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Talent Development

Also offered as: Minor

The Master of Science in Talent Development at Eastern Illinois University is a fully online program designed for working professionals who want to lead learning, training, and organizational development initiatives. Students develop the skills to analyze, design, implement, manage, and evaluate talent development programs that improve employee performance and organizational success.

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Talent Development

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Degree Level
Master of Science
Delivery
Fully Online
Time to Degree
4 Semesters
Credit Hours
33 Total, 33 in Major
Careers
Managers, Training, Specialists
Talent Development students at EIU

Why Study Talent Development at EIU?

  • 100% online program designed specifically for working professionals seeking advancement in talent development and organizational learning.
  • Curriculum developed with input from industry experts and the Association for Talent Development (ATD) Chicago Chapter.
  • Build expertise in training, performance improvement, instructional design, organizational development, and talent management.
  • Learn from faculty with extensive academic and professional consulting experience in talent development.
  • Prepare for leadership careers that improve employee performance and organizational success.
See it for yourself Schedule a Visit
"From the moment I stepped onto campus, every professor, staff member, and student I encountered treated me with such genuine warmth and respect, as if I were already a valued member of their community. Despite not having officially joined the EIU family, I immediately felt a deep sense of belonging. The atmosphere was one of comfort and inclusivity, where everyone seemed genuinely invested in my success and well-being."
Abbey McCord
Talent Development | Class of 2025
Abbey McCord, Talent Development at EIU

Hands-On Experience

  • Analyze real organizational performance and learning needs to identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Design and develop talent development initiatives that align with organizational goals and performance outcomes.
  • Apply instructional design and facilitation techniques through hands-on learning projects.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness and return on investment of learning and development programs.
  • Consult with stakeholders and develop practical solutions to workforce and organizational challenges.
Explore Courses
Hands-On Experience, Talent Development students at EIU

What You'll Learn

The Master of Science in Talent Development is a fully online program for working professionals who want expertise in learning and development, training, performance improvement and organizational effectiveness. It is a fit if you enjoy helping people grow and want to align talent strategies with organizational goals.

Program Curriculum Dept Flyer
View in Catalog
$69,772
Median Salary for These CareersMedian salaryThe median is the middle value: half of the people counted earn more and half earn less. It is an estimate for a typical graduate, not a promise of what you will earn. Pay varies by employer, location, experience and the specific job.

Career OutcomesCareer outcomesThese are example careers that graduates of this program often pursue, taken from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET occupation list. They are examples, not job guarantees, and many graduates work in other fields.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

  • Human Resources Managers
  • Training & Development Managers
  • Human Resources Specialists

Career Insights

Job Outlook ★ Bright Outlook Bright OutlookBright Outlook careers are ones with a promising future. They're expected to grow quickly, to have lots of job openings, or to be brand new and emerging. A career earns the label if it meets any one of these: projected growth of 5% or more, at least 75,000 projected openings, or New & Emerging status.
Grow Rapidly: Jobs in this career are expected to grow 5% or more over the next several years, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics projections.
Openings: Employers are expected to need at least 75,000 people for this career over the next several years. That count includes new jobs created by growth and spots opened when workers move on.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor Grow Rapidly / Openings
Preparation Needed Considerable (4/5)Job Zone 4: Considerable preparationMost of these careers require a four-year bachelor's degree. They also tend to build on several years of work-related experience or training.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Personality Fit EnterprisingEnterprising interest typeYou like business and leadership. This type of work includes managing, selling, marketing and leading, including in politics or law.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Financing Your Degree Under the 2026 Rules

Federal graduate lending changed on July 1, 2026 - Grad PLUS loans ended for new borrowers and new federal borrowing caps now apply to graduate students. Here's why the math still works at EIU:

Estimated total for this degree: ~$15,147 (tuition and fees)

  • ✓ That's only about 15% of the new $100,000 lifetime graduate borrowing limit - leaving room for whatever comes next in your career.
  • ✓ A typical full-time year here runs about $8,262 - well under the new $20,500 annual federal loan limit. Annual limits are reduced in proportion for part-time enrollment.
  • ✓ Working? If your employer offers it, they can provide up to $5,250 per year tax-free toward your education.

Estimates use 2026-2027 Illinois-resident tuition and fees and typical full-time enrollment. Your actual costs and aid depend on your program, enrollment, FAFSA, and prior borrowing. Students who borrowed for the same program before July 1, 2026 may have different limits.

Talk to EIU Financial Aid → Read about the 2026 federal aid changes
15% of lifetime limit

$15,147 total, just 15% of your $100,000 federal graduate borrowing limit

Connect With Us

Kelly Best
Graduate Coordinator - M.S. in Talent Development and Assistant Professor for the School of Technology
kjbest@eiu.edu
1014 Klehm Hall
217-000-0000
Kelly Best Message Kelly

Message Kelly

or email kjbest@eiu.edu directly
Gabe Grant
Professor and Chairperson
gjgrant@eiu.edu
1030 Klehm Hall
217-581-5762
Gabe Grant Message Gabe

Message Gabe

or email gjgrant@eiu.edu directly
Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
Billy the Panther Message Billy

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or email billy@eiu.edu directly

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EIU's programs, resources, and facilities are available to all students regardless of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity. Discrimination precluded by federal and state statutes is strictly prohibited.