Organizational Behavior: MA, Fresno, San Francisco

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The Organizational Behavior master’s degree program is designed to assist in career enhancement and to broaden the thinking and knowledge base of adult learners somewhat established in their careers. Courses focus on approaches to leadership and human behavior in organizations, emphasizing the behavioral aspects of managing effectively. Students acquire knowledge and skills applicable to management practices, theory and systems, ethics, organizational social responsibility, leadership, conflict management, team development, and interventions for assisting in organizational change.

Program Outcomes

All 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.
Understand and critically evaluate the literature in a given area.
Integrate knowledge of ethical behavior in organizational studies.
A positive, pro-active and non-judgmental attitude towards diverse cultural and international identities and in interpersonal and professional interactions.
Conceptualize and deliver culturally competent professional services in their respective areas to diverse populations.

Additional Program Outcomes for the MAOB degree:

Integrate theory, research, and practice.
Assess performance and functioning at the individual, group/team, and organizational system-wide level and design/conduct interventions 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 Practitioner-Scholar Program

Students acquire knowledge and skills applicable to management practices, theory and systems, ethics, organizational social responsibility, leadership, conflict management, employee engagementteam development, and interventions for assisting in organizational change. and development. Issues related to globalization, multiculturalism, and diversity are integrated throughout the program, including an international work study trip.

Ideal Student attributes include:

Experience in a work setting
Desire to advance in the student’s current workplace, to promote, or to change careers
Critical thinking skills
Enjoy working with people
Writing skills
Positive attitude

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. Advanced Seminars are provided by Distinguished Guest Faculty from the field of organization psychology. Students active in the program are provided membership in the National Organizational Development Network and receive the association’s journals, job bank access, and annual conference benefits.

International/Multicultural Training

As part of the program’s coursework, students are required to participate in an international trip that addresses the work setting from a multicultural/international perspective. Literature is examined for its relevance and application across cultures and international societies within a global economy. Trips include meeting with businesses and university students and faculty and cultural exposure to the values, practices, and history of the country visited.

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 MA in Organization Behavior (MAOB) emphasizes 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 makes it possible for students to attend from locations other than California and the greater San Joaquin Valley.

The MAOB program is 17-months in length and requires completion of 34 units. Most students begin the program in the Spring; however, students who wish to enroll in the Fall may do so in consultation with the Program Director. 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. A competency exam is administered at the completion of the MAOB degree for entry into the PsyD program.

The program provides students with the opportunity for:

Developing competencies needed to successfully manage in organizations
Interacting with peers in shared learning, dialogue, and experiential activities
Attending seminars with distinguished guest faculty from the field
Building multicultural/international awareness

Curriculum Plan

Courses are 3 units, unless otherwise indicated.

First Year - Spring

9 units

First Year - Summer

6 units

First Year - Fall

10 units

Second Year - Spring

9 units

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 Institute (currently the International Society for Organization Development). Current Member of the Organization Development Education Association (ODEA) a sub group of the National Organization Development Network.

Organizational Psychology Faculty

Nicholas Aramovich, PhD, Assistant Professor and Interim Program Director, San Diego

Sherry Camden-Anders, PhD, Associate Professor and Program Director for MA Organizational Behavior and Organization Development PsyD, Fresno

Nurcan Ensari, PhD, Professor, Systemwide Program Director, Program Director, Los Angeles and Director, I/O Psychology Certificate Program - Istanbul Bilgi University

Mary J. Fambrough, PhD, Associate Professor, San Francisco

Bernardo Ferdman, PhD, Distinguished Professor, San Diego

Dary Fiorentino, PhD, Assistant Professor, Los Angeles

Dale Glaser, PhD, Principal Lecturer, San Diego

Kathryn Goldman-Schuyler, PhD, Professor, San Francisco

Calvin Hoffman, PhD, Principle Lecturer, Los Angeles

John Kantor, PhD, Associate Professor, San Diego

Toni A. Knott, PhD, Associate Professor and Director, Field Placement, Fresno

Patricia Denise Lopez, PhD, Associate Professor, Los Angeles,

Rodney Lowman, PhD, Distinguished Professor, San Diego

Jyotsna Sanzgiri, PhD, Professor and Program Director, San Francisco

Jonathan Troper, PhD, Assistant Professor and Director, Center for Innovation and Change (CIC), Los Angeles

Lynne Valek, PhD, Visiting Associate Professor, Fresno

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.