Introduction
Organizations spend billions of dollars each year on employee training and development. To achieve their desired goals and outcomes, companies need individuals who are clearly responsible for training employees to do their present jobs effectively and developing people and organizations for the future.
University of Wisconsin-Stout's master of science degree program in Training and Development prepares training professionals to meet the human resource development needs of business and industry.
The program provides students with a broad knowledge base in training and development. However, curriculum is flexible enough for those who want to acquire in-depth knowledge and skills in a particular area of the field. It is especially appropriate for individuals who have a business or technology-oriented undergraduate degree such as business administration or industrial technology.
The Program
The Training and Development program is intended for individuals employed in business and industry or the public sector who have a technical background and a career interest in training and development. Students will refine their technical presentation skills; analyze training needs; and design, develop and deliver training programs. They will also learn to manage and coordinate training programs and processes.
This 30-credit program may be completed on either a full-time or a part-time basis. Full-time students may complete the program in one calendar year-two semesters and one summer. Most courses are offered in the evenings or at other times convenient for working adults.
Degree Requirements
Requirements for the degree include: (a) completion of at least 30 semester hours of approved graduate credits with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above; a minimum of 15 credits must be in 700-level courses open only to graduate students; (b) approval for degree candidacy at the appropriate time.
The Faculty
The Training and Development faculty members have a wide variety of both academic and practical experience in the field. The primary function of the faculty is teaching, which makes them accessible to students for academic and personal consultation. Class sizes are limited. A low student-to-teacher ratio provides each student the opportunity for personal attention. UW-Stout also maintains state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories to support the program.
Employment Opportunities
Business and industry researchers point to trends that clearly indicate increasing needs for training and development. The Occupational Outlook Handbook indicates that opportunities for jobs in training is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. Most of this growth will occur in the private sector as employers, concerned about productivity and quality of work, devote greater resources to training and development.
Program graduates may hold such titles as instructional designer, instructional developer, technical trainer, training coordinator, training supervisor or training manager. UW-Stout's Career Services Office can assist program graduates in locating employment.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the program with full status, an applicant must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college and have an overall grade point average of at least 2.75.
Applicants lacking coursework or experience in training systems or computer applications will need to take additional courses in these areas. A deficiency in these admission requirements does not preclude admission, but may require completion of additional graduate coursework or increase the amount of graduate credits required to earn the degree.
Transfer of Credits
A maximum of one-third of the total credits in the program may be transferred into the program. Such credits must have been completed within seven years of the date of graduation from Stout and are subject to the approval of the program director.
Kat Lui, Program Director
228 Technology Wing — Jarvis Hall
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Menomonie, WI 54751-0790
Phone: 715/232-5634
E-Mail: luik@uwstout.edu
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships are available in a number of areas on campus. Information can be obtained from the program director or from the graduate college.