An online master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology may provide students with the skills and training needed to guide organizational success, improve group performance, and enhance work life. In these upper-level programs, students may study performance assessment, organizational development, and evaluation interventions. Coursework within these programs may include a few electives and major-specific courses, such as employee selection, organizational consulting skills, and measurement theory.

Graduates may either seek employment or pursue additional education and enroll in a doctoral degree program in industrial and organizational psychology. Master’s degree graduates may find employment opportunities in human resources, compensation, and organizational development.

Program Overview

• Prerequisite: Bachelor’s Degree
• Program Length: One to two years to complete
• Post-Grad Options: Employment or Doctoral Program
• Projected Employment Growth: 22% (2010-2020)*

Program Coursework

The curriculum within an online master’s degree program in industrial and organizational psychology may combine major-specific courses with a handful of electives. Students enrolled in these upper-level programs may use research and management skills to solve workplace issues as well as apply psychology to challenges within an organization. Core industrial and organizational psychology courses may include the following:

• Organizational Behavior
• Organizational Consulting Skills
• Performance Management
• Employee Selection
• Industrial Psychology
• Workforce Training and Development
• Measurement Theory

Career Options

Graduates of online master’s degree programs in industrial and organizational psychology may find careers working in human resources, compensation and job analysis, organizational development, and instructional coordination. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for those pursuing careers as psychologists are expected to increase by 22% from 2010-2020.*

Possible careers include:

• Psychologist
• Social Worker
• Director of Labor Relations
• Manager of Training and Development
• Organizational Consultant

Continuing Education

Graduates of online master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology programs may pursue additional education and enroll in a doctoral degree program. These research-heavy PhD programs may include a dissertation requirement and cover courses in management, statistics, public administration, and sociology.

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook