Psychology Master of Arts Degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology Program

The M.A. program in Industrial & Organizational Psychology is a competency-based program designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, behavior, and capabilities necessary to function as a master’s level I-O practitioner or to pursue admission to doctoral programs.  These competency areas will be covered through a combination of formal course work, student-initiated research (optional Master's thesis), and supervised experience (e.g., field research, internships, practicum). All students are strongly encouraged to take the practicum to gain applied experience. All students are required to satisfactorily complete a written comprehensive examination covering the field of I-O Psychology. The exam will cover topics and issues that are of substantive relevance to all I-O psychologists, irrespective of their individual interests.

Program of Study (36 credits minimum)

1. Statistical Methods and Research Methodology (6 credits, required):
   • APsy 501 Applied Statistics for Industrial and Organizational Psychology
   • APsy 738 Research Methods in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
   • If students receive less than a B- in a course in this category, they are required to retake the course.
2. Core Content Courses (12 credits, required):
   • APsy 641 Survey of Organizational Psychology
   • APsy 750 Foundations of Industrial and Organizational Psychology
   • APsy 752 Personnel Psychology
   • APsy 753 Psychometric Theory and Research
   • If students receive less than a B- in a course in this category, they are required to retake the course.
3. Approved Psychology Seminars (12 credit hours required): Of the four seminars, one must be an Organizational Psychology seminar and one must be a Personnel Psychology seminar.
   • Organizational Psychology Seminars:
     • APsy 668 Group Dynamics,
     • APsy 751 Work Motivation,
     • APsy 759 Occupational Health Psychology, or
     • APsy 760 Workplace Diversity and Discrimination
   • Personnel Psychology Seminars:
     • APsy 754 Training, Evaluation and Development in Organizations or
     • APsy 757 Performance Appraisal and Management
   • Multivariate Analysis (APsy 613) falls into either this category or category 4. Multivariate Analysis is not considered a personnel seminar or an organizational psychology seminar.
   • The I-O Psychology Area Head can approve other I-O Psychology related seminars to fulfill this requirement. 
4. Six (6) credits of any combination of the following courses:
   • APsy 699 Master's Thesis
   • APsy 756 Practicum in Organizational Research (can be taken for 6 credits to fulfill this requirement)
   • APsy 603 Survey of Cognitive Psychology
   • APsy 604 Survey of Development Psychology
   • APsy 605 Social Psychology I
   • APsy 644 Human Factors
   • APsy 736 Research Methods in Psychology
   • APsy 759 Occupational Health Psychology
   • APsy 780 Selected Topics in Psychology
   • If not used to fulfill requirement #3, APsy 613, APsy 668, APsy 751, APsy 754, APsy 757, or APsy 760
   • Management classes in the School of Business (must be approved by the area head)
5. Satisfactory completion of a written comprehensive examination.

Please note: This program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If you have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of your intended academic program.