Human Resource Development
Human Resource Development
Elevate Performance with People-Centered, Tech-Savvy HR!
Build better workplaces with people, analytics, and technology. Purdue’s Human Resource Development (HRD) major prepares aspiring HR professionals to lead talent, make data-informed decisions, and leverage modern tools to improve performance in today’s organizations.
You’ll develop people-centered expertise—recruiting and onboarding, learning and development, engagement and retention, total rewards, employee and labor relations, ethics, and the human-technology frontier—while building analytical strategy skills in people analytics, organizational development and change, compensation analysis, workforce planning, risk management, and strategic HR planning. You’ll also gain hands-on experience with technology, including HR information systems (HRIS), AI-supported decision tools and dashboards, VR/AR training simulations, and digital collaboration platforms used in global HR.
Why Choose Purdue's Human Resource Development Major?
- Launch an HR career that’s valued across industries: From tech to healthcare to manufacturing, HRD builds people, analytics, and technology skills employers hire for.
- Develop your HR skills before you graduate: Build experience through internships, AI-driven people-analytics projects in Purdue’s Human Resources Analytics Interactive Learning Lab, and immersive virtual reality simulations in Purdue’s HRD Virtual Lab—so your résumé shows real results, not just course titles.
- Build your network with employers and mentors: Connect with recruiters and alumni through Purdue career fairs, SHRM-affiliated events, employer visits, and industry partnerships—opening doors to internships and full-time roles across sectors.
Prepare for an HR career that blends people, analytics, and technology. With SHRM-aligned coursework, hands-on experiences in the Human Resources Analytics Interactive Learning Lab and the HRD Virtual Lab, and strong employer connections, Purdue’s HRD major equips you to succeed across industries.
Program Details
Potential Job Titles
HR Generalist
HR Business Partner
People Operations Specialist
Talent Acquisition Specialist
HRIS Analyst
People Analytics Analyst
Employee Relations Specialist
Workforce Planning Analyst
Global HR Coordinator
Where You'll Learn
“Purdue’s Human Resource Development program provided the perfect foundation for a career centered around people, process, and purpose. The curriculum’s focus on strategy, analytics, and leadership development gave me the tools to bridge data and human connection — skills I now use daily in designing early career programs and campus recruiting strategies for the Global Bank of America Enterprise."
Jessica (Jess) Luft, Vice President, Enterprise Campus Strategy & Analytics Lead - Bank of America
The organizational leadership program at Purdue University is accredited by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering Commission of ATMAE.
EVERY GIANT LEAP STARTS WITH ONE SMALL STEP
Program Highlights
Academic Opportunities
Study Abroad
All students in the Purdue Polytechnic can choose to gain an enriched perspective of the global marketplace through a multitude of global experiences that both interest and benefit the student.
Minors
Purdue Polytechnic offers minors that provide unique opportunities to expand your knowledge, broaden your experience and prepare you for success after your time at Purdue.
Student Organizations
Student activities and organizations are a great way to immerse yourself in your chosen path of study. Choose from a variety of interests within the college organizations or university-level programs.
