Program Design & Objectives  M.S. in OL/HRD
Vision of the M.S. in OL/HRD Program
The Master of Science in OL/HRD program at St. John Fisher College produces exemplary professionals in the field who have mastered a scholarly program of theory, research, and best practices and are recognized as leaders in the field of OL/HRD.
Program Design
The program is designed for people currently employed in OL/HRD functions who wish to develop themselves professionally, for mid-level managers in need of OL/HRD skills because their involvement in the OL/HRD function is increasing, and for people working in allied fields who wish to make a career transition.
Courses meet in a weekend format. Classes meet on Friday nights from 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 - 5 p.m. Benefits of this flexible format include:
- Students can attend college and maintain a full-time job.
- Program completion is possible in 5 semesters.
- "Independent study" allows students to complete prerequisites and electives outside of the classroom.
Program Objectives
The curriculum of the OL/HRD program emphasizes the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of change processes in the workplace. The focus of these processes is at the individual, group, and organization levels rather than at the operations or management functions. As such, the curriculum focuses on the developmental needs of the employee and the relationship of those needs to the other functions of the organizations.
Upon completion of the program, students will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of training, education, employee development, organization development, and career development
- Understand the philosophy, role, and functions of OL/HRD departments in an organization
- Conduct field assessment and analysis
- Understand the roles and competencies associated with an OL/HRD professional
- Demonstrate competence in the roles associated with an OL/HRD professional
- Synthesize knowledge of OL/HRD to deliver professional and ethical services to clients
- Use and promote the research process and selected research findings and apply them to professional practice
The three components that comprise OL/HRD training and development, organization development, and career development- require the professional to fulfill specific roles based on competencies defined within the field of OL/HRD. The distinct differences between each role in philosophy and practice result in the need for discrete educational preparation to facilitate the understanding of skill building in the functions of OL/HRD.
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