Industrial Organizational Psychology Master & PhD Degree Programs
What is a Master’s in Industrial Organizational Psychology?
A Master’s in Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychology studies work behavior. That includes how human behavior impacts the workplace. And how to help teams perform better. In this degree program, you’ll study work through the lens of science. You’ll explore ways to resolve workplace issues. And you’ll learn how to help businesses create a stronger culture. Some courses focus on how to measure ways people act, think and feel at work. Others cover ways to interpret and use data. And, use it to solve problems. Why? To make businesses better places to work!written by Rana Waxman
What Can you do with a Master’s in Industrial Organizational Psychology?
Industrial organizational psychologists typically need to earn a master’s degree. That’s the entry level education to pursue this role. These pros could join a growing workforce of 2.64 million people. Companies continue to need the help of I-O psychologists. One reason is to select and keep employees. And increase job satisfaction to make workers happier. After all, reducing staff turnover is one way to boost efficiency. This role shows a 3% projected increase in jobs from 2019 to 2029. (According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.) That is about as fast as the average for all jobs. Do you prefer to work with employees? In that case, there are other careers where you might use I/O skills. Like training and development managers. They need knowledge of organizational behavior, too. These pros need to boost teamwork. And help workers navigate organizational change. A career in human resource management is yet another path. This field shows 6% growth. HR pros help with personnel selection. So, they need to know how to access workers. Knowledge of personnel psychology could help with that. These and other paths could be perfect for your goals. And graduate programs could help you prepare.Do I need a Master’s in Industrial Organizational Psychology?
In most cases, I-O psychologists need a master’s degree. Usually, a master’s in organizational psychology. Simply put, these pros need to know the principles of psychology. They need a grasp of research design and research methods. And they need a foundation in the social sciences. Things you could study include productivity and employee morale. This helps when collaborating with companies to:- Plan policies
- Assess job performance
- Increase business efficiency
- Change the business structure
- Do screenings and training sessions
- Motivate the workforce
- Develop a plan to help the business function at its best
Jobs in I-O Psychology
Occupation | Average Salary | Employment |
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists | $102,530 | 920 |
Research Consultant | $60,700 | 11,270 |
Instructional Designer | $67,940 | 163,900 |
Organizational Consultant | $121,730 | 35,690 |
Top States for Employment: Industrial Organizational Psychologists
State | Employment | Annual Mean Wage |
Virginia | 240 | $123,640 |
Massachusetts | 120 | 75,100 |
New Jersey | 40 | $107,950 |
Missouri | 40 | N/A |
Top Metro Areas for Employment: Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Metro Area | Annual Mean Salary | Employment |
---|---|---|
Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $155,870 | 0 |
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $135,930 | 240 |
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO | $129,030 | 230 |
Salisbury, MD-DE | $123,980 | 60 |
Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA | $123,040 | 0 |
Popular Master’s in Industrial Organizational Psychology Programs in San Francisco
Masters in industrial organizational psychology degrees are reported by the NCES. They fall under the category of Industrial and organizational psychology. Let’s look at the most recent update of the data (2009/10). Across the U.S, 1,156 industrial and organizational psychology degrees were awarded to graduate students. The majority (91%) were at the master’s level.Sponsored Listings
Industrial Organizational Psychology Program Guide | |
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Master of Science in I/O Psychology | I/O Psychology PHD’s |
Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology | PhD – Industrial/Organizational Psychology |
Length of Program: 36 credits, 18 months | Length of Program: 60, 48 months |
This program blends coursework from counseling psychology and business. The goal? Using psychology to foster a more effective workplace. | This program focuses on the psychology aspect of work behavior. It includes studies in group theory. Also, team processes. And organizational development. Other courses include: |
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No specific accreditations (other than regional) | No specific accreditations (other than regional) |
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Does using the title ‘Psychologist’ or practicing psychology appeal to you? If so, earning a PhD in I-O psych may help you pursue that goal. In some PhD programs, you enter with a bachelor’s degree. There are also schools that roll a Master of Science or Master of Arts into the PhD curriculum. But not all programs ready you to pursue licensure. Instead you may come away with strong leadership and consulting skills. These may strengthen your ability to solve workplace problems. Wondering about admission requirements? Grad programs in this field may call for:- Your undergrad transcripts
- A minimum GPA
