Master of Science in
Leadership & Human Resource Development
Empower Talent, Transform Organizations
Change is the new normal for all types of organizations. For-profit Fortune 500 companies, state and national government organizations, non-profit community organizations, and civil society organizations are all increasingly challenged to respond to changes in social values and adapt to dynamic social, ecological, economic, and technological factors. As a result, there is a large and growing demand for professionals who can facilitate and lead positive change.
Our program leading to an MS degree in Leadership & Human Resource Development (LHRD) is an applied program designed to develop in students the leadership, planning, analytical, problem solving, and change management capabilities that today's globalized organizations need to be successful.
The knowledge and skills graduates acquire enable them to:
- Develop and leverage an organization's human resources
- Collaborate with leaders, managers, and employees to identify and analyze performance issues
- Develop and implement strategies to address high priority performance issues
- Create enabling environments that maximize the potential for change
- Monitor and evaluate the outcomes of strategies and interventions
- Foster organizational change using cutting-edge evidence-based practices
- Help organizations realize their strategic goals and objectives
About the Program
MS LHRD program integrates the teaching and learning advantages of one-to-one, direct student-professor interaction with the efficiencies and flexibility of web-based learning. Courses integrate web-based learning activities with face-to-face coursework in ways that pedagogically compliment, reinforce, and elaborate on one another while maintaining a high level of in-person and individual interaction between student and professor.
The Master of Science in Leadership & Human Resource Development is a 36-hour, 12-course program offered through on-campus (full-time, hybrid) and online formats. For more information on the 100%, fully online program, visit Online Master of Science in Leadership and Human Resource Development
LHRD 7002 Perspectives on Leadership and Human Resource Development (3 credit hours) Survey of the evolving perspectives and critical pillars that illuminate and link the fields of leadership and human resource development.
LHRD 7200 Philosophy of Science in Leadership and Human Resource Development (3 credit hours) Survey of the philosophy of science underlying the scientific method in the study of leadership and human resource development.
LHRD 7305 Cultural Competence and Diversity (3 credit hours) Explores the development of cross-cultural skills through examination of culture theory, cross-cultural competence models, and experiential training methods.
LHRD 7571 Performance and Needs Analysis in Human Resource Development (3 credit hours) Theory and principles used in the analysis of performance problems in organizations; emphasis on application of performance theory and use of tools and techniques for analyzing organizational, process, and individual level performance problems.
LHRD 7575 Managing Change in Organizational Systems(3 credit hours) Introduction to theory, methods and practice of organization change and development; emphasis on the role of the HRD practitioner as a change agent and the interventions used to lead and manage organization change.
LHRD 7910 Human Resource Analytics (3 credit hours) Human resource and organizational behavior issues will be examined through the lens of measurement, analysis, and financial impact for the organization.
LHRD 7025 Advanced Adult Learning Theory and Practice (3 credit hours) Advance study of adult learning theory and research; emphasis on learning theory and research in adult learning with implications for adult learning practice.
LHRD 7110 Team & Group Dynamics (3 credit hours) Survey of team and work group dynamics.
LHRD 7577 Training and Development in Organizations(3 credit hours) Survey of training and development functions in modern organizations. Particular focus is given to learning theory and strategies, program design, and evaluation in applied (field) settings. A multidisciplinary perspective is encouraged.
LHRD 7602 Program Evaluation Design (3 credit hours) Systemic application of social research procedures for evaluating the conceptualization, design, implementation and utility of human resource and organization development programs.
LHRD 7700 Introduction to Leadership Development (3 credit hours) A comprehensive look at classic and contemporary theory and research in the twin domains of leadership and leadership development.
LHRD 7900 Applied Research Methods and Analysis in Organizations (3 credit hours) An experiential introduction to the applied research process in organizations including the conceptualization of applied research, designing studies, analyzing data, and reporting results to stakeholders.
