Online Psychology Master’s: Industrial Organizational Psychology Emphasis

Master of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Offered By: College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Bringing Psychology to the Business World

The success of any organization is reliant upon the knowledge and skills of its employees, as well as their job performance and productivity. To further the long-term objectives of the company, it’s necessary to ensure that employees have everything they need to be successful. With advanced knowledge of human behavior and motivations, industrial and organizational (I/O) psychologists can work to improve organizational efficiency and operations through various human resources development activities - from applicant testing to employee training to leadership development.

The Master of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology degree program at Grand Canyon University intends to prepare the next generation of I/O psychology specialists. Offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the curriculum is aligned with the standards and recommendations of the American Psychological Association (APA). 

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Benefits of the I/O Psychology Master’s Program

This I/O psychology master’s program teaches a thorough framework of competencies in scientific principles, research methods and consulting techniques. Throughout this emphasis program, you will be taught to produce usable data and apply your findings to enhance the workplace environment, and optimize productivity and efficiency.

When you enroll at GCU, you’ll be immersed in a Christian learning environment. Our faith-integrated courses encourage students to examine issues from the Christian perspective. There is a focus on professional ethics within the psychology field; you will explore contemporary ethical issues while considering how to integrate best practices into your own work.

This I/O psychology master’s program emphasis is offered via online classes. Designed with the needs of working professionals in mind, these online classes can fit around your busy schedule. As an online student, you will be taught by experienced professionals in the psychology, business and research fields. The online learning platform allows you to stay connected with faculty and peers throughout the program.

TOTAL CREDITS & COURSE LENGTH:
Total Credits: 36
Online: 8 weeks
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TRANSFER CREDITS:
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
TUITION RATE:
Online: $590 per credit
[Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid]

Cost of Attendance

 

Examine Research-Based Methods To Make a Difference in the Workplace

The coursework for this emphasis program offers insights into why people behave the way they do in the workplace and how employee behavior can be optimized. You will be expected to apply research-based methods to produce data that leads to actionable recommendations for management. In addition, you’ll explore the following concepts in your master’s degree coursework:

  • Social, group and multicultural factors that affect group behavior
  • Influences of mass communications
  • Application of I/O psychology principles to HR functions
  • Leadership roles and development

Drive Business Excellence and Enhance Team Performance

Through comprehensive coursework and engaging discussions with peers and instructors, you will have the opportunity to acquire foundational knowledge in the advanced principles of I/O psychology. Courses in this online master’s degree: industrial organizational psychology emphasis are designed to develop your knowledge in these core competencies:

  • Consulting and management strategies for achieving personal, group and organizational goals
  • Social and organizational methods and principles for business
  • Psychological principles related to personnel and human resource management in physical and virtual work environments
  • Theoretical foundations for organizational development, including the psychology behind the way organizations function

All students in the MS: industrial organizational psychology emphasis are required to complete a professional capstone course. This hands-on learning experience can enable you to develop original research ideas and explore occupational opportunities within the industrial and organizational psychology specialization.

$147,420

Median annual wage for industrial-organizational psychologists as of May 2023.1

7%

Estimated job growth rate for all types of psychologists from 2023 to 2033.2

Industrial Organizational Psychology Career Paths

All types of organizations can work with an industrial organizational psychology specialist. An I/O specialist can apply psychological principles in a range of industries to help organizations achieve their long-term objectives. 

With these competencies, you may be prepared to pursue work in:3

  • Healthcare facilities
  • Manufacturing companies
  • Labor unions
  • Independent consulting

I/O psychology professionals are also valuable to those who recognize the importance of effective management systems and interpersonal skills for long-term profitability. 

Other employers who may utilize the expertise of an I/O psychologist include:3,4 

  • Community organizations
  • Government agencies
  • Nonprofit entities 
  • Research and academia

Earn Your Degree From an Accredited University

GCU is proud to be an institutionally accredited university — a designation that reflects our commitment to delivering quality education that aims to prepare our graduates to tackle modern challenges in their fields. GCU has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are interested in pursuing a career in I/O psychology, read through our answers to these common questions and begin planning your career pathway with a psychology master’s: industrial organizational psychology emphasis.

