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 Decisions Sciences from Associate Director Carter Timon 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.
Virtual alumni panel discussion
Recent Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences alumni panelists talk about their professional and academic lives and reflect on how the MBDS program fit into and influenced their career trajectory.
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, refer to the Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences Handbook (PDF).
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:
Saumya Seth (she/her) is a full-time graduate student at MBDS. She began her professional journey at Albright Stonebridge Group’s South Asia practice, where she helped global enterprises align their business strategies with regional policy developments and identified prospects for sustainable growth. Saumya then transitioned to tech and worked on strategy for an early-stage startup building digital solutions for developing behavioral and cognitive skills in adult learners. She loves bringing people together through conversations and camaraderie. She equally enjoys the company of her furry friends. Fascinated by languages, she is currently learning French and Punjabi. Saumya holds a degree in economics from Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi, and was a Young India Fellow at Ashoka University.
Nicole White is a student in the Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences program. She attended Eckerd College, where she worked as a student ambassador and a TA. She graduated in 2020 with degrees in economics and environmental studies. In her free time, Nicole enjoys spending time with family and friends, running, watching and playing soccer, and knitting. As an MBDS representative, she hopes to work closely with her peers and professors to create a program that offers opportunities that allow students to make the most of their time at Penn.
