In the Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences (MBDS) program, you join a vibrant intellectual community with access to a wide range of academic and cultural resources.
Virtual information session
Get an overview of Penn's Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences from Assistant Director Jenny Weyant and the MBDS program team. Learn about our curriculum, University resources, students and alumni, and the application process.
If you have a problem viewing this video, you can watch this on YouTube.
Student handbook
For guidelines on MBDS degree requirements, structuring your individualized curriculum, and program policies, please contact your program director or advisor. Note that our student handbook is currently being revised for the next academic year.
Academic resources
Find the various ways to get involved at MBDS and take advantage of all that the University of Pennsylvania has to offer. Academic resources include:
- Penn Libraries Reference Services
- The Kelly Writers House
- Marks Family Writing Center
- Weingarten Learning Resources Center
- International Student and Scholar Services
- Penn Career Services
- The Graduate Student Center at Penn
Research resources
The Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences program collaborates with many schools, centers, and institutions across Penn. At MBDS, students are welcome to explore independent research opportunities and attend seminars with:
- Center for Social Norms and Behavioral Dynamics
- The Wharton School
- Perelman School of Medicine
- The Annenberg School for Communication
Student representatives
Join and lead student groups by becoming a student representative. A Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences student representative is a program student elected to serve as a liaison between the student body and the school administration. MBDS student representatives are tasked with being the voice of the MBDS program in the LPS student government and with working hand in hand with program faculty to bridge the gap between students and the administration. This includes:
- Being a sounding board for students
- Relaying the wants and needs of your peers
- Working with the program director to find ways to build positive student interactions and experiences
Meet our current student representatives:
Karlijn Vanoppen is a full-time international student in the Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences program. Originally from Belgium, she moved to London (UK) to pursue a BSc in psychological and behavioral science at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Karlijn graduated in July 2025 and directly moved to the US to pursue this master's in August 2025.
During her undergraduate years, Karlijn worked as a behavioral science consultant at Innovia Technology (an innovation consulting firm) and held multiple research assistant positions answering behavioral science related questions. Ultimately, she hopes to apply behavioral and psychological insights in a data-driven way to support academic research and inform policymaking.
In her free time, Karlijn enjoys running (Philly's Half Marathon in November), dancing (Penn Dance), Pilates, cooking, and singing, as well as meeting new people and exploring different parts of Philly! She's always happy to connect with fellow aspiring behavioral scientists.
Contact: vanoppe1@sas.upenn.edu
Jingyao (Joy) Wen is a Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences candidate at the University of Pennsylvania. Originally from China, she earned her BA in media and cultural studies and international studies from Macalester College, where she explored how culture and communication shape perception and behavior. With experience in branding, communications, and project management, Joy is passionate about applying behavioral insights to design effective, human-centered strategies. As MBDS Program Representative, she strives to strengthen communication between students and LPS leadership while advocating for diverse perspectives.
Outside of academics, Joy enjoys dancing as a member of the Penn Hype Dance Crew, as well as hiking, traveling, and exploring new cultures. She values creativity, community, and purposeful collaboration, and is always open to connecting with others who share these interests.
Contact: jingyaow@sas.upenn.edu
