New USF degree prepares training and development professionals
A
new graduate program at the University of St.
Francis will meet the growing need for performance-based
education, training and development programs in
business and industry, health care and education.
The
new master of science in Training and Development
will be offered beginning this fall at the university’s
Joliet campus and online through the Internet.
The
master of science in Training and Development
(MSTD) provides quality educational experience
in an applied curriculum for professionals who
design, deliver and evaluate learning programs
for adults, explained professor Joy Thompson,
who designed the program.
"Students
and employers benefit immediately from this program
because students can apply their learning to the
workplace," Thompson added. "Hands-on
experience in planning, delivering and evaluating
continuing education, training and professional
development is an effective way of developing
expertise," she said.
The
MSTD program "will provide employers with
professionals who have expertise in the teaching
and learning of adults. They will understand how
continuing education and training leads to improved
performance in the workplace, and they will have
an awareness of internal and external environments
that will enable them to position education and
training effectively within their organizations,"
said Thompson.
The
program was developed with the input of professionals
and consultants with the most current information
in the field of continuing education, training
and development, according to Thompson.
The
MSTD degree offers diverse employment possibilities
such as manager or director of training or education,
a manager of human resources development or organizational
learning, a director or dean of continuing education,
a director of adult or community education, a
performance consultant, an instructional designer,
a learning technologist or an e-learning manager.
The
University of St. Francis has become a national
leader in providing educational opportunities
to working professionals by offering quality programming
that fits into the busy lives of adult learners.
The MSTD program can be completed at the students’
own pace while continuing to work, in three years
or less. Classes meet one evening a week or on
weekends in a traditional class setting. All courses
are also offered in a highly interactive online
format that allows students the convenience of
completing the degree any time and any place through
their laptop, home or office computers and an
Internet provider.
Many
students choose to combine their schedules with
on-site and online courses, noted Thompson.
The
GRE and GMAT test are not required for admission,
and students may begin their first class while
completing the application process. Students must,
however, have basic computer competency.
Thirty-six
graduate hours of credit are required to complete
the MSTD degree, and students may choose to concentrate
their learning in one of five areas: Management
of Training and Development, Learning Technology,
Health Services, Business Administration or a
Self-designed program. Certificate programs are
also available.
The
University of St. Francis has offered graduate
programs to students nationwide since 1980. More
than 3,000 graduate students are served at sites
throughout the country, online and at the main
Joliet campus. Graduate programs are offered in
business, health care and education. For more
information about the University of St. Francis,
call (800) 735-7500 or visit www.stfrancis.edu.