Industrial and Organizational Psychology Master's Program

Students in the Industrial and Organizational Psychology Master's Program take graduate courses in Psychology and Management and earn a Master's degree in Psychology, with emphasis in Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychology. This scientifically rigorous program provides a non-thesis degree option as well as the option of completing a master's thesis. The program provides professional training to those not wishing to pursue doctoral studies as well as those who might wish to continue their graduate education. Our 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. The program requirements are demanding and admission into the program is extremely competitive.

The I/O psychology 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 psychologist. Our program enables students to earn this credential and effectively compete for employment. Industrial-organizational 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. Industrial-organizational 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. Industrial-organizational psychologists who can design, implement and evaluate efforts aimed to meet these challenges are in demand. According to the 2010-2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the employment opportunities for industrial-organizational psychologists should continue to grow in the foreseeable future.

Admission to the Program

The University of Texas at Arlington's I/O Psychology Program is intended for students who wish to pursue careers in industrial-organizational psychology. The psychology faculty will evaluate potential candidates for the program. As stated in the UTA Psychology Department Handbook for Graduate Students in Psychology, the minimal requirements for admission include the following: 1) Students must have obtained at least a B in Psychology 2443 and 2444 or equivalents; 2) 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; 3) Students must take the GRE and earn a score of at least 1000 (with scores of at least 500 on both the verbal and 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 (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. The I/O psychology graduate students participating in research have access to The UTA 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 UTA's 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 Master's Program.

Other opportunities for financial assistance include:

McNair Scholars Program
UTA Office of Financial Aid

See the Psychology Department Handbook and UTA Graduate Catalog for other degree requirements.