Accelerated Bachelor Degree Completion Program in Human Resource Development

Updated on Monday, June 15, 2009 6:22 PM

Accelerated bachelor's degree completion for working adults

Human Resource Development: Improving workforce performance

Online program at $192 per credit hour (2008-09 school year)

On-line Master's, Blended Doctorate degrees also available

The Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.E.) degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville (U of A) with a major in Human Resource Development (HRDV) is more affordable than most highly-advertised private or out-of-state Internet-based universities.

Tuition for the 2008 school year was $192 per credit hour. Board of Trustees policy currently does not charge out-of-state tuition for Web-based programs (any policy may change without notice).

Financial aid is available for those who qualify. A limited number of U of A scholarships and College of Education and Health Professions scholarships are available for students meeting the criteria.

On-line classes allow academics to be balanced with the demands of family and work life.

HRDV Professional courses are taken by a fixed group of students called a cohort in a set rotation to facilitate mutual encouragement and support.

A student-instructor ratio of about 20-1 creates an environment for interaction and learning.

Credit for job knowledge and professional certifications can accelerate completion of a marketable bachelor's degree from the flagship campus of higher education in Arkansas.

HRDV curriculum uncovers the “people” skills and effective strategies leaders use to facilitate improvements in workforce performance beneficial to individuals, teams, and organizations. These skills are ideal for many career and leadership positions. Undergraduates also obtain a solid academic base to pursue graduate studies.

Historically, about two out of every three Arkansans who started college didn't finish within five years and went into the work force. The HRDV program is specifically designed for these working adults needing to complete a bachelor's degree that opens the doors to opportunity and personal growth.

Full-time working adults with as few as 43 hours total of general education requirements and five years of full-time work history can qualify to bid for an available space in an HRDV cohort that starts each fall semester.

Completing the HRDV program of study awards the B.S.E. from the U of A, but does not lead to traditional licensure for teachers in Arkansas. More information about teacher licensure requirements is available from the teacher licensure checklist or the Arkansas Department of Education at 501-682-4342.

Requirements to qualify for an HRDV cohort:

Be currently working full time
Have five or more years of full-time work experience
Have at least 43 semester hours of General Education requirements in the HRDV program of study graded "C" or better

Start the process...

Download a Request for Departmental Approval (Adobe Acrobat Reader required). The alternative Portable Network Graphics (PNG) version is printable through a Web browser. We can also be reached by phone at (479) 575-4709, by fax at (479) 575-3767, or by e-mail at hrd@uark.edu
Send in the form and attachments to get a no-cost, no-obligation review of qualifications. Requests are accepted year-round, but there might not be enough time to for those received after July 15th to get everything done in time for the fall semester. The following should be included with the form:
a) Cover Letter explaining the purpose or desired career goal(s) hoped for with this degree. Qualifications to enter should also be explained

b) Résumé listing the full-time work history, schools attended, and the names of any professional certifications earned (copies of the certificates are not needed)

c) Readable Transcript (plain-paper advising copy preferred) showing the semesters, college courses, credit hours, and grades

In response to the above request, the departmental sends a preliminary estimate of existing credit to inform the decision on whether or not to accept an invitation to unofficially commit to the HRDV major.

Those who commit to the HRDV major with departmental approval and an available space in the next cohort are guided through admission to the University, completion of the Off-Campus Orientation, and preparations for semester classes.

Those who commit to the HRDV major before all departmental requirements are met are guided through completion of the remaining prerequisites and are considered members of the unofficial "Pre-" cohort.

Additional facts about the HRDV Major:

Current Board of Trustees policy does not charge out-of-state tuition for online degree programs (any policy may unexpectedly change)
Financial aid is available to qualified students. Students admitted by February for the fall semester might qualify for specific U of A and/or College of Education and Health Professions scholarships
HRDV Majors have their name added to the historic "Senior Walk" on the Fayetteville campus after graduation
All HRDV courses are online. Students access class materials and upload assignments at their convenience by due dates posted across a traditional fall and spring semester, and two 5-week summer sessions
HRDV cohort courses are offered in a set rotation each fall and spring semesters only. New students enter a cohort only as it begins each fall
All HRDV students have an academic advisor to develop an individualized plan of study to complete all degree requirements
At least 68 hours of appropriate course work graded "C" or better can transfer from accredited colleges to the U of A.
Appropriate upper-division credit, graded "C" or higher, transferred from accredited 4-year colleges is limited only by senior residency requirements

Please browse the Frequently-Asked Questions and the HRDV Plan of Study for more details.