25 Best Bachelor’s in Training & Development for 2021

learning and development degree

Earning a Bachelor’s degree in Training and Development is a great way to help others achieve their goals and gain experience using the most technologically advanced tools available. The goal of individuals who earn a Bachelor’s degree in Training and Development is to teach others the skills they will need within their work environment. Individuals who choose this degree must be excellent communicators and have the ability to relay information in a casual way that is easy to understand and utilize.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Training and Development, a graduate can assist companies in educating their workforce in the way of new skills, safety protocols, and methodology. With this type of degree, it will be up to you to provide valuable tools and resources to employees so that they can better perform their duties. As an educator, you must be able to answer questions and offer advice on how to work through possible challenges. It will also be up to you to ensure that the employees are confident in their abilities.

Methodology: Ranking the Best Training and Development Degree Programs

For the Great Business Schools ranking of the best training and development degree programs, GBS editors focused their research on accredited, legitimate institutions across the US. Programs are ranked by data from Niche and IPEDS, including tuition rate, student reviews, and potential salary. 

1. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois offers a BS in Learning & Education Studies with an academic track in Workplace Training & Development that is recognized among the best training and development degree programs in the Midwestern U.S. Degree candidates enrolled in UI Urban Champaign’s undergraduate degree in training and development are required to complete 120 semester credits to graduate. Classes for this core concentration include diversity in the workplace, learning technologies, and intro to e-learning, to name a few.

Established in 1867 under the Morrill Act, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a land grant, sea-grant, and space-grant school. The university’s campus is home to approximately 51,650 students vying for academic degrees provided by sixteen colleges/schools. 

Highlight The athletes representing the University of Illinois at the Olympics have won more than two dozen medals.
Degree BS in Learning & Education Studies: Workplace Training & Development

2. Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College offers a BS in Teaching and Learning that is recognized among the best training and development degree programs in Tennessee. Students enrolled in Vanderbilt University’s undergraduate degree in training and development will first complete the school’s general education core requirements. Degree candidates will receive a degree in teaching and learning from one of the nationally ranked universities. The programs have the potential to lead to licensure in early ed, elementary, and secondary education – in various subjects.

Established by Cornelius Vanderbilt in an attempt to heal wounds inflicted during the Civil War, Vanderbilt University was established in 1873. The university’s campus in Nashville serves approximately 13,450 students, only a couple of miles from Nashville’s downtown. 

Highlight Vanderbilt University’s distinguished alumni include members of the US Congress, Ambassadors, and two Vice Presidents of the United States.
Degree BS in Teaching and Learning 

3. University of Maryland – College Park

The Education College at the University of Maryland offers a BS in Human Development that requires degree candidates to complete 120 credit units. Students enrolled in this best training and development degree program includes classes with a minimum of 30 credit units to be earned at the University of Maryland, and 12 of those credits must be upper-level coursework. Students complete this training and development degree in approximately 48 months. Additionally, training and development majors will complete a field experience worth seven credits. 

Founded as an agricultural college in 1856, the University of Maryland is a land-grant school that is also Maryland’s flagship campus. In addition, this sea-grant and space-grant higher learning institution serves approximately 41,050 students. 

Highlight The University of Maryland’s research and development budget exceed 500 million dollars.
Degree BS in Human Development 

4. University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin BS in Applied Learning and Development offers students three academic tracks – youth and community studies, early childhood, or the all-level generic special education track. Depending on the academic track, these best training and development degree programs from UT Austin require between 120 to 127 hours of semester units. Classes for this training degree from the University of Texas at Austin include applied learning and development, informatics, and social-cultural influences on learning, to name a few.

Founded as a state-run institution of higher education in 1883, the University of Texas (UT Austin) is the state’s flagship school that serves approximately 40,950 students. The Austin campus at the University of Texas is recognized as one of the United States’ public ivy learning institutions. 

Highlight The students from the Austin campus of the University of Texas have won more than 140 medals.
Degree BS in Applied Learning and Development

5. University of California, Davis

The University of California, Davis offers a BS with a Human Development academic major that is one of the university’s most popular degrees. UCD’s best training and development degree program prepares degree candidates for careers in education, counseling, training, and nonprofit program outreach. Students complete 101 to 115 semester credits to graduate, depending on an exact academic trajectory. Classes for this major from UC Davis include research methods in human development, adulthood and aging, and longevity, to name a few.

