Affordable Training and Development Master’s programs are available for anyone who chooses to take the initiative and go after their degree. Online degree programs are sometimes less expensive than traditional classroom programs simply because there is no physical classroom. Community colleges are also less expensive than some of the bigger universities. If you are looking for affordable Master’s in Training and Development degree programs, you may want to do some comparison shopping.
There are several ways to make earning your Master’s in Training and Development degree more affordable. Scholarships and grants are a great way to defray the cost of your education. They can be used to pay for both traditional classroom courses as well as online courses. Both scholarships and grants can be used to pay for books, tuition, supplies, lab time, and in some cases, even room and board. If the funds you receive are meant for a specific purpose, you will need to apply it to that particular expense.
Methodology: Ranking the Most Affordable Training and Development Master’s Programs
Ranking affordable programs is about more than just cost; students need to know their degree with pay off. So the Great Business Schools ranking of the most affordable training and development master’s programs is based on tuition cost, including only accredited, reputable colleges and universities.
1. Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University’s Human Sciences & Education offers an MS in Leadership & Human Resource Development that is recognized among Louisiana’s affordable training and development masters programs. Students enrolled in LSU’s graduate degree in training and development is available on-campus or entirely online. Those interested in this graduate degree from Louisiana State University will be offered an academic concentration in Workforce Development. Those enrolled in this specialty will complete classes in instructional design for human resource development, human resource analytics, and program evaluation design, among others.
Louisiana State University was founded as a land-grant school in 1860 but is also a sea-grant and space-grant university. The university’s campus in Baton-Rouge (and online) serves approximately 34 150 students.
Highlight Louisiana State University is a comprehensive research university with projects funded by NASA and the NIH, among others.
Degree MS in Leadership & Human Resource Development
2. Amberton University
Amberton University offers an MS in Human Resources with an academic emphasis in Training and Development that is ranked among the Lone Star State’s affordable training and development masters programs. Students enrolled in Amerton University’s graduate degree in training/development must complete 36 credit units, either online or on-campus, to graduate. Classes for this master’s degree program include ethics for decision making, human resources management, and the theory/application of research methods, to name a few. The university has been recognized as a best buy for the school’s online graduate degree in human resources from GetEducation.com.
Amberton University (AU) was established as a nonprofit institution in 1971. Amberton University operates several campuses in Texas.
Highlight Amberton University first began as an offshoot of the Abilene Christian University in the Mesquite area of Texas.
Degree MS Human Resources Training and Development
3. University of Minnesota
The Education and Human Development College at the University of Minnesota offers a Master of Education in Human Resource Development (HRD) that is typically completed by degree candidates in one to two years. The University of Minnesota’s affordable training and development master’s programs require the completion of 34 semester credits by students, who are prepared for rewarding careers as training facilitators, learning coaches, or consultants, among others. In addition to the mandated internship, students complete classes in strategic planning through human resources, strategies for teaching adults, and organizational development for human resource professionals, to name a few.
Established as the result of the land grant act, the University of Minnesota was founded in 1851. The school’s campuses serve approximately 49,060 students, among the top ten of all schools in the nation.
Highlight The Minneapolis and St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota is recognized as the largest and the oldest of all member schools in the state’s university system.
Degree MEd in Human Resource Development
4. University of North Florida
The University of North Florida’s Education and Human Services College offers a Master of Science (MS) degree program in Educational Technology, Training and Development that hones degree candidate’s leadership, learning theory, and technology skills. The University of North Florida’s affordable training and development masters programs requires the completion of 30 semester credits to graduate. The core coursework for this graduate degree from North Florida includes foundations of education research, action research in education, and instructional design and applications, to name a few.
The University of North Florida is a space-grant school that was established in the mid 1960s. Located in the northern portion of the Sunshine State, the University of North Florida is a member school of the state’s system of universities. The school’s urban campus in Jacksonville is home to approximately 16,960 students.
Highlight The University of North Florida first began as a senior school that only accepted junior and senior students from other schools.
Degree MS Educational Technology, Training and Development
5. Oakland University
The Organizational Leadership Division at Oakland University offers a Master of Training and Development degree (MTD) program that requires the completion of 36 to 44 semester credits, depending on the exact study load. Classes for Oakland University’s affordable training and development masters programs include instructional design, program evaluation, and program administration. This graduate degree in training and development offers these academic tracks – instructional design/technology, organizational development & leadership, or a combination track of both concentrations.
Oakland University was established in 1957 and is a space-grant institution of higher education. Oakland University maintains two campuses in Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills. Oakland University’s suburban campus is home to approximately 19,940 students.
Highlight Oakland University is recognized as the largest institution of higher education in the greater metro Detroit area.
Degree Master of Training and Development
6. Troy University
Troy University offers an MS in Management (MSM) with an academic focus in Talent Development And Training. Students enrolled in Troy University’s affordable training and development masters programs can be completed in about five terms (or about one year) when studying full-time. Students graduate from this training and development master’s degree program to find rewarding careers in consulting firms, government agencies, and international organizations, among others. This graduate degree is available online and on-campus in Phenix City, Montgomery, and Dothan.
Troy University was founded as a normal school in 1887 but is now the state university’s flagship campus. The Troy college-town campus covers more than 750 acres and serves approximately 17,950 student.
Highlight Troy University operates four academic centers in Alabama and more than 50 teaching facilities throughout the nation and internationally as well.
