Master's in Organizational Psychology Online MS in I-O Psychology

Flexible

With no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7.

Affordable

As part of our mission to make higher education more accessible, we’re committed to keeping our tuition rates low. In fact, we offer some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation.

Prior coursework and work experience could also help you save time and money. SNHU’s transfer policy allows you to transfer up to 12 credits from your previous institution. You could also earn college credit for previous work experience.

Respected

Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 160,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a regional accreditor, which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality. 

Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:

• “Most Innovative” regional university honors from U.S. News & World Report each year since 2015
• A $1 million grant from Google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
• Recognition as a 2017 Digital Learning Innovator by the Online Learning Consortium

Network

At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 300,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.

93.6% of online students would recommend SNHU (according to a 2022 survey with 17,000+ respondents). Discover why SNHU may be right for you.

Expanding access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That’s why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials:

• Completed free application
• Undergraduate transcripts, which we can retrieve for you by submitting a transcript request form

Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 5 graduate terms.

If you don't have a background in psychology or a related field, you may need to take up to 3 foundation courses. For those who do not meet the minimum requirements, the following courses may be required:

• Foundations of Psychology
• Foundations in Statistics
• Foundations in Research Methods

Note: This program does not prepare you for state licensure.

If you’re ready to apply, follow these simple steps to get the process going:

• Complete free graduate application
• Submit undergraduate transcripts
• Work with an admission counselor to explore financial options and walk through application process

Notes: 

• Laptop or desktop?  Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility. 

• Note:  Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10. 

• Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for Microsoft 365 plans for business, education and government. 

• Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers. 

Industrial-organizational psychology, otherwise known as I-O psychology, is a subfield of psychology focused on workplace dynamics.

“I would say it is using scientific study to look at employee-employer relationships as they relate to productivity, morale, engagement, job satisfaction and attitudes,” said Dr. Thomas MacCarty, associate dean of psychology at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

According to SIOP, the work of IOPs focuses on 6 key areas, all of which carry “critical relevance” for both employees and businesses:²

• Testing: Develop tests to measure job knowledge, skills, personality and other performance factors
• Staffing: Recruit employees that fit an organization’s culture and develop programs to train and retain the best
• Performance management: Design measurement systems that help improve job performance
• Employee attitude and satisfaction: Build employee empowerment, job satisfaction and educational programs
• Organization development: Groom future organizational leaders within fair compensation and promotion guidelines
• Change management: Consult on downsizing or acquisitions, helping to manage company culture and hiring practices

The American Psychological Association (APA) recognizes industrial-organizational psychology as a specialty in professional psychology.³ According to the APA, “there are many variables that determine how well an organization or company operates.” The APA cites the ability to communicate well, resolve conflicts, evaluate process issues and manage effectively as “examples of the components necessary for businesses to succeed.”

Hiring and training practices, the ways in which employees interact and many other factors can cause problems in any of these areas. Your master’s in organizational psychology can prepare you with the skills and knowledge of human behavior to tackle them.

“Virtually any job in which you deal with people and need to know how to relate to them and what influences their behavior will benefit from a graduate degree in psychology,” said Dr. Barbara Lesniak, SNHU senior associate dean of social sciences. When it comes to people issues in the workplace, industrial-organizational psychology graduate programs fit the need perfectly.

Industrial-organizational psychologists (IOPs) work in nearly every type of organization imaginable, in both the public and private sector. You might work for a hospital, a manufacturing firm, a government agency or a private university.

Industrial-organizational psychology master's programs do not lead to licensure or certification. However, SNHU’s program aligns with the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) standards required for a wide range of roles and responsibilities.²

Depending on the organization, your research might focus on aptitude tests for job candidates, leadership development programs, staffing and compensation guidelines, workplace safety recommendations or programs to improve work-life balance.

According to the American Psychological Association, IOPs “are qualified as trainers, facilitators, assessors, coaches and consultants. I-O psychologists may also work directly in an organization’s human resources department, or they may act as independent consultants, called into an organization to solve a particular problem.”²

Industrial-organizational psychologists (IOPs) analyze issues in the workplace, conduct research and recommend solutions based on their findings. Process breakdowns, productivity losses, personality conflicts, poor morale and even safety concerns are among the issues an IOP might help address.

