2024-2025
Human and Organizational Development
School of Education
Program description
The Bachelor of Arts in Human and Organizational Development is an interdisciplinary program that focuses on providing students the knowledge and skills to plan and develop learning programs and interventions in a variety of organizations, including corporations, non-profits, education, as well as healthcare, while also relying on their solutions-based skills. The degree is also offered as a fully online program.
The program is based on experiential learning, where students not only learn through classroom discussions and theory, but also practical, hands-on projects in the courses. All students complete a semester internship as part of their program requirements, and are able to complete additional REAL and experiential requirements as part of other courses in the program as well as an elective in consultation with their faculty program coordinator.
Students will learn to evaluate and assess training and development programs, as well as assess learner needs and adapt programs to meet those needs. They will also learn project management skills, which are much needed in organizations today. The program also provides a multicultural look at learning and development globally through coursework and an optional study abroad program.
Our program has a number of free/open electives in order to support the cross-disciplinary interests of each student. Students may choose electives towards a minor in areas such as instructional design and technology, human resource management or general business. Meet with your advisor for information on how to complete these minors.
Career opportunities
Join the growing field of Human and Organizational Development professionals! Organizations realize that employee training and development is critical to retention and excellence, and that is why the U.S. Department of Labor is seeing a job growth need in this are for years to come. Graduates with the BA in Human and Organizational Development will be prepared to pursue entry level positions in corporations, non-profits, government, as well as higher education as training coordinators, training specialists, instructional design technologists, learning and development specialists, and associate training specialists.
Change of major requirements
Submit a change of major form and email soeadvising@vcu.edu to schedule a change of major appointment to discuss your degree plan and requirements. Students must have a 2.5+ GPA to declare this change of major.
Bachelor-level job titles
- Development Coordinator/Specialist
- Development Trainee
- Human Resource Development specialist/Coordinator
- Instructional Design Specialist
- Learning and Technology Specialist
- Learning Specialist/Coordinator
- Learning Strategist
- Organizational Development Specialist
- Trainer
- Training and Development Coordinator
Graduate and professional level job titles
- Chief People Officer
- Senior Organizational Trainer
Professional associations and resources
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
- Quantitative Foundations requirement only
Science required
- Natural Sciences requirement only
Foreign language requirements
- No
Additional tuition/fees
- Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
- 2.5+ cumulative GPA to declare
Transfer Maps
Contact information
Department name:
Department of Educational Leadership
Building/room location:
Oliver Hall Education
Phone:
(804) 828-8160
Email:
soeadvising@vcu.edu
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Monroe Park
Major map
Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals.
- Map out a 4-year course plan in the DegreeWorks Student Educational Planner.
- Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills.
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and choose electives.
- Sharpen your study skills in supplemental instruction sessions at the Campus Learning Center.
- Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.
- Review the SoE General Education course options and SoE minors that align with your cross-disciplinary interests to maximize your free/open electives.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Apply to live in a Living-Learning Community.
- Consider applying to the Honors College.
- Get involved, meet people, and develop your interests by joining one of VCU's 50 student clubs and organizations.
- If living on campus, connect with your Resident Assistant, attend hall events, and participate in Community Council.
- Participate in RAM CAMP to get a jump start on learning about VCU’s campus community.
- Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks.
- Engage with a da Vinci Center or Shift Retail Lab experience to learn more about how to maximize grow and build your brand and community connections.
- Use REAL’s Student Opportunity Center platform to take the hassle out of finding hands-on experiences and make your first-year extraordinary.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Check out the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and follow @vcuomsa.
- Join RAMmalogues to talk with peers about social identities in the context of acceptance, belonging, and inclusion in life at VCU.
- Review Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets to explore studying abroad opportunities and other global learning opportunities.
- Visit a study abroad fair and complete Rams Abroad 101.
- Attend a VCU cultural club that you connect with. All clubs are open to all students, so go out and learn and connect!
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Activate your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
- Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
- If eligible, consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
- Seek research opportunities by applying for research funding through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
- Set up a profile in the Student Opportunity Center to explore REAL opportunities.
- If you are Federal Work Study Eligible, check out the opportunities to apply to roles in the School of Education to be an ambassador and learn critical presentation, project management, and customer service skills.
- Use career exploration resources to conduct research on the types of jobs you may be interested in.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
- Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
- Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
- Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow to connect with VCU traditions and alumni networking opportunities.
- Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.
- Mark your calendar to apply to School of Education scholarships each spring semester.
Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation classes with the da Vinci Center.
- Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
- Schedule an appointment with your advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
- Talk to professors about your research interests, electives, and strategies for success in your classes.
- Connect with your faculty program coordinator to consider career pathways and how to utilize the VCU and School of Education alumni network for career exploration.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
- If living on campus, join the Residence Hall Association.
- Learn about the Sophomore Year Experience in Cary & Belvedere.
- Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
- Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
- Consider joining a VCU Toastmasters meeting to build your network and learn critical public speaking, leadership and career skills.
- Join the local chapters of the Association for Talent Development (ATD) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship.
- Explore social issues, develop cultural competency skills, and engage with faculty through iExcel pop-up courses.
- Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty.
- Make friends with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
- Check out TED Talks Education and TED Programs and Initiatives that encourage learning, nurture community, and catalyze impact to build your cultural knowledge and competency.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
- Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
- Explore global career options with a career advisor to set goals for getting your dream job.
- Organize examples of your academic and professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections in an ePortfolio.
- Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
- Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
- Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
- Meet with a coach in the Financial Success Center to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
- Connect with your faculty program coordinator to consider career pathways and how to utilize the VCU and School of Education alumni network for career exploration.
Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
- See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
- Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help.
- Consider a study abroad experience.
- Research list of internship sites partnered with the School of Education.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions.
- Design a community-engaged research project.
- Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities, such as the Fulbright Student Scholarship.
- Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU.
- Consider attending or presenting at The American Association for Adult and Continuing Education or SoE sponsored research colloquia.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
- Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
- Get required REAL experience and effect community change by using iExcel’s Active Citizen’s Toolkit to vote and volunteer.
- Prepare for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams by showcasing your interpersonal skills on your resume.
- Consider applying to and enrolling in the undergraduate Certificate in Disability Studies, a 9 credit program to continue to expand your access and equity knowledge and skill sets.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
- Get expert advice from VCU Alumni ranging from graduate school to your career simply by asking a question through Ask A Ram.
- Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through Big Interview or meeting with a career advisor.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
- Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services.
- Make a plan with your advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
- Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
- Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year.
Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
- Complete your required program internship with a university partner or self-selected internship site.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, Richmond Teacher Residency, or AmeriCorps.
- Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
- Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners.
- Master your answers to interview questions about your experience working with diverse populations.
- Plan for how you will grow your cultural agility after graduation.
- Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
- Participate in the School of Education's Race, Ethnicity, & Education Teach-In.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Consider becoming an educator through programs like RTR, which prepare graduates from a variety of majors to become teachers in high-need schools.
- Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
- Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
- Join a professional organization related to your industry of interest and consider serving on a committee to build and practice career-related and leadership skills.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
- Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
- Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
- Join VCU’s LinkedIn professional and alumni pages to start informational interviews with alumni in the industry you are applying to jobs. Complete FREE LinkedIn Learning modules that are suggested by your informational interviews.
2024-2025
Human and Organizational Development
School of Education
Concentration(s):
No concentration
| MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING | GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY | DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY | EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS | PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE | ||
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| Excel | Year 4 |
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