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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.