HRD Program
The most pressing questions of the present and future revolve around the creation and continuation of economic and social growth, around ways to reverse the current stagnation and decline - globally, nationally, organizationally, personally and in the community. The first principle of growth is that community growth, as well as economic growth, results from the generation of new capital. New capital comes from creative ideas. Ideas come from human capital - people who can work smarter and better, not just harder (Carkhuff, 1989). And quality human capital is created by systematic human resource development programs.
Across all sectors of the economy, people who can design and implement effective human resource development programs are in demand. The Master of Arts in Human Resource Development is a one year program for working professionals. The curriculum integrates theory and practical applications, and is based on empirically researched models that translate to concrete outcomes. The end result is people who are empowered to generate new responses to the changing requirements of the world around them.
THE CURRICULUM
The Master of Arts degree will be awarded upon the successful completion of 36 credit hours in the following areas:
Interpersonal Processing Skills
Accurately receive input from people and organization about there they currently see themselves being and where they want and/or need to be.
Individual Processing Skills
Analyze the input received and determine relevant personalized goals for people and organizations in the form of action-oriented principles.
Planning Skills (short-term and strategic)
Used for decision making, program development and program implementation leading to productive action.
Performance Intervention Strategies
Deliver the content and skills needed by individuals and organizations for the development of new sources of capital. These skills include:
- Training Needs Analysis
- Content Development
- Diagnosis and Selection
- Training Delivery Design
- Training Presentation Skills
Comprehensive Intervention Design
Design, implement and manage organizational and community change and the development of human resources, including:
- Consulting processes
- Creative leadership
- Strategic planning
Integrative Productivity Project
A personalized application of HRD models and skills to a performance improvement/productivity issue in the students' workplace, resulting in the development of new capital resources.
Classes are scheduled to make it possible for people who are employed full time to attend school. The 36 credit hours are divided between 4 semesters: Fall (12 credit hours), Spring (12 credit hours), Summer (9 credit hours) and Fall (3 credit hours of project supervision and seminar). Each of the first three semesters involves two 3-day workshops, between ten and twelve Wednesday evening class sessions and between one and three half-day Saturday classes. The courses are taught as integrated functional modules. A sample class schedule is available for viewing.
The basic application requirements are a Bachelor's degree from an accredited undergraduate institution, three letters of reference, a writing sample and an interview with a faculty member.
To schedule an interview, contact Dr. Debra Anderson, Chair of HRD at (413) 205-3374, or by email at debra.anderson@aic.edu.
American International College
1000 State Street
Springfield MA 01109
(800) 242-3142
inquiry@aic.edu