Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology: What It Is and How It Can Advance Your Career
When referring to a Master of Science (M.S.) in Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology program, it is important to note that several universities offer the degree. National Louis University, for example, offers an M.S. in I/O Psychology through its Graduate School of Business and Leadership.
What Is an M.S. in I/O Psychology?
I/O psychology graduate programs equip students with the skills to apply psychological science to organizational problems, such as selecting the right employees, managing their performance, and developing them into leaders. Courses include a mix of core psychological science, such as research methods and statistics, and applied business/human resources courses, such as human resources practices, organizational development, and leadership.
National Louis University offers an M.S. in I/O Psychology program that is designed to help students prepare for work in business, industry, labor, public and non-profit organizations, as well as in academia, community, and health organizations. This program is offered through the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Graduate School of Business and Leadership. The program combines core psychology courses with business-related human resources practices and organizational development courses. The program is small, and students progress through it in a cohort model. The program requires 36-42 semester hours of coursework and is typically completed within two years by full-time students.
Why Pursue an M.S. in I/O Psychology?
Individuals seeking an M.S. in I/O Psychology are interested in applying psychological expertise to organizational problems. If someone with an undergraduate degree in psychology is interested in applying their knowledge of human behavior to business problems, this would be an appropriate program for them. Also, HR professionals and business professionals in general may be interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the psychological research that underpins effective people management practices.
The degree has particular appeal to those interested in using data and research methods to address organizational problems. This field of study brings a scientist-practitioner approach to the management of work and people. The interventions (e.g., new selection processes, leadership development programs) that are the stock-in-trade of I/O psychologists are tested to determine whether they have the predicted effects.
There are many organizations these days that are becoming increasingly data-driven in their people analytics, tracking metrics, and evaluating factors such as employee engagement, potential for turnover, and the effectiveness of individual managers.
Key Questions About This Degree
Is this the same as a human resources degree?
An HR-focused graduate degree typically provides students with knowledge of how to administer and comply with the functions of a Human Resources Department. In contrast, I/O Psychology provides students with knowledge of the underlying psychological processes that affect employees in the workplace, and how to apply psychological research to solve problems in selection, performance, motivation, and leadership.
What topics does the coursework typically cover?
Employee performance management, reward systems, goal-setting for employees, talent acquisition and selection, leadership theory, including trait, behavior, and transformational leadership, organizational development and change management, psychology research methods, and statistics as applied to real-world workplace problems.
Do I need a background in psychology to apply?
While many I/O psychology Master’s degree programs require applicants to have completed an undergraduate degree in psychology, many also grant admission to individuals with an undergraduate business degree or other related social science degrees. The Master’s degree then builds on the student’s prior knowledge and research skills while the student is simultaneously learning many of the more applied business skills.
How long does the program take?
A full-time student would complete the required 36-42 semester hours of coursework over two years. In addition, part-time study is offered for individuals who need to work while completing their degree.
Is this a licensed profession?
No. I/O psychology is not considered a licensed clinical profession. Therefore, unlike clinical or counseling psychologists, I/O psychologists do not need a state license to practice. Hence, there is no need for graduates of this program to obtain a license to practice as I/O psychologists. This is one of the major differences between an I/O psychology program and other psychology programs of study. In other words, upon graduation from an I/O psychology program, students can immediately go to work in a variety of settings.
Career Outcomes
These individuals can work as HR specialists or managers, talent management/organizational development consultants, employee selection/assessment specialists, training and development managers, compensation and benefits analysts, and internal or external organizational consultants. Employment of industrial-organizational psychologists, as well as human resources and training and development managers, is expected to grow rapidly over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Current information on the number of jobs, employment outlook, and wage information for Psychologists and Human Resources Managers is available from the BLS in the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists and Human Resources Managers entries.
Industrial-Organizational Psychology is a field of study that lies at the intersection of Human Resources and Psychology. People who have graduated from I/O programs can find jobs in almost any industry (i.e., health care, non-profits, for-profit corporations, government, etc.), including, but not limited to, HR, talent management, organizational development, employee selection and assessment, training and development, compensation and benefits, and as internal or external consultants. Some I/O psychologists even go on to get their Ph.D. in I/O and then teach and conduct research at a university.
M.S. in I/O Psychology at National Louis University
The M.S. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program requires 36- 36-42 semester hours. The program is offered through the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SSBS) and the Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSBL), drawing on expertise from both divisions. There are small class sizes with a cohort of students and faculty who are active researchers and practitioners in the field. The cost of the program is $16,830.