The American Psychological Association describes 6 common workplace scenarios where IOPs might use their research:²

• Apply best practices to teach employees how to work better
• Document how the work environment affects performance
• Design a survey to pinpoint issues affecting workplace behavior
• Make recommendations to increase productivity/workplace quality
• Create screening procedures for job applicants
• Uncover work-related issues influencing performance

Some IOPs teach college or conduct research, or both. Some work as executive coaches or training specialists, others as human resource generalists or managers. Others have less familiar titles, like:

• Employee efficiency expert
• Employment law expert
• Leadership coach
• Organizational performance manager
• Research analyst

"I have always had a passion to help others, and the psychology program allowed me to gain knowledge in the approaches, methods and theories that can be used when working with people who could display multiple behaviors," said Shaunta Irvin Roberson '18 '21G.

When you earn a master’s in organizational psychology, you'll focus on the skills and knowledge that address these and other workplace-related issues. You’ll gain a foundation in psychology and learn how to apply psychology research to real-world situations.

Yes – industrial-organizational psychology is in very high demand by organizations in nearly every industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 4% growth for industrial-organizational psychologists (IOPs) through 2031.¹

Over time, senior management in a variety of organizations has seen the value in turning to IOPs for help with solving a wide variety of business problems. That positive trend may account for the high rate of growth, according to the BLS.

Wages are high as well. In 2021, the BLS reported median annual wages of $105,310 for IOPs.¹ In fact, the BLS reports that several related roles may also experience higher-than-average demand through 2031, including:

• Management analysts: 11% growth with median annual wages of $93,000¹
• Market research analysts: 19% growth with median annual wages of $63,920¹
• Operations research analysts: 23% growth with median annual wages of $82,360¹

Most definitely. Human resources professionals use psychology in many aspects of their work, from recruiting and hiring staff to training and developing the workforce.

Industrial-organizational psychology graduate programs incorporate psychology principles that are fundamental to the work of HR departments.

Your master’s in organizational psychology prepares you to add value to the HR function. In fact, many industrial-organizational psychologists (IOPs) choose human resources as a career path, often as HR generalists or managers. Some use their credentials to work as human resources practice leaders.

If you’re already working in HR, a master’s in I-O psychology can supplement your HR skill set and open doors to new opportunities. As an IOP graduate student, you’ll learn to apply psychology research findings to common workplace challenges, including how to:

• Motivate workers and retain the best talent
• Enhance quality of life in the workplace
• Use strategic HR management to resolve issues

Many schools offer undergraduate psychology degree programs, as well as master's in psychology online and on campus options, but only you can decide which one is best for you. You’ll need to consider whether the program fits your budget, your schedule and your career plans, among other things.

Southern New Hampshire University’s online master’s in organizational psychology is one of the most affordable in the nation. And since we're an accredited university, you can count on a high-quality education. Our faculty members are among the best in online education, bringing real-world experience from all aspects of psychology to the classroom.

"When I found I-O psychology at SNHU, I was thrilled because I would be able to take courses I was interested in," said Jackie Lancaster '21G, who also earned her bachelor's at SNHU in 2019. "The best part was that the program aligned with what I was doing for work and had the potential to allow me to bring new opportunities to my place of employment."

SNHU also offers one of the most flexible online master's degree programs you’ll find. At SNHU, going to school online means being able to create your own schedule. That’s because we have no set class times. So as long as you turn in assignments by the weekly deadlines – typically Thursday and Sunday nights – you can squeeze in coursework when and where it’s most convenient for you.

¹Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:

• https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes193032.htm (viewed Feb. 9, 2023)
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/labor-relations-specialists.htm (viewed Feb. 9, 2023)
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts.htm (viewed Feb. 9, 2023)
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/market-research-analysts.htm (viewed Feb. 9, 2023)
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/training-and-development-managers.htm (viewed Feb. 9, 2023)
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm (viewed Feb. 9, 2023).

Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

²Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, “For Organizations: I-O and Employee Lifecycle,” on the internet, at https://www.siop.org/Professionals (viewed Feb. 16, 2022)

³American Psychological Association, “Pursuing a Career in I/O Psychology,” on the internet, at https://www.apa.org/action/science/organizational/education-training (viewed Feb. 16, 2022)