Putting an Organizational Psychology Degree to Use

Industrial-organizational psychology professionals emphasize the link between productive, happy employees and profitability. They have become more in demand as business executives make that connection.

Industrial-organizational psychologists (I/O psychologists) specialize in understanding how employees relate, communicate, and collaborate with each other and management. They also identify ways companies can improve how they select, train, manage, and develop employees. I/O psychologists harmonize methods of improving employee morale with strategies that increase productivity.

Entering this challenging, vital field of work requires earning a Master’s in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Graduates from an organizational psychology degree program apply their knowledge to solving critical workplace issues surrounding human behavior.

What Is Industrial Organizational Psychology?

The specialized branch of psychology emerged over the years to focus directly on employee behavior in the workplace. I/O psychologists apply psychological theory and research methods to the workplace, assessing issues such as worker productivity, company culture, and employee morale.

Industrial-organizational psychologists may research how companies assess job applicants and current employees. They might also focus on developing leadership, staffing policies, team productivity, management strategy, workplace safety, professional satisfaction, and diversity.

Whatever their emphasis, professionals in industrial organizational psychology jobs aim to improve workplace productivity while creating a better environment for employees.

Businesses also use the expertise of I/O psychologists to design more efficient workplaces, create better training programs, and develop hiring strategies that match employees and company culture.

Potential Jobs With an Organizational Psychology Degree

By earning a master’s degree in I/O Psychology, graduates prepare themselves for leadership positions, using organizational psychology to improve employee well-being and company profitability.

The discipline offers potential careers across every industry. I/O psychologists apply their research and expertise in numerous settings, from manufacturing and private businesses to labor unions, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the annual salary for I/O psychologists in May 2023 reached $154,380. Some of the top jobs in the profession include the following:

Human Resource Management
Workforce Insights Analyst
Executive Coach
Management Consultant
Recruiting Manager
Behavioral Analyst

I/O psychologists tend to focus on one of six categories. These include employee selection, ergonomics, organizational development, performance management, training and development, and work-life balance. They may also conduct product testing with focus groups, helping companies glean useful insight from the group’s feedback on a product or service.

What You Learn in an I/O Psychology Master Program

Touro University Worldwide designed its online Master’s in Industrial and Organizational Psychology to provide graduates with a detailed understanding of how to apply psychological science to help organizations function more effectively.

The graduate program’s curriculum includes 36 credits in 12 courses, nine of which are core courses. Students also choose to take three courses in one of three concentrations: Coaching and Consulting, Human Resource Management, or Occupational Health Psychology.

The core courses cover the fundamental knowledge students need to succeed in the I/O field. Courses include:

Organizational Theory and Behavior. This course explores classical and contemporary theories of how the psychology of individuals and groups shapes the behavior of employees. Students also explore the impact of organizational structure and processes on performance.
Developing High-Performance Teamwork. This course explores the best practices for team leadership, collaboration, conflict resolution, and productivity and how to apply them to improve teamwork.
Facilitating Organizational Change. Students learn the concepts and tools used to manage change, stimulate innovation, and improve processes, as well as ways to incorporate these concepts to make processes more effective and efficient.

Students leave the graduate program in I/O psychology with a firm grasp of the latest theories in organizational and leadership psychology and their application to real-world business challenges. Graduates also have the skills to conduct independent research to identify and solve problems related to processes, management, leadership, and communication.

An organizational psychology degree opens the right doors for those motivated to excel in this critical field. Graduates emerge with the skills they need to practice I/O psychology at the highest levels, armed with expertise that will support better bottom lines for businesses and higher job satisfaction for employees.