Human and Organizational Development, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

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	Building Organizational Belonging Through Facilitation	3
ADLT 304	Designing Online Performance Improvement 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
Restricted electives
Select courses from the following:		15
ACCT 202	Accounting for Non-business Majors
ADLT 305	Technology for Learning and Development
ADLT 407	Culture and Instructional Design
BUSN 323	Legal Environment of Business
CLED 405	A Survey of Career Counseling
EDUS 202	Diversity, Democracy and Ethics
EDUS 304	Learning and Motivation in the Classroom
MGMT 310	Managing People in Organizations
MGMT 319	Leadership
MGMT 331	Human Resource Management
MGMT 403	Human Resource Development
SEDP 330	Survey of Special Education
SEDP 495	Universal Design for Learning and Transition
STUA XXX Study abroad
Open electives
Select any course.		39
Total Hours		120

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.

Recommended course sequence/plan of study 

Freshman year
Fall semester		Hours
ADLT 300	Introduction to Human and Organizational Development	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 courses		6
Open elective		3
	Term Hours:	15
Spring semester
ADLT 303	Building Organizational Belonging Through Facilitation	3
UNIV 200	Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations))	3
General education courses		6
Open elective		3
	Term Hours:	15
Sophomore year
Fall semester
ADLT 301	Adult Learning Theory and Practice	3
General education courses		6
Restricted elective		3
Open elective		3
	Term Hours:	15
Spring semester
ADLT 304	Designing Online Performance Improvement for Adult Learners	3
EDUS 301	Human Development and Learning	3
General education courses		6
Open elective		3
	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 electives		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 electives		6
	Term Hours:	15
Spring semester
ADLT 490	Internship in Human and Organizational Development	3
Restricted elective		3
Open electives		9
	Term Hours:	15
	Total Hours:	120

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

Accelerated B.A. and M.Ed.

The accelerated B.A. in Human and Organizational Development and M.Ed. in Educational Leadership programs allows academically talented students to earn both the B.A. in Human and Organizational Development and M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, concentrations in culturally responsive leadership; higher education administration or leadership studies in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to 12 credit hours of graduate courses toward both the B.A. in Human and Organizational Development and M.Ed. in Educational Leadership degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 138 credits rather than the 150 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.

The accelerated B.A. in Human and Organizational Development to M.Ed. in Educational Leadership degree will enhance access to graduate education for online, adult learning professionals. By offering a streamlined pathway, this program reduces barriers to entry and supports a variety of learners in achieving their academic and professional goals. Leveraging VCU's robust online learning infrastructure, the program ensures flexible, high-quality educational experiences with comprehensive support services, including academic advising, tutoring and career counseling. Additionally, the accelerated format reduces the overall cost and time required to complete a graduate degree, making it a cost-effective option for working professionals. Graduate education is crucial for career growth, providing advanced knowledge, skills and credentials that open doors to leadership positions and higher earning potential.

Entrance to the accelerated program

Interested undergraduate students should consult with their academic or faculty advisor as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.

Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include completion of 75 undergraduate credit hours; an overall GPA of 3.0.

Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of the Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA that is a requirement for admission into a VCU graduate program as outlined in the VCU bulletin. Guidance to students in an accelerated program is provided by both the undergraduate B.A. in Human and Organizational Development academic adviser and the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership senior educational specialist and faculty advisor or program coordinator. 

Admission to the graduate program

Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin.

Note: Students pursuing this accelerated program are not eligible for the M.Ed. with a concentration in administration and supervision due to the concentration’s graduate admission requirement of three years of teaching experience.

Degree requirements

The Bachelor of Arts in Human and Organizational Development degree will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 120 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin. 

A maximum of 12 graduate credits may be taken prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree. These graduate credits will fulfill 12 credits of open electives for the undergraduate degree. These courses are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning that they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

The graduate educational leadership core courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, are:

Course	Title	Hours
ADMS 618	Leadership for Change and Improvement	3
ADMS 622	Understanding Diversity and Leading for Social Justice	3
ADMS 630	Understanding and Engaging School Communities	3
ADMS 633	Multiple Dimensions of Leadership	3

Recommended course sequence/plan of study

The recommended plans of study are specific to the B.A. in Human and Organizational Development and the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. Students in the accelerated program may choose a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership concentration in culturally responsive leadership, higher education administration or leadership studies. Students pursuing this accelerated program are not eligible for the M.Ed. concentration in administration and supervision due to the concentration’s graduate admission requirement of three years of teaching experience.

For students pursuing the culturally responsive leadership concentration

For students pursuing the higher education administration concentration

Course	Title	Hours
Senior year
Fall semester
ADLT 405	Project Management in Learning and Development	3
ADLT 406	Consulting Skills in Adult Learning Environments	3
ADMS 622	Understanding Diversity and Leading for Social Justice	3
ADMS 633	Multiple Dimensions of Leadership	3
HOD restricted elective		3
Term Hours:		15
Spring semester
ADLT 490	Internship in Human and Organizational Development	3
ADMS 618	Leadership for Change and Improvement	3
ADMS 630	Understanding and Engaging School Communities	3
HOD restricted elective		3
HOD open elective		3
Term Hours:		15
Fifth year
Fall semester
ADMS 616	Higher Education Law, Policy, and Politics	3
ADMS 619	Higher Education Administration	3
EDUS 660	Research Methods in Education	3
Term Hours:		9
Spring semester
ADMS 612	Policy in Higher Education	3
ADMS 615	Higher Education Administration and Leadership	3
MEd restricted elective		3
Term Hours:		9

For students pursuing the leadership studies concentration

Course	Title	Hours
Senior year
Fall semester
ADLT 405	Project Management in Learning and Development	3
ADLT 406	Consulting Skills in Adult Learning Environments	3
ADMS 622	Understanding Diversity and Leading for Social Justice	3
ADMS 633	Multiple Dimensions of Leadership	3
HOD restricted elective		3
Term Hours:		15
Spring semester
ADLT 490	Internship in Human and Organizational Development	3
ADMS 618	Leadership for Change and Improvement	3
ADMS 630	Understanding and Engaging School Communities	3
HOD restricted elective		3
HOD open elective		3
Term Hours:		15
Fifth year
Fall semester
EDUS 660	Research Methods in Education	3
MEd electives		6
Term Hours:		9
Spring semester
MEd electives		9
Term Hours:		9