Online Master’s in Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychology Degree Programs
Industrial-organizational or I/O psychology represents a branch of psychological research and practice in which the function and management of individuals and groups in the workplace is the primary focus. I/O psychologists are engaged in various sectors of the economy, studying psychological aspects of organizational systems, leadership, hiring practices, training and development programs, and other factors that may promote and improve workplace efficiency, workforce productivity, job satisfaction, and overall enterprise management.
As is the case throughout psychology, I/O psychologists must hold a doctoral degree in order to be fully licensed and designated as professional psychologists in their state of practice. However, I/O psychology involves many activities that are not clinical in nature and that do not require licensure, such as consulting, conducting workplace assessments, and advising on the design and implementation of institutional programs and policies. I/O psychologists can receive the training and instruction required for this type of work in master’s programs, including online master’s in I/O psychology programs.
What Is a Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology Degree?
A master’s in industrial-organizational psychology is a degree conferred at the master’s level by an academic program that offers a curriculum in the theories and practices of I/O psychology. There are several formal designations for programs that fit this description, including Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS) in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. There are also master’s in psychology programs that have a specialization, concentration, or track in I/O psychology. As is typical for many types of master’s in psychology programs, a master’s in I/O psychology generally takes a minimum of three or four full-time academic semesters (approximately two years), and may include one or more practicums, a master’s thesis, and/or a capstone project.
Online Master’s in I/O Psychology Programs
Online master’s programs provide an alternative to the traditional, campus-based model for earning a master’s degree in I/O psychology by providing all or most of their coursework using distance-learning technologies. Students in an online degree program are not required to regularly commute to a college or university campus in order to complete their degree. Instead, they access lectures and other course materials through a program’s learning management system (LMS), which is the general term for Internet-based platforms that facilitate the delivery of online instruction. While some online programs may require students to attend a limited number of campus sessions per year for orientations, seminars, practicums, and other learning activities, the bulk of the coursework and instruction provided by these programs can be accessed remotely through a secure Internet connection.
How OnlineEducation.com Classifies Online Master’s in I/O Psychology
Through independent research into online master’s programs, their format, and their curricula, OnlineEducation.com identifies programs that offer all or most of their coursework online and provide professional training in the theories and practices of I/O psychology. All programs included on the site are offered by fully accredited, non-profit colleges and universities. Programs that require students to attend more than two campus visits per year are considered hybrid programs rather than online programs and are not currently listed on the site.
What Students Learn in an Online Master’s in I/O Psychology Program
A master’s curriculum in I/O psychology is typically built on a foundation of several courses in general psychological theories and methods, including an introduction to psychology research methodologies and ethical concerns, and an overview of accepted theories of psychological development, behavioral science, and cognitive processes. The study of I/O psychology generally incorporates classes in social psychology, or the psychology of group behaviors; organizational science and psychology; and various specialized topics pertaining to the application of psychology in the workplace. For example, students in a master’s in I/O psychology program may be offered courses in personality assessment metrics (e.g., Myers-Briggs Type Indicator), workforce training program design and assessment, leadership coaching, and/or psychological aspects of personnel selection and management. Finally, master’s programs in I/O psychology may culminate with students presenting a master’s thesis or completing an applied capstone project.
Online Master’s in I/O Psychology Courses
The table below offers a representative overview of the types of courses that are typically part of an online master’s in I/O psychology curriculum. Course titles and descriptions are derived from actual online master’s programs, although specific course names and topics vary by program.
