MBDS student finalists, Julia L. Moore, Dana Max, and Lauren Gaudreau, present their design challenge pitch offering commuting solutions for Inova Health System employees.
MBDS Founding Director Cristina Bicchieri addresses participants of the 2018 Norms and Behavioral Change (NoBeC) Conference.
MBDS students share insights from the Experimental Methods course poster presentation and student research event.
MBDS students explore recycling behavior in the US with the Center for Advanced Hindsight, an applied behavioral science lab—a project that spanned more than two months.
Enrique Fatas, MBDS Distinguished Fellow, engages with students and participants at the 2018 Norms and Behavioral Change (NoBeC) Conference.
Every organization depends on people making decisions and the groups they function in. Behavioral science is the discipline that helps improve and change those decisions.
In addition to traditional coursework, Penn's Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences (MBDS) gives students opportunities to apply behavioral science in professional settings. Through industry projects, the Design Challenge, alumni and expert conversations, and engagement with partner organizations, students gain hands-on experience with real challenges while expanding their professional networks and career perspectives.
Because behavioral science applies wherever people think, choose, collaborate, and act, MBDS students are prepared to bring value across industries and functions. Their training can support work in consulting, strategy, product design, policy, research, organizational behavior, communications, public health, education, social impact, and beyond.
As an MBDS student, you have opportunities to:
- Apply behavioral science to real organizational challenges through the Design Challenge
- Practice consulting, research, communication, and problem-solving skills with real clients and partners
- Learn from industry experts, alumni, and organizational leaders throughout the academic year
- Build professional connections across sectors where behavioral science is increasingly relevant
- Engage with applied research and behavioral change initiatives through Penn's Center for Social Norms and Behavioral Dynamics
Design Challenge
The Design Challenge is a central applied learning experience in the MBDS program. As part of the required capstone course, students work in teams with Industry Affiliates to address real-world problems through the lens of behavioral science.
Learn more about the Design Challenge
Center for Social Norms and Behavioral Dynamics
The Center for Social Norms and Behavioral Dynamics (Penn CSNBD) enables organizations around the world to sustainably enact positive behavioral change through specialized consulting, research, and training services. As a proud partner of Penn CSNBD, MBDS provides students with work and research opportunities in measuring behavior, analyzing behavioral data, and identifying systematic behavioral drivers.
Learn more about the Center for Social Norms and Behavioral Dynamics
MBDS Industry Affiliates
As a training ground for the next generation of applied behavioral scientists, the MBDS program is always looking to partner with organizations to help develop opportunities for students, including workshops, lectures, and Design Challenge projects.
Learn more about becoming an Industry Affiliate
Alumni and industry engagement
Throughout the academic year, MBDS periodically invites alumni, industry partners, and other professionals to meet with students. These conversations help students better understand how behavioral science is used in the field, what career paths are available after graduation, and how MBDS training can apply across different industries and organizational functions.
