Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology

Program Description/Overview

This program combines coursework in psychology and organizational theory with specialized courses in organization development and change, industrial-organizational psychology, consulting to organizations, and human resources management. The curriculum includes one semester’s half-time practicum, which students can complete across a variety of settings, including consulting firms, major corporations and other businesses, government agencies, and not-for-profit community organizations.

This is a full-time program that can be completed in two years (longer if attending part-time). Four to five courses are normally taken each term. Courses are primarily offered in evening, weekend, executive, and/or hybrid formats allowing working students to attend school outside of their work hours. The program also requires that 240 internship hours be performed. Students have the opportunity, with permission of the site Program Director, to take certain equivalent courses in their program at other campuses.

Some students begin with the MAOP and then decide to pursue the doctoral degree. After demonstrating excellent academic skills, MAOP students can apply for the Organizational Psychology PhD program as early as their second semester. The application process is completed through the Admissions office.

Program Learning Outcomes/Goals

1. Understands and can critically evaluate the organizational and consulting psychology research and scholarship.
2. Ability to apply evidence-based professional practice of organizational and consulting psychology to assess and intervene at the individual, group, and organizational levels.
3. Knowledge of statistical and survey tools appropriate for applied research in such areas as organizational consulting, selection testing, surveys, and program evaluations
4. Ability to integrate knowledge of ethical and legal behavior in organizational studies and professional practice.
5. Development of a positive, pro-active and non-judgmental attitude towards diverse cultural and international identities and in interpersonal and professional interactions.
6. Ability to deliver culturally competent professional services in their respective areas to diverse populations.

Training Model

The program combines coursework, professional practice, and research in industrial-organizational and consulting psychology. Academic studies are integrated with a semester’s half-time (or equivalent) practicum. Since most practica are completed in business organizations, not-for-profit organizations, or public sector agencies, they provide good opportunities to build relationships with practitioners in the field outside of the university. Underlying this program is the belief that effective organizational change is founded on a thorough understanding of the relevant research literature and experience about human behavior in the workplace. Change is also based on practitioners’ ability to develop relationships with their clients and coworkers to work jointly on issues relating to organizational effectiveness.

Graduates are prepared for careers in a wide variety of OP practice areas, including consulting to managers and leaders, team development and consultation, organizational assessment and design, coaching, human resources management, organization development and change, diversity and inclusion work, and talent management.

Coursework in the program covers three primary areas: theory, research, and professional practice. In addition, courses focus on multicultural and international applications of behavioral science and management-related knowledge and skills. Students in the program will complete the required coursework and one elective in areas such as organizational theory, scientific foundations of organizational psychology, group development, consulting skills, and/or intervention skills.

Professional Behavior Expectations/Ethical Guidelines

As professionals-in-training, students in the program are required, in addition to any university-wide behavioral requirements, to comply with the ethics code of the American Psychological Association (see apa.org) and be familiar with other professional guidelines and standards. Any ethical or professional behavior problems may be referred to the SERC and Program Director for action.

Program-Specific Admission Requirements

Students enter the program with a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field or after completing three specified psychology courses as detailed in the pre-requisite section.

Internship, Practicum, and/or Dissertation Information

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 the practicum. The practicum is designed to provide students with in-depth supervised professional practice learning experiences. In their second year of a full-time program, students participate in 240 hours of supervised professional practicum in the business community, non-profit or public sector - for a total of 2 semester hours.

Credit Units

Total Credit Units: 50

Total Core Credit Units: 47

Total Elective Credit Units: 3

Total Concentration Credit Units: N/A

Prerequisite Courses

Two approaches are possible to satisfy program pre-requisites:

1. An undergraduate or graduate degree in psychology from a regionally accredited university or equivalent;
2. Completion of the following three courses in psychology from a regionally accredited university or equivalent:
   1. Introduction to Psychology;
   2. Statistics course with a grade of B or better;
   3. One other course in psychology.

Elective Requirements

Elective options for students must be approved by the site Program Director but generally can be chosen from among courses in the following areas: Organizational, Clinical, or Forensic Psychology; Business, Management, or Leadership. Note that students must have completed the prerequisites for the courses submitted or the site PD for approval.

The availability of these elective courses will vary from semester to semester and from campus to campus. 

Curriculum Plan

Gainful Employment

For important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attended this program, please visit https://www.alliant.edu/media/gainful-employment-disclosure/Master_Organizational_Psychology_MA.html.