Established as a farm university in 1905, the University of California (UC Davis) is a land-grant university that serves approximately 39,050 students each semester. 

Highlight The Davis campus of the University of California maintains a nearby arboretum that holds more than 4,000 tree specimens across more than 90 acres.
Degree Human Development 

6. Texas A&M University

The College of Education & Human Development, located at Texas A&M University, offers a BS in Human Resource Development (HRD) that is ranked among the state’s UCD’s best training and development degree programs. Degree candidates enrolled in Texas A&M University’s undergraduate degree are required to complete 120 semester credits over four years. Coursework for this training and development include human resource measurement and evaluation, a survey of management, business information systems concepts, and applied human resource development, to name a few.

Established in 1876, Texas A&M University is a land-grant school that serves approximately 69,350 students, making Texas A&M University the second largest student body in the nation. 

Highlight Additionally, Texas A&M University is a sea-grant and space grant institution of higher education – the only school in the Lone Star state with these three designations.
Degree BS in Human Resource Development 

7. Boston College

The Lynch School of Human Development & Education at Boston College offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Applied Psychology and Human Development that prepares graduates to help enrich the lives of adults and children they work with professionally. Boston College’s best training and development degree program requires students to take classes in child growth and development, counseling theories, clinical perspectives in mental illness, the psychology of learning, adolescent psychology, and research methods/analyses, to name a few.

Founded by the Jesuit Catholic Church, Boston College operates as a comprehensive university, despite choosing to keep its name as ‘college’ – a decision that reflects its origins as a liberal arts school. The college’s main campus and online program serve nearly 9,500 students. 

Highlight Boston College athletes are known as the Eagles, with an impressive history of five national championships in men’s ice hockey.
Degree BA in Applied Psychology and Human Development

8. University of Minnesota

The Education & Human Development College at the University of Minnesota offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree program in Developmental Psychology that requires degree candidates to complete 120 semester credits to graduate. The University of Minnesota’s best training and development degree program must also complete a culminating capstone project in developmental psychology or an internship in child psychology. Available elective classes for this degree include child life theory, infant development, biological foundations of development, and language development and communication, to name a few.

The University of Minnesota was founded in 1851 and operates two campuses in the Twin Cities location that are a few miles apart from one another. These dual campuses from the University of Minnesota serve approximately 49,050 students on its 2,500+ urban acres.  

Highlight The University of Minnesota’s distinguished alumni includes Walter Mondale, Bob Dylan, and Hubert Humphrey, among others.
Degree B.A. in developmental psychology

9. Bellevue University

Bellevue University’s BS in Adult Education offers degree candidates an academic emphasis in  Training and Development. Bellevue University’s best training and development degree program requires the completion of 127 credit units to graduate. Core coursework for this undergraduate degree from Bellevue University includes foundations of continuing education, critical thinking and evaluation, adult learning theory, learning styles fundamentals, learning assessment/evaluation, and instructional design process, among others. This training and development program is available online and on-campus. Bellevue offers active military duty and their spouses a tuition discount.

Established in 1966, Bellevue University is a private higher learning institution that seeks to meet the needs of adult learners in Bellevue and online. Bellevue University’s campus and online platform serve approximately 10,150 students. 

Highlight Bellevue University operates a main campus in Bellevue and several academic facilities throughout the state.
Degree BS in Adult Education: Training and Development

10. Washington State University

Washington State University offers a BA in  Human Developmental that requires degree candidates to complete a practicum or internship for 11 to 15 semester credits. Washington State University’s best training and development degree program offers various areas of study within the degree that include adolescence, human services case management, early childhood education, gerontology, and family studies. This training and development degree is available online on the Vancouver and Pullman campuses of the university. Students enrolled in Washington State University’s baccalaureate degree in training and development have the opportunity to join faculty in research roles in the school’s labs.

Established as a land-grant agricultural college in 1890, Washington State University is now a higher learning institution dedicated to research. The school’s multiple campuses serve approximately 30,450 students.  

Highlight Washington State University is recognized among the oldest land grant schools across the western United States.
Degree Bachelor of Human Development 

11. The Ohio State University

The Dept. of Educational Studies at the Ohio State University offers a BS in Education, Technical Education, and Training that prepares students to become business education teachers. Ohio State University’s best training and development degree program requires students to complete 120 credit units across four years of study. Classes for this undergraduate degree in training and development include life span human development, data analysis, student teaching in CTE, psychological perspectives in education, and teaching/reading across the curriculum, to name a few. 