Degree MS in Management – Talent Development And Training
7. University of Memphis
The University of Memphis offers a Master of Professional Studies in Training and Development that requires degree candidates to complete 33 semester credits to graduate. Students enrolled in the University of Memphis’s affordable training and development masters programs are a hybrid delivered program including distance learning (compressed video & computer training) and on-site training requirements. Students graduate with the skills requires to create and implement instructional design programs in the areas of training and e-learning technologies, among others.
The University of Memphis was established as Troy State School for Teachers in 1912 by the state’s legislature. The university’s Memphis campus serves approximately 21,970 students.
Highlight The layout of the University of Memphis campus is planned in accordance with the layout of the University of Virginia.
Degree MPS in Training and Development
8. Indiana University Bloomington
The Education School at Indiana University Bloomington offers an MS In Education Counseling and Education Psychology that offers degree candidates a Learning and Development Sciences – Learning Sciences academic track. UI Bloomington’s affordable training and development masters programs require students to complete 36 semester credits, of which the learning science core curriculum must include 15 semester credits. Classes for this graduate training and development degree includes educational motivation, learning sciences and assessment in education, and designing for learning in context, plus a learning sciences apprenticeship, among others.
Indiana University Bloomington was founded in 1820 as a public university and the flagship member school of the state’s university system. The Bloomington campus of Indiana University is home to approximately 43,550 students.
Highlight Distinguished alumni of Indian University in Bloomington include Mark Cuban, Hoagy Carmichael, and Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales.
Degree MSED Learning and Developmental Sciences
9. Texas A&M University Commerce
Texas A&M University Commerce’s Department of Education and Human Services offers a Master of Science (MS) degree program in Organization, Learning & Technology that can be completed in as little as one year, with no thesis required. Texas A & M University’s Bloomington’s affordable training and development masters programs require degree candidates to complete 30 semester credits to meet program requirements. Core classes for this graduate degree in training and development include instructional design, e-learning design, needs assessment, and program evaluation, to name a few.
The Commerce campus of the Texas A & M University was established as a public school for teachers in 1889. Commerce is the third-largest member school of the Texas A & M state university system and the fourth oldest in the Lone Star State.
Highlight The Commerce campus of the Texas A & M University is located to the north of the large metropolitan area of Dallas and Fort Worth.
Degree MS in Organization, Learning & Technology
10. Indiana State University
Indiana State University offers an MS in Human Resource Development that can be completed entirely 100% online. Indiana State University’s affordable training and development masters programs mandate students complete 33 to 36 credit units, depending on exact study path and requirements, plus a culminating integrative capstone project. This graduate degree program from Indiana State University is affiliated with the Society of Human Resource Management.
Established as a state-funded teachers’ school in 1865, Indiana State University now offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to its student enrollment that exceeds 10,150 students.
Highlight Indiana State University’s buildings were once used for a seminary entitled Vigo Institute.
Degree MS in Human Resource Development
How Do I Save Money on a Master’s in Training and Development?
Online Master’s in Training and Development degree programs are also cost-effective. Not only are they somewhat cheaper, you spend less time and money traveling to and from school. You don’t have to put gas in your car or go out to eat. You are also able to continue to work at your full-time job without taking time off for class. The one expense you have to worry about aside from your school expenses is the cost of your internet. If you don’t want to pay for internet at home, you can do your coursework from any location that offers an internet connection.
How Much Can I Make with a Master’s in Training and Development?
A salary for a Training and Development specialist can be as high as $108,000 per year on average. Being put in charge of the training and development of a workforce carries a lot of responsibility. Several factors go into determining a person’s yearly wage. Education plays a key role, especially if the person has earned a Master’s degree and graduated with above-average grades. Graduates who study online may be able to gain experience through an internship or other type of work-study program.
Work experience is one of the strongest factors when determining an annual wage for a Training and Development manager. The more experience a graduate has, the higher their annual wage when they first sign on. Some graduates gain experience prior to graduation by taking on an internship. As a Training and Development Manager, a graduate can work either in a company setting or as an independent contractor. Working as an independent contractor, allows them to set their own schedule and determine their own rate of pay.
Another factor is location. Finding work in a large, metropolitan area will garner you a much higher wage as a Traditional and Development manager than if you start working in a small company in a rural area. You would also have the option of working with a government agency like OSHA. On the state level, you can develop testing programs for certifications and licensure programs. Taking on positions like this makes you an authority in your field and will earn you a higher than average wage.
Will a Certification Help My Career?
A Training and Development specialist certification offers you the extra information you need without having to complete an entire degree program. Certifications offer the most advanced technology available for someone who specializes in Training and Development programs. Depending on the specialization, certification programs can last for several months to a year. The purpose of the certification is to both refresh old information and incorporate new protocols and procedures into the graduate’s set of skills.
Certifications are also beneficial when it comes to keeping licenses in good standing. If you are licensed as an educator at any level, you will need to complete a specific number of credit hours each year. This allows you to maintain your license in good standing and will also provide you with beneficial information that will keep you up to date with current information pertaining to your field. If you choose to take a certification course, you will be able to finish the classes much sooner than if you had chosen to take a full degree program. If you already have years of experience to build on, a certification program may be all that you will need.
If you have a Master’s degree in another area, you can expand your horizons by earning a Training and Development certification. This will give you the credentials you need to become an educator in your chosen field of study. The opportunity to build on what you already know gives you the advantage you need to educate others and help them move forward in establishing their own careers.
Carrie Morris
Author
Warren Dahl
Editor-in-Chief