This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2025-2026 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
The B.A. in Human and Organizational Development is a 120-credit-hour program that prepares individuals for a broad range of positions including as human resource development professionals, organizational and employee development professionals, instructional designers or talent development professionals. The program focuses on providing students with the knowledge and skills to plan and develop learning programs and interventions for adult learners using sound pedagogy for teaching adults in a variety of organizational settings. Students will learn to assess and evaluate adult learning and learn to adapt instructional programs based on the needs of the learners as well as the organization. Through comprehensive learning and development experiences in both class settings and a required internship, students will gain an understanding of working with diverse groups of learners. The program will provide opportunities for students to learn skills in developing programs for adult learning and practice them in a professional setting. Graduates of the program will be highly trained professionals capable of planning, developing and evaluating programs for adult learners both in-person and through online delivery formats.
Student learning outcomes
Students will acquire knowledge about discipline-specific and theoretical concepts critical to the
development and learning of employees in the workplace. Students will be able to:
- Plan, develop and implement learning and development experiences for adult learners in a variety of settings
- Assess learning needs and evaluate the learning of both students and the organization through learning and development experiences
- Develop learning interventions and assessments appropriate for employees/participants from diverse cultural backgrounds
- Utilize adult learning principles and knowledge of organizational development to create learning and development experiences/interventions for the intended audience
- Use appropriate technology in learning and organizational development curriculum development
- Provide strategy for appropriate learning and development interventions
- Demonstrate project management skills in organizing and managing a learning/development project for adult learners
Curriculum requirements
The B.A. in Human and Organizational Development will require a minimum of 120 credit hours. The program includes a required internship to provide students practical experience through experiential learning activities. The focus of the curriculum is to provide students with the practical courses which will prepare them for positions in human resource development and organizational development in for-profit and nonprofit organizations.
Degree requirements for Human and Organizational Development, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General education | ||
| Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
| Major requirements | ||
| • Major core requirements | ||
| ADLT 300 | Introduction to Human and Organizational Development | 3 |
| ADLT 301 | Adult Learning Theory and Practice | 3 |
| ADLT 302 | Basics of Instructional Design for Adult Learners | 3 |
| ADLT 303 | Facilitation Skills for Human and Organizational Development | 2 |
| ADLT 304 | Designing Online Learning for Adult Learners | 3 |
| ADLT 400 | Developing Intercultural Competencies in the Workplace: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity | 3 |
| ADLT 401 | Organizational Development and Change | 3 |
| ADLT 404 | Team Learning and Development | 3 |
| ADLT 405 | Project Management in Learning and Development | 3 |
| ADLT 406 | Consulting Skills in Adult Learning Environments | 3 |
| ADLT 490 | Internship in Human and Organizational Development | 3 |
| EDUS 301 | Human Development and Learning | 3 |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
PSYC 101  Play course video for Introduction to Psychology | Introduction to Psychology (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and AOI for diversities in the human experience) | 4 |
| SOCY 101 Play course video for Introduction to Sociology | Introduction to Sociology (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and AOI for diversities in the human experience) | 3 |
| Restricted electives (Select 15 credits from the following.) | 15 | |
| Accounting for Non-business Majors | ||
| Technology for Learning and Development | ||
| Culture and Instructional Design | ||
| Legal Environment of Business | ||
| A Survey of Career Counseling | ||
| Diversity, Democracy and Ethics | ||
| Educational Psychology for Teacher Preparation | ||
| Managing People in Organizations | ||
| Leadership | ||
| Human Resource Management | ||
| Human Resource Development | ||
| Survey of Special Education | ||
| Universal Design for Learning and Transition | ||
STUA XXX Study abroad | ||
| Methods for Teaching Multilingual Learners | ||
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course. 1 | 37-42 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Students may choose the number of electives credits needed in order to reach the degree program minimum of 120 credits.
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
Recommended course sequence/plan of study
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| ADLT 300 | Introduction to Human and Organizational Development | 3 |
| SOCY 101 Play course video for Introduction to Sociology | Introduction to Sociology (satisfies BOK for social/behavioral science and AOI for diversities in the human experience) | 3 |
| UNIV 111 Play course video for Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication | Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education quantitative foundation course (MATH 131 or STAT 208 suggested) | 3 | |
| Open electives | 3-4 | |
| Term Hours: | 15-16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ADLT 303 | Facilitation Skills for Human and Organizational Development | 2 |
| PSYC 101 Play course video for Introduction to Psychology | Introduction to Psychology | 4 |
| UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II | Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course (select BOK for natural sciences) | 3 | |
| Open electives | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| ADLT 301 | Adult Learning Theory and Practice | 3 |
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| Open electives | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ADLT 304 | Designing Online Learning for Adult Learners | 3 |
| EDUS 301 | Human Development and Learning | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Open electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| ADLT 302 | Basics of Instructional Design for Adult Learners | 3 |
| ADLT 401 | Organizational Development and Change | 3 |
| Restricted elective | 3 | |
| Open electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ADLT 400 | Developing Intercultural Competencies in the Workplace: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity | 3 |
| ADLT 404 | Team Learning and Development | 3 |
| Restricted elective | 3 | |
| Open elective | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| ADLT 405 | Project Management in Learning and Development | 3 |
| ADLT 406 | Consulting Skills in Adult Learning Environments | 3 |
| Restricted elective | 3 | |
| Open elective | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ADLT 490 | Internship in Human and Organizational Development | 3 |
| Restricted electives | 3 | |
| Open elective | 9 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Total Hours: | 120-121 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.