Established under the land grant act, The Ohio State University was founded in 1870. Ohio State University is the state’s flagship school and a space-grant and sea-grant higher learning institution that serves approximately 68,150 students across its multiple campuses. 

Highlight The Ohio State University is recognized among the largest of all universities in the United States.
Degree BS in Education, Technical Education and Training

12. University of Houston

The University of Houston offers a BS in Human Resource Development (HRD) that is recognized among the best training and development degree programs in Texas. Students enrolled in the University of Houston’s undergraduate degree in training and development have an opportunity to accelerate the program towards a graduate degree. Classes for this training and development degree from the University of Houston include an instructional design for human resource development e-learning applications, human resources in technology, quality improvement methods, and organizational development, plus an internship in training and development, among others.

Established as a public university in 1927, the University of Houston operates multiple campuses in the Houston vicinity. With a student enrollment that exceeds 46,050, the University of Houston is recognized among the largest institutions of higher education in the Lone Star State. 

Highlight The University of Houston offers more than 275 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Degree BS in Human Resource Development 

13. University of Arizona

The University of Arizona’s Global Campus offers a BA in Instructional Design that allows students to complete a one-five-week course at a time – all online. Additionally, applicants for this best training and development degree program may transfer up to 90 eligible credit units. Degree candidates have the option of selection from these academic emphases – cognitive studies, public administration, environmental management and sustainability, web/mobile app technology, or public relations. Classes for UA’s degree from the University of Arizona include adult learning and instruction, emerging issues in education technology, issues in education, and collaboration in the virtual classroom, among others.

Established in 1885 under the land grant act (1862), the University of Arizona was founded before Arizona reach statehood. The university’s nineteen colleges/schools serve approximately 45,850 students. 

Highlight The University of Arizona is ranked among the country’s best 35 schools by the Center for World University Rankings.
Degree BA in Instructional Design 

14. Temple University

Temple University offers a BA in Adult and Organizational Development (AOD) that prepares graduates to become effectual agents of change in organizations and companies. Students enrolled in Temple University’s best training and development degree program will take classes in team process in education, interpersonal processes through the life span, leadership in organizations, the principles of mediation in practice, conflict processes, and introduction to adult learning & training, plus a field research project in a professional setting, to name a few.

Established in 1884 as a Temple College, a private school, Temple University is now a public research institution of higher education. Temple University’s campus in the City of Brotherly Love is home to approximately 39,050 students. 

Highlight Temple University is recognized by US News among the top 50 public higher learning institutions in the United States.
Degree BA Adult and Organizational Development

15. Pennsylvania State University

The Education College at Pennsylvania State University offers a BS in Workforce Learning and performance emphasis that has an academic emphasis in Career Education. Pennsylvania State University’s best training and development degree program requires degree candidates to complete 124 semester credits to graduate. Classes for this undergraduate degree in training and development include education in American society, integrated curriculum implement, leadership competencies, assessment techniques, and vocational education for special needs learners, plus an industrial training internship, among others.

Pennsylvania State University was founded as the result of the land grant act in 1855. In addition, Pennsylvania State University is a four-designation school including space-grant, sea-grant, and sun-grant. The school operates multiple campuses and has a total approximately enrollment of 96,350 students. 

Highlight QA World Rankings of Universities recognizes Pennsylvania State University among the 101st in the world.
Degree BS in Workforce Education and Development

16. University of Idaho

The University of Idaho offers a BS in Career and Technical Education (B.S.Ed.) degree that is among Idaho’s best training and development degree programs. Degree candidates enrolled in the University of Idaho’s undergraduate degree in training and development have the option of four academic tracks, agricultural education, business & marketing education, occupational education, and engineering & technology education. These programs from the University of Idaho are available on three campuses – Moscow, Boise, Coeur d’Alene, and through the university’s distance learning platform.

Founded as the result of the passage of the Morrill Land Grant Act in the late 1880s, the University of Idaho (Idaho) maintains a campus in rural Moscow., Idaho The university’s campus is home to approximately 10,650 students. 

Highlight The University of Idaho is recognized as the premier research institution of higher education for the state of Idaho.
Degree BS in Education: Career & Technical Education

17. University of Alabama

The Dept. of Human Development & Family Studies at the University of Alabama offers a BS in Human Development and Family Studies that prepare graduates for working with children, youth, as well as adults across a variety of settings. The University of Alabama’s best training and development degree program requires students to complete 124 semesters credits to graduate. Classes for this undergraduate training and development degree program include social psychology, drugs, society & human behavior, interpersonal evaluation, and adolescent youth development internship, among others.

