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The Human Resource Development (HRD) Concentration

Jackson State University is ranked #16 among 79 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the nation. The Human Resource Development Concentration is housed at the School of Lifelong Learning (SLL) in the College of Education and Human Development. SLL meets the needs of present-day workers and adult learners, 25 years of age and older, across the state, region, and nation. SLL at Jackson State University is for adult learners who wish to begin, continue, complete, or enhance their development on a part-time or full-time basis.

The School of Lifelong Learning houses two undergraduate degree programs.  The HRD concentration is embedded in our Bachelor of Science in Professional Interdisciplinary Studies program, and students may also apply HRD coursework toward the Bachelor of University Studies.  Both degree programs are designed for adult and nontraditional students and offer a fully online track. In compliance with the demands of the changing workplace, this concentration provides students with opportunities to develop the following skills and competencies:

  • Assess learning and training needs
  • Design, develop and evaluate instructional materials and training programs
  • Gain communication and facilitation skills
  • Identify strategic goals and design HR interventions
  • Facilitate and manage organizational change
  • Provide career guidance and development plan to both individuals and organizations

Human Resource Development (HRD) is a dynamic multidisciplinary profession that combines training and development, organization development, and career development efforts for the purpose of improving individual, team, and organizational performance. It is one of the few professions that provide job opportunities across all industries and sectors, locally and globally.

If you enjoy working with people and are excited about how learning at work can improve job performance, then this concentration may be what you need for a fulfilling career.  In compliance with the demands of the changing workplace, this concentration provides students with opportunities to develop the following skills and competencies:

  • Instructional design – Assess organizational learning needs and develop instructional media
  • Training delivery – Improve communication and facilitation skills
  • Training evaluation – Assess the effectiveness of learning programs
  • Learning program management – Oversee learning activities in organizations
  • Change management – Facilitate and manage organizational change
  • Performance improvement – Address skill performance gaps
  • Career management – Provide career guidance and development

If you are interested in joining the HRD concentration, please see the attached file “Application package” for more details regarding this newly developed program. The application packet outlines the HRD program including course and job information. Please talk to your advisor if you are interested in taking HRD as your concentration.