Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Please refer to this link for specific information regarding application deadlines. Admission deadlines can also be found on the MSOD webpage. 

A minimum of four years organization experience is required, preferably as a consultant or line manager. Candidates also must be currently employed in an organizational context in which students can apply what they learn in class.

Pepperdine University's Master of Science in Organization Development (MSOD) program class is limited to a cohort of approximately 35 professionals. The creation of this learning community of students from around the world is fundamental to the MSOD experience. The Admissions Committee selects a diverse community of students who will succeed in managing strategic change, inspire the OD profession to rigor and relevance, and strive to be a positive force in the world. The committee carefully evaluates academic background information, achievements, awards, and honors; employment history; letters of recommendation; essays; and college and community involvement, especially where you have served in leadership capacities. 

The MSOD program strongly believes that success in the field of organization development depends on knowledge of self. Therefore, applicants are also evaluated by their emotional maturity and readiness to participate in a transformational educational experience. Students are expected to have experience in some form of human interaction laboratory training, experiential learning, OD value training, or individual/group therapy.

The considerations to waive the TOEFL are:

• Green card holder or naturalized US Citizen
• Attended bachelor's degree in a foreign country with curriculum delivered in English language
• Completed significant graded courses in American Schools in the US
• Seldom used: Waiver during the interview process with the Admissions Committee to measure English skills, oral and written

Two letters of recommendation are required from persons familiar with the applicant's educational, consulting, or management experience, preferably from a direct supervisor or organizational sponsor. However, a candidate may choose to submit more than two letters if she/he believes it will help strengthen her/his application.

Interviews are by invitation only. If you are selected for an interview, you will be notified after the Admissions Committee has completed a preliminary review of your application, which could be at any time during the admissions round. The MSOD admission interview is usually conducted by phone by a member of the MSOD Admissions Committee.

Yes, financial aid and scholarships are available. Please see the Financial Aid webpage for more information. 

Founders Scholarship Fund: If admitted into the MSOD program, you will be eligible to apply for the Founders Scholarship Fund program. This is a one-time-only scholarship that is available to admitted students only. Scholarships are awarded on a need basis and overall fit with the program’s goals.

To speak with an admissions counselor, a current student, or an alumnus, please contact Morgan Towner at morgan.towner@pepperdine.edu or 805.794.8347.

The Master of Science in Organization Development at Pepperdine University is a cohort-based program that incorporates six face-to-face sessions, each lasting between 8-11 days.

Each residency (face-to-face session) is between 8-11 days. They typically start at 9:00 a.m. and end at 9:00 p.m. with breaks for lunch and dinner. By comparison, a traditional 4-unit class lasts 15 weeks, with 4 hour segments per week. We condense that 15 weeks into approximately eight days. Our four 6-unit classes have longer sessions (9-11 days).

The online courses are the foundation courses. They run between the intensives and practicums (the face-to-face sessions). The first course starts in August (as soon as the trimester starts). The online courses run for 7.5 weeks between the face-to-face sessions. Please note that even our face-to-face sessions require preparation that takes place in the online environment. This also means you have access to top-notch faculty in ways that are very atypical for a program like this.

It varies for each course, however, the amount of time in the field increases as you go through the program. The fieldwork is interspersed with lectures and very focused debriefs.

Approximately 10-15 hours a week of studying is about right considering the thesis project and all other group projects, readings, and assignments.

Absolutely! International students from all over the world attend the program. You are not required to live in California or the US as long as you attend each of the six face-to-face sessions as scheduled.

Yes. The MSOD program is cohort-based, and while attending the residential sessions, you are required to stay at the location where the session is held. Housing is typically in a hotel or condominium-style units, and meals are taken together to sustain and enrich the close-knit learning community and to leverage personal accountability, communication, and resource exchange. The creation of a "learning community" is fundamental to the MSOD experience.

Most if not all students are professionals who work full time.

The average age of the MSOD student is 37. The age range is between 30-59.