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College of Management and Human Potential - Master's Programs:
MS in Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology

Defined as the “scientific study of the workplace,” industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology explores the impact of individual, group, and organizational psychology on workplace health, productivity, and effectiveness.

With a focus on practical application in the workplace, the MS in Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology provides scholar-practitioners with an in-depth understanding of individual, group, and organizational behavior in the workplace; research design and analytical skills; and expertise applying evidence-based I/O practices in the diverse organizational settings.

Students have opportunities through their capstone projects to synthesize and apply knowledge gained in the program to a practical project designed to promote social change. Optional blended coursework provides opportunities for in-person feedback and hands-on practice, while specializations allow students to gain additional expertise in areas consistent with their interests and career goals.

The curriculum in this Master of Science program is designed to reflect the professional guidelines set forth by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP).

 

Note: The MS in Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology program is offered in two different learning modalities: the course-based modality and the competency-based modality, Tempo Learning®. Note that specialization(s) available in the Tempo Learning® format are outlined under the “Tempo Learning® Program” heading of this catalog section.

Note on Licensure

The MS in Industrial and Organizational Psychology is not a licensure-leading program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology or counseling professional.

Learning Outcomes

All graduates will be prepared to:

  1. Examine how key industrial/organizational issues impact employees, teams, & organizations.
  2. Assess issues using current industrial/organizational psychology theory and research.
  3. Evaluate factors that contribute to workplace effectiveness.
  4. Apply consultation methods and practices within different levels of an organization.
  5. Explain industrial/organizational psychology’s contribution to positive social change
  6. Apply theoretical and practical knowledge to address industrial/organizational problems.

Course-Based Program

Degree Requirements

  • 48–50 total quarter credits
  • Foundation Course (3 credits)
  • Core Courses (15 credits)
  • Research Courses (10 credits)
  • Specialization Courses (15–17 credits)
  • Capstone Course (5 credits)

Curriculum

Foundation Course (3 credits)

Core Courses (15 credits)

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Research Courses (10 credits)

Specialization Courses (15–17 credits)

These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page.

Capstone Course (5 credits)

Course Sequence

Students undertake courses in the following sequence.

Quarter Course Credits
Quarter 1

IPSY 6002 - Foundations of Graduate Study in Psychology

 3 credits

IPSY 6200 - Themes and Theories of I/O Psychology

 5 credits
Quarter 2

IPSY 6480 - Psychology of Organizational Behavior

 5 credits

IPSY 6214 - Consulting for Organizational Change

 5 credits
Quarter 3

RSCH 6110 - Research Theory, Design, and Methods

 5 credits

Specialization Course

 5–6 credits
Quarter 4

RSCH 6210 - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis

 5 credits

Specialization Course

 5–6 credits
Quarter 5

Specialization Course

 5 credits

IPSY 6393 - Capstone

 5 credits

Tempo Learning® Program

Tempo Learning® is Walden’s competency-based education modality, an alternative way of earning a Walden degree offered for some Walden programs. Instead of courses, the Walden Tempo Learning® program is comprised of competencies and rigorous assessments. Students progress through the Tempo Learning® model by successfully passing competency assessments. A student must successfully achieve or master all competency assessments to graduate from the program.

Students earn the same Walden degree whether they choose the course-based or the competency-based modality.

Note on Curriculum

In an effort to ensure competencies are kept up to date and relevant to meet the learning outcomes of the program, the number and subject matter of individual competencies needed to satisfy program course requirements may change. However, program outcomes and the number and subject matter of courses will not be impacted. As a result, the required competencies listed in a student’s individual learning plan may differ from what is currently listed in the catalog.

Degree Requirements

  • 48 quarter credits
  • Foundation Competencies (3 credits)
  • Core Competencies (15 credits)
  • Research Competencies (10 credits)
  • Specialization Competencies (15 credits)
  • Capstone competencies (5 credits)

Curriculum

Foundation Competencies (3 credits)

  • GS001 Field of Psychology
    Describe alignment of professional goals for positive social change.
  • GS002 Academic Goals
    Demonstrate skills to further academic goals.
  • GS003 Professional Goals
    Demonstrate skills to further professional goals.

