Industrial and Organizational Psychology Master's Program

Graduate Advisor: Dr. Paul Paulus

The University of Texas at Arlington's Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology program is intended for students who wish to pursue careers as I/O professionals. We currently offer both a Master’s of Science degree in Psychology with an emphasis in I/O and a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology with a specialization in I/O. Our Master’s program focuses on developing applied skills, offering professional training to those not wishing to pursue doctoral studies. For those students wishing to continue their graduate education, the doctoral program integrates both theory and science, and heavily emphasizes empirical research and quantitative skills. Requirements for both programs are demanding and admission is extremely competitive.

I/O Master’s Program

Our M.S. program was designed in accordance with The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) Guidelines for Education and Training at the Master's Level in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Our program provides a non-thesis degree option as well as the option of completing a Master's thesis. All students automatically enter the program under the non-thesis option. The program of suggested course work is outlined below.

Note: Students who begin the I/O Psychology program in odd numbered years (for example 2013, 2015) will take the courses marked with a Superscript “A” in the sequence presented. Students who begin the I/O Psychology program in even numbered years (for example 2012, 2014) will take the courses marked with a Superscript “B” in the sequence presented.

 The I/O program is dedicated to promoting the connection between science and practice. We do this by providing a curriculum that balances between a research and an applied focus; thus our program encompasses a holistic view of I/O. All students in the program will be required to conduct research related to I/O Psychology. This involves finding relevant research articles and source information, running statistical analyses, and presenting the results in both written and oral format. The knowledge that students acquire performing research in graduate school will prepare them for the projects, responsibilities, and expectations of businesses and consultants. Students in the program are encouraged to present research at conferences and publish research in journals.

A Master's degree with a specialization in I/O Psychology is necessary for persons seeking a position as an I/O professional. Our program enables students to earn this credential and effectively compete for employment. I/O psychologists work in a number of different areas that are crucial to the success of modern businesses and industries. The ability of I/O psychologists to meet these needs grows from training that enables them to apply psychological principles and research methods in the workplace. Our program provides course work in experimental design, quantitative methods, applied psychological topics, and management theory. This training enables our graduates to be strong competitors for employment and perform effectively in the workplace.

Career Opportunities

Many career opportunities exist for I/O psychologists. Some individuals are hired by organizations as internal specialists while others are hired as external consultants. I/O psychologists contribute to the success of businesses and industries in many different ways. They are involved in research on strategies for improving productivity, on issues concerning product marketing, or in developing employee screening, hiring and retention practices. They may also be involved in employee training and development. The modern marketplace has put pressure on businesses and industries to optimize productivity and improve the quality of work life. Additionally, competition among organizations to obtain and retain the most able employees has increased dramatically. I/O psychologists who can design, implement and evaluate efforts aimed to meet these challenges are in demand. According to the 2012-2013 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the employment opportunities for I/O psychologists should continue to grow in the foreseeable future.

Admission to the Program

The I/O Psychology faculty will evaluate potential candidates for the program. The minimal requirements for admission include the following: 1) students must have and maintain an overall grade point average of at least 3.2, with at least a 3.4 average in undergraduate psychology courses, and 2) students must take the GRE and earn a score of at least 297 (with scores of at least 153 on the verbal and 144 on the quantitative sections). Students not meeting these criteria may be considered if they meet all of the general admissions requirements of the Graduate School. Admission is competitive, and meeting the minimum requirements will not ensure acceptance in the program. Students are only admitted in the Fall semester. It is recommended that applicants complete all steps of the application process on or before February 1; however, applications will continue to be reviewed upon completion past this date.

Graduate Student Resources

The I/O Psychology graduate students are assigned office space that is equipped with computers and Internet access. Graduate students participating in research have access to UT-Arlington’s Industrial and Organizational Psychology Research Lab (The I/O Lab). I/O Psychology graduate students also have keyed access to departmental undergraduate and graduate computer labs. The University has additional computer laboratory facilities open to all students at locations across campus. Students in the I/O Psychology graduate program study and conduct graduate research in a department that makes every effort to help students develop their knowledge and skill in basic or applied areas to their fullest potential.

The Psychology Department uses modern audiovisual technology in the classroom and is equipped with computer facilities for undergraduate and graduate research. There is an in-house multimedia lab available to graduate students and faculty for preparation of research and coursework presentations.

Assistantship Opportunities

Department assistantships and fellowships are NOT currently available for students in the I/O Psychology M.S. program. Students in the M.S. program may be eligible for scholarships, loans or may find paid internship opportunities with local businesses.

Other opportunities for financial assistance include:

McNair Scholars Program
UTA Office of Financial Aid

See the Psychology Department Handbook and UT-Arlington’s Graduate Catalog for other degree requirements.