Making the Workplace Better with an Industrial/Organizational Psychology Master’s Degree
Degree Type: Master of Arts (M.A.) | Format: On Campus | Department: Psychology | Time to Degree: 2 Years | Total Estimated Tuition Costs: $33,120
As a specialist of human behavior in the workplace, you’ll reach across functions and disciplines, solving problems in human resources, administration, management, sales—wherever people come together for work.
Program Director Jessica Sim talks about what you can do with an industrial/organizational psychology degree from Elmhurst. Dr. Jessica Sim is currently on sabbatical. During this period, Dr. Tom Sawyer ([email protected]) is the Acting Program Director.
By linking science with the challenges of work life, you’ll become an innovative problem solver who can manage issues like low morale, high turnover, worker conflict and poor productivity. You’ll gain crucial insights into how teams work—and sometimes fail to work.
The course work is immediately relevant because it focuses on the knowledge and skills that practitioners consider most critical. You’ll hit the ground tested, proven and ready.
In this program, you will:
- Design and implement organizational interventions
- Complete cutting-edge real-world projects
- Develop critical thinking and communication skills
- Project work/real word experience – support through ESC and external networking
Where an Industrial/Organizational Psychology Master’s Can Take You
Experts in industrial/organizational psychology are in high demand in Chicago and around the country. For more than 20 years, our program has produced graduates who have gone on to careers in every industry and sector.
- Personnel analyst
- Instructional designer
- Research consultant
- Talent developer
- Management consultant
- Organizational development specialist
- Executive recruiter
Industrial/Organizational Psychology Program Format
This is a two-year, part-time program with evening classes. The industrial/organizational psychology master’s degree completion time will depend on the timing of your final capstone experience, which can be an internship or thesis.
A Network for the Rest of Your Life
Our program is structured on the cohort (team-focused) model. You’ll be part of a cohort that stays together from your first semester, continuing throughout the program. You’ll work closely in classroom and study projects, forging a professional network that will support you throughout your career.
The Right People on Your Side
Elmhurst faculty are active researchers and practitioners who are dedicated to expanding your reach, with fieldwork, connections and hands-on experience.
Our students gain crucial insights into how teams work—or fail to work. Through projects and field experiences they develop the capacity to think critically and communicate effectively.”
Jessica Sim, Program Director
The MBA Option
Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for the MBA Option, a one-year program that leads to the Master of Business Administration with a specialization in the Management of People. If you wish to apply for the MBA Option, follow the admission requirements for the Elmhurst MBA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, applicants will need Statistics, Research Methods, Intro to Psychology, and Intro to I/O Psychology.
Some of the titles of courses that typically would be a similar equivalent to “Intro to I/O Psychology” include:
- Industrial Psychology
- Organizational Psychology
- Human Resources Management/Strategic Human Resources Management
- Organizational Behavior
All prerequisite courses are offered at Elmhurst University.
Yes. We generally accept courses in transfer from two- or four-year institutions that are regionally accredited. These courses must be completed prior to starting Elmhurst’s program. See our prerequisites page for eligible transfer courses from local community colleges.
Yes. The I/O program follows a lock-step cohort, with classes held two evenings per week in the Fall and Spring semester.
Yes. The positions available vary from year to year. For instance, our Athletics department offers limited graduate assistant (GA) positions (typically as an assistant coach), along with several other offices across the university.
There are a variety of internships that students can participate in from assessment, training and development; leadership development; DEI; job analysis and performance management; organizational development; talent acquisition/selection; and more. The program also has its own consulting group, Elmhurst Consulting Solutions (ECS) to provide students with field experience. Learn more about ECS.
Students can complete a thesis as a capstone option for the program, which allows flexibility for experiential study. Students can collaborate with faculty on specific research topics such as grit, problematic testing differences between demographic groups, prejudice, stereotyping and social identity.
Most graduates find jobs in consulting (both internal and external); human resources; organizational development; learning and development; and research, among many other areas.
The GRE is currently optional.