- GRE scores
- Letters of recommendation
- And more
Master’s in Industrial Organizational Psychology Classes
I/O psychology classes focus on the scientific study of human behavior. They look at the way individuals and groups behave at work. Then they apply this knowledge to solve problems. Like morale issues. And training challenges. A typical curriculum includes courses in research methods, statistics and work psychology. Other material may touch on themes from HR management. That’s useful if you need to select, hire and train personnel. Depending on the program you choose, you could also take coursework in:- Motivation
- Learning and cognition
- Group dynamics
- Counseling
- Behavioral consulting
Applied Organizational Psychology
This class looks at how leaders, co-workers, policies and culture come together. All this impacts workplace behavior, thinking and attitudes. Why does this matter? Because it offers insights into what motivates people to do their best. Or work well in teams.Psychometrics
This class covers a wide range of methods that measure behavior. The emphasis is often on how to interpret data. And how to test it. For instance, you could measure intelligence. And aptitudes. This can help you learn more about worker strengths.Human Resources Development
This class may survey the ways companies train and develop workers. It may include exercises like role playing and sensitivity training. And it may focus on effective ways to change behavior.Group Dynamics and Team Leadership
This class may focus on how groups behave. And how to lead a team to success. Topics may touch on the theory and practice of leadership. Others, on building effective teams. Or managing conflict. You may also learn how relationships work in corporate culture.Accreditation for Industrial Organizational Psychology
Many accredited schools offer I-O psych programs. Accreditation shows that a school or program meets standards of quality. These are set by an accrediting agency. The agency commits to improving the quality of education in a given field. Six regional accreditors review and approve schools in their district. Attending one of these institutions may allow you to apply for financial aid. Also, accredited schools often enable credit transfers. I-O psych programs also review themselves. This process involves self-study. The goal? To ensure the program teaches relevant skills and ethical practices. What about accreditation for doctoral psychology programs and internships? Look no further than the American Psychological Association (APA). Or rather, it’s Committee on Accreditation (CoA). Attending an APA accredited school is key for pursuing state licensure. Also look into the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP). They created the Guidelines for Education and Training in this field. SIOP is trying to set norms for accreditation of master’s programs. But this is a work in progress. SIOP (2002) lists 88 masters programs. You’ll find these on its web page for Graduate Training Programs in Industrial Organizational Psychology and Related Fields. At this time the only I-O program accredited by MPAC is the University of West Florida.How Long Does it Take to Earn a Master’s in Industrial Organizational Psychology?
Earning a Masters in Industrial Organizational Psychology usually takes two years of full time study. PhD programs may take between four and five years. Plan to only study part time? Earning your degree may take longer. Finally, if you’re seeking more flex in your program, consider an online degree. An online master of IO psych program may fit your schedule.I-O Psychology Programs That Could Be Completed in 24 Months or Less
University | # of Credits Required | Start Dates | Minimum Months to Complete |
---|---|---|---|
Purdue Global University | 60-75 | 4 | 18 |
Sacred Heart University | 36 | Rolling admissions | 12 |
Southern New Hampshire University | 36 | Multiple | 24 |
Grand Canyon University | 36 | Multiple | 20 |
How Much Does an Industrial Organizational Psychology Cost?
The average cost of a of a grad degree from a public institution is $11,617 per year. This means you will be able to find programs more affordable than the average. And yes, there are more expensive ones, too. This graphic shows grad tuition costs of 4 institutions with industrial psychology programs. These were reported by the NCES. We have then compared those costs to the typically most affordable and most expensive college options, also as reported by NCES.Instate/Out Of State Tuition | School |
$10,560 Purdue University Global
$11,617 Average Public Institution University
$11,739 Walden University
$14,784 Average Private For Profit Institution Tuition
$16,864 Northcentral University
$26,551 Average Private Nonprofit Institution Tuition
$26,524 Sacred Heart University
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What are the Costs per Credit for a Master’s in Industrial Organizational Psychology?
Cost per credit of course is different at every school. State universities are also likely to have in state costs vs out of state costs. Below are a few examples of the cost per credit hour as reported by each one of these institutions.University | # of Credits Required | Cost Per Credit | Tuition Cost |
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Sacred Heart University | 36 | $880 | $31,860 |
North Central University | 10 courses | $2,526 per course | $25,260 |
Southern New Hampshire University | 36 | $627 | $22,572 |
Top 6 Industrial Organizational Psychology Programs in San Francisco
Northcentral University
Golden Gate University