Core Competencies (15 credits)

  • TT001 Historical Development and Contemporary Industrial and Organziational Psychology
    Analyze the historical development of industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology and how it has contributed to the contemporary practice of I/O psychology.
  • TT002 Industrial Psychology: Contemporary Themes, Models, and Theories and Their Application
    Evaluate and apply contemporary themes, models, and theories related to the practice of industrial psychology in workplace settings and organizations.
  • TT003 Organizational Psychology: Contemporary Themes, Models, and Theories and Their Application
    Evaluate and apply contemporary themes, models, and theories related to the practice of organizational psychology in workplace settings and organizations.
  • TT004 The Impact of Industrial and Organizational Psychology on Organizations
    Evaluate how I/O models, theories, principles, and practices impact individual, group, and organizational behavior.
  • TT005 Cross-Cultural and Ethical Practice in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
    Apply strategies, best practices, ethical guidelines, and laws to cross-cultural, ethical, and legal issues in the workplace.
  • OD001 Foundations of Consulting for Organizational Development and Change: Theories and Models
    Evaluate behavioral science theories and models of organizational development and consultation to issues faced by organizations.
  • OD002 Methods for Improving Performance
    Evaluate methods for improving individual, group, practitioner, and organizational performance through consulting, coaching, ongoing learning, and change management within an organizational setting.
  • OD003 Consultation Practices and Intervention Planning
    Evaluate consultation practices that apply to contracting, planning, assessment, intervention, and evaluation within different levels of an organization.
  • OD004 Strategies and Applications for Addressing Organizational Development and Change Challenges
    Recommend strategies and methods using the phases of consultation to address organizational change challenges.
  • OD005 Organizational Development Future Trends and Professional Development
    Analyze strategies for professional development based on personal skills, preferences, and career objectives.
  • OB001 Defining Organizational Behavior and Its Importance to the World of Work
    Apply individual differences, group and team dynamics, and organizational change and development theories to organizational settings and explain the benefits to organizations.
  • OB002 Leadership, Power, and Structural Dynamics of Organizational Behavior
    Evaluate impacts of globalization, organizational culture, leadership and power, diversity, and structural dynamics on employees and organizations.
  • OB003 Employee Behavior, Motivation, Personality, and Perceptions
    Analyze ethical methods for assessing employee behavior, values, attitudes, moods, emotions, motivation, job satisfaction, and personalities in organizations.
  • OB004 Strategies for Addressing Organizational Behavior Challenges
    Develop a method and/or process to address organizational behavior challenges related to resistance, conflict, competition, and change in organizations.
  • OB005 Organizational Behavior Professional Development and Social Change
    Apply organizational behavior skills and knowledge to professional development of industrial and organizational psychology practitioners.

Research Competencies (10 credits)

  • RT001 Philosophy of Science, Theory, and Social Change
    Analyze the roles of philosophy, theory, and social change in research.
  • RT002 Quantitative Research
    Assess quantitative research studies for quality and for alignment among critical research components.
  • RT003 Qualitative Research
    Assess qualitative research studies for quality and for alignment among critical research components.
  • RT004 Mixed Methods Research
    Assess mixed methods research (MMR) studies for quality and for alignment among critical research components.
  • QR001 Preliminary Statistics
    Analyze data distributions.
  • QR002 Statistics to Compare Groups
    Synthesize quantitative data in comparing groups using SPSS software.
  • QR003 Statistics to Examine Relationships Among Variables
    Synthesize quantitative data to examine variable relationships using SPSS software.

Specialization Competencies (15 credits)

These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page.

Capstone Competencies (5 credits)

  • IU001 Research Strategies
    Analyze the research strategies that address contemporary issues or problems based on applied research in the field of psychology.
  • IU002 Issues or Problems in Psychology
    Apply psychology to contemporary issues or problems in either the workplace, community, or world.
  • IU003 Literature Reviews
    Synthesize literature related to the field of psychology that is focused on contemporary issues or problems in the workplace, community, or world.