Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Apply psychological principles directly to workplace challenges
The Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology is designed for professionals who want to apply behavioral science to real business challenges like hiring and developing talent, improving employee performance and navigating organizational change. You’ll evaluate how people work and translate that insight into practical, evidence-based solutions to improve how organizations perform. This online master’s in industrial-organizational psychology centers on how people think, behave and stay motivated at work so organizations can design better systems to support them.
Why choose our I-O psychology master’s program?
Aligned with standards set by APA and SIOP – so you can apply psychological methods validated by research to workplace decisions like talent selection and employee well-being.
Designed as a practical toolkit for people and performance challenges at work – so you gain applied methods, frameworks and analytical skills you can apply to your career tomorrow.
Learn from faculty with real-world experience – who design learning around theory and application – so what you study connects directly to how organizations operate.
Aligned with standards set by APA and SIOP– so you can apply psychological methods validated by research to workplace decisions like talent selection and employee well-being.
Designed as a practical toolkit for people and performance challengesat work – so you gain applied methods, frameworks and analytical skills you can apply to your career tomorrow.
Learn from faculty with real-world experience– who design learning around theory and application – so what you study connects directly to how organizations operate.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Designed for busy professionals — learn online on your schedule.
36 credits
Total required for the degree
33 credits
Total required for degree
36 credits
Total required for the degree
Up to 9 credits
May be transferred/waived
33 credits
Total required for degree
Up to 9 credits
May be transferred/waived
6 weeks
Course length
33 credits
Total required for degree
6 weeks
Course length
17 months
Program length
33 credits
Total required for degree
17 months
Program length
Program purpose statement
The Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology is an educational degree program that provides a foundation of knowledge in the field of I-O Psychology. This program does not prepare students for licensure as a psychologist or any other type of professional certification or licensure.
Careers and outcomes with a master’s in industrial-organizational psychology
Our Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology online helps you build a toolkit of evidence-based methods you can use to address real workplace challenges. Whether you’re looking to deepen your impact in your current role or move into a more strategic position, you can apply practical I-O psychology skills to influence people, teams and organizational outcomes.
Skills learned in this program:
- Ethical and social responsibility
- Industrial-organizational psychology
- Professional communication
- Scientific mindedness
A MSIOP can prepare you to be a:
- Development manager
- Employee relations manager
- Human resources operations manager
- Management consultant
- Organizational consultant
- Psychology instructor
You may work in:
- Company and enterprises
- Finance and insurance
- Professional services
- Scientific services
- Technical services
Career outlook
9% growth
According to the , job growth for management analysts is much faster than average between 2024 and 2034.
The BLS Projected Growth for 2024-2034 is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to ý students or graduates.
Interested in applying psychology generally across professional settings?
The Master of Science in Psychology provides a broad foundation in psychological principles and lays the groundwork for application of theoretical principles.
Courses for the Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Find what you'll learn in a course – look for the skills-aligned trophy cup
Our online master’s in industrial-organizational psychology courses go beyond theory and into method and application. Your instructors understand how behavior, performance and decision-making play out in real organizations. Coursework focuses on applied areas like performance appraisal, organizational leadership and training and development – helping you build skills in conflict resolution, people management and talent acquisition.
Requirements and course details
Your course schedule may vary based on eligible transfer credits or relevant work and life experience. Learn more about master’s degree time and money saving opportunities. You may be eligible to waiveup to9 credits and graduate18 weeksearlier.
- Completion of a minimum of 36 credits, including:
- Required Course of Study: 36 credits
- A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.
The core courses in the Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology are designed to help you apply psychological principles to real workplace challenges, building skills you can use in workforce performance, motivation, assessment and feedback. You’ll also learn about organizational development, leadership and management. Together, these core courses are designed to help you build a practical toolkit you can use to assess people, guide change and improve organizational effectiveness.
Practical I-O psychology skills
- Apply critical thinking to make better decisions when addressing complex workplace challenges.
- Navigate ethical considerations to support responsible workplace practices.
- Strengthen employee engagement and well-being by understanding how motivation influences attitudes, performance and retention.
- Turn assessment data into meaningful feedback by applying research to improve performance.
- Use industrial-organizational psychology principles to better understand how people work, interact and perform within organizations.
In your courses, you’ll demonstrate what you’ve learned by completing practical assignments based on the skills you’re learning like talent acquisition, employee relations and organizational leadership, preparing you to put them in practice.
You may participate in assignments, such as:
- Applying change management models to support human resource management.
- Designing consulting proposals to improve business processes.
- Determining conflict resolution strategies for workforce populations.
- Executing recruitment strategies in the talent acquisition process.
- Implementing strategic plans for increasing employee performance.
- Using ethical decision-making models to resolve workplace challenges.
Courses for this I-O psychology program are aligned to the education standards set by the and the . So, you gain applied methods, frameworks and analytical skills you can apply to your career tomorrow.
