Human Resource Development PhD Major

Ph.D. in Human Resource Development

UT Tyler Soules College of Business

Priority admission deadline for the Fall semester is April 1. Only applicants who apply by April 1 are eligible for the New Graduate Fellowship. After April 1, applications will be accepted until all seats are filled.

Applicants who are offered acceptance into the HRD PhD program will pay a non-refundable seat deposit of $500.00 by the date indicated in the acceptance letter. Failure to pay the deposit will result in forfeiture of the acceptance. The $500.00 is applied toward the first semester tuition. Applicants who accept an offer of admission but later decide not to attend will forfeit the seat deposit.

This program takes new, qualifying applicants each fall. Doctoral applicants must complete this process before being considered for admittance into the Ph.D. program in human resource development with an emphasis in organizational development and change (HRD/ODC). For those applying for financial aid, please visit the Office of Financial Aid website and submit your Ph.D. application materials before the deadline designated by that office.

Admission Requirements

Master's degree in HRD, business administration, management or related field from an accredited college or university.
3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) on all previous academic coursework.
Submission of GMAT scores taken within 5 years at time of application to the program. In some cases the GRE may be accepted in lieu of the GMAT..
Successful applicants typically have a GMAT score of 540 or a GRE score of 298 (based on a 5 year average – there is no minimum score requirement)..
Submission of a career statement, resume or curriculum vita, and three original letters of recommendation.
Submission of a writing sample or a writing sample under timed conditions may also be scheduled.
Participation in an interview with program faculty on the admissions committee

Application Process

Apply online
Pay the application fee through the website above or make payment directly to the UT Tyler Office of Graduate Admissions
Submit official transcripts from all universities from which you earned a degree. UT Tyler transcripts do not have to be submitted.
Submit official GRE or GMAT scores (scores older than 5 years will not be accepted)
Submit a career statement
Submit your resume or curriculum vita
Request three letters of recommendation from professional, personal or academic references

Materials can be submitted The Office of Graduate Admissions electronically at gradadmissions@uttyler.edu or by mail:

Graduate Admissions – HPR 248
The University of Texas at Tyler
3900 University Blvd
Tyler, Texas 75799

About the Ph.D. in HRD/ODC Program

The program is designed to prepare researchers and practitioner leaders for a rapidly changing and culturally diverse global workforce. The demographic shifts occurring today at unprecedented rates are changing the face of our communities and organizations. These shifts represent challenges to human resource development professionals who work in constantly changing businesses, industries, education, government, healthcare and nonprofit organizations.

The doctorate is intended primarily as an executive-based program that focuses on organizational development and change (ODC) in the context of business and industry that integrates a strategic management perspective.

The goal of the program is to develop scholars who are capable of making independent contributions to the profession and serving in leadership positions in higher education, primary and secondary education, and other government and industry-roles.

The educational objectives of the Ph.D. program are to prepare graduates to successfully perform in the realms of leadership and research to the field. The core courses of the doctoral program are designed to provide the advanced theoretical and research framework for students.

Delivery Format: Schedule

The Ph.D. in human resource development (HRD) with a specialization in organizational development and change (ODC) is not an online program; however, we do use an executive format program whereby students only meet five times a semester in Fall and Spring and four times a semester in the Summer. The balance of required class time will be completed via online and project based formats.