Help Organizations Leverage Their Strengths and Improve Performance
The online M.A. Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology program prepares you to apply psychological principles to better understand workplace behavior and develop evidence-based solutions to complex organizational challenges.
Learn from practitioner-scholar faculty who bring years of real-world experience to your studies. Through a curriculum informed by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology's (SIOP) recommended areas of study, you'll gain a broad foundation in I/O Psychology while developing essential assessment, intervention, and consultation skills.
Key areas of study include:
- Personnel selection
- Performance appraisal
- Training
- Leadership
- Motivation
Take on Real-World Organizational Challenges
Through a faculty-supervised Applied Research Project, you'll apply I/O psychology concepts and research to an organizational challenge you've encountered in your professional experience.
Pursue Additional Credentials
You may also have opportunity to earn additional certificates by successfully completing the required coursework and meeting the specific requirements for each:
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology Generalist Certificate
- Organizational Leadership Certificate
Each certificate offers an opportunity to develop more focused knowledge that complements your master's degree.
Manika Turnbull, Ph.D.
Admissions Requirements
Students applying to the M.A. Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology program must submit the following:
- Application - Apply Online
- Application fee: $50
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
- Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
- Official academic transcripts
- Students must submit official transcripts from all schools where a degree was earned.
- It is recommended that transcripts are submitted from all schools where credit was received to enhance their applications.
- 3 years minimum work or volunteer experience. Documentation can include, but is not limited to:
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Letter from employer
- Service award from a volunteer organization
- Other documentation
- Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 are required to submit additional documentation:
- Personal Statement
- Two Letters of Recommendation
Send materials to:
Admissions Operations
c/o The Chicago School
400 S. Jefferson St., Suite 2500
Chicago, IL 60607
For electronic delivery, send to [email protected].
Accreditation & Licensure
Accreditation
To learn more about The Chicago School's institutional and programmatic accreditations, visit our Accreditation page.
Licensure
For information on whether a program at The Chicago School meets or does not meet licensure eligibility requirements for the state in which you wish to be licensed, please visit our licensure disclosures page.
Fieldwork Opportunities
Applied Research Project
The Applied Research Project (ARP) gives you the opportunity to investigate a real organizational challenge you've encountered in your career and use I/O psychology research to explore potential solutions.
The project draws on the minimum three years of relevant post-baccalaureate work experience required for admission, so you can apply what you're learning to a familiar workplace issue. Throughout the program, your professors will guide and support you through the research process as you develop and complete your project.
Sample Courses
Organizational Behavior
This course explores organizations at the individual and team level, examining the relationship between employees and managers, and employees and teams. It examines the factors that drive productivity and success in organizations including motivation, diversity, work stress, conflict and negotiation, decision making, personality, and attitudes.
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 will create an organizational change strategy for a company in turmoil.
Consulting for Business Psychologists
This course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to compete for positions as both internal and external consultants to businesses and nonprofit organizations. Skills such as critical thinking, self-awareness, interpersonal skills, writing skills, and client relations are learned through in-class exercises that focus on problem identification, proposal development, and proposal delivery. Ethical issues relevant to consulting in a global market are also addressed.
Career Pathways
Graduates from the in-person and online M.A. Industrial and Organizational Psychology program are prepared to apply their skills to a variety of fields and professions, including:
- Consultation
- Marketing
- Human resources
- Leadership
- Government
- Business
- Nonprofit
Career Outcomes
The Chicago School prepares you to make an impact in a variety of high-demand careers. Below, you will find possible career options and salaries associated with this degree.
Data is pulled by a third-party tool called Lightcast, which includes data from sources including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, and other government databases. The information below represents a regional and national career outlook related to this degree program*. The Chicago School is dedicated to assisting you in achieving your career goals.
*Many degree programs are intended to fulfill licensure requirements in specific states. The data shown here may not represent the state where you currently reside. For more information on how this program is applicable to the requirements of your state, please speak with your admissions representative.
Financing Your Education
The Chicago School is dedicated to keeping our professional degree programs accessible to anyone regardless of financial status. In addition to the scholarships that may be available, our Financial Aid Department will provide you with information to determine what financial arrangements are right for you.
M.A. Industrial and Organizational Psychology FAQs
What is Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and how does The Chicago School prepare me for success in this field?
Industrial and Organizational Psychology focuses on the application of psychological principles to workplace environments, enhancing employee performance and organizational effectiveness. Our M.A. Industrial and Organizational Psychology program equips students with a broad knowledge base and essential skills in assessment, intervention, and consultation. Through hands-on learning, internships, and research, students learn to apply industrial and organizational psychology solutions to real-world organizational challenges.
Can I pursue an M.A. I/O Psychology part-time, and how long will it take to complete?
Yes, we offer flexible study options for the MA I/O Psychology program, allowing students to enroll full-time or part-time. The full-time pathway can be completed in two years while the part-time pathway extends to three years, accommodating those who wish to balance their studies with work or other commitments.
What are the admission requirements for the M.A. Industrial and Organizational Psychology program at The Chicago School?
Admission to the M.A. Industrial and Organizational Psychology program requires an application, a $50 fee, official transcripts, a letter of recommendation, and a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above is recommended. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 may need to submit additional documentation such as a resume and personal statement.
What career pathways are available after receiving a Master's Degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology?
Graduates with a Master's Degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology are well-prepared for a wide range of careers in different corporate settings. See our article, “13 Popular Industrial and Organizational Psychology Careers,” to learn more about some of the promising careers that you might wish to pursue after you graduate.
How does The Chicago School support students financially in the M.A. I/O Psychology program?
The Chicago School is committed to making the M.A. I/O Psychology program accessible to all students, regardless of financial status. The Financial Aid Department offers information on scholarships, loans, and other financial arrangements to ensure that students can find the financial solutions that are right for them.