Develop career-relevant skills with real-world value
Get value from your education before you even graduate. Our courses in the I-O psychology master’s program focus on teaching practical knowledge and skills you can use right away. You’ll demonstrate what you’ve learned by completing assignments on practical workplace challenges, preparing you for the real world. Earn career-relevant skills in weeks, not years, with every course.
| Skill | What you’ll learn |
|---|---|
|
Professional communication
|
Discuss psychological concepts, online and in-person etiquette to communicate, professional written strategies in psychology
|
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Change management
|
Gather insights from all levels of the organization and prepare an improvement strategy
|
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Organizational effectiveness
|
Craft models and interventions that mitigate problems and chart a course to enhance performance
|
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Conflict resolution
|
Analyze ethical standards and apply strategies and models to resolve workplace challenges and ethical dilemmas
|
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Talent acquisition and selection
|
Assist in the screening of candidates to ensure the organization’s talent acquisition process allows for well-informed hiring decisions
|
|
Performance improvement
|
Set clear goals for employee performance improvement and develop employee motivation methods to grow leaders within a department
|
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Organizational development
|
Work with all levels of the organization to understand external and internal change impacts
|
“
We’re trying to help students be more ‘skill literate.’ We want to help students see skills as value they gain along the way that they can put to use right now."
Sandip Bhakta
Vice President, Career Service and Support
Tuition and savings
Paying for school
Tuition is based on number of credit hours per course. Courses are typically 3 credits, but can range from 1-6 credits. Costs do not include savings opportunities like transfer credits and scholarships.
Master's cost per course
$2,289 / course
What affects the overall cost of my program?
Your full program cost can vary by:
- Savings opportunities. Get your degree faster and for less with eligible transfer credits, scholarships and work experience credits. Students with eligible credits and relevant experience can save up to $6,800 and 9 credits off their master’s degree.
With our Tuition Guarantee, you pay one flat, affordable rate from the moment you enroll to the day you graduate from your program.
Earn your master’s degree faster and for less with eligible savings opportunities:
Other ways to save on time and tuition
Because we believe everyone deserves an affordable education, we work hard to help our students achieve one. Here’s a few ways you can save time, save money and avoid starting from scratch.
Transfer credits
Your prior eligible college credits can lower your cost and help you graduate sooner. As a transfer-friendly university, we accept eligible credits from 5,000+ accredited institutions.
Employer tuition benefits
Are you employed? Check to see if your employer has an alliance agreement with us for education benefits. This can help you save money while gaining skills that could apply to your job.
Credit for life experience
We look at all your relevant experience, from parenting to past jobs, to help you get the college credits you deserve. For every 3 credits earned, shave 6 weeks off your degree.
Alumni savings
Are you a Phoenix alum? If so, you’re eligible for special tuition rates and can save up to $2,200 on a master’s degree. You can also save with an alumni scholarship.
Military savings
If you’re an active-duty service member in the U.S. Armed Forces or an eligible spouse or dependent, you may be eligible for a lower, military tuition rate and can save on tuition.
We can help you get started
Chat with an experienced advisor who can guide you through tuition, financial aid, scholarships, transfer credits and more.
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How to pay for college
Paying for school can be intimidating, but we’re here to help you make sense of it. Our finance advisors can walk you through your options like federal financial aid and savings opportunities to minimize your debt. Plus, we can help you figure out your financial plan.
Read stories from our I-O psychology alumni
ALUMNI STORIES
“
I want to be a lifecycle optimization specialist where I make sure that not only is [a product] manufacturable, but it’s serviceable, and at the same time, it’s usable and it’s going to be productive throughout its lifecycle.”
Rodney L.
BSIOP, 2022; MSIOP, 2024; DM, in progress
ALUMNI STORIES
“
Realistically, my decision was that I had to look around for a school that I could do and yet work. … That was where ý came in.”
Dr. Stephen M.
BSM, 2013; MSIOP, 2016; Doctorate
- Rodney L.
- Dr. Stephen M.
Accreditation
Accredited for 45+ years
Since 1978, ý has maintained institutional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC),.Learn more about the value of ý accreditation and how it benefits our students.
Flexible learning and support for busy adults
Where you earn your degree matters
Online classes, always on
Earning a degree shouldn’t make impossible demands on your schedule. You can attend class online whenever it fits your life — day or night. Plus, courses are just 6 weeks long, so you can balance life while staying on track to graduate.
Relevant, real-world faculty
Your instructors know what works in the real world. As leaders in their respective fields, they bring a hands-on perspective and practical knowledge to the online classroom. What they teach you today can be directly applied to your career tomorrow.
Real people, real support
Your life doesn’t stop when the sun sets. That’s why you have a support team of real people you can lean on — up to 14 hours a day, 5 days a week.You'll also have a digital library, live math tutoring, writing help, and life resources and financial literacy centers.
Career Services for Life® commitment
Because your career never stands still, active students get access to career services and resources, from your first class to graduation and beyond, at no added cost. Connect with career advisors, use our Career Navigator, leverage our résumé services and more.
