Organizational Dynamics, MPhil

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Organizational Dynamics is an advanced graduate degree designed for individuals who want to demonstrate applied scholarship beyond a master’s degree but who are not ready to, or may not wish to, apply for a doctoral program. The Master of Philosophy in Organizational Dynamics can serve as an important step in future PhD study preparation or simply as a way to deepen engagement with the topics studied in a previous master’s degree.

Curriculum

You will work closely with an academic advisor to design a Master of Philosophy degree curriculum suited precisely to your interests and goals. You may also select from the five concentrations available to the Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics students.

Master of Philosophy degree requirements

If you already hold a Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics degree from the University of Pennsylvania, the Master of Philosophy in Organizational Dynamics requires completion of six course units and a Master of Philosophy capstone paper or project. For master’s degree holders from another program at the University of Pennsylvania, determination of the required number of courses will be based on the nature of the previously completed degree and coursework.

If you completed an equivalent graduate degree from another institution, the Master of Philosophy in Organizational Dynamics requires completion of eight course units and a Master of Philosophy capstone paper or project.

Master of Philosophy capstone

You will choose a member of the Organizational Dynamics faculty to work with as your capstone paper or project advisor. The role of your capstone advisor is to provide mentoring, help you define the scope and content of your paper or project and to read and evaluate your final work.

The format for the capstone may vary. It may be a professional portfolio of competencies acquired; professional/organizational applied research; an evaluation or synthesis of a topic of interest; or another approach selected with your advisor.

Examples of Organizational Dynamics capstone projects completed by program alumni are available on the Scholarly Commons website within the Penn Online Digital Library.

We encourage you to contact the program director to schedule an appointment to review your current research and explore your options for pursuing a Master of Philosophy in Organizational Dynamics.


The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.