Organizational Psychology: MA | Los Angeles, San Diego, Irvine, Sacramento

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The Organizational Psychology master’s degree program provides in-depth education and training in the applied theory, research and practice of organizational psychology and organizational development consulting. Students not only understand the principles of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, but they develop the skills necessary to apply theory and research in the field to assist organizations to discover creative solutions to their most pressing problems.

Program Goals

Program Outcomes for MAOP Programs:

Knowledge of Organizational Psychology principles, concepts, models, and theories
Integrate theory, research, and practice
Understand and critically evaluate the literature in a given area
Integrate knowledge of ethical and legal 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 respective areas to diverse populations
Skills in applying psychology concepts, models and theories to organizational practice and research

Training Model

The Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology (MAOP) degree provides in-depth education and training in the applied theory, research, and practice of organizational psychology and organizational development consulting. It is designed as an applied, practice oriented, educational program for students who desire to work as internal or external organizational effectiveness consultants, human resources business partners, project team leaders, or managers. It is also designed for students who are already working in human resources or related areas and who desire to deepen and strengthen their professional competencies in organizational psychology. The program is an excellent option for individuals who have earned graduate degrees in business, counseling psychology, management, or engineering and who are either considering a career change or simply wanting to supplement their current professional competencies with those in executive coaching, team development, or organizational change management. This program prepares the students for careers in organizational consulting, training and development consulting, human resources management, executive coaching, and a variety of industries. Our goal is to develop competent scholar practitioners who have the capability to apply theory and research in the field to assist organizations to discover creative solutions to their most pressing problems.

Internship with Supervision

Students develop professional practice related skills in organizational psychology and organizational consulting through a variety of professional training experiences including class projects, case studies, in-class simulations, and internship. The internship is designed to provide students with in-depth supervised professional practice learning experiences. In their third or fourth semester of a full-time program, master’s students participate in 240 hours of supervised professional internships in the business community, non-profit or public sector through a 3-unit course called “Practicum in Organizational Psychology with Supervision.” Although students usually participate in their internship during the third or fourth semester of a full-time program, master’s students can request permission of the Internship Director to start earning internship hours as early as the second semester of the program (1 unit per semester up to a total 3 units).

Supervised internship experiences may occur across a variety of settings including consulting firms, major corporations, government agencies, and not-for-profit community organizations. Internships may be provided by the program and/or identified by the students themselves. Internships brought by students need to be reviewed and approved by program faculty. Students already working full-time may arrange a supervised field project(s) at their current work setting at the discretion of the Organizational Psychology Internship Director and Program Director. These internship projects must be substantively different than the students’ regular work. The plan of supervision and learning objectives must be approved by the Internship Director.

Specialized Admissions Requirements: Credit for Previous Graduate Work

Students with previous graduate work in Organizational Psychology or a closely related field may be eligible for waiver or transfer credit for some required or elective courses according to the policies of each location and program. Applicants must provide the full syllabi and course description of the prior courses for which they wish to transfer credit, along with evidence of satisfactory academic performance in the course (grade of B or higher or the Program Director’s approval) from official transcripts before they begin the program. Transfer credits are approved when a course is evaluated to be substantively equivalent to an Organizational Psychology course offered in the program. Course credit waiver decisions are made in consultation with the Academic Advisor and Program Director. See individual programs for specific information. Students enrolling in a master’s degree program may be eligible for up to 9 units of transfer credit for prior coursework completed.

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

This is a 50-unit, full-time program that can be completed in two years, or longer if attending part-time. Four to five courses are taken each term and are offered in evening, weekend, executive, and/or hybrid formats allowing working students to attend school outside of their work hours. The MA in Organizational Psychology also requires that 240 internship hours be performed. An advantage to students in the MAOP program is the opportunity to take some courses in their program at the other campus. Enrollment is done twice a year: Fall and Spring.

After demonstrating excellent academic skills, master’s students can apply for the Organizational Psychology PhD program as early as their second semester. The application process is completed through the Admissions office.

Curriculum Plan

Courses are 3 units, unless otherwise indicated.

First Year - Fall

12 units

First Year - Spring

14 units

Second Year - Fall

12 units

Second Year - Spring

12 units

Notes

*Other practicum options (permission of the Internship Director required, 3 total units required):

ORG 7200A - Practicum in Organizational Studies (1 unit)
ORG 7200B - Practicum in Organizational Studies (2 units)

Electives

Elective options for Master’s students include all electives for students in Organizational, Clinical for Forensic Psychology or in Business, Management, or Leadership, with Program Director approval, and for which the student has completed prerequisites.

The availability of these elective courses will vary from semester to semester and campus to campus. Sample electives include the following courses:

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.