Application deadline
Credits and costs
Learn How to Consult Organizations on Operational Excellence
Penn State's ODCOE graduate certificate program can prepare you to work with corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations as a consultant and practitioner on change management, workforce development, project management, process improvement, lean processes, and training.
The Penn State Difference
You'll study with faculty from Penn State's Department of Workforce Education and Development (WF ED), which has been internationally recognized for offering high-quality degree programs through the College of Education since 1993. The WF ED faculty has extensive experience teaching in online educational environments, and a wealth of real-world work experience.
Organization Development and Change Operational Excellence Curriculum
In this 12-credit program, you can build a strong knowledge base of organization development and change, project management, and lean sigma processes. You will focus on leading small- and large-group change initiatives and how to evaluate group dynamics to facilitate positive organizational change.
Gain a Respected Credential with an ODCOE Certificate
If you are working in a field related to organization change, process improvement, or workforce development, this graduate certificate can help you expand your understanding of organization development, which can help you to advance your career as a strategic process consultant. The program is also appropriate if you are relatively new to the field of organization development and are looking to develop the expertise needed to consult with an organization to initiate meaningful, positive changes.
Courses
This program is designed as a stand-alone certificate, or it can serve as a step-up program into the Master of Professional Studies in Organization Development and Change. If you apply and are accepted into the master's degree program, the 12 credits you earn in the certificate may be applied toward the master's degree.
Required Courses (12 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.
Costs and Financial Aid
Graduate Tuition
Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $1,007 per credit |
| 12 or more | $12,082 per semester |
Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.
Paying for Your Certificate
Students pursuing a certificate are considered "nondegree," a status that is not eligible for federal student aid, including the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. A private alternative loan may be an option to consider.
Additionally, Penn State offers many ways to pay for your education, including an installment plan and third-party payments. Penn State World Campus also offers an Employer Reimbursement and Tuition Deferment Plan. Learn more about the options for paying for your education.
Students pursuing a degree and meeting all other eligibility requirements may qualify for financial aid.
How to Apply
Deadlines and Important Dates
Your degree application, including receipt of all transcripts, should be received by the following deadlines to be considered complete:
Admissions Help
If you have questions about the admissions process, contact our admissions counselors.
Admission Requirements
For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.
What You Need
Applications are submitted electronically and include a nonrefundable application fee. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:
Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Penn State alumni do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State, but must list Penn State as part of your academic history. If you are admitted, you will be asked to send an additional official transcript. You will receive instructions at that time.
GPA and Test Scores — postsecondary (undergraduate), junior/senior (last two years) GPA is required.
GRE or GMAT scores are NOT required.
English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.
Program-Specific Questions/Materials
Résumé — Upload your résumé to the online application.
Start Your Application
You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.
Begin the graduate school application
- Choose Enrollment Type: "Certificate Admission"
- Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus
- Choose "Organization Development and Change Operational Excellence" as the certificate
Checking Your Status
You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form.
Technical Requirements
Review the general technical requirements for this program.
Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.
Start or Advance Your Career
Start or Advance Your Career
You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.
A Head Start toward a Master’s Degree
A Head Start toward a Master’s Degree
Not only can this program help create opportunities in your career, it can also give you a solid head start toward a full master’s degree.
Contact Us
To learn more about the OD&C Operational Excellence Graduate Certificate, offered in partnership with Penn State's Department of Workforce Education and Development in the College of Education, please contact:
World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
Email: [email protected]
Whitney Deshong
Administrative Support Assistant
Learning and Performance Systems
The Pennsylvania State University
303 Keller Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-0473
Email: [email protected]
Faculty
-
Eric J. Bergstrom
-
DegreePh.D., Workforce Education and Development, Penn State
-
DegreeM.Ed., Training and Development, Penn State
-
DegreeB.S., Human Resources Management, Penn State
Dr. Eric J. Bergstrom has taught undergraduate credit and noncredit business management courses as well as graduate training and development and organizational development courses. He has facilitated leadership development programs for organizations across a variety of industries focused on strategic planning processes, continuous improvement processes, human resource development, and organization development. His practical and research interests include individual career development, leadership competency modeling and development, human resource development, and organizational process improvement.
-
-
Taesung Kim
-
DegreePh.D., Workforce Education and Development, Penn State
-
DegreeM.Ed., HRD, Yonsei University, South Korea
-
DegreeB.A, Education, Yonsei University, South Korea
Dr. Taesung Kim has more than 10 years of experience as an internal manager and external consultant in the field of human resource development and management. He worked for KPMG Korea, a Korean member firm of the KPMG global network that provides audit and business advisory services, as a senior manager in the Learning and Development Center. He served simultaneously on the HR Steering Group, the Labor-Management Council, and the Promotion and Communication Steering Group.
-
-
Jennifer Siford-Myers
-
DegreePh.D., Workforce Education and Development (OD/HRD), Penn State
-
DegreeM.S., Criminal Justice, Boston University
-
DegreeB.S., Occupational Education, Human Services, Wayland Baptist University
Dr. Jennifer Siford-Myers is a practitioner in the field of HRD/OD in the public sector. She has also served as an instructor for the Professional Personnel Development Center at Penn State. Her research interests are employee engagement, organization development, process improvement, and data analysis. Dr. Silford-Myers is the author of multiple publications focused on organization development, employee engagement, and health care. A recent publication (2017) is Assessment and Diagnosis for Organization Development: Powerful Tools and Perspectives for the OD Practitioner.
-
-
William Rothwell
-
DegreePh.D., Education, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
-
DegreeM.A.B.A., Business, Sangamon State University, Springfield, IL (now the University of Illinois at Springfield)
-
DegreeM.A., English, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
-
DegreeB.A., English, Illinois State University, Bloomington
Dr. William J. Rothwell, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CPLP Fellow, is professor of workplace learning and performance in the Workforce Education and Development Program, part of the Department of Learning and Performance Systems, on the Penn State University Park campus. As one of the founders of the MPS in ODC program, he had many years of experience in OD before becoming a faculty member in 1993. His research interests center around organization development, talent management, and succession planning. He is the author of 110 books and more than 200 articles.
-
-
Jeffrey L. Spearly
-
DegreePh.D., Workforce Education and Development, Penn State
-
DegreeM.S., Vocational Industrial Education, Penn State
-
DegreeB.S., Accounting, Penn State
Dr. Jeffrey L. Spearly is senior director of Learning and Development for Penn State Executive Programs and a senior instructor in the Smeal College of Business. He is responsible for all aspects of Penn State Executive Programs' world-renowned programs, including client development, client needs assessments, and program design, delivery, and evaluation. Dr. Spearly works with clients to design learning and performance processes that address OD needs, issues, and challenges facing their organization.
-