Program Description
Many companies and organizations rely on I/O psychology professionals to gain a competitive edge. Professionals who can identify what motivates individuals and teams to meet organizational goals continue to be in high demand in the world of business. M.A. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program study a variety of applied I/O coursework topics including personnel selection, performance appraisal training, leadership, and motivation. The opportunities for a broad range of real-world learning experiences. Additionally, students complete an Applied Research Project (ARP), giving them the opportunity to apply the theories and approaches they are learning to an authentic workplace situation.
The program faculty of the Business Psychology Department is comprised of business and psychology professionals. Our faculty members cross disciplines and are diverse in education and experience, representing the areas essential to I/O Psychology. Distinguished faculty members have diverse backgrounds, degrees, and experience in I/O psychology, business, clinical psychology, and organizational development, blending their multidisciplinary perspectives and approaches provides for more integrated learning across fields.
Graduates of the program are equipped with the expertise to apply psychology to businesses and nonprofit settings, and have the essential skills needed to effectively guide organizations to success.
The M.A. in Industrial Organizational degree can be obtained in as little as 22 months; flexible scheduling options are convenient for working professionals.
Department
Concentrations
Licensure
Total Credits
40
Fieldwork Requirements
Sample Courses
Organizational Culture and Design
This course explores organizations at the organizational level, examining the relationship between culture and organization design, structure, and environment. It examines the impact of change in strategy and technology, environmental turbulence and organizational maturity, and reviews organization development as a means to advance the changing nature of organization. Supporting topics include corporate ethics, life cycle and control, organizational climate, and globalization. Students create an organizational change strategy for a company in turmoil.
Performance Management
This course builds the skills of measuring and improving business performance at the individual and team level. It focuses on developing a culture of performance and rewarding that performance. Supporting topics include legal issues of performance appraisal, multi-source methods of appraisal, and models for multi-year performance management. Students analyze their organization's performance system and revise it based on theory and best practices.
Organizational Team Dynamics
This course explores organizations at the team level, examining the relationship between employees and teams and organizations and teams. Students practice assessing and facilitating team processes to maximize productivity and results for members and stakeholders. It addresses how to get things done when teams lack leadership or authority. Supporting topics include how to build teams, how to manage meetings, how to build relationships beyond the team, and how to keep teams effective over their life span. The course uses real time teams—both virtual and face-to-face.
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