Introduction
The Master of Science in Positive Organization Development & Change (MPOD) remains the premier program for learning how to manage systemic organizational change and transformation, leadership development, and team effectiveness since its inception 45 years ago.
Faculty who teach in MPOD are internationally recognized thought leaders who pioneered Appreciative Inquiry, Emotionally Intelligent Leadership, Coaching with Compassion, Inclusive Leadership, Flourishing Enterprises, Positive Impact Change Interventions, Team Effectiveness, and Business as an Agent for World Benefit. MPOD is one of only a few master's programs that emphasize strength-based approaches to organization development, change management, and leadership.
By using an applied, hands-on mastery learning pedagogy, students are able to concentrate in one or more of three thematic areas of mastery to earn additional credentialing or certification. Toward this end, students have the opportunity to conduct individual field projects within their own or other organizations; perform teacher constructed real-world challenges, and participate in practicums with actual clients in the field. All coursework involves elements of team-based experiential learning.
Because of this unique approach to learning, combined with in-depth practice, and distinctive coursework, our students demonstrate twice the success ratio in performing change management projects, and nearly nine of ten students advance their careers and personal lives within 1-2 years after graduation.
MPOD at a Glance
14-month, 35 credit-hour program that starts every January
A hybrid program, with both on-site and on-line learning
MPOD will be conducted in 8 Learning Modules strategically placed throughout 4 semesters with a 4-day on-campus module and a 4-day virtual module. This will enable our cohort model to remain while reducing the student’s time away from home and work, and travel expenses for non-local students.
Applied Mastery-Level Learning through faculty-directed real-world projects
MPOD will provide opportunities to gain mastery-level, hands-on expertise through faculty-directed, real-world projects in their choice of our three thematic areas - 1) Leadership, 2) Team and Interpersonal Effectiveness, and 3) Organizational Development and Systematic Change. Students will partner with faculty and organization leaders to design and implement these self-initiated, self-paced projects.
Curriculum
Spring, 2021Module 1 (on-campus) - Jan 28 - 31, 2021
MPOD 413 – Foundations of Positive Organization Development and Change
MPOD 416A – Leadership, Executive Assessment, and Development
MPOD 432 – Interpersonal Skills Building
Module 2 (virtual) - Mar 6 - 7, 2021 and Mar 13 - 14, 2021
MPOD 413 – Foundations of Positive Organization Development and Change
MPOD 416A – Leadership, Executive Assessment, and Development
MPOD 432 – Interpersonal Skills Building
Summer, 2021Module 3 (on-campus) - May 13 - 16, 2021
MPOD 414 – Organization Design for a Knowledge World
MPOD 435 – Practicum in Appreciative Inquiry and Positive OD
MPOD 470A – Leading Change from a Complexity Perspective
Module 4 (virtual) - Jun 18 - 19, 2021 and Jun 26 - 27, 2021
MPOD 414 – Organization Design for a Knowledge World
MPOD 416B – Leadership and Executive Assessment and Development
MPOD 440A – Inclusive Leadership in a Global Context
Fall, 2021Module 5 (on-campus) - Aug 26 - 29
MPOD 440B – Inclusive Leadership in a Global Context
MPOD 470B – Leading Change from a Complexity Perspective
MPOD 479 – Foundations of Strategic Thinking
MPOD 480 – Dynamics of Effective Consulting Strategies
Module 6 (virtual) - Oct 16 - 17, 2021 and Oct 23 - 24, 2021
MPOD 470B – Leading Change from a Complexity Perspective
MPOD 479 – Foundations of Strategic Thinking
MPOD 480 – Dynamics of Effective Consulting Strategies
Spring, 2022Module 7 (in-person) - Dec 5 - 10, 2021
MPOD 498 – Global Citizenship and Multi-Cultural OD: International Study Tour
Module 8 (on-campus) - Mar 10 - 13, 2022
MPOD 418 – Flourishing Enterprise
MPOD 439 – Individual Field Project
May 15, 2022 - Graduation
Application Information
Are you passionate about organizational development and change? Do you possess diverse personal and professional experiences? You’re what the Weatherhead Master of Positive Organization Development and Change admissions team is looking for.
It is our mission to create an enriched and empowered learning environment with professional students like you. We select based on our guiding recruitment philosophy of maintaining excellence and promoting the value of diversified perspectives. Review the following admission information:
Weatherhead Philosophy of Recruitment
The Weatherhead School of Management MS in Positive Organization Development & Change admissions team is committed to recruiting a community of students with diverse perspectives and a range of robust educational, professional, and life experiences. These experiences, along with demonstrated student excellence, enrich the dialogue and teamwork in the classroom.
