I/O Master of Science Program Overview

The Department of Psychology offers a Master of Science (MS) degree in Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology. The I/O Psychology track focuses on issues such as the psychology of Human Resource Management, Team Effectiveness, Personnel Selection, Leadership, Organizational Stress, and Training and Development.  The program emphasizes a commitment both to research and application as a part of individual specialty area development.  Although students are not required to maintain full-time status, they must be able to take classes during normal business hours.  Further, students must be continuously enrolled in the program and have a maximum of six years to complete the requirements for graduation.

Students master a series of core courses designed to provide a thorough grounding in theory, methodology, and content in applied and basic research in psychology.  These courses are taught by faculty who are involved in  research and practice in the relevant areas.  In addition, seminars reflecting the specialized foci of our program and faculty are offered. There are opportunities for practice and occasional internships with businesses for students to gain firsthand experience in the application of psychological knowledge to real challenges of organizations.

There are two tracks in the masters program:  a thesis track, and a non-thesis track.  In the thesis track, there is a 30 core credit hour requirement, plus a 6 credit thesis requirement.  Although full-time commitment is not required, ability to take courses during normal business hours is required.  In the non-thesis track there is a 36 credit hour coursework requirement followed by a comprehensive exam.  Please note that a thesis is required if you plan to pursue a doctoral degree in this program.