Dean spotlight
Learn from accomplished psychology professionals
“
My teaching philosophy centers on fostering an inclusive learning environment that blends theory with practical application.”
Sheila Babendir, EdD, LPC
Dean, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Apply 100% free and easy
Admissions for master’s students
Getting started on your master’s degree should be simple – and with us, it is. We’ve simplified the process by removing obstacles.
No application fee, no obligation
We’ll request your prior transcripts at no cost (when possible)
No essay or entrance exam required (GMAT or GRE)
No application fee, no obligation
We’ll request your prior transcripts at no cost (when possible)
No essay or entrance exam required (GMAT or GRE)
Frequently asked questions about the master’s in industrial-organizational psychology
I-O psychology, also known as industrial-organizational psychology, is a field focused on studying and applying psychology principles to human behavior in the workplace. I-O psychology address topics such as employee work performance, job satisfaction, work-life balance, workplace training and employee turnover. Learn more about industrial-organizational psychology.
Our master’s in industrial-organizational psychology program covers the fundamentals of social and cognitive psychology as well as quantitative and qualitative research. You’ll complete required coursework on topics related to the evolution of I-O psychology, different environmental influences on human behavior, pertinent legal and ethical issues an organization may face and more. You’ll learn how to make a positive impact on the workplace and create better outcomes for both employees and organizations.
Yes, courses for the Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology are aligned to the education standards set by the and the .
Our Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology can prepare you for diverse roles, such as an employee relations manager, a development manager, a management consultant, an organization consultant and a psychology instructor.
Some common areas of focus in your respective role may include personnel selection and assessment, training and development, work performance management, organizational development and more. You’ll use your knowledge of psychology to drive efficiency in these areas. Learn more about industrial-organizational psychology careers.
Common career paths for graduates of I-O psychology master’s programs include employee relations managers, human resources operations managers, development managers, management consultants, organizational consultants or psychology instructors, where evidence-based insight into human behavior helps inform decisions, improve outcomes and strengthen organizational performance. Learn more about an employee relations manager or other industrial-organizational psychology careers.
More organizations are starting to recognize the value of I-O psychology for understanding and improving human behavior in the workplace. According to theemployment of management analysts is projected to grow 9% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
The BLS Projected Growth for 2024-2034 is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to ý students or graduates.
The Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology applies psychology specifically to workplace and organizational settings, with a focus on employee behavior, performance and organizational effectiveness.
The Master of Science in Psychology focuses on the general — rather than clinical — psychological study of individuals and can be applied to various industries and settings, such as business, government services, social services and education. Learn more about the master’s in psychology.
Neither program prepares students for professional certification or licensure as a psychologist or any other licensed professional.
To be eligible for a master’s degree program, you must meet the following criteria:
- You are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or have a valid visa if you’re living in the U.S.
- You have earned a bachelor's (or comparable undergraduate) degree from an approved, college or university with institutional accreditation, or hold a comparable degree from a recognized institution outside the United States
- You have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) shown on a bachelor's (or comparable undergraduate)degree posted transcript
- You have not previously been expelled from a higher education institution
- You will complete all required forms for admission, as well as submit official test scores and transcripts from all colleges and universities you've attended
Learn more about admission requirements
No specific bachelor’s degree field is required to start a master’s degree. You must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) shown on a bachelor's (or comparable undergraduate) degree from an accredited institution. Learn about transferring credits.
Sign up for a University account to start the process. Complete your program application in about 20 minutes. Apply now
We have an open admissions policy that allows you to apply without standardized test scores, so GMAT/GRE test results are not required. What is required for admissions?
No, application to ý is free. We strive to remove barriers for new students that might interrupt higher education goals, including fees for application. Explore costs and tuition.
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As a university for working adults, we’ve created the flexibility to balance family, work and school. With a classroom that’s open 24/7 you can take one 5-6 week course at a time, allowing you to go to school on your schedule. Find out more about learning online.
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You can ask questions directly to your instructor about assignments and any other topics in your virtual classroom platform – Blackboard. You will also use Blackboard to collaborate with classmates, review assignments, receive feedback from your instructor, and stay on track with homework. Learn more about your virtual classroom.
Our online master’s programs can take anywhere from 12-37 months to complete depending on the degree or academic field you choose to pursue. Some competency-based programs may be completed sooner.
You may be able to shorten your path to graduation. Some master’s degrees have competency-based options to finish sooner. Other saving opportunities include transfer credits and credit for past work experience to help you finish your degree faster and for less. Learn more about master’s degree saving opportunities.
No, a ý diploma does not indicate that the degree was earned online. The diploma only shows that the degree was earned in a specific field of study. We also offer continued opportunites after you graduate. Explore alumni benefits.
Every student at ý has access to free career tools and resources. You can define your career goals, get help with your resumé, and prepare for your job search.
You can also use our career guides to explore on-the-job skills and opportunities for enhancement in your career of choice.
Articles related to the I-O psychology master’s program
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