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Department of Psychology

Plan of Study

Students who pursue the master's degree in Industrial/Organizational-Social Psychology (IOS) may select an emphasis in Industrial-Organizational Psychology or Social Psychology. The I/O Psychology courses prepares students as scientist-practitioners who are involved in the development and application of psychological theory and methodology to the problems of business and government organizations, and the problems of individuals and groups in these organizational settings. The services delivered by individuals trained in I/O Psychology include, but are not limited to personnel selection, performance appraisal, training and development, motivation, design of jobs, job satisfaction, leadership, test construction and interpretation, statistical reasoning, organizational theory, program evaluation, and research methodology. The Social Psychology courses focus on the theory and methods of social psychological research, which includes basic processes such as social cognition, attitudes, social influence, and cross-cultural issues, and topics of a more applied nature such as sexual harassment and HIV/AIDS prevention.

The I/O psychology and social psychology coursework meets the educational needs of two types of students. For students who plan to enter doctoral programs, the fundamentals of psychological science and research methodology are emphasized in classroom discussions and as criteria for thesis approval. For those seeking future employment at the master's level, class structure includes experiential and practical exercises demonstrating the application of basic skills. Moreover, thesis research can be of an applied nature, combining fundamental research skills with practical skill development.

Graduate Curriculum

The master's degree sequence in Industrial/Organizational-Social Psychology can be completed in two years with full-time enrollment. The first year of graduate study consists of courses based on the department's graduate requirements and IOS sequence or elective courses. Students should start working on a thesis during the first year. The second year involves completing course requirements and defending your thesis. A minimum of 41 credits and completing a master's thesis are required for graduation. All of the courses listed below are for three credits, unless otherwise noted.

To accomplish our objectives, students are required to complete a minimum of 32 graduate credits and the master's thesis. Listed below are the required courses and other courses that are strongly recommended (depending on the student's specific interests). All courses are three credits unless otherwise noted.

Industrial/Organizational-Social Requirements

  • PSY 375 Personnel Psychology
  • PSY 376 Organizational Psychology
  • PSY 418 Learning and Cognition or PSY 420 Theories of Personality
  • PSY 426 Research and Practice in I/O Social (1 credit; may be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits)
  • PSY 431 Theory and Research in Social Psychology
  • PSY 440 Statistics: Data Analysis and Methodology
  • Three courses in methods are required from the following:
    • PSY 441 Experimental Design
    • PSY 442 Test Theory (PSY 440 is a prerequisite course)
    • PSY 443 Regression Analysis
    • PSY 444 Multivariate Analysis
    • PSY 445 Covariance Structure Modeling (PSY 444 Multivariate Analysis is a prerequisite course)

For students with an emphasis in Industrial/Organizational Psychology:

  • PSY 475 Seminar in Personnel Psychology
  • PSY 476 Seminar in Organizational Psychology
  • PSY 499 Master's Thesis (1-6 credits) or an elective course

For students with an emphasis in Social Psychology:

  • PSY 499 Master's Thesis (1-6 credits) or an elective course

Suggested Course Schedule

Note: The suggested course schedule is tentative and subject to change due to the scheduling needs and faculty availability.

Elective Courses

  • PSY 451 Psychology of Diversity
  • PSY 460 Seminar in Social Psychology
  • PSY 465 Vocational Counseling
  • PSY 498 Internship in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (1-6 credits)
  • COM 323 Theory and Research in Small Group Communication
  • COM 324 Theory and Research in Persuasion
  • COM 325 Theory and Research in Interpersonal Communication
  • COM 370 Psychology of Language
  • COM 424 Seminar in Persuasion
  • COM 425 Seminar in Nonverbal Communication
  • COM 495 Seminar in Organizational Communication
  • MAT 356 Statistical Computing (4 credits)
  • MQM 324 Industrial Relations Management
  • MQM 349 Business in a Multi-Cultural Environment
  • MQM 353 Strategic Human Resources
  • MQM 354 Compensation Management
  • SOC 341 The Sociology of Gender
  • SOC 465 Sociology of Formal Organizations

Enrolling in other courses is possible with the approval from the graduate coordinator.

Suggested Course Schedule

Note: The suggested course schedule is tentative and subject to change due to the scheduling needs and faculty availability.

Year 1

Fall

  • PSY 375 Personnel Psychology
  • PSY 418 Learning and Cognition
  • or PSY 420 Theories of Personality
  • PSY 426 Research and Practice in I/O-Social Psychology
  • PSY 440 Statistics: Data Analysis and Methodology
  • Elective course

Spring

  • PSY 376 Organizational Psychology
  • PSY 426 Research and Practice in I/O-Social Psychology
  • PSY 442 Test Theory or PSY 443 Regression Analysis
  • PSY 475 Seminar in Personnel Psychology
  • PSY 499 Master's Thesis
  • Elective course

Year 2

Fall

  • PSY 418 Learning and Cognition or PSY 420 Theories of Personality
  • PSY 426 Research and Practice in I/O-Social Psychology
  • PSY 444 Multivariate Analysis
  • PSY 476 Seminar in Organizational Psychology
  • PSY 499 Master's Thesis

Spring

  • PSY 426 Research and Practice in I/O-Social Psychology
  • PSY 431 Theory and Research in Social Psychology
  • PSY 442 Test Theory or PSY 443 Regression Analysis
  • PSY 445 Covariance Structure Modeling or Elective
  • PSY 499 Master's Thesis