Frequently Asked Questions
NOTE: click on question to be taken to answer
Testing for Applications
- Q1 - Are test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or another test required?
- Q2 - Is there a test policy for international applicants whose native language is not English?
- Q3 - How many courses or credits are required for the Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics degree?
- Q4 - Can I transfer courses completed at another university?
- Q5 - Can I take courses in other graduate programs at Penn?
- Q6 - Can I audit a course? Can I "sit in" on a class?
- Q7 - How long is a class? When are classes held?
- Q8 - Can I take classes part-time?
Student Information
- Q9 - What is the "profile" of the average student in the program?
- Q10 - How many students are in the program? How many are in each class? How many classes are offered?
- Q11 - What work experience is needed to be admitted to the program?
- Q12 - Where do graduates go when they complete their degrees?
Application Information
- Q13 - What percent of applicants are accepted? How many people are accepted?
- Q14 - How important is my undergraduate grade point average (GPA)?
- Q15 - What kinds of undergraduate degrees are important for admission?
- Q16 - Do I need to send transcripts of my graduate degree(s)?
- Q17 - Is an interview part of the application process?
- Q18 - How many semesters are there?
- Q19 - What is the "Penn experience?"
- Q20 - Is parking available?
- Q21 - How long does it take to complete the Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics degree?
Financial Information
- Q22 - What is the course tuition and how is it billed?
- Q23 - Is financial aid available even if one is a part-time student?
- Q24 - What percent of students receive financial support?
Testing for Applications
Q1 - Are test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or another test required?
A1 - No. GRE or other standardized tests are not used as part of our admission evaluation process.
Q2 - Is there a test policy for international applicants whose native language is not English?
A2 - Yes. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for all international applicants whose native language is not English. You may waive the TOEFL if you have earned an undergraduate degree or master's degree in an English-speaking country or from an institution in which English is the language of instruction; applicants must provide evidence to support the waiver. Organizational Dynamics accepts only official TOEFL scores sent by ETS.
Courses
Q3 - How many courses or credits are required for the Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics degree?
A3 - At Penn one CU (course unit) is equivalent to 3 graduate course credits (or course hours) at other universities. Twelve CUs are required for the Master's in Organizational Dynamics.
Q4 - Can I transfer courses completed at another university?
A4 - Yes. Up to 2 courses will be accepted toward degree requirements, if the courses are graduate level; were completed at an accredited institution; the grade received is at least 3.0 (B); and the course meets the curriculum requirements of our program.
Q5 - Can I take courses in other graduate programs at Penn?
A5 - Yes. Our graduate students may take up to 2 courses outside the Organizational Dynamics program. However, many courses in the Wharton School of Business, Law School, Graduate School of Education, or in other graduate programs in the School of Arts and Sciences give registration preference to their own students (as do we).
Q6 - Can I audit a course? Can I "sit in" on a class?
A6 - No. Auditing is not permitted. Visiting a class is not permitted. With small classes of senior management, we maintain the confidentiality and openness of classroom discussion of sensitive organizational issues by limiting participation to only admitted students.
Q7- How long is a class? When are classes held?
A7 - Classes run 30 - 40 hours on average and commonly meet for approximately 2.5 or 3 hours once per week for 12 or 13 weeks. Classes are held Monday through Friday beginning at 4:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Saturday classes meet at 9:00 a.m or 9:30 a.m. and run until noon, or they may meet in all day sessions for fewer weeks. Most classes are held on the Penn campus. Some classes involve travel and meetings in other cities such as New York, Boston, Toronto, or San Francisco for one or more nights. International Courses Abroad include travel to cities in China, Czech Republic, UK, Sweden, and other locations for a week or more. Any course that meets outside the Penn campus is identified prior to registration.
Q8 - Can I take classes part-time?
A8 - Yes. More than 90% of our students take courses on a part-time basis because they work full-time. Full-time students take 3 or 4 courses each semester. There is no difference in the educational program between full- and part-time studies.
