Academics Overview

Organizational Dynamics at Penn holds the premise that the increasing complexity of organizational activities requires leaders who can integrate "hard science/analytic" content (e.g., structural information, rational data-based decision making) and "soft art/emotional" processes (e.g., how to respond, what events mean, judgment-based decision making). Indeed, we believe that understanding the art and science of the organization enhances the competencies necessary to ensure the viability of organizations.

Organizational Dynamics faculty are drawn from Penn's School of Arts and Sciences, Graduate School of Education, School of Design, Wharton School, School of Law, and School of Design as well as Practitioners in Organizational Dynamics. Therefore, through core courses that deal with the Foundations of organizational dynamics, Methods of Diagnosis and Evaluation of organizational problems, and Application of theory to workplace situations, students learn a transdisciplinary approach to finding solutions that work both for organizations and for the people who work within them.

In addition, students may select courses from six areas of concentration: Coaching Studies; Global Studies; Leadership/Management Studies; Practitioner of Development and Change Studies; Projects, Programs, and Portfolio Studies; Sustainable Development Studies.