Courses

Penn State's 33-credit online Master of Professional Studies in Organization Development and Change can help you prepare to implement quality and continuous improvement initiatives in an organization. Throughout the program's curriculum, you will have the opportunity to learn how to:

obtain a critical knowledge base in organization development, appreciative inquiry, and change
strategically lead both small group and large group change initiatives
use various resources for developing, implementing, evaluating, and marketing organization development programs
address ethical issues in practicing organization development activities
become an effective organizational development practitioner through hands-on experience
observe group dynamics and facilitate change efforts

The curriculum includes nine prescribed courses (27 credits), one elective course (3 credits), and one required field-based project course (3 credits).

Course List - Master of Professional Studies in Organization Development and Change

The Master of Professional Studies in Organization Development and Change (MPS–OD&C) will be conferred upon students who earn a minimum of 33 credits of course work while maintaining a grade-point average of 3.0 or better in all course work, and who complete a quality culminating field-based project course in consultation with a graduate adviser.

Desirable Course Sequence (27 credits)*
Title	Abbreviation	Description	Credits
Foundations in Organization Development and Change	WF ED 572	Development of major concepts, skills and techniques required by workplace learning professionals to support and facilitate organization change.	3 credits
Appreciative Inquiry	WF ED 884	This course provides a foundation in the theories, principles, and techniques of Appreciative Inquiry (AI).	3 credits
Marketing Organization Development	WF ED 881	This course familiarizes students with the unique issues in marketing organization development (OD) and OD consulting services.	3 credits
Assessing Data: Organizational Diagnosis	WF ED 582	This course familiarizes students with approaches to assessing and feeding back data in organization development (OD) and consulting services.	3 credits
Process Consultation in Organization Development	WF ED 578	This course provides a foundation in process consultation. Process refers to how groups interact and how people get along.	3 credits
Appraising Organization Change and Development and Consulting	WF ED 585	This course familiarizes students with approaches to evaluating organization development (OD) and consulting services.	3 credits
Facilitating Groups and Teams	WF ED 880	This course provides students with necessary skills to facilitate small groups and teams.	3 credits
Project Management for Professionals	WF ED 405	Covers the essential concepts and skills needed to make effective contributions on projects, on time and within budget.	3 credits
Implementing Training and Development Programs	TRDEV 565	The critical analysis of theories, strategies, and techniques for planning and implementing TRDEV programs to enhance employee learning and performance. The prerequisites TRDEV 460 and TRDEV 465 will be waived for World Campus students.	3 credits

*This is a recommended course sequence, but not all courses are offered every term; therefore, you may choose to plan your course sequence differently.

Electives (3 credits) — Choose One
Title	Abbreviation	Description	Credits
Occupational Safety and Health for Workforce Education and Development Professionals	WF ED 411	This course assists participants in creating and supporting workplaces and educational environments free of occupational safety and health hazards.	3 credits
Lean-Sigma for Professionals	WF ED 451	The course focuses on essential lean and six sigma concepts to improve processes in any industry.	3 credits
Evaluation of Investments in Workforce Education and Development	WF ED 543	Use of labor supply models to evaluate investments in workforce education and development.	3 credits
Needs Assessment for Workforce Development Professionals	WF ED 573	Acquire skills to identify training and development needs, distinguish problems with management versus training solutions, develop and evaluate training solutions.	3 credits
Leadership Competencies for Professionals	WF ED 410	Designed to teach contemporary professional leadership competencies for workforce professionals who do not currently have supervisory responsibilities. Prerequisite: two years of work experience or fourth-semester standing or prior approval of instructor	3 credits
Program and Facilities Management for Workforce Development Professionals	WF ED 806	This course examines advanced learning laboratory organization and management processes to facilitate learning and skill development in a safe environment.	3 credits

Culminating Experience (3 credits)
Title	Abbreviation	Description	Credits
Field Based Project for Workforce Development Professionals	WF ED 595A	Students identify a training and/or organization development problem in industry and/or business and carry out contract problem analysis and resolutions.	3 credits

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

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