Founded in 1820 as the result of the Morrill Act (1862), the University of Alabama has become the state’s flagship school, as well as a space-grant and sea-grant higher learning institution. The school’s campus serves approximately 38,350 students. 

Highlight The University of Alabama is recognized as one of the first public institutions of higher education on the southwestern American frontier.
Degree BS in Human Development and Family Studies

18. University of Louisville

The Education and Human Development College at the University of Louisville offers a BS in Organizational Leadership and Learning (OLL) that is considered among Kentucky’s best training and development degree programs. UL’s training and development undergraduate degree is designed for adult learners and offers credit for prior work experience. UL is recognized among the top online programs for veterans seeking a baccalaureate degree. Students can opt for these academic emphases – career and technical education, leadership, training and organizational development, and healthcare leadership.

Established in 1798 as a seminary, the University of Louisville is now a public institution of higher education that serves approximately 21,350 students. In addition, the University of Louisville is a member school of the commonwealth’s university system and is also a space-grant school. 

Highlight According to US News, The University of Louisville is recognized as a selective higher learning institution.
Degree BS in Organizational Leadership and Learning

19. Providence College

The School of Continuing Education (SCE) at Providence College offers a BA in Leadership Development, which is the only program of its type at the baccalaureate level in New England. Students graduate from Providence College’s best training and development degree program and enter the workforce as community development specialists, human resource professionals, strategic planners, and social service administrators, to name a few. Classes for this undergraduate degree in training and development include leadership and diversity, leading change, and leadership theory, to name a few.

Established in 1917, Providence College is a space-grant school that is administered by the Dominican Friars. The school’s urban campus is home to approximately 4,750 students. 

Highlight Providence College holds the distinction of being the only higher learning institution in the United States that is run by Dominican Friars.
Degree BA in Leadership Development

20. Old Dominion University

The Darden Education and Professional Studies College at Old Dominion University offers a BS in Occupational and Technical Studies with an academic emphasis as a Training Specialist. Old Dominion University’s best training and development degree program is available on-campus and through the school’s distance learning platform. Students graduate from Old Dominion University’s training and development program and enter the workforce as human resource specialists, instructional designers/technologists, training and development experts, and instructional coordinators, to name a few.

Founded as a division of another established school, Old Dominion University was founded in 1930. The school’s Norfolk campus is home to approximately 24,850 students vying for the more than 150 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. 

Highlight Old Dominion University’s name is derived from a nickname of the state given by King Charles II.
Degree BS in Training Specialist

21. Southern Illinois University – Carbondale

The Dept. of Workforce Education and Development at Southern Illinois University offers a BS in Education with an academic emphasis in Organizational Training and Development. This best training and development degree program from Southern Illinois University requires degree candidates to complete 120 semester units to graduate. Students take classes in the assessment of learner performance, adult learning, human resource specialist, training systems management, foundations of work education, technical communication, and occupation analysis & curriculum development, to name a few.

Founded in 1869, Southern Illinois University operates two campuses in southern Illinois. SIU maintains a campus in Carbondale and Edwardsville, which is in the east St. Louis area. Southern Illinois University’s campuses in Carbondale and Edwardsville are home to approximately 24,000 students.

Highlight Southern Illinois University’s humble beginnings began as a teacher’s training school.
Degree BS in Education: Organizational Training and Development 

22. West Chester University Philadelphia

The Business & Public Management College at West Chester University offers a BS in Business Management that is among the east coast’s best training and development degree programs. Students enrolled in West Chester University’s training and development undergraduate degree program are required to complete 120 credit units to meet requirements. Classes for this degree include management information systems, organizational theory, human resource management, and production & operations management, to name a few.

West Chester University was established in 1871 as a teacher’s training school. This space grant institution of higher education operates multiple campuses in West Chester, East Bradford, and West Goshen, Pennsylvania. The university’s campuses are home to approximately 17,550 students. 

Highlight West Chester University’s marching band has performed for Miss American pageant, the Philadelphia Eagles, and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Degree BS Business Management 

23. Amberton University

Amberton University offers a BA in Professional Development that requires BA degree candidates to complete 120 semester credits to graduate. Students enrolled in Amberton University’s coast’s best training, and development degree program can complete the degree online or on-campus. Classes for this undergraduate degree in training and development include organizational behavior, principles of success, stress management, leading in transition & change, interpersonal relations, human resource inventory, and motivation, among others.

