Human Resource Development

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Human Resource Development

Human Resource Development Major

Employees are the greatest assets of organizations. Maximizing performance through human resources and technology is essential in today’s workplace and economy. Purdue’s Human Resource Development (HRD) major will prepare you to be a talent manager, change agent, employee champion, and strategic partner.

You will achieve this through courses and work-experiences related to talent acquisition, training, employee engagement and retention, learning and development, total rewards, organization development and change, compensation, employee and labor relations, information systems, analytics, global issues, diversity and inclusion, risk management, ethics, and strategic planning.

HRD Program at Purdue

Advantages of Becoming an HR Professional through Purdue’s HRD Program

  • 100% job placement for graduates to date
  • 9% HR job growth projected in or over the next decade
  • Required internship to gain industry experience
  • Access to VR and AR technologies
  • Eligible to sit for SHRM-CP Exam to become a certified HR professional

Why Purdue's Program?

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What can I do?

HR Specialist
HR Business Partner
Training and Development Specialist
Talent Manager
Staffing & Recruiting Specialist
Compensation & Benefits Specialist
Organization Development Consultant
HR Analytics Specialist
Chief Learning Officer

Where can I go?

Purdue University’s Human Resource Development major aligns with the Society for Human Resource Management’sHR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates. Throughout the world, over 500 programs in approximately 425 educational institutions have been acknowledged by SHRM as being in alignment with its suggested guides and templates. The HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates were developed by SHRM to define the minimum HR content areas that should be studied by HR students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The guidelines—created in 2006 and revalidated in 2010, 2013, 2017, and 2022—are part of SHRM’s Academic Initiative to define HR education standards taught in university business schools and help universities develop degree programs that follow these standards.

SHRM is the world’s largest association devoted to human resources. The Society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession. Founded in 1948, SHRM has more than 300,000 members in over 160 countries and more than 575 affiliated chapters.

Human Resource Development, a major within the Organizational Leadership Program at Purdue University, is accredited by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering Commission of ATMAE.

“My background and knowledge from the Human Resource Development program has really made me stand out and I am excited to be a part of Human Resource Leadership Program at GE Healthcare. I contribute a lot of my success to the great HRD major that has given me the opportunity to explore different aspects of technology within the context of Human Resources.”
Mary Hamilton
Human Resource Development
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About the school/department

The Department of Technology Leadership & Innovation tackles the global challenge of preparing leaders for the 21st century. With a focus on technology-driven careers, the degree programs allow students to lead the development of high-tech solutions. Research projects also focus on improving current processes and practices.

Additional Information

Talk to an Advisor

Prospective students

Prospective students can reach out to TLIAdvising@purdue.edu to request an appointment to speak with a Department of Technology Leadership and Innovation advisor or student services professional.

Current students

Current students can schedule an appointment to meet with academic advisors in person or virtually via BoilerConnect.

Learn more about advising

Related Degrees

Management

Continuing Education

MS in Technology Leadership & Innovation
MS - Technology Leadership and Innovation (Online)