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China-based Program

See information regarding the Online Master of Arts in Industrial Organizaional Psychology in China

Florham Campus-based Program

The Industrial/Organizational Psychology graduate program is designed to provide a comprehensive and empirically based background in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Students gain knowledge and understanding of a variety of work psychology based concepts ranging from selection and hiring, learning and development, assessment and measurement, employee engagement, and leadership to the impact of technology on behavior and systems. We follow the scientist-practitioner model and include both theory and concept in our coursework as well as applications to the current realities of the workplace.

Internship opportunities in local organizations are available and required as part of the program. Our graduates find work in organizational settings, usually within Human Resources, or continue their education at the doctoral level.

The majority of classes are offered in the early weekday evening hours, a few Saturday classes may also be required.

Admission requirements

Admission to the program is on a rolling basis, there is no specific admission deadline. We admit students to begin in the fall or spring semesters. However, for best consideration, please apply by April 30 for the fall semester and November 30 for the spring semester.

Listed below are the requirements for admission to the program.

  • Graduation from an accredited college or university.
  • Completion of a Fairleigh Dickinson Graduate School Application form which includes a personal statement explaining your interest in the program.
  • For applicants with undergraduate degrees in psychology, a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the major is required and at least one course in Statistics and Experimental Psychology must have been successfully completed.
  • For applicants whose undergraduate degrees were NOT in psychology, a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the major and successful completion of Advanced General Psychology and undergraduate Statistics with a grade of B- or better is required.
  • Submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing scores. The Psychology GRE is NOT required.
  • Submission of the undergraduate transcript(s).
  • Submission of three letters of recommendation.
  • A personal interview may be required in some cases.

Degree Plan

The program requires successful completion of a total of 12 courses which translates to 36 credits. All students in the program must register for a minimum of two classes in the fall and spring semesters. Exceptions to this policy may be granted in unusual circumstances. Courses must be taken in the required sequence (see department for sequence list). The majority of classes are offered in the early weekday evening hours, a few Saturday classes may also be required (S). Students have the option to complete a research based thesis or two additional courses. Additionally, students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination in their final semester.

If a thesis option is selected:

If a non-thesis option is selected:

Research Opportunities

Students are encouraged to work with faculty on research. A variety of opportunities are available to help students understand the research process and learn how to conduct their own research studies. The following opportunities are available to our students:

  • Work on Fairleigh Dickinson’s own Journal of Psychology and the Behavioral Sciences which publishes student research. Students can submit their own research, review submissions, edit accepted articles, and/or help format articles for publication.
  • Complete a thesis research project as part of the MA program.
  • Work with faculty on their ongoing research projects. This could entail a variety of activities such as preparing materials for presentations, searching for related published research in databases, data entry, preparation of tables and charts, data collection and analysis, and assisting in the writing and editing of articles.

 

Course Descriptions

  • COUN7706 This course introduces strategies for career planning and counseling (e.g. skills and interest assessment and values clarification). The course provides an understanding of career development theories, lifestyle and career development program planning. It includes important components as enhancing the clients sense of self-esteem and self efficacy and career and leisure counseling.

  • PSYC6300 A comprehensive survey of the theoretical and practical aspects of descriptive and inferential statistical procedures--z tests, t tests, analysis of variance, correlation and regression analysis, and nonparametrics. Emphasis is on why and when to use the various procedures as well as on the interpretation of statistical results.

  • PSYC6301 A seminar and practicum on the effects of organizational variables on individual and group behavior. The focus of the course is on the theory and practice of leadership behavior, effective team building, conflict management and resolution, quality team management and other aspects of interpersonal relationships within the corporate/business structure. Students learn how to ensure team success as both team leaders and participants.

  • PSYC6302 A seminar and practicum on the effects of organizational variables upon individual and group behavior. Systematic theories of motivation, productivity, organizational structure and function will be examined and related to current industrial, government and educational institutions.

  • PSYC6303

  • PSYC6304 A comprehensive survey of current practices in employee selection, evaluation compensation and development. Special emphasis is placed on the use of psychological tests and interviewing techniques. Current topics such as fair employment testing are reviewed.

  • PSYC6305 A critical survey of the philosophy and techniques of measurements or appraisal, with emphasis given to the administration, interpretation and evaluation of intelligence, achievement, interest, aptitude and objective personality instruments.

  • PSYC6306 A seminar and practicum on the role of the psychologist in industrial and organizational settings. Emphasis is on establishing relationships with organizational personnel, interpreting research results, the uses of the in-house psychologist vs. the outside consultant, and the process of organizational change.

  • PSYC6307 A comprehensive survey of the strategies and techniques necessary for conducting an effective interview. Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of the factors that facilitate and debilitate communication in three basic types of interviewing situations: the counseling, selection and research interview.

  • PSYC6308 An overview of the ways used by organizations to train and develop employees and managers. Traditional methods such as role-playing and case studies are practiced and compared to the newer techniques such as sensitivity training and organization development practices. Students will experience the role of both trainer and trainee. Emphasis will focus on effective ways of changing actual behavior.

  • PSYC7700 This blended course involves a semester- long internship placement related to I/O psychology in an approved local organization. Students work a minimum of 15 hours per week in either a paid or unpaid setting and participate in the course. An on-site supervisor will provide mentoring and evaluation in addition to the course instructor?s mentoring and evaluation. The final academic paper will be a project culminating the semester long experience.

  • PSYC7745 A review and integration of the research and popular wisdom on leadership through readings, case studies and discussions on the elements of successful management and leadership. Students will examine various theories of leadership and characteristics of prominent past and current leadership in politics, business, the arts and warfare. Students learn to identify and refine their own leadership styles for maximum impact.

  • PSYC7803 A program of selected research tailored to the interest and capability of the individual student under the guidance of a departmental graduate adviser.

  • PSYC7804 A program of selected research tailored to the interest and capability of the individual student under the guidance of a departmental graduate adviser.