Admissions and eligibility
Admission to the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Organizational Dynamics degree is available only to individuals who have previously completed a Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics degree at Penn, or an equivalent master's degree program. The rigorous Master of Philosophy thesis demonstrates a further degree of dedication to and expertise in your chosen field and serves as an ideal tool for demonstrating the quality of your research and writing skills to potential PhD programs.
The Organizational Dynamics Programs Admissions Committee considers each candidate's application materials holistically as part of a selective admissions process. The Admissions Committee thoroughly examines all aspects of each candidate's academic background and work experiences as evidence of their academic potential, intellectual strength, and ability to contribute to classroom discussions and applied learning.
Students who have been denied admission to an Organizational Dynamics program must wait one calendar year before reapplying. This policy does not impact a student’s ability to apply to other programs at the University of Pennsylvania at any time.
Application deadlines
You may apply to begin Master of Philosophy studies during the fall, spring or summer terms. Your application portfolio, including all transcripts, must be received by the following deadlines:
Regular admission deadlines
| Term of Entry | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Summer 2023 | April 1, 2023 |
| Fall 2023 | July 1, 2023 |
| Spring 2024 | November 1, 2023 |
International student admission deadlines
| Term of Entry | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall 2023 | June 1, 2023 |
| Spring 2024 | October 1, 2023 |
| Summer 2024 | March 1, 2024 |
Applications for the Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics program are accepted on a rolling basis, meaning that applications are acted upon throughout the year whenever they are received. Applicants may be invited to personally interview with the program staff.
Application materials checklist
Applicants who have completed the Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics within four years of applying to the Master of Philosophy program may omit some requirements, as noted below.
Since all required supporting documents are submitted through the online application system, hardcopy material other than official transcripts or letters of recommendation will not be accepted.* Please urge your recommenders to submit their letters through the online system. Please note that all application materials become the property of the University of Pennsylvania and will not be returned. Remember to retain a personal copy of your application.
Applications must contain all of the following in order to be considered complete:
*Unsolicited material will not be used for review.
- Completed online application
- Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
- Nonrefundable application fee
- Application essays, listed below
- Unofficial transcripts from each post-secondary school attended uploaded through the online application system
- Three letters of recommendation (details below)
- English proficiency test scores for international students
NOTE: For an applicant who has completed the Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics within four years of applying to the Master of Philosophy: the letters of recommendation and the undergraduate transcripts are not required. Type “already received for MSOD” in the sections of the online application where this information is requested. All other materials, including the application fee, are required.
Master of Philosophy application essays
Your application requires two essays (and one optional essay) addressing the following topics. Number your essays clearly and begin each essay on a separate page. Responses should be approximately 500 words.
- Organizational Dynamics focuses on people-centered challenges in the workplace. Based on your career experiences, explain what you hope to learn in the Organizational Dynamics program and how you expect to apply that knowledge in the future.
- Each Organizational Dynamics student will complete a capstone project, which is an opportunity to research an organizational issue of their choice. What research question might you explore through the capstone? To review topics that past students have considered, visit Penn's Scholarly Commons.
- (Optional) If you believe your undergraduate or graduate transcripts present an inaccurate picture of your anticipated academic performance in Organizational Dynamics, please write an additional essay explaining why.
Letters of recommendation
Each applicant will submit three letters of recommendation. Letters should come from individuals in a position to evaluate your professional and/or academic work, such as a supervisor or professor, and who know of your desire to enter the Organizational Dynamics program. Recommendations may be submitted online (preferred) or by mail. For online recommendations, please follow the instructions in the Recommendations section of the online application.
Standardized test scores
International applicants whose first language is not English must also submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores to demonstrate English proficiency. If the medium of instruction for your undergraduate degree was English, you may request to waive the TOEFL requirement by sending an email to dynamics@sas.upenn.edu. Please note that the TOEFL is rarely waived; therefore, we encourage applicants to take the test to avoid delays in completing the application. The minimum TOEFL scores required for admissions consideration are 100 (iBT), 250 (CBT) or 600 (PBT). The TOEFL must be sent from ETS using the institutional code 2986. To locate a testing site near you or schedule an exam, visit the TOEFL website.
Please note that the College of Liberal and Professional Studies is accepting at-home GRE and TOEFL test scores and the IELTS Indicator exam scores through the 2022-2023 admissions year. Please visit the specific standardized testing websites for exam options in your home country.
Upon review of an applicant's file, the Admissions Committee reserves the right to request TOEFL scores.
International transcripts from institutions outside the United States
If your post-secondary credentials are from an institution outside the US, you must submit all post-secondary credentials (undergraduate and graduate) to World Education Services Inc. (WES), a third-party verification agency, for a course-by-course evaluation.
World Education Services Inc. (WES) must complete a course-by-course evaluation of all post-secondary credentials. The course-by-course evaluation should include the comparability level of your education and list each of your courses along with the equivalent U.S. marks and credit. Please select the WES basic course-by-course evaluation (with GPA and course levels) and request that WES send your evaluation to Penn College of Liberal and Professional Studies Admissions. The school can be found by searching the University of Pennsylvania and then selecting College of Liberal and Professional Studies. The evaluation becomes an official academic record and sole property of the University upon its receipt.
World Education Services Inc. evaluations will be reviewed by our administrators, and the determination of degree equivalency to US degrees is at the discretion of the College of Liberal and Professional Studies. For additional information about the WES application and their review process, please visit the WES website.
