Best 14 Master’s Degree in Training and Development Online in 2024

North Carolina State University offers an Online Master of Training and Development Program that is designed for students who want a career committed to improving human performance in organizations. The program is geared towards professionals who work as program managers, instructional designers, trainers in a variety of industries, including business, education, military, industry, and non-profit. No thesis is required, and the curriculum includes an overview of human resources development knowledge and practice skills, as well as program design, management, and development skills.

Arizona State University offers an Online Master of Education in Learning Design and Technologies that teaches students advanced theories of learning, development, and design of competency-based instructional materials. Students learn how to design, develop, and evaluate learning structures in a wide spectrum of settings, including industry and business. In addition to applying theories in projects that present real-world challenges, students learn the fundamentals of learning design and technology with classes like Modalities of Learning, Issues in Online and Distance Education, and Evaluation of Learning Systems.

Ball State University offers a Master’s Degree in Adult and Community Education that is available online, on-campus, or in a hybrid format. This program is one of the few in the nation that has a strong community education focus, preparing students to plan, implement, design, and evaluate education programs for adults. Rather than taking tests, students do projects, such as evaluating programs in their own workplaces, as a way to bridge theory and real-world experiences. Up to thirty credits of this program can be transferred into Ball State’s EdD in adult and community education.

University of Georgia offers an online Master of Learning, Leadership & Organization Development that teaches students how to create adult learning programs that help individuals, teams, and organizations perform at their maximum potential. The curriculum emphasizes communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and interpersonal and organizational skills in addition to theory around developing healthy, sustainable organizations. Graduates leave as masters of several subjects, including coaching, customized training, talent management, adult learning, change management, customized training, and more.

Pittsburg State University offers an online Master of Science in Human Resource Development that prepares students to pursue advanced human resources roles such as trainers, organizational development (OD) practitioners, or instructional designers. This program blends theory with real-world application from the start, allowing students to gain experiential learning in one of two tracks: Leadership and Organization Development (LOD) or Learning and  Development (LD). LOD is suited for students who want to help organizations and individuals develop, while LD is suited for those who want to design and execute training programs in their organizations. Graduates go on to become human resource directors, recruiting managers, compensation analysts, career specialists, senior HR specialists, and more.

Clemson University offers an online Masters of Human Resource Development (MHRD) that teaches students how to become adult educators who solve common challenges in today’s workplace, including areas like leadership, strategy, ethics, adult education, and diversity. Graduates of this program pursue careers in several fields, including training, learning, and development; strategic HRD; and individual and organizational performance improvement across the business, non-profit, education, and government sectors. This program also offers a special intercollegiate athletic option for students interested in the field.

Boise State University offers an online MS Degree in Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning that prepares students to work in several areas in the field, including instructional design, e-learning, workplace performance improvement, training and development, organizational development, performance consulting, and program evaluation. Students can earn this degree in as few as twelve months, and there is a thesis option. Classes include Principles of Adult Learning, Instructional Design, Quantitative Research in Organizations, and more.

Tennessee Tech University offers an online Master’s of Professional Studies: Training & Development Concentration that readies students for careers in the growing field of workplace training and development. The curriculum focuses on a blend of practical and theoretical knowledge and skills, including project planning, instructional design, development, organizational needs analysis, adult learning and cognition, and delivery/evaluation in a traditional and virtual environment. The degree also consists of a certificate in Training and Development.

Drexel University offers an Online Master’s Degree in Human Resource Development that trains students to become strategic partners to organizational leaders by maximizing workplace performance, learning, and change. This degree is geared toward professionals focused on the strategic aspects of human resources, such as employee retention, training, organizational development, career development, and mentoring. Students learn from instructors who are leading researchers in the field while benefiting from the flexibility of a 100% online class format.

PennState offers an online Masters of Professional Studies (MPS) in Organization Development and Change geared towards professionals in fields like corporate development, talent management, and performance improvement. This program teaches with an international focus, ensuring that students see organizational challenges within a global context while also emphasizing the importance of technology in implementing change. In addition to taking courses in organizational development, students create portfolios and collections of work samples that they can show potential employers.

Middle Tennessee State University offers an online Master of Professional Studies (MPS) that prepares students for more advanced roles as workplace trainers or corporate course developers. It also prepares students to teach adults in a corporate training environment or online environment. Aimed at working professionals who want to accelerate their careers, this program offers the opportunity to specialize in two electives from the six areas: HR law; workplace diversity; human resources management; project planning and scheduling; engaging adult online learners; and e-training advanced instructional design.

University of St. Francis offers an online Training and Development (MS) that provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to become leaders in training and development, e-learning, and talent development. Graduates pursue roles in these fields across the corporate, human resources, non-profit, and healthcare sectors. Six concentrations are available for a more customized path of study: Self-design; Health Administration; Business Administration; Human Resource Management; Instructional Design in Online Learning; and Management of Training & Development.

University of  Wisconsin-Stout offers an online MS Training and Human Resource Development aimed at students who want to make a career out of maximizing human and organizational performance. The curriculum focuses on developing four core competencies, which include: leading the learning function; improve human performance in an organizational context; facilitate organizational change; and manage organizational knowledge. Graduates take on a variety of careers, including technical trainer, instructional designer, learning and development manager, leadership development specialist, and internal/external consultant.

Roosevelt University offers an online Master’s in Training and Development that can be completed in just twelve months. This graduate program is the only one mapped to the 2014 Association for Talent Development Competency Model (ASTD), considered the standard of excellence in the field. Sample courses include Training Delivery, E-learning Design, Training Evaluation, Coaching for Talent Development, Training Strategy and Leadership, Performance Consulting, and Instructional Systems Design. Alumni of this program have gone on to work at employers including American Airlines, LinkedIn, Motorola, Merck, Northwestern, ADP, and more.