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Master of Science in Human Resource Development
Students in Villanova University’s online HR master’s program must complete 10 required classes for a total of 30 credit hours. Those who enroll in consecutive terms can earn their degree in less than two years. At Villanova’s discretion, a maximum of six credit hours may be transferred from another accredited university.
In addition to the courses listed above, all students are required to complete one of the two available comprehensive exam options:
- Traditional Comprehensive Exam – Students must pass a cumulative exam. The questions are broad-based, covering situational events that occur within Human Resources.
- Professional in Human Resources (PHR®) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR®) Certification Exam – Developed by the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI), these exams lead to industry certification. Students who currently hold PHR or SPHR certification may bypass the comprehensive exam requirement by submitting a copy of their certificate at any time during the program. For those who intend to take the certification exam, Villanova offers a not-for-credit Human Resource Management certificate course as part of its master certificate program. This 12-week online course prepares students for the exam through information-packed video lectures and includes a complete set of the SHRM Learning System® textbooks plus one year of online access to practice exams, case studies and other valuable study materials. The PHR or SPHR exam may be taken before, during or at the end of a student’s graduate studies. Click here for more information.