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The Practice of HRD
The Online HRD at FSU
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Frequently Asked Questions
- I am interested in human resource development as a
career. How is HRD different from human resource management (HRM)?
- Is adult education the same as HRD?
- How is instructional systems design (ISD) different from HRD in
practice?
- What are the primary roles and competencies performed by HRD
specialists?
- What about salaries for HRD professionals?
- Are there professional associations and scholarly journals that
guide the development and practice of HRD?
- Where can I get more information about HRD as a career?
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I am interested in human resource development as a career. How is
HRD different from human resource management (HRM)?
Human resource management (HRM) is an umbrella term that covers a
multitude of important functions carried out in businesses, governmental
agencies, and not-for profit organizations, such as professional
associations. These functions typically include recruitment, selection
and placement, orientation, compensation and benefits, labor-management
relations, performance appraisal, compliance audits, and training and
development (HRD).
The purpose of any HRD unit within an organization is to leverage
learning to improve capacity and performance in individuals, groups or
teams. HRD is like a three-legged stool - training and development,
career development and organization development - and loss of one of
the legs may result in an unstable outcome!
Some larger businesses may have separate HRD units with lines of
authority and responsibility bypassing HRM. In these instances, you are
likely to see Chief Learning Officers (CLO) reporting directly to senior
vice president.
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Is adult education the same as
HRD?
Adult education is a very broad area of educational practice that
focuses on the needs of adult learners in several contexts. These include
adult basic education and GED preparation, continuing professional
education, social change and community development as well as training and
development in organizations. HRD is most likely found practiced in
organizations for the purpose of increasing individual and group
performance and organizational productivity.
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How is instructional systems
design (ISD) different from HRD in practice?
ISD focuses on the analysis, design, development, implementation and
evaluation of instruction for all age levels. HRD can be described as a
three-legged stool that focuses on training and development, career
development and organizational development. Florida State University has a
world class ISD program which is also available online at URL:
http://saint.coe.fsu.edu/departments/epls/Instructional_Systems_Website/.
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What are the primary roles and
competencies performed by HRD specialists?
The American Society for Training and Development recently completed an
exhaustive study of the role and competencies for learning and performance
in organizations. The findings from this study will be used as the
foundation for a professional certification examination and review process
(www.astd.org/astd/Research/competency_study/competency_study.htm)
Typical job titles include Instructional Designer, Trainer or
Instructor, Performance Consultant, Program Evaluation Specialist, and
Manager of Training. Job titles more consistent with a focus on
learning an performance are beginning to appear, such as Learning or
Performance Coach, Director of Learning and Performance, and Chief
Learning Officer. Larger organizations tend to specialize roles,
whereas smaller businesses have generalists.
The graduate degree program in Human Resource Development at Florida
State University has adopted the 2003 Training Manager Competencies
developed by the International Board of Standards for Performance and
Instruction (ibstpi) (www.ibstpi.org/) These
competencies have been used to shape and redefine the online MS degree in
HRD. Students are expected to submit a competency based portfolio at the
end of his or her program of studies for defense.
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What about salaries for HRD professionals?
The most recent salary figures for the HRD profession will be found in
the 2003 ASTD State of the Industry Report. Of significance is the in
crease in salaries for Performance Consultants
compared to other more traditional HRD positions!
Mean Salaries 1999-2002
| Year |
Trainers |
Instructional Designers |
Training Managers |
Performance Consultants |
| 2002 | $59,875 | $56,900 | $44,985 |
$89,751 |
| 2001 | $44,760 | $42,601 | $63,695 |
$42,557 |
| 2000 | $54,586 | $52,349 | $68,333 |
$64,937 |
| 1999 | $36,734 | $44,756 | $55,132 |
$51,525 |
Source: ASTD 2003 State of the Industry
Report, p. 20.
Minimum and maximum salaries for 2002: |
| Trainers: | $40,988 to
$70,411 |
| Instructional Designers: | $44,985 to $95,000 |
| Training Managers: | $31,000 to $98,134 |
| Performance Consultants: | $65,218 to
$124,200 |
Training (class room instruction) is estimated to be the intervention
of choice for between 15 and 20% of an organizations performance problems.
Performance consultants use analytical skills and knowledge of performance
improvement to increase individual and group performance by combining a
wide array of solutions. These may include some combination of improving
the organizations information and feedback systems, making sure those
employees and managers have updated tools and equipment, linking the
informal and formal rewards to performance, increasing knowledge and
skills, capacity building, and increasing motivation to learn and
perform.
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Are there professional associations and scholarly journals that
guide the development and practice of HRD?
The American Society for
Training and Development (ASTD) is a practitioner oriented
international professional association. The Academy of Human Resource Development
(AHRD) is the academic source for reporting research that extends the
boundaries of theory that informs professional practice. Membership
in AHRD includes three scholarly journals (Human Resource Development
Quarterly, Advances in Developing Human Resources, Human Resource
Development International, and Human Resource Development Review.
