I-O psychology is a fast growing field that applies psychological research to the workplace in order to make organizations more productive and profitable, and also improve the well-being of employees. You will learn how jobs are defined and staffed, how teams work together, how to increase employee health and satisfaction, and how to reduce conflicts and problems. Wesleyan’s program has been developed following the recommendations of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology. This Master of Arts (M.A.) in industrial organizational psychology degree is designed to equip you to work as a practitioner with a career in consulting, diversity education, or training in a variety of settings including business, non-profit, and public agencies.
Embedded throughout the curriculum is a focus on workplace justice. Justice, empowerment, and inclusion are core values of Wesleyan College. As businesses become more aware of the costs of failing to prioritize treating people justly, Wesleyan I-O graduates will offer expertise in global issues such as embracing and sustaining workplace diversity, treating people equitably, and valuing worker well-being. This specialized curriculum will uniquely qualify you for a number of jobs including consulting work or positions within companies that would like to improve their workplace culture. Wesleyan’s proven track record at making connections around the world will introduce you to international opportunities in I-O psychology.
The starting salary for an I-O specialist with a master’s degree can be as much as $65,000 a year. The top earners in the field can earn up to $250,000 or more each year.* Wesleyan's 18-month fast-track hybrid program includes some online and hybrid courses for student flexibility, as well as Wesleyan's signature seminar-style traditional classes to maximize students' learning and professional development. Working with your peers through case studies and projects will help you to develop skills that are essential to success as a professional. Classes are scheduled in the evenings to make it possible to work while pursuing your graduate degree. If you are moving to the Macon area to study in this program, professors will work closely to help you find suitable employment with one of our local business partners.
For more information about Wesleyan’s personalized admission process and to learn how earning a graduate degree in I-O Psychology can help you achieve your educational and career goals, contact us at i-ograduate@wesleyancollege.edu or (478) 757-5225.
* The Society for I-O Psychology’s 2012 income and employment survey
Why should you join us? To find out more about Wesleyan’s fast-track hybrid graduate programs designed for working professionals. Our programs include online courses for student flexibility as well as Wesleyan's signature seminar-style traditional classes on campus evenings and on weekends. All classes are taught by full-time faculty with real world professional experience and outstanding academic credentials.
Our classes are small, but our classrooms are big, so practicing social distancing is never a problem.
Understanding and interpreting statistical analyses and research design; developing hypotheses; sampling and methodology; measurement; evaluating the quality of the research methods of published research evidence; descriptive and inferential statistics; parametric and nonparametric methods; interval estimates, ANOVA, regression, path analysis, structural equation modeling, meta-analysis; computer lab component included. 4 hours
Judgment and decision-making; attitude theory, measurement, and change; group processes; social influence and persuasion; judgments of equity; understanding and applying the results of published research evidence; communicating research findings accurately and accessibly, historical use of human subjects in research and related ethical issues. 3 hours
Organizational theory and development; groups and teams (interpersonal behavior in small groups, theory and team processes); leadership and management theory, strategy, and change; coaching; planning and implementing research projects in I/O practice; analyzing data in I/O practice. 3 hours
Criterion theory, development, and measurement as it applies to recruitment, selection, and placement; job analysis; predictors; human resources planning, leadership, performance appraisal, organization design, and training; business professional writing and interactions. 3 hours
Motivation; theories of adult lifespan development; stress and well-being; work-life balance; workplace wellness; occupational health and safety; managing changes within the workplace; workplace aggression, bullying, and violence. 3 hours
Developing and measuring criteria; individual assessment for selection and development; job attitudes (engagement, satisfaction, involvement, organizational commitment); human performance (problem solving, decision making, use of tools, error); history of applied assessment. 3 hours
Clean and work with large data sets; analyze data from large sets to inform decisions in applied fields; ethical concerns regarding data storage and decision-making; use of R, SQL, Hadoop. 3 hours
Training theory, delivery, design, and evaluation; job evaluation and compensation; individual differences in work behavior and its ethical and accurate assessment; career development; professional presentation skills. 3 hours
Ethics; justice related to diversity; justice related to international issues; justice in employee treatment; managing downsizing; professional norms and standards; drawing the line between coaching and counseling; legal regulations and issues; humanitarian work psychology; collecting and analyzing qualitative data. 3 hours
Seminar-based course exploring a variety of topics in the field of I/O psychology; selected topics may vary by student interest and need, along with current events and published research relevant to the field. 3 hours
At an organization tailored to student interests, supervised by Wesleyan faculty in an online supervisory role; involves project development, management, and reporting. 3 hours
Tuition: $23,400
Please contact us for more information about our graduate programs: graduate@wesleyancollege.edu.
Additional specific costs may be considered as an adjacent to cost of attendance, for more information contact the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@wesleyancollege.edu or (478) 757-5205.
Industrial/Organizational Psychology is listed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as the
fastest-growing occupation in the U.S.
median pay per year.
expected growth rate between now and 2022.
According to the Department of Labor and a May 26 article on the Wall Street Journal online titled “What Will Be the Hot Jobs of 2018?”
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