I understand that you have difficulty with your TOEFL score. I can only give you some suggestions.
First, since your TOEFL score doesn't meet the requirement, it is better to have another TOEFL test again.
Pro: Once you meet the requirement, you don't have to worry that again.
Con: Time consuming. Actually, this option will be the most inefficient method.
Suggestion: If you have confidence with TOEFL, please do take the test again. Jerry and I strongly recommend all the candidates have the TOEFL score as higher as possible. Jerry even suggests that everyone should have TOEFL score higher than 90. He is not kidding! HRD program does require students read and write a lot. Moreover, if you want to keep the pace of American teachers' speaking, it would be better to have listening score higher than 25. Overall, TOEFL is the threshold to prove that you have the ability to express properly and fluently.
Second option is to write a letter to the related persons (e.g. chairperson in the department) and tell them how eager you want to be enrolled in this program.
Pro: This method will show your motivation for applying HRD program at UMN. I think this method is much more efficient than the first one.
Con: There is no disadvantaged of this method. However, if you don't have thorough idea about HRD, the letter won't benefit you.
Suggestion: Please refer to the suggestion (for SOP) I gave you, but be aware that this letter is not a Statement Of Purpose.
After all, I do want to clarify some concepts of Human Resource Development.
Human resource development has defined by the faculty of Texas A&M as "the process of improving learning and performance in individual, group, and organizational contexts through domains of expertise such as lifelong learning, career development, training and development, and organizational development." (EHRD, 2010)
Few ideas have to be noticed that Human Resource Development is under the College of Education and Human Development. The philosophy and directions are quite different to the business school. HRD aims to facilitate adults to learn and adapt in the workplace. Thus, a survey class of HRD, Adult Learning, Training and Development, and Organization Development are the required courses in HRD program at UMN (and A&M). The most relevant studies in Taiwan are the Department of Adult Education at National Chung-Cheng University and the Department of Human Resource Development at National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences.
Education is the foundation of Human Resource Development. I am sure after you have a glimpse of these information, you will understand why HRD is in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). Plenty of keywords appear again and again, such as organization learning, organization culture, action learning, training, etc. It is an EDUCATION matter, not a BUSINESS matter!
Please take a look a the academies of HRD and academic journals.
Academy:
- Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD)
- American Society for Training and Development (ASTD)
Academic Journals:
- Advances in Development Human Resources
- Human Resource Development International
- Human Resource Development Quarterly
- Human Resource Development Review
And Dr. Richard Swanson's "Brief on the Foundation of Human Resource Development"
http://richardswanson.com/pdf_files/HRD%20Foundation%20Brief%202008.pdf
I hope these strategies and information will help you applying and choosing for HRD in UMN.
We do want you have some interests in Human Resource Development. That is why I keep telling you the information of the courses.
Also, I do believe that the chairperson is worry about you application. He/They must make a just decision to enroll you as their student. If you can actively show your potential and ability in that field. I am sure that they will be happy to enroll you.
All the best,
Diana Min-Hui Wei
