Organizational Behavior: MA, Fresno

Goals and Objectives

Organizational Psychology Programs

• Knowledge of research design, measurement, and statistical tools appropriate for basic research as well as for applied research in such areas as selection testing, surveys, and program evaluations.
• Ability to understand and critically evaluate the literature in a given area.
• Ability to integrate knowledge of ethical behavior in organizational studies.
• A positive, pro-active and non-judgmental attitude towards diverse cultural and international identities and in their interpersonal and professional interactions.
• Demonstrate an ability to conceptualize and deliver culturally competent professional services in their respective areas to diverse populations.

Additional for the MAOB Program (Fresno)

• Integrate theory, research, and practice.
• Demonstrate ability to assess performance and functioning at the individual, group/team, and organizational system-wide level and design/conduct intervention at each of those levels to improve functioning, performance, and overall health that take into account diversity and other cross-cultural issues.
• Self-understanding regarding personal values, biases, preferences, and style in working with others and organizational systems.
• Facilitate transition and adoption to create positive change.

Training Model: A Scholar-Practitioner Program

Students acquire knowledge and skills in participatory management practices, leadership, team building, organizational change, and conflict management. Issues related to ethics, employee satisfaction, motivation, productivity, and cultural are integrated throughout the program. The curriculum is reflective of the issues and problems that business leaders face on a daily basis, acquainting students with the current literature and research on management and organizational behavior.

Specialized Admissions Requirements

Admission to the master’s program requires the completion of a Bachelor Degree from an accredited university and at least 2 years of professional work experience.

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

The Fresno campus offers an MA degree in Organization Behavior (MAOB) emphasizing the psychological principles of behavior that focus on individual and group performance within an organizational setting. The program has been developed with the needs of the professional adult learner in mind, and is accessible to adults with multiple responsibilities. The intensive weekend format, once a month, makes it possible for students to attend from locations other than California and the greater San Joaquin Valley.

The MAOB program blends a combined theoretical and practitioner focus to provide a relevant approach to managerial skill development emphasizing the “human side” of enterprise and the behavioral aspects of managing change.

The graduate program in Organizational Behavior is a 16-month program. Courses are offered once a month in a weekend format on Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday. Course work includes pre work, interim assignments, and post course work assignments. Students are expected to have basic knowledge of the course content upon entering the first weekend of a designated course.

MAOB students are not required to take statistics courses or write a research thesis.

The program provides students with the opportunity for:

• Development of competencies needed to successfully manage in organizations
• Interaction with peers in shared learning, dialogue, and experiential activities
• Attendance at seminars with distinguished guest faculty from the field
• The building of multicultural/international awareness and

JOINT MASTERS IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

The joint MAOB degree provides students in the doctoral Clinical Psychology programs an opportunity to gain knowledge of organizations if they are interested in pursuing administrative positions or doing organizational work as part of their future career goals.

For these students, the MAOB 30-unit program consists of 24 units of core Organizational Psychology curriculum. Research Methods and Ethno-cultural/Multi-cultural courses (6 units) are required in the students’ primary program and are not required to be repeated in the MAOB. Course units are spread over the timeframe allotted in the primary program. The international trip is also available to all students in the program; however, it is optional for joint students.

Curriculum Plan

Degree Requirements 34 units

A description of each course is listed by course number in the Course Description section of the catalog.  Curriculum requirements are subject to change.

Organizational Behavior Program Faculty: Fresno

Faculty for the Fresno MAOB program are listed below:

Sherry Camden-Anders, PhD, Assistant Professor and Program Director

Toni A. Knott, PhD, Associate Professor

Margaret (Peggy) Grant, PhD, Visiting Assistant Professor

Lynne Valek, PhD, Visiting Associate Professor  

For a detailed description of program faculty background and research interests, please see the alphabetical listing of Faculty  in the California School of Professional Psychology.

Accreditation Information

The MAOB program, in 2001, passed a review and assessment by a Blue Ribbon Committee and in 2003, received accreditation by the Organization Development Network (currently the International Society for Organization Development).