Human Resource Development PhD Degree

Learn how the PhD in Human Resource Development will help you reach your career goals by clicking here. 

Program Information

Degree: PhD

Hours: 60

College: Soules College of Business

Admission Requirements

Students can be admitted while they are finishing their master's degree. However, they must complete their master's degree before they can start the PhD program which starts in the Fall. Submission of a writing sample or a writing sample under timed conditions may also be scheduled. Applicants must also participate in an interview with program faculty on the admissions committee.

Application Instructions

Total Program Tuition Cost: $30,330 Estimated tuition for full-time, in-state on-campus enrollment. Tuition varies by delivery method and hours taken per semester. Calculate your estimated tuition with the tuition calculator.

Scholarships/Financial Support:  Yes

Student Research:  Yes

Eligibility: Must have a master's degree in HRD, business administration, management or related field from a college or university approved by a recognized regional accrediting body.

GPA: 3.0 GPA (on 4.0 scale) on all previous academic coursework.

Test Score Required: Submission of GMAT or GRE scores. In lieu of GRE or GMAT scores, the program will accept a peer-reviewed conference paper or journal article on an empirical study employing quantitative methods or evidence that the prospect has received a B or A in a quantitative methods course in the last five years or completed a relevant certification.

Additional requirements for applicants with bachelor’s degrees from foreign institutions include Proof of English Proficiency and an International Transcript Evaluation as outlined here.

Letters of Recommendation: 3

Resume/Curriculum Vitae: Yes

Admissions Essay: Yes

Deadlines: Fall Admission Only. See calendar for deadlines.

Career Outlook: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates employment prospects will increase 13 percent through 2022, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. Opportunities for professionals within certain specialties are expected to be even greater. Position titles with highest growth rates include: employment, recruitment and placement specialists; compensation, benefits and job analysis specialists; and training and development specialists. A doctoral degree is a definite asset for educators, authors and consultants.

Salary Information: See Bureau of Labor Statistics for detailed salary information on these careers. Another great resource is the Occupational Outlook Handbook

Meet a University of Texas at Tyler graduate student.

Be Ready for Leadership Roles in the HRD Field

The University of Texas at Tyler’s doctoral program in human resource development is designed to develop scholars who will advance the profession and serve as leaders in higher education, government and industry.

• Build a strategic management perspective by completing the HRD PhD with a specialization in organizational development and change (ODC).
• Benefit from a hybrid program format: Meet for on-site classes just 5 times per semester on the UT Tyler campus. Complete the balance of required hours online or in project-based formats.
• Conduct research in HRD theory and practice.

Learn more from the Department of Human Resource Development and Technology.

PhD in Human Resource Development: Training Tomorrow’s Leaders.

• Complete coursework for the HRD PhD program in as little as 2 years. A dissertation based on original research contributing to the body of HRD knowledge also is required.
• Join thought leaders and experienced executives to explore the nuances of our rapidly changing and culturally diverse global workforce.
• Continue working while completing your PhD. Classes are often held on the weekends to accommodate executive schedules.

Human Resource Development Faculty: Research-Focused Thought Leaders.

• Engage in research and discussion with professors who are frequent HRD conference speakers and presenters on such topics as: Measurement invariance for quantitative theory building, virtual HRD, international HRD, career development, and leadership development.
• Undertake research projects with professors who lead academic research in HRD in such areas as: employee engagement, women in leadership, HRD theory building, how comparative HRD theory can contribute to HRD theory development, and how managers can improve teamwork and collaboration.
• Learn from educators with professional experiences in HRD at General Electric, KPMG, Motorola, Pennsylvania Power and Light, Texas Instruments, and other leading organizations.

Learn about UT Tyler’s human resource development faculty.

Human Resource Development Courses: Blending Theory and Practice.

Advanced Theoretical Foundations of HRD – Complete a review and assessment of human resource development theories and the scholarly process that is required to develop sound theory in applied disciplines.

Advanced Quantitative Research in HRD – Explore advanced conception and design of quantitative studies with particular application to the content and context of human resource development. The course leads students through the quantitative research process from start to finish and covers key decisions researchers must make at each stage of the process.

Leadership Theory and Practice – Focus on the leadership phenomenon and the contemporary leadership practices to explore the leadership’s role in human resource development (HRD). Studies on leadership theories and research approaches to conceptualizing and practicing effective leadership.

More about UT Tyler’s HRD doctoral program of study.

Find Out More:

Soules College of Business
3900 University Blvd.
Tyler, Tx 75799

Office Hours:
M-F 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

800 UT TYLER
903.565.5836
SoulesGradAdvising@uttyler.edu