Industrial and Organizational Psychology Online Master's Concentration Within the MS in Psychology Program

This depends entirely on your personal and professional goals. A Master of Science (MS) in Psychology with a concentration in Industrial and Organizational Psychology can position you for entry in a number of different roles — many of which make a measurable impact on the success of a business.

If your ultimate goal is to become a licensed psychologist, it's important to note that you'll need more than a master's to satisfy licensing requirements. However, adding an industrial and organizational psychology concentration to your master's program could be a good stepping stone.

If you're looking to use the word "psychologist" in your job title, formal licensure is required. The Master of Science (MS) in Psychology with a concentration in Industrial and Organizational Psychology does not directly lead to licensure.

In order to earn licensure as an industrial-organizational (I-O) psychologist, you will need:

• A bachelor's degree in psychology or a business-related field
• A doctoral degree, such as a PsyD or PhD in psychology
• A specified level of supervised experience (ranging from 1,500-6,000 hours, though this varies state-by-state)

Before you start your program, be sure to research psychology licensure requirements in your state.

The time it takes to earn a Master of Science (MS) with a concentration in Industrial and Organizational Psychology can vary greatly. At SNHU, many students complete their program in about 2 years (sometimes less).

Here are some things to consider:

• Speed to enrollment. At SNHU, we offer 5 graduate term starts per year – meaning you'll never have to wait long to start or continue your degree.
• Number of program credits. Our master's in psychology with a concentration in industrial and organizational psychology is 36 credits (12 courses, 3 credits each).
• Transfer credits. We accept up to 12 transfer credits toward a master's. That could mean up to 4 classes covered before you even enroll.
• Part- or Full-time. As a part-time student (1 class per term), you could complete your program in about 2.5 years. As a full-time student (2 classes per term) you could earn your degree in about half the time.

Curious to learn more? Contact our admission team today for a free transfer credit evaluation, and to find out how we can help you reach your goals.

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 SNHU.

According to the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (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 psychology with a concentration in industrial and 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 executive director of social sciences. When it comes to people issues in the workplace, industrial-organizational psychology graduate programs fit the need perfectly.

It's important to note that the roles and responsibilities of someone in the I-O psychology field are dependent on education and licensure. Professionals who do not use “psychologist” in their job title do not generally need a license. However, you must have a license if you plan to work or market yourself as an industrial-organizational psychologist.

While SNHU’s Master of Science (MS) with a concentration in Industrial and Organizational Psychology does not lead directly to licensure or certification, it does align 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

Learn more about what jobs you can get with an industrial-organizational psychology degree.

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

The Master of Science (MS) with a concentration in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program incorporates psychology principles that are fundamental to the work of HR departments.

The industrial and organizational psychology concentration prepares you to add value to the HR function. In fact, many industrial-organizational psychology professionals 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, the industrial and organizational psychology concentration can supplement your HR skill set and open doors to new opportunities. In your concentration courses, 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.

At colleges and universities, a concentration is a focused area of study within a larger degree program. A concentration generally replaces elective coursework in the major or discipline, allowing students to focus their studies on an area of interest.