Industrial-Organizational Psychology, M.A.

Industrial-Organizational (I-O) psychology is a quickly growing area of psychology that applies psychology theory and research to the workplace. This interface between psychology and the workplace makes businesses, government organizations, non-profit agencies, and health-care settings more rewarding for employees and more productive for organizations. Wesleyans I-O psychology program will guide you to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities important to applying psychological science in modern organizations. A Master of Arts in I-O psychology will equip you to work as a manager with a people oriented career in consulting firms, private corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. The program prepares you to design, conduct and communicate applied research that guides organizational leaders. Wesleyan’s program has been developed according to recommendations of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) and the content of the program focuses on job design, performance management, employee training, work motivation, group/team processes, leadership, organizational behavior, and organizational development. Additionally, the program focuses on psychological research methods, applied assessment/testing, people analytics, and organizational research.

Our program emphasizes justice in the workplace, which is embedded throughout the curriculum. The unique justice focus emerges out of the College’s valuing of justice and inclusion for all people and its roots in the United Methodist Church. As organizations are becoming more aware of the costs of failing to prioritize treating people justly, Wesleyan I-O graduates will offer expertise in issues such as embracing and sustaining workplace diversity, equitably treating people, and valuing worker well-being, managing multicultural work teams, and humanitarian work psychology. And Wesleyan’s proven track record at making connections around the world will introduce you to international opportunities in I-O psychology.

Learning Outcomes

Through course work and experiences in this program, the student will:

1. Achieve fluency in the core content areas of I-O practice:
   • job analysis, competency modeling, and job evaluation,
   • criterion theory, performance appraisal, and performance management,
   • applicant recruitment, personnel selection, and job placement,
   • individual assessment, individual differences, and human performance,
   • training needs analysis, employee training, and career development,
   • job attitudes, attitude theory, judgment and decision-making,
   • organizational behavior, groups processes, teamwork, leadership,
   • work motivation, occupational health and safety,
   • organization theory and development
2. Demonstrate competence in research methods, statistical analysis, and people analytics:
   • examine experimental, quasi-experimental, and correlational research designs
   • evaluate internal validity, external validity, and other threats to experimental validity
   • build knowledge of planning and implementing research in practical contexts
   • Apply skills for statistical modeling and predictive analytics using R software
   • develop ability to interpret and communicate research to organizational leaders
3. Develop an understanding of all forms (age, gender, race, culture, etc.) of human diversity and be knowledgeable of the impact diversity has on identity, ability, economic status, culture, and society at the individual, group, and organization level.
4. Develop ability to apply justice concepts in organizational settings and lead projects that uphold and expand ethical behavior, trustworthiness, and the highest levels of integrity.
5. Acquire key communication skills for work in professional and team settings.
6. Build key communications skills for professional oral presentations and written reports.

Program of Study

Wesleyan’s intensive 18-month fast-track program is a hybrid program with on ground and online courses to maximize flexibility for students. The program includes ample face-to-face interaction that emphasizes Wesleyan’s signature seminar-style classroom experience. This focus allows students to develop professional skills through peer interactions and faculty guidance. All on ground classes are scheduled in the evenings on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The evening schedule allows for full time work during the day and completion of course work during the evening. Students are encouraged to pursue professional work opportunities while in the program. The summer semester is designed for maximum flexibility with two online, eight week courses and no on ground component.

The program includes an applied practicum/internship capstone project tailored to students level of professional development. Those with prior professional experience or working in a current professional job can complete a practicum project with their employer. Students who are looking for entry level professional work can complete and internship while also completing a professional project. Practicum projects must focus on organizations and the employee experience in the workplace. Students will work with a faculty, graduate advisor to develop a practicum/internship capstone project that is tailored to their career interests and professional goals.

Start dates for the program are in August and January and the coursework is designed for an intensive, 18-month program of study. The program requires a total of 34 credit hours and may be completed as a full or part-time student.