In rapidly changing and global environments, organizations remain competitive and economically viable through changes in their strategies, technologies, structures, work designs, and human resource systems. The Master of Science in Organization Development (MSOD) program’s mission is to prepare leaders in the art and science of managing strategic change. It is designed for individuals involved in organizational change and development, typically as professionals, consultants, or managers. Four learning goals and objectives are central to the MSOD curriculum:
- Students will increase their knowledge of self in order to be more effective as change agents.
- Students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in providing organization development consulting.
- Students will increase their understanding of the global challenges that face organizations and increase their ability to ethically consult globally.
- Students will develop skills to contribute to the rigor and relevance of the organization development field.
This six-trimester program utilizes a strategic management and systems theory orientation to the study of planned organizational change and development. Concepts from organization theory and the behavioral sciences-such as group dynamics, the process of change, organization and work design, and culture-provide the foundation for the development of advanced knowledge and skills, including strategic change, international and cross-cultural management, interorganizational relationships, and managing complexity. Emphasis is placed on the application of these concepts to current issues facing organizations, such as globalization, growth, restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, down sizing, productivity improvement, and changes in strategic direction.
Courses are delivered once per trimester in intensive residential sessions that provide a highly interactive learning environment. Each course is preceded by a preparatory foundations course that introduces primary subject matter and establishes the theoretical and practical foundation upon which the intensive face-to-face courses are built. Six 8- to 12-day seminars are scheduled at 10- to 12-week intervals. This format attracts students from around the world. It also enables participants to maintain full-time employment and to learn through the application of course concepts in their work settings. To develop global citizen and practitioner knowledge, sessions are held in domestic as well as international locations. The first session is a personally challenging week that develops skills in interpersonal relations, communications, and group development and creates a collaborative learning environment among the students.
Participants typically represent a variety of organizations in the public and private sectors and a wide range of backgrounds, including line management or staff functions, organization development, management consulting, and human resource management. Students come from the United States, Canada, Asia, Europe, and Central and South America.
During the program, each candidate develops a strategic learning contract that defines the student’s individual goals and measures of achievement. With faculty guidance and supervision, each candidate also designs, implements, and evaluates a planned change project that becomes a formal written research report.
Standards and Measurements of Achievement for MSOD Students
Satisfactory completion of 40 units of course work, completion of research program resulting in an approved thesis, successfully passing the final comprehensive exam, and completing a personal learning contract are necessary for graduation. While it is expected that all requirements for graduation will be completed by the sixth trimester, students who are not yet finished will be enrolled in the project extension course unless they have petitioned the MSOD Program Committee for a leave of absence. The leave of absence petition must be submitted prior to the beginning of the term the student is requesting, stating the reasons for the leave and the projected time of return. International students in F-1 visa status must obtain clearance from the Office of International Student Services before taking a leave of absence. Degree work in the MSOD program must be completed within four calendar years from the date on which the student begins work at Pepperdine University. In rare cases, the associate dean may grant a limited extension of time to complete the degree. Enrollment must be continuous until completion of the requirements for the degree, unless the student is on an approved leave of absence. The student must be enrolled in a course during the term he or she expects to graduate. Courses in this program are graded credit or no credit.
Upon completion of the first and third sessions, a student’s progress and potential in the MSOD program are reviewed. The MSOD director, upon recommendation of the MSOD Program Committee, may counsel a student to withdraw from the program based on the committee’s assessment that the student’s performance, conduct, and potential do not align with the program’s objectives.
Personal Psychotherapy for Training OD Practitioners
The MSOD faculty and administration understand the value of personal growth in service of professional effectiveness and the development of the self as an instrument of change as an organization development practitioner. This is a professional responsibility of every individual to identify, address and work through personal and relational issues that may have an impact with future clients. As such we recommend personal or group therapy and/or other modalities that lead to self awareness.
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