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Associate of Science: General Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Human and Organizational Development is an interdisciplinary program combining the workplace learning and development aspect of human resource development with the area of organizational development, a discipline designed to help organizations develop a system that helps people work better within an organizational context. The program focuses on providing students the knowledge and skills to plan and develop learning programs and interventions for adult learners in a variety of organizations, including corporations, non-profits, education, as well as healthcare, while also relying on their solutions-based skills. 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 is based on experiential learning, where students not only learn through classroom discussions and theory, but also practical, hands-on projects in the courses taught, and with organizations, as well as an internship experience. The program also provides a multicultural look at learning and development globally through coursework and an optional study abroad program.

Our program also has electives in several areas, including Business. Students may choose electives which will award them with a minor in Human Resource Management or General Business. See your advisor for information on how to complete these minors.

The field of Adult Learning and Human and Organizational Development has only strengthened over the past few years with the increasing number of employers realizing that employee learning and development is key to organizational sustainability. The US Department of Labor estimates that the need for employees in the field of employee development and training is expected to be higher than the average growth in jobs overall. 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.