An I/O psychology specialist may be responsible for a wide range of activities, all designed to meet their overarching goal: Helping organizations achieve success through employee empowerment and organizational optimization. These professionals may work to improve organizational communication, the work environment and culture, job satisfaction, professional competence and leadership.3 Using quantitative research, they may handle activities such as:4

  • Identification and development of employee training programs
  • Optimization of the quality of the work environment and workplace culture
  • Employee coaching
  • Job performance evaluation
     

When you earn a psychology master’s: industrial organizational psychology emphasis, you are expected to have developed valuable skills in the areas of psychology, business, leadership and research. These competencies may be applied to a range of professional roles. Job possibilities for industrial-organizational psychologists can include:

  • Human resources specialist/manager
  • Corporate trainer
  • Market researcher
  • Employee relations manager
  • Instructional designer
  • Management analyst
  • Postsecondary psychology instructor

If you are just getting started on your career path, you should begin by examining the foundational competencies taught in a bachelor’s in psychology program. I/O psychologists typically need a master’s degree, such as one that offers an industrial organizational psychology emphasis.5 This graduate degree will teach you the advanced skills in organizational behavior, ethics, research methods and human resource management to help individuals, teams and businesses succeed. Earning a doctoral degree is ideal for those who want to qualify for a broader range of advanced career positions.3

A career in I/O psychology can be a great choice for you if you’re passionate about applying scientific principles to the workplace. As a specialist, you could work to empower employees while helping organizations thrive. In addition, while the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report job growth for industrial-organizational psychologists specifically, it does report an estimated 7% employment increase for psychologists in general from 2023 to 2033, faster than average.2

Earning a psychology MS: industrial organizational psychology emphasis is worth consideration as it offers a range of opportunities. As an I/O psychologist, you can benefit from helping people and organizations work smarter and more productively. Industrial organizational psychologists have an annual median salary of $147,420 as of May 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.1

Explore MS in Psychology Emphasis Options

In addition to the industrial organizational emphasis, there are many other emphasis options available for you to pursue at GCU, including:

Motivate Employees Through Psychology

Empower employees and drive organizational success as an I/O specialist.

1 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Industrial-Organizational Psychologists as of May 2023, retrieved on Oct. 25, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as industrial-organizational psychologists, nor does it reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.

2 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years.  Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists, retrieved on Oct. 25, 2024.

3 American Psychological Association. (2013). Pursuing a Career in I/O Psychology. APA. Retrieved Oct. 25, 2024.

4 American Psychological Association. (2022, May). Industrial and Organizational Psychology. APA. Retrieved Oct. 25, 2024.

5 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). How to Become a Psychologist. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Oct. 25, 2024.

Course List

Major:
36 credits
Degree Requirements:
36 credits

Core Courses

Course Description

This course is designed to prepare students for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University. Students have opportunities to develop and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in the liberal arts. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the tools for graduate success.

Course Description

This course serves as the foundation for advanced graduate study in the field of psychology. Professional skill development, such as critical thinking, scholarly writing, and literature reviewing are covered, as well as contemporary ethical issues in the field of psychology, including issues in research, writing, psychotherapy, forensic psychology, and animal research.

Course Description

This course is a study of social, group, and multicultural factors affecting individual behavior. Attention is given to the development of attitudes, leadership roles, group thinking, sources of conflict, altruism, attraction, effects of competition and cooperation, analysis and evaluation of propaganda techniques, and the influence of mass communication on social awareness and control.

Course Description

This course applies social and organizational methods and principles to business and industry as it applies to Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

Course Description

This course examines the theoretical foundations for organizational development and explores how organizations function and the psychology behind it.

Course Description

This course provides a study of theories of probability, descriptive and inferential analyses of data, and testing of statistical hypotheses. Practical experience is provided in the application of statistical methods. This course requires the use of SPSS software via the Citrix Workspace to complete assignments, please ensure your device is compatible with this software prior to the start of your course.

Course Description

This course emphasizes both the theoretical and applied aspects of experimental design and research methodology at the graduate level, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed designs. Prerequisite: PSY-520.

Course Description

This course examines methods for achieving personal, group, and organizational goals through effective consulting and management strategies.

Course Description

This course examines psychological principles related to personnel and human resource management in both physical and virtual work environments.

Course Description

This course prepares students to enter their prospective career and/or continue their education in psychology. Students will explore occupations and leaders in the various psychological fields, formulate and compile their experiences and achievements, and construct a roadmap for success. Original research ideas will be solidified and presented. Prerequisite: PSY-550.

  • GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
  • Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
  • Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

Locations

GCU Online Student


Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.

GCU Evening Student


Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom.