Program Details
Human and Organizational Development, Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of ArtsVirginia Commonwealth University
Transfer Guides are designed to maximize transfer credit as students complete their associate degree at the community college before transferring to the bachelor's degree program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. The following Transfer Guide(s), applicable to this program, are available in the Resource Center. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.
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.
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
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | The B.A. in Human and Organizational Development prepares undergraduate students to pursue entry-level positions in organizations such as human resource development, corporate training and development, training specialists, learning and development professionals, and more! The program is based on experiential learning, where students learn through classroom discussions and theory, practical, hands-on projects in the classroom, and an internship experience. For transfer students looking for a flexible schedule and online course modality, this is the program for you. |
| Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes 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. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Complete courses that are equivalent to VCU's lower-level general education courses to fulfill the courses required for your particular associates or certificate program. Connect with your advisor at your community college to ensure that you are following the transfer guide.
|
| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | Students across VCU can round out their degrees, enhance their major studies, and give themselves a professional edge by pursuing one of our undergraduate minors. Programs include minors in Business, Human Resource Management, Education, Instructional Design and Technology, Teaching English as a Second Language, and Recreation and Wellness. We also offer a nine-credit certificate program in Disability Studies. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | For transfer students entering with a completed associate's degree, the program can be completed in two years with the final two years of program coursework available online for students who are at a distance or adult learners who are working full-time. Students participate in an Internship, which gives them job experience and may lead to placement after graduation. Students can complete the internship hours in various ways that support professional development, network building, and strategic engagement with the field they hope to join (training and development, management and leadership, organizational improvement, educational roles, etc.). |
Program Credit Requirements
If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between Virginia Commonwealth University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System, Richard Bland College, or the College of Southern Maryland may be eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Admission Agreement. Students with one of these degrees may also be eligible to have the majority of their general education requirements waived. Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. The Associate of Science in General Studies or Social Sciences is recommended for this major. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. The Associate of Science in General Studies or Social Sciences is recommended for this major. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | VCU accepts a variety of types of credit for prior learning, including but not limited to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), military experience, Cambridge, and industry certifications that are recommended for credit by the American Council on Education or the National College Credit Recommendation Service. |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | VCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast array of degree programs from arts to dental hygiene to engineering to education. VCU students have access to hundreds of student organizations, which is a great way to connect with others whether or not you choose to live in one of our many on-campus residence halls. Take advantage of VCU's location with access to the James River and its park system, internship and job opportunities, community engagement, and interstates to travel to the beach, the mountains, and Washington, D.C.. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://admissions.vcu.edu/apply-to-vcu/undergraduate/transfer/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business Management | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Business | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Management - Small Business Management Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business Management | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business Management - Project Management Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business Management - Digital Marketing Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Management | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Business Administration, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Business Management, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Sciences in Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Rappahannock Community College | AAS Degree in Business Management | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Business Administration Specialization | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Management | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Online |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | Online |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate in Applied Science Degree in Management | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Management | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business Management and Leadership | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Bridgewater College | Business Administration Major - BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph-Macon College | Business - Finance (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph-Macon College | Business - Management (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph-Macon College | Business - Marketing (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13-1151.00 | Training and Development Specialists | Design or conduct work-related training and development programs to improve individual skills or organizational performance. May analyze organizational training needs or evaluate training effectiveness. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
Cost To Complete