PhD in Human Resource Development

Prepare to Lead Organizations as an HRD Professional

Expand your impact. Shape organizations’ culture, help them navigate change and empower them to thrive with a PhD in Human Resource Development from The University of Texas at Tyler.

Join a dynamic community of HRD professionals and scholars as you learn to address the challenges of a rapidly changing work environment here in East Texas and around the world. Build your network, and find inspiration from faculty mentors with deep industry experience. Move the discipline forward through original dissertation research.

Advance your career without interrupting it. Study alongside a cohort of your peers in an executive format with in-person meetings just five weekends per month.

Why Earn a PhD in Human Resources at UT Tyler?

You’re driven to create systems and environments that bring out the best in people and help organizations flourish. As an HRD professional, you’re ready to build on your experience with advanced knowledge and research skills to increase your effectiveness and reach.

A PhD in Human Resource Development equips you for senior and leadership positions in organizational settings or for research and teaching roles in academia. UT Tyler readies you for success through:

• High-Impact Learning Practices: Experience transformation through interactive first-year seminars, personalized mentorship and global learning opportunities through national and international conferences.
• Award-Winning Faculty: Train with leaders in the field. Our faculty members have won the Cutting Edge, Outstanding Scholar of the Year and Early Career Scholar awards from the Academy of Human Resource Development.
• Guided Research: Undertake your own research project with expert guidance from faculty scholars who lead academic research in human resource development (HRD) in areas including employee engagement, women in leadership, HRD theory building and management best practices, and beyond.
• Strategic Management Focus: Complete the specialization in organizational development and change and gain a C-level perspective on the HR and HRD functions.
• Industry Experts: Learn from educators with professional experiences in HRD at General Electric, KPMG, Motorola, Pennsylvania Power and Light, Texas Instruments and other leading organizations.
• Affordable Tuition: Get advanced training that fits within your budget with one of the most affordable programs of its kind. Explore financial support options to offset our already-low tuition.

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Curriculum

The PhD in Human Resource Development is a 60-credit-hour program designed to develop scholars and practitioners who are ready to advance in the profession and serve as leaders in higher education, government and industry. Complete your coursework in as little as two years, with one additional year for writing your dissertation.

Core courses in the theoretical foundations of human resources development, contemporary issues, leadership and talent development solidify your knowledge, deepen your understanding and expose you to the latest research and developments in HRD.

A unique organizational development and change specialization enhances your preparation with a strategic management perspective.

Develop tools for sophisticated research with courses in quantitative and qualitative research techniques and proposal development in preparation for your dissertation.

Complete the program by contributing original research to the field and defending your dissertation.

During the program:

• Integrate knowledge from HRD and related disciplines to excel as a researcher and scholar in multiple settings.
• Conduct original research in HRD to contribute to the theory and practice of the discipline.
• Disseminate original research about the discipline in scholarly journals and conferences.
• Enhance your HRD leadership capabilities in a variety of workplace settings, including business and industry, education and healthcare.
• Collaborate with national and international leaders to advance the discipline.

View Full Degree Requirements for the PhD in Human Resource Development

Visit the Department of Human Resource Development

What Can You Do With a PhD in Human Resource Development?

Play a lead role in shaping organizational culture, developing employees and setting the strategic agenda as an advanced human resources practitioner. Prepare to translate theoretical knowledge into practical action that moves business, government and nonprofit organizations toward their goals.

Graduates excel in positions like:

• Compensation and Benefits Manager
• Employment, Recruitment and Placement Manager
• Human Resources Consultant
• Human Resource Manager
• Training and Development Manager
• Talent Development Manager

Or, contribute to the field as a trained scholar. Your thorough research experience prepares you for a position as a university professor or a similar role in a government, corporate or private setting.

How to Apply

Graduate Admission Requirements

The PhD in Human Resource Development is open to students who have a master's degree in HRD, business administration, management or a related field from a college or university approved by a recognized regional accrediting body. Students may be admitted fully pending proof of a master’s degree, but enrollment in HRD doctoral coursework is not allowed until proof of a master’s degree is received.

Your application requires the following:

• Complete the online application.
• Official transcripts for all prior college- or graduate-level work, submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) on all previous academic coursework.
• Submission of GMAT scores (in some cases, the GRE may be accepted in lieu of the GMAT) taken within five years at the time of application to the program to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
• Submission of a career statement that articulates the purpose for pursuing the PhD in HRD, describes potential research interests and illustrates how the attainment of the degree may influence future career goals.
• Submission of three original letters of recommendation that address the applicant's potential as a PhD scholar in HRD.
• Curriculum vitae/résumé.
• Submission of a writing sample. Alternatively, a writing sample under timed conditions may be scheduled.
• Participation in an interview with program faculty on the admissions committee.

Please submit your career statement, letters of recommendation, curriculum vitae/résumé and writing sample to:

The University of Texas at Tyler
Human Resource Development
3900 University Boulevard
Tyler, Texas 75799
Phone: 903.566.7310

Review Detailed Application Requirements

See General Graduate School Admissions Requirements

Tuition

The estimated tuition for full-time, in-state, on-campus enrollment is $30,330. Tuition varies by delivery method and hours taken per semester. Calculate your estimated tuition with the tuition calculator.

Important Dates

April 1

Application deadline for all students. Program cohorts begin the following fall.

October 1

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid opens for the upcoming academic year.