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Where can I get more information about HRD as a career?
Start with
the Internet and Marcia Conner's Learning and
Training FAQs. Review
the ASTD website and look for local chapters to join in your area. Other
sources include the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U. S.
Department of Labor.
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- Tell me about the HRD program at Florida State University.
- Is the HRD program accredited by a regional accrediting
association?
- Are there prerequisite degrees and courses for the HRD online
program?
- What are the benefits to earning my graduate degree online?
- Given these benefits, are there any disadvantages to an online
degree program?
- What are the costs for the online HRD program?
- Is there financial aid available for online students?
- How long will it take for me to complete the online HRD course
sequence?
- Do I have to take a comprehensive examination at the end of the
program?
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Tell me about the HRD program at Florida State University.
The College of Education at Florida State University is an
established leader in distributed and distance learning. As of fall
2005, the College will be offering seven online MS
degrees in a variety of academic areas
The online HRD program offers three distinct graduate options:
- The 15 semester hour HRD Certificate program is offered for those
students who wish to update their skill and abilities, but who do not
require a complete advanced degree.
- The 32 semester hour MS degree specializing in HRD prepares students
for responsible positions managing learning systems in a variety of
organizational contexts.
- The 32 semester hour Educational Specialist (EdS.) degree is designed
for those students who already have a graduate degree in some area other
than adult education/HRD, and who find themselves with significant
training and development responsibilities.
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Is the HRD program accredited by a regional accrediting
association?
Florida State University is accredited by the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools (SACS)! No distinction is made on the FSU diploma or
transcript regarding online or traditional face-to-face programs.
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Are there prerequisite degrees and courses for the HRD online
program?
There are no prerequisite degrees or courses for the online program. It
is not unusual for applicants to the HRD program to represent a
variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees as part of the application
package. Applicants must submit degrees from regionally accredited
colleges and universities.
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earning my graduate degree online?
- Class members learn while they earn! No need to interrupt work and
family to move to a college or university campus. No losses of pay and
benefits while you earn graduate credits.
- Most out-of-state students will qualify for a partial tuition waiver
which makes tuition very comparable to in-state tuition. Financial aid is
available for students who take six or more credits a semester, and online
students are encouraged to compete for grants-in-aid.
- Each course has a fully qualified and experienced instructor who has
earned a doctoral degree. Some programs incur the extra expense of
providing course mentors as a student support service.
- Class members control time commitments to meet course requirements. No
classes to attend on a structured schedule. Study is self-paced within a
learning module format.
- Class members learn how to collaborate in an online learning
community, much as they might in a true "learning community".
- Courses are designed with a theory-to-practice outcome; class members
strive to become "scholar-practitioners."
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Given these benefits, are there any disadvantages to an online
degree program?
Some students report a feeling of isolation and miss the face-to-face
interaction found in a typical class room environment. Most overcome the
isolation factor when they become with familiar with the interactive
discussion boards. Students with full family and business lives
(especially business travel) report initial frustration with time
management issues. The self-directed adult learner is more likely to
overcome these types of obstacles. Very rarely are there technical
problems with the course management system at FSU that is not addressed
within a 24 hour period.
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What are the costs for the online HRD program?
Costs for students are based on physical location, therefore vary (online.fsu.edu/student/degree/apply/application/grad.html#st3).
Out of state students who have been fully admitted to the online degree
program or who have been admitted to the HRD Certificate are eligible for
a partial tuition waiver. The partial tuition waiver represents a
significant reduction in tuition, and all students must pay any auxiliary
fees.
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Is there financial aid available for online students?
Online students are eligible for a federally guaranteed loan if they
take at least six hours a semester. Although grants in aid are very
limited, students are encouraged to be competitive and apply. Contact
Dr. Peter Easton (e-mail peaston@garnet.acns.fsu.edu for additional
information.
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How long will it take for me to complete the online HRD course
sequence?
Students will complete the 32 semester degree program in six semesters
(two years) if they take a minimum of two courses a semester and follow
the suggested schedule of courses. Students are encouraged to begin in
the fall of each academic year and to complete the following courses early
in his or her program of studies: ADE 5080, ADE 5083, ADE 5186, and ADE
5385. Students who drop out for a semester may have to wait for a
particular course to be offered in sequence. Beginning fall 2005, the HRD
program will offer a minimum of four courses a semester.
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Do I have to take a comprehensive examination at the end of the
program?
Students are not required to complete an end-of-program comprehensive
examination. Instead, students will submit a competency based portfolio
for review and defense.
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Adult Education and Human Resource Development Program
Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
114 Stone Building - Tallahassee, FL 32306-4452
Phone: (850) 644-2791 ♦ Fax: (850) 644-1258
E-mail: hrd@coe.fsu.edu
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