Course Rotation without Summer Classes
Fall (1st Semester)
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| LHRD 7571 (in person – 15 weeks) | 3 |
| LHRD 7002 (in person – 15 weeks) | 3 |
| LHRD 7200 Session C (web-based) | 3 |
| Total | 9 |
Spring (2nd Semester)
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| LHRD 7700 (in person – 15 weeks) | 3 |
| LHRD 7577 (web-based – 15 weeks) | 3 |
| LHRD 7025 Session C (web-based) | 3 |
| Total | 9 |
Fall (3rd Semester)
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| LHRD 7910 (in person – 15 weeks) | 3 |
| LHRD 7575 (web-based – 15 weeks) | 3 |
| LHRD 7305 Session C (web-based) | 3 |
| Total | 9 |
Spring (4th Semester)
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| LHRD 7900 (in person – 15 weeks) | 3 |
| LHRD 7110 (in person – 15 weeks) | 3 |
| LHRD 7602 (web-based – 15 weeks) | 3 |
| Total | 9 |
updated August, 2022
Course Rotation with Summer Classes
Fall (1st Semester)
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| LHRD 7571 (in person – 15 weeks) | 3 |
| LHRD 7002 (in person – 15 weeks) | 3 |
| LHRD 7200 Session C (web-based) | 3 |
| Total | 9 |
Spring (2nd Semester)
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| LHRD 7577 (web-based – 15 weeks) | 3 |
| LHRD 7025 Session C (web-based) | 3 |
| LHRD 7700 (in person - 15 weeks) | 3 |
| Total | 9 |
Summer (Session)
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| LHRD 7305 (web-based 5 - weeks) | 3 |
| LHRD 7602 (web-based 5 - weeks) | 3 |
| Total | 6 |
Fall (3rd Semester)
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| LHRD 7910 (in person – 15 weeks) | 3 |
| LHRD 7575 (web-based – 15 weeks) | 3 |
| Total | 6 |
Spring (4th Semester)
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| LHRD 7900 (in person – 15 weeks) | 3 |
| LHRD 7110 (in person – 15 weeks) | 3 |
| Total | 6 |
updated August, 2022
Who Is This Program For?
Professionals apply their leadership, change and development skills within organizations in the health sector, education, manufacturing, information technology, hospitality and tourism, as well as community development and non-profit organizations.
Our MS degree is designed for:
- Human resource, organization development, training and development, and performance improvement professionals who increasingly deal with internal change initiatives
- Organizational leaders, including government and non-profit professionals, who want to be more effective at supporting change in their organizations
- HR professionals transitioning to new roles, who want to advance, or move into the exciting field of organization change and development
- Consultants looking to expand their skills and credentials
- Individuals interested in building the knowledge and skills to enable them to move into consulting
Career Opportunities
The highly transferable capabilities learned though the MS LHRD program has allowed our graduates to obtain a variety of careers, such as:
Training and Development Specialist
Chief Learning Officer
Consultant
Human Resource Director
HR Specialist
Training Director
Learning and Development Manager
Learning Technologies
$93,000
Management Consultant Annual Salary
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2021
11% +
2021 Job Outlook
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2021
Admission Criteria
Resume or CV with a complete and accurate chronological outline of all previous college-level education and full-time professional work experience
Two letters of recommendation
Undergraduate transcripts
Post-baccalaureate transcripts
Graduate transcripts
Personal statement expressing your interest in the program.
In 500 words or less introduce yourself to the faculty, describe your professional
and academic goals, and explain how you think our MS program fits your interests and
goals.
Regular Admission
An applicant is eligible for regular admission if the applicant meets one of the following Grade Point Average (GPA) requirements:
The applicant’s cumulative undergraduate GPA or last 60 credit hours from earned bachelor’s
degree is at least 3.0.
The applicant’s cumulative undergraduate GPA or last 60 credit hours from earned bachelor’s
degree is between 2.75 to 2.99 and the applicant has earned a 3.0 or higher in at
least nine hours of graduate-level coursework.
Probationary Admission
An applicant is considered for probationary admission, if their cumulative undergraduate GPA or last 60 credit hours from earned bachelor’s degree is 2.75 to 2.99.
Graduate students may submit requests and may be eligible for credit for prior learning (CPL) provided the equivalent non-credit experience or training was completed within the last five years.
Alternatively, students may also be eligible for CPL if they have remained up to date with their certification through Continuing Education Units (CEUs) that the specific certifying organization mandates.
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is highly recommended, but not mandatory, for applicants.
We admit students to the program throughout the year. Applications are due by the below dates for the corresponding semesters:
- Fall semester - May 15
- Spring semester - October 15
- Summer semester - April 15
Please note: Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not ensure acceptance into the program.
All applicants must adhere to the application procedures and deadlines established by the LSU Graduate School and the School of Leadership and Human Resource Development.
Contact Us
Missy Korduner, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice
MS LHRD Academic Program Coordinator & Advisor
225-578-7065
korduner@lsu.edu