| Course Title | Course Description |
|---|---|
| Applied Industrial-Organizational Psychology | An overview of the theories, history, and practices of I/O psychology, its methodologies, and its use in workforce training, development, and management. |
| Social and Behavioral Science Research Methods | Experimental design and research methodologies in the social and behavioral sciences with a focus on reviewing relevant scientific literature, ethical standards of practice, and the collection and interpretation of data. |
| Statistical Methods | The applied use of statistical methods in psychological research, including data analysis, data interpretation, summarizing statistically relevant findings, and communicating those findings to non-scientists. |
| Social Psychology | An examination of psychological research and theories related to social interactions and their impact on individual and organizational behavior. |
| Competency Modeling and Criterion Development | The use of psychological principles to analyze job performance, measure competency, and develop reliable criteria and rating systems for performance appraisals, training programs, workplace efficiency, and workforce development. |
| Applied Organizational Psychology | A scientific examination of the behavior of individuals within organizations, leadership, group dynamics, and the formation of organizational culture. |
| Personnel Selection | The application of psychology in the hiring process, including the ethical use of psychological testing metrics to select qualified applicants. |
| Workforce Training and Development | Adult learning theory and the role of the I/O psychologist in identifying workforce development issues, designing training programs, and evaluating the effectiveness of training and development programs. |
| Leadership Development and Succession | Contemporary theories of effective leadership viewed from a psychological perspective, and methods for succession planning, executive coaching, and identifying managerial expertise. |
| Cross-Cultural I/O Psychology | The application of I/O psychology tools to better understanding individual and cultural differences among members of an organization and better facilitating intercultural encounters. |
Online Master’s in I/O Psychology Program Admissions
Applicants to online master’s programs must hold a bachelor’s degree, although most I/O psychology programs do not require a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Some programs may have undergraduate prerequisites that applicants are expected to complete before formal enrollment, usually a college-level psychology course. In addition to undergraduate transcripts, applicants may be asked to submit up to three letters of recommendation, answers to one or more essay questions, a short personal goals statement, and/or test scores from the GRE.
Eligibility for admissions to online master’s in I/O psychology programs varies by program. For example, some programs prefer or require candidates with an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a four-point scale, while others simply take undergraduate GPA into account when considering a range of applicant qualifications. Finally, some programs may prefer applicants with an undergraduate degree in a related field, therefore, applicants who did not earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field should clearly state why they wish to pursue a master’s degree in I/O psychology in their personal statement or responses to any admissions-specific questions.
Online Master’s in I/O Psychology Program Formats
While every online master’s in I/O psychology program listed on this site offers all or most of its coursework online, there are three relevant variations in program formats that may impact the relative convenience and flexibility of an online program. There are, for example, two distinct modes of online instruction that affect the scheduling of online classes. Potential applicants to online master’s in I/O psychology programs may also want to consider various program enrollment options based on whether they would prefer to attend school full-time or part-time while earning their degree. Finally, there are fully online programs that do not require any campus visits, and there are online programs in which students must make arrangements to attend one or more campus visits in order to complete the program.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Instruction: Students in an online program that utilizes synchronous instruction must be prepared to adjust their schedules in order to accommodate virtual classes that are held in real-time using video conferencing software. Live sessions may be scheduled in the early morning, evening or on weekends to accommodate students living in different time zones. Students in a program that mainly utilizes asynchronous instruction typically are not required to attend lectures or discussion sessions in real-time, instead they can access pre-recorded lectures and other course materials at any time, assuming they complete readings, assignments, and online participation requirements by set due dates.
Synchronous instruction is more analogous to traditional campus-based instruction and provides a level of structure that some online students may prefer. Asynchronous instruction offers more flexibility, but can require a greater amount of self-discipline and self-motivation to keep up with readings and assignments in the absence of regularly scheduled lectures.
Full-Time vs. Part-Time Enrollment: Online master’s in I/O psychology programs are generally designed to accommodate a range of students, including those who would prefer to earn their degree on a part-time basis. However, enrollment options vary by program. Students who are interested in earning their degree in two years or less should look for online programs that support full-time enrollment, which typically equates to taking three or four courses per semester for three or four semesters. Students who would prefer to take fewer courses per semester should look for programs with part-time or flexible enrollment options. Students who enroll part-time typically take a reduced course load of one or two classes per semester and extend the time it takes to earn their degree by a year or more.
Campus Visits: Campus visits, sometimes referred to as residencies, intensives, or immersion sessions, are required by some online master’s in I/O psychology programs and can be a valuable component of online learning. These sessions typically give students the opportunity to meet with instructors face-to-face and interact with other students, and may include orientations, seminars, workshops, and other instructional activities. However, campus visits entail travel that may cause scheduling conflicts for some students. They may also add to the overall cost of earning an online degree as, for most programs, travel and accommodations for intensives are not included in tuition costs and university fees.
Potential applicants to online master’s in I/O psychology programs should look for programs that provide an online learning experience that aligns with their scheduling needs and learning preferences. Since not all universities clearly indicate whether or not their online programs can be completed fully online, prospective students should reach out to their programs of interest for details on any potential in-person requirements (e.g., residencies or intensives, and practicums or internships) before applying.