Student Information
Q9 - What is the "profile" of the average student in the program?
A9 - There is an equal split of gender. Our average student is 35-45 years old, a manager or director in an organization, lives and works within 25 miles of the Penn campus, and is returning to graduate school for professional or personal development. Our students vary in race and ethnicity. Most are US citizens. Our international students are from Asia, Europe, and Canada.
Q10 - How many students are in the program? How many are in each class? How many classes are offered?
A10 - There are approximately 450 students in the program. Class size is usually limited to 15 or 16 people. We offer approximately 30 courses in the fall and spring terms and approximately 25 courses in the summer.
Q11 - What work experience is needed to be admitted to the program?
A11 - We require at least 5 years management experience, although most of our students have more.
Q12 - Where do the graduates go when they complete their degrees?
A12 - Most return to their organizations and move to higher or more responsible positions. Some start their own consulting groups or move to fields that their graduate education has enabled them better to address. Some continue their educations by entering the MPhil degree program or doctoral programs.
Application Information
Q13 - What percent of applicants are accepted? How many people are accepted?
A13 - The program accepts more than 50% of applicants. We admit 75-100 new students each year.
Q14 - How important is my undergraduate grade point average (GPA)?
A14 - We expect an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (B), but an applicant can describe in an essay reasons why this may not have been attained.
Q15 - What kinds of undergraduate degrees are important for admission?
A15 - We encourage students with any undergraduate degree to apply. Our students have earned degrees in the humanities, social and other sciences, theatre and music, business (finance, accounting, marketing, and management), engineering, and many other domains.
Q16 - Do I need to send transcripts of my graduate degree(s)?
A16 - To be admitted to the Penn Graduate Division requires official transcripts showing an undergraduate degree. Transcripts for graduate degrees are not needed for admission, but we do need to know what graduate programs or degrees a prospective student has attended or completed.
Q17 - Is an interview part of the application process?
A17 - An interview may be requested by an applicant if there are questions that are not answered by the descriptive or promotional material. An interview may be requested by the Program Director if a prospective student's application requires additional clarification or if a prospective student seems to provide special value to the graduate program.
Q18 - How many semesters are there?
A18 - We operate on a 3-semester year. Classes are held in the fall (September-December), Spring (January-May), and summer (May-July).
Q19 - What is the "Penn experience?"
A19 - The "Penn experience" is included in the tuition and covers all books and educational materials (our students do not need to sort through the book store or search out supplies), dinner or other meals prior to all classes (to permit networking and development of the Organizational Dynamics community), book bags and other program branding supplies (to develop identity), and other academic or educational support resources.
A20 - Secure indoor parking is available near classrooms. There is a charge for this parking. Street parking with meters (that need to be fed during 3-hour classes) is also available.
Q21 - How long does it take to complete the master of Science in Organizational Dynamics degree
A21 - Full-time students often complete the program in a year and a half. Students studying part-time can take much longer but average 3 to 5 years.
Financial information
Q22 - What is the course tuition and how is it billed?
A22 - Tuition for the 2007-2008 academic year is $5059.00 per course (CU) and is billed in the early part of each semester. This covers all academic fees including books, materials, and the "Penn Experience."
Q23 - Is financial aid available even if one is a part-time student?
A23 - Yes. Information about financial aid is available from the office of Student Financial Services (215-898-1988). Grants are also available from the Organizational Dynamics program. Information and an application form can be found on the website. Organizational Dynamics grant applications are filed only after a student has been admitted to the Program.
Q24 - What percent of students receive financial support?
A24 - Approximately 80 percent receive partial or full financial support from their employer. Approximately 10 percent receive grants from Organizational Dynamics.
3401 Walnut Street
Suite 328A
Philadelphia, PA 19104
T: 215-898-6967
F: 215-898-8934
SAS: School of Arts and Sciences
University of Pennsylvania