Application Process Overview
Create an application, or log in using your username and password to continue your application.
Upload the required unofficial documents. If you are admitted and you matriculate, we will require your official documents then. Further instructions will be sent by email.
When your application is finished, click “submit” to pay your non-refundable application fee
After clicking “submit,” you will not be able to make any changes to your application form, resume, or essays, but you will be able to log back in later to upload transcripts and test scores. All required documents must be submitted in order to be considered.
Once your application is complete, you may receive an invitation to interview. Interviews are by invitation only.
Any application that remains incomplete at the end of the admissions period will be denied.
MPOD Admission Qualifications
Individuals applying for this organization development and change management degree program must meet the following admission qualifications:
Bachelor's degree
5 - 7 years related work experience
Full-time employment
Intense interest in Change Management, Leadership Development, Coaching, Team Effectiveness, and Organizational Development and Systemic Change
Opportunity to conduct performance improvement projects for learning, which yields a return for the organization.
Student Experience
Changing the World, Changing You
This unique master’s degree program is Weatherhead’s response to the increasing demand for rigorous, relevant education in the emerging fields of positive psychology and positive organizational development and scholarship, within the ever-changing context of organizational behavior.
While our positive organizational development program encourages students' awareness of external opportunities to develop flourishing human systems, the Master of Science in Positive Organization Development & Change (MPOD) curriculum remains grounded in the belief that the self can be a powerful instrument for change and that personal and professional development go hand in hand. The MPOD learning model provides experiential opportunities for participants to become more self-aware, to practice and experiment with new skills, and to give and receive coaching that can be life-changing.
Our positive organizational leadership degree program educates and develops leaders who will create enduring social systems that offer value to all stakeholders, nourish the cooperative human spirit, and contribute to ecologically sustainable societies and global well-being. Learn what our students have to say about the program:
“Experiencing MPOD was an indelible opportunity for me both as a career professional and, even more important, a human being. It broadened my understanding of leadership, coaching, motivating teams and individuals, and how to make an impact in the world and the workplace. The experience is something that I will carry with me, and reap its benefits for the rest of my life-- it's worth the investment.”— Sydney Stone, MPOD ’14, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
“Completing the MPOD program was one of the most deep-learning and enriching experiences of my life. Not only did I meet unbelievably passionate change-makers in my cohort but I felt I was provided with a progressive thought-leadership curriculum and strategies to make an immediate high impact in my personal and professional life. Overall, I would say that the MPOD degree has opened me up to a world of endless possibilities and has significantly shaped who I am, including my life purpose.”— Sara Thomas, MPOD ’12, Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center
“Looking back, my degree from MPOD represents a new and holistic perspective on business in the world and how we need to think about global issues in the 21st Century. It is perspectives on leadership, debating real-world business challenges with other students from different backgrounds, and genuinely grasping the concept of AI and organizational development that resonates the most. It was an amazing education (on many levels) that flew by and I am forever grateful for the opportunity and experience of the program.”— Ryan Blackmore, MPOD ’12, Edwards Lifescience
“People often ask me if my graduate experience was worth it, and each time I respond with a resounding "Yes!" I found the program truly transformational - expanding my knowledge of the Organization Development field and sharpening my skills. I also gained invaluable insights into myself and the impact I want to make on the world. I have successfully helped dozens of organizations hone in on their missions, improve employee engagement and make their organizations more people-friendly.”— Janelle Coleman, MPOD ’11, Four Letter Consulting
“If you love personal development, people development, strategy, and change, this is the program for you. I made a career shift from Marketing Executive to Executive Coach. I stress to my coaching clients the importance of constantly learning and growing and felt that I should take my own advice. I searched for a learning experience that was relevant, practical, and challenging and that would grow me professionally. The MPOD experience has proven to be an invaluable experience. Because I have an MBA, I was concerned about redundancy. Instead, the MPOD experience has been a strong complement to the MBA — a much deeper and richer dive into the people-focused subjects I love.”— Curt Wang, MPOD ‘13Executive Coach, Make the Leap Coaching | Lake Forest, IL
“The MPOD curriculum is interesting and absolutely relevant for my work as a change management consultant. I looked at graduate programs for several years before I found the MPOD program. The professors, many of whom are 'founding fathers' of their fields, are rock stars. I went to an Ivy League school for my other masters and the Case Western Reserve University experience has been far superior — the professors are engaging, encouraging, and care about their students’ success. The staff is caring and supportive. In addition, the courses demand introspective thought and self-reflection which has been personally rewarding as well as life-changing. Because the Weatherhead School of Management is a recognized leader in the field of OD, the program is a strong addition to my resume.”— Lesa Lozano, MPOD '13Principal, Structured Change, LLC | Houston, Texas
