Empower Others, Advance Your Career: Earn a B.A. in Human Resource Development from NEIU at the University Center of Lake County

University Center
May 6
3 min read

Written By: Dr. Shirley J. Caruso, Ed.D. | May 06, 2025

Published by: Izobella E., University Center of Lake County

Learn how you can earn your Bachelor's in Human Resource Development at NEIU with Dr. Shirley Caruso, Ed.D.

About The Program

This program prepares students to be professionals responsible for the training, education, and development of adults in settings such as business, industry, health care, social services, and government.

Students in the program will be provided opportunities to develop the knowledge and competencies necessary to meet the increasing need that organizations have of HRD professionals. Competencies identified by professional organizations have resulted in the development of specific objectives for the course work in the program.

The Differences Between Careers in HRD and HRM

Click here to understand the differences between careers in Human Resource Development (HRD) and Human Resource Management (HRM).

Competencies That Students Will Gain:

Knowledge of different organizational settings and their most common change/performance issue
Skills in task analysis, program planning, and program design for meeting organizational needs
· Ability to use instructional methods and technology, appropriate for the learning needs of organizations
· Knowledge of the variety of interventions available to accomplish change in organizations
· Sensitivity to the psychological and cultural needs of diverse populations in accomplishing organizational change

Delivery Mode

The delivery modes for the Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Development Program are blended and include synchronous remote learning (students are online with an instructor at the same time), hybrid (various percentages of in-person instruction at the University Center and online instruction), and online (asynchronous, fully online in which all requirements are completed without coming to campus).

Required Courses for the HRD Major (36 credit-hours)

HRD-300 Principles and Practices in Human Resource Development—3 credits
HRD-301 Adult Teaching/Learning Process—3 credits
HRD-310 Instructional Techniques and Technology—3 credits
HRD-315 Computer Utilization in Human Resource Development—3 credits
HRD-320 Dynamics of Working with Groups and Individuals—3 credits
HRD-321 Designing Instruction in Human Resource Development—3 credits
HRD-325 Communication and Human Resource Development—3 credits
HRD-328 Organizational Project Management--3 credits.
HRD-329 Internship and Seminar in Human Resource Development—6 credits
HRD Electives*—6 credits

*Each student, after consultation with the program coordinator and/or advisor, will select 6 additional credit hours. The selection of courses will be guided by the student’s career objectives and will focus on competencies relevant to them. Electives may include HRD courses or relevant courses from other departments. Electives can sometimes be found in a student’s transfer credits. Students with weaknesses in any area (such as communication skills) may be required to select electives with the goal of developing these skills.

Transfer Credit Policy

NEIU welcomes transfer students and makes it easy to apply previous coursework:

Up to 90 semester hours from accredited institutions may be transferred toward the BA degree
Up to 64 credits from a community college.
Students with an AA degree from a regionally accredited community college will have fulfilled NEIU’s general education requirements.
At least 30 semester hours must be completed at NEIU
An academic advisor will work with you to maximize the use of your transfer credits