Organizational Psychology, M.S.

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Required credits (36)

The Organizational Psychology program addresses the critical leadership skills required to enhance organizational effectiveness. Today’s leaders and managers need to know how to promote teamwork, manage transitions, and restructure organizations. The Organizational Psychology program provides a theoretical framework in organizational behavior and allows students to evaluate and improve their own skills in research design, data collection and analysis, communication, facilitation, and leadership. The program helps students develop both their theoretical understanding of individual, interpersonal, group, and organizational issues, and their ability to put that theory into practice. This integration of theory and practice prepares graduates to lead, manage, and/or consult with dynamic and diverse organizations operating in a global environment.

The 36-credit-hour program is designed to meet the needs of three groups of students. It provides (1) a strong foundation for students who intend to pursue further graduate work, (2) solid training and practicum opportunities for students who wish to terminate with a master’s degree and apply their acquired skills and knowledge in the marketplace, and (3) an opportunity for non-psychologist professionals who wish to become more knowledgeable about the application of psychology to their professional interests.

Degree Requirements

The Organizational Psychology program in the Department of Psychology is a 36-credit program: five required courses (15 credits), including either a capstone project or an internship; at least five electives in organizational studies (15-21 credits); and no more than two electives in general psychology (6 credits). All students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 36 credit hours with a grade point average of at least 3.00 and have no more than two grades below B–. No more than 9 credits may be taken from the Barney School of Business.

Core Courses

(two required/6 credits)

PSY 535 - Introduction to Industrial/Organizational Psychology 3 credit(s)
PSY 555 - Personnel Psychology 3 credit(s)

Quantitative Courses

(two required/6 credits)

PSY 510 - Experimental Design 3 credit(s)
PSY 581 - Advanced Research Methods 3 credit(s)

Research/Internship

(one required/3 credits)

PSY 625 - Capstone Project 3 credit(s)
PSY 680 - Internship in Organizational Psychology 3 credit(s)

Organizational Studies Electives

(five to seven required/15–21 credits)

PSY 545 - Contemporary Studies in Organizational Psychology 3 credit(s)
MGT 701 - Managerial Skills 3 credit(s)
MGT 711 - Dynamics of Group Decision Making 3 credit(s)
MGT 712 - Complex Organizations 3 credit(s)
MGT 720 - Organization Development 3 credit(s)
MGT 725 - Training in Organizations 3 credit(s)
MGT 740 - Conflict Management 3 credit(s)
MGT 750 - Bargaining and Negotiations 3 credit(s)
MGT 771 - Entrepreneurship 3 credit(s)
CMM 510 - Small-Group Communication 3 credit(s)
CMM 520 - Organizational Communication 3 credit(s)
CMM 523 - Intercultural Communication 3 credit(s)
CMM 560 - Communication in the Workplace
CMM 620 - Special Topics in Organizational Communication 3 credit(s)
EDP 696 - The Adult Learner
EDT 610 - The Computer as an Instructional Tool 3 credit(s)

General Psychology Electives

(no more than two may be applied toward the degree/0–6 credits)

PSY 500 - Contemporary Studies in Psychology 3 credit(s)
PSY 520 - Learning: Principles, Theories, and Applications 3 credit(s)
PSY 521 - Physiological Psychology 3 credit(s)
PSY 523 - Health Psychology 3 credit(s)
PSY 525 - Multicultural Issues in Psychology 3 credit(s)
PSY 552 - Social Psychology 3 credit(s)
PSY 557 - Stress: Causes, Consequences, and Management 3 credit(s)
PSY 552 - Social Psychology
3 credit(s)
PSY 560 - Life-Span Development 3 credit(s)

Admission Requirements

A completed application for consideration for admission consists of

transcripts of all past education experiences and documentation of the award of the bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education;
an overall undergraduate grade average of B or higher;
an undergraduate major or concentration in an appropriate area, such as psychology, economics, business, sociology, or communication*;
a personal statement of academic objectives and professional goals; and
three letters of reference evaluating educational and/or work experience.

*Applicants who do not meet specific academic requirements but who give evidence of outstanding practical experience or skills will be considered and may be required to ameliorate specific deficiencies (e.g., by taking certain background courses).

Transfer Credit

With the approval of the program director, graduate students may transfer up to 6 credits of course work that are applicable to the program requirements.