Founded in 1971, Amberton University is a private school located in the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, area. The school maintains a strict Christian evangelical philosophy as it began as an extended facility for the Abilene Christian University. 

Highlight Two online programs offered by Amberton University have been recognized as great value programs by GetEducated.com.
Degree BA Professional Development

24. Widener University

The Graduate and Continuing Studies Center at Widener University offers a BA in Organizational Development and Leadership that can be completed full-time or part-time through the school’s distance learning platform. Students enrolled in this best training, and development degree program from Widener University must complete 120 semester credits, with available options to accelerate a master’s degree. Core coursework for this undergraduate degree in Widener University includes ethics, modern organizations, effective decision making and problem solving, legal aspects of supervision, and effective communication, to name a few. Degree candidates have a variety of minors available in the degree program.

Established in 1821 as a private school, Widener University operates a 110-acre main campus in Chester, Pennsylvania and two law schools in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Wilmington, Delaware. Recognized as one of the Philadelphia region’s leading universities, Widener offers programs and experiences that empower our community of learners to discover and create better futures as scholars, leaders and globally engaged citizens.

Highlight Widener University began as a school for boys and then became a military school decades later.
Degree BA in Organizational Development and Leadership

25. Limestone University 

Limestone University offers a BS in Human Resources Training and Development that prepares degree candidates to sit for the SHRM-CP exams. Students who wish to enroll in Limestone University’s best training and development degree program can enroll as students on-campus or through the school’s distance learning platform. This four-year degree in training and development includes business law, ethical issues in the workplace, performance management, staff development, and principles of management. All degree candidates must complete 120 semester credits to graduate. Minors available for this degree program include professional communications, coaching, counseling, and business administration.

Limestone University was established in 1845 as a private Christian institution of higher education. The university’s suburban campus in Gaffney is home to approximately 2,050 students. Limestone University’s mascot is the Saint Bernard. 

Highlight Several structures on Limestone University’s campus are registered with the National Register of Historic Places.
Degree BS in Human Resources Training and Development

What Is Training and Development All About?

What is the objective of training and development? When it comes to Human Resources, training and development is all about building a successful and highly skilled workforce. Human Resources is just what its name implies. Every employee has valuable resources they can offer to the company. Some may be more proficient in sales, while others are better at logistics. With a good Training and Development leader in place, the company can help every employee reach its full potential. Your company is only as good as the employees who work there.

Earning a Bachelor’s degree in Training and Development gives you the tools and resources you need to become a better educator. It is your responsibility to provide your students with accurate information and the ability to perform specific tasks with confidence. A training and development educator may teach a variety of classes, like communication, organization, and documentation. It is possible that they specialize in a specific area, such as safety protocols, first aid, clean up protocols, MSDS use, and any other type of safety activity that is utilized within your company.

The training and development department is also in charge of general orientation when someone is first hired into the company. They may be required to sit in on many different classes to learn how the company handles certain situations. Your job is to make them feel at home and give them a sense of belonging. You will be the first employee they spend time with. In some cases, they will base their impression on you and how you take care of your personal duties. You should always be available and eager to answer any questions they may have about their new job.

Why Is Training and Development Important?

The importance of training and development goes far beyond creating classes and helping newly hired employees find their way through the corporate maze. With a Bachelor’s degree in Training and Development, you will be able to assist each employee in reaching their full potential. Employees who are wanting to move up within the company may need additional training to become a supervisor or quality control specialist. This additional training allows the company to hire from within, creating entry-level positions that will allow people to hire in and advance without having to go elsewhere.

Technology continues to advance at a rapid pace. This means that as new equipment continues to come in, employees will need to be trained so that they can continue to do their job. As a Training and Development lead, it’s up to you to ensure that every employee has the training they will need to remain productive and on task at all times. Not only does this give them job security, it also gives them the confidence they need to excel at whatever they attempt to do.

Safety protocols are an area where training and development courses are not only important but essential. Safety in the workplace and lowers the risk of accidents. This, in turn, reduces the number of work-related injuries. Safety courses teach employees how to identify a problem, control the situation, and get help so that the area can be properly secured. Safety is the main priority for most companies and it is up to the training and development team to create courses that assist in meeting that objective.

Carrie Morris
Author

Warren Dahl
Editor-in-Chief