have remained up to date with their certification through Continuing Education Units (CEUs) that the specific certifying organization mandates.
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is highly recommended, but not mandatory, for applicants.
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.
Contact Us
Missy Korduner, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice
MS LHRD Program Coordinator & Advisor
225-578-7065
korduner@lsu.edu
Melissa Turnage
Academic Program Manager
225-578-2710
mturnage@lsu.edu