Training and development specialist: bachelor's degree plus experience in HR, teaching or instructional design
Training and development specialists typically need a bachelor's degree, often in organizational development or human resources, and related work experience. Candidates without a degree sometimes qualify with extensive experience developing and delivering training; some employers take a master's degree instead of experience.
For: People who like teaching adults, building courses and helping a workforce learn new skills.
Route 1: Degree → HR, teaching or instructional design → specialist Typical
Positions may require experience in staff development or instructional design, or in a related occupation such as human resources specialist or teacher.
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Start here
High school diploma
BLS
Training and Development Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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About 4 years
Bachelor's in organizational development, human resources, education, psychology or communications
BLS
Training and Development Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Experience
Staff development, instructional design, HR or teaching
HR specialistBLS
Training and Development Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Training and development specialist
BLS
Training and Development Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 2: Master's degree instead of work experience Some employers
Employers may hire candidates who have a master's degree instead of work experience.
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Start here
Bachelor's degree
BLS
Training and Development Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Graduate
Master's degree
BLS
Training and Development Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Training and development specialist
BLS
Training and Development Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 3: Specialist → training and development manager Moving up
Specialists may advance to training and development manager or human resources manager; workers typically need several years of experience to advance.
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Start here
Training and development specialist
BLS
Training and Development Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Several years
Experience
BLS
Training and Development Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Training and development manager or HR manager
Training managerBLS
Training and Development Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Licenses, registrations and certifications
Each one is marked: a state or federal license is the law, a registration through an employer comes with the job, and a voluntary certification is one employers may ask for.
- Training certification
Professional associations · Employer may require - Not usually required, but some employers prefer certified candidates and some positions require certification.
BLS
Training and Development Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Where to go next
Every career page in this cluster: entry, license, BLS pay and outlook.
What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.