Master of Science in Organization Development
Transform Organizations and Leaders for Lasting Impact
The Pepperdine Graziadio Business School Master of Science in Organization Development (MSOD) is designed for professionals who want to advance as change practitioners and make a measurable difference within organizations. Organizations increasingly rely on leaders who can navigate complexity, design effective interventions, and drive sustainable change across systems.
This hybrid program combines online foundation courses with immersive in-person intensives, practicums, and applied research projects. You’ll complete your degree by integrating leadership, organizational design, global systems, and applied change strategies while gaining hands-on experience through fieldwork and consulting projects.
From day one, the program emphasizes experiential learning, ensuring you graduate
prepared to influence organizational culture, implement evidence-based change, and
lead responsibly in diverse professional contexts.
Core Curriculum
The Online MSOD program consists of 33–36 total units, blending foundational knowledge,
applied skills, and real-world field experience.
Program Structure
Foundation Courses (Online)
Build fundamental expertise in organization design, development, and systems thinking:
- Foundations and Orientation to Organization Development
- Foundations of Organization Theory and Group Dynamics
- Foundations of Culture and Globalization
- Foundations of Large Systems
Intensives (In-Person)
Deepen your skills and apply theory in immersive settings:
- Individual Development and Change
- Small Systems Dynamics and Design
- Organizational Culture and Consulting Skills
Practicums (Field Experience)
Apply your learning to real organizations across industries and cultures:
- OD Practitioner as Global Citizen
- International OD and Large-Scale Systems Change
- Trans-organizational Systems
Applied Research & Integration
- Action Research and Evaluation Methods in Organization Development
- Applied Research Project tailored to your organization
- Practice Portfolio documenting your growth as an OD practitioner
Program Experience
- Hybrid delivery: online foundation courses + in-person intensives
- Global practicums across three continents
- Mentorship from faculty and alumni OD practitioners
For detailed course descriptions, view the MSOD Academic Course Catalog.
Take the Next Step
Learn more about how to achieve your career goals with the Pepperdine Graziadio Master of Science in Organization Development Program.
What Can Students Expect?
Values-Based Leadership
Develop leaders capable of ethical decision-making and responsible change, grounded in Pepperdine’s mission of purpose, service, and impact.
Flexible Hybrid Format
Complete online coursework at your own pace, combined with 8–10 day immersive in-person intensives to deepen skills and collaboration.
Applied Change Leadership
Engage in practicums and the Applied Research Project, translating OD theory into actionable solutions for real organizations.
Experiential Learning Opportunities
Work on team projects, fieldwork, and simulations that mirror the complexity of today’s organizational challenges.
Global Perspective
Gain international experience consulting with organizations and navigating multi-cultural and trans-organizational systems.
Professional Network & Cohort Model
Collaborate with a diverse cohort of peers and OD practitioners, building relationships that extend across industries and geographies.
Balancing Theory and Hands-On Experience
The MSOD curriculum blends leadership theory grounded in real-world application:
- Strategic OD Foundations: Develop expertise in organizational behavior, systems thinking, culture, and change management, with an emphasis on applying theory to real-world organizational challenges.
- Real-World Case Integration: Apply learning through field-based projects, simulations, and team-based consulting engagements that reflect current organizational complexities.
- Applied Learning & Practicum: Participate in global practicums and applied research projects that deliver measurable impact while building consulting and leadership skills.
- Immediate Workplace Application: Implement insights directly in your professional context, ensuring both personal and organizational growth.
Learn in a Global Destination
MSOD students experience real-world organizational challenges in international settings, consulting on projects that span multiple industries and countries. These opportunities develop cross-cultural awareness, systems-thinking skills, and the ability to lead large-scale change initiatives anywhere in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions