Connecticut may not be the largest state in terms of physical size or population. But it’s a state that has a long and rich tradition of higher education. Aside from its most famous school, Yale University, Connecticut has approximately three dozen other institutions of higher learning that serve the educational needs of its residents.
The number of colleges and universities is a good thing for you in terms of ease of access to high-quality programs. It’s also beneficial to you because so many of Connecticut’s institutions offer industrial organizational (I-O) psychology programs.
Whether you are an undergraduate that wants to specialize your degree, a graduate student looking for a terminal degree program, or a Ph.D. student that wants to get advanced training in IO psychology research and practice, Connecticut has what you are looking for.
Industrial Organizational Psychology Programs in Connecticut [2024]
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering industrial organizational psychology programs in Connecticut:
- Eastern Connecticut State University
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Fairfield University
- University of Hartford
- Sacred Heart University
- University of Connecticut
- Purdue Global
- Capella University
Eastern Connecticut State University
Industrial Organizational Psychology Concentration
Eastern Connecticut State University offers the unique opportunity to specialize in I-O psychology at the undergraduate level. Though it’s not a terminal degree, it prepares you for entry-level IO-related positions. Even better, it readies you for advanced studies in a graduate I-O program.
The program has two primary areas of study: required general courses and the concentration courses. Required courses including the following:
- Introduction to the Psychology Major
- Behavioral Science Statistics
- Research Methods
- Professional Development
- History and Systems of Psychology
The concentration courses focus on I-O psychology. These classes explore topics like learning, cognition, and psychological testing and measurements, to name a few.
Another unique feature about this undergraduate program is that you must pass a comprehensive examination prior to graduation. As the name indicates, the purpose of the comprehensive exam is to assess your understanding of critical psychology topics that you’ve learned over the course of the four-year program.
You can apply as a first-year student online at any time. Undergraduate applicants at Eastern Connecticut have an average high school GPA of 3.4 and exhibit academic success by taking a rigorous complement of courses, including AP, IB, honors, or college prep. Most applicants have an ACT score in the 19-24 range and an SAT score in the 1020-1190 range.
Fairfield University
Master of Arts in Industrial Organizational Psychology
Fairfield University’s MA in I-O Psychology is a 39-credit program that you can complete in about 5-6 semesters. It is an on-campus program that requires you to attend classes in Fairfield. Classes are mostly held in the evenings and on weekends, but some daytime classes are required. Alternatively, you can choose Fairfield’s BS/MA combined I-O program and get both degrees in just five years.
In either case, you will participate in a rigorous I-O psychology curriculum that includes diverse coursework and research opportunities. Some of the courses you will take include the following:
- Team Processes
- Research in Psychology
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Work
- Development and Training Programs
- Performance Coaching
In addition to the required coursework, you must pass a comprehensive exam in applied psychology. You must also participate in supervised fieldwork that includes 13 or more full work days in an I-O psychology work setting.
You must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university to apply to this program. Additionally, you must provide the following documentation:
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended
- A resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- A personal statement
You will also be asked to participate in an admissions interview.
University of Hartford
Master of Science in Industrial Organizational Psychology
The MS in I-O Psychology from the University of Hartford is a 36-credit program that you can complete in person in Hartford or online from anywhere in the world. You can attend full-time or part-time, and if you choose to study in person, you can take courses at night and on weekends to work around your job schedule.
Furthermore, applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so you can apply at any time and begin the program at the start of the next term. Classes are offered year-round, too, so there’s no worry about missing courses and having to wait a year until they are offered again.
The coursework for this degree includes required and elective classes. The required courses include the following:
- Introduction to Industrial/Organizational Psychology
- Personnel Psychology
- Experimental Design
- Advanced Research Methods
Additionally, you must complete a three-credit capstone project, or if you study on campus, you can choose to complete an internship. Both options give you critical hands-on experience in applying your I-O psychology skills to real-world situations.
You can find the application for this program online. Applying requires payment of a $50 application fee. You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution to apply. Your degree need not be in psychology. You will also be asked to submit the following:
- A resume
- A letter of intent that describes your goals, interests, and why you think this program is a good fit for you
- Three letters of recommendation
Sacred Heart University
Master of Science in Industrial Organizational Psychology
MS in I-O Psychology at Sacred Heart is divided into six modules, each of which has two courses. Each course is three credits except the elective requirements, each of which can be fulfilled by taking one to nine elective credits. All told, you need at least 32 credits to graduate, which takes one year to complete.
The curriculum includes a broad variety of psychology courses, including the following:
- Statistics
- Personnel Psychology
- Training and Development
- Job Analysis Competency Modeling
- Selection Procedures and Development
An applied practicum is required to graduate as well. The practicum includes supervised fieldwork in I-O psychology. You will be supervised onsite by a practicing IO psychologist. You will have a faculty supervisor as well.
If you prefer, you can earn your BS and MS in IO psychology in a dual-degree program. This program allows you to be admitted to the graduate school at the same time you’re an undergraduate, so you can take some of the necessary graduate courses while you work on your bachelor’s degree. This option takes five years to complete.
To apply, you must have a BA or BS from an accredited college or university and have a 3.0 undergraduate GPA or higher. When applying, you must submit the following:
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended
- A 1-2 page personal statement
- A resume
- Two letters of recommendation
University of Connecticut
Ph.D. in Industrial Organizational Psychology
The University of Connecticut offers one of the only Ph.D programs in I-O Psychology in the state. The program is a traditional residential Ph.D. that takes about five years to complete. During your time in the program, you’ll explore human behavior as it relates to the workplace and focus on topics like ergonomics, personnel psychology, and human factors.
Additionally, you will take advanced courses in areas like:
- Occupational Health Psychology
- Performance Appraisal
- Design and Analysis of Human-Machine Systems
- Work Motivation
- Selection and Placement
This program requires you to complete an MA degree on your way to a Ph.D. You must also pass a general exam and prepare a dissertation that you must defend to a committee prior to graduation. An off-campus internship is a further requirement.
The University offers financial assistance for Ph.D. candidates. For example, you can get a graduate assistantship for research or teaching on campus. You can also apply for grants, scholarships, and other forms of financial aid to lessen the cost of your degree.
The admissions requirements for this program include having an undergraduate degree. You don’t have to have a degree in psychology, but basic psychological coursework is highly recommended. When applying, you must submit the following:
- Transcripts from every college and university you have attended
- Three letters of recommendation
- A personal statement
- A resume
- A writing sample
- A list of faculty advisors with whom you’d like to work
Industrial Organizational Psychology Work Opportunities in Connecticut
The work opportunities available to you in I-O psychology in Connecticut depend on your education and experience. For example, if you complete a bachelor’s degree in I-O psychology, you are likely to qualify for entry-level positions in areas like human resources or market research. Not only will the job pool be more limited for you at the bachelor’s-degree level, but you will also likely make less money than you would with a master’s degree or a doctorate.
With a master’s degree in I-O psychology, your job prospects are much-improved. Depending on your interests, you might work in human factors or ergonomics for a tech firm. For example, your background in I-O psychology can help you make suggestions regarding the design of a new product such that it’s user-friendly and intuitive to use.
As another example, you might use your master’s degree in I-O psychology to work in a research setting. You might examine the relationship between workspace and productivity, and make recommendations to companies about how the physical setup of their office space helps (or hurts) employee productivity.
At the Ph.D. level, you have even more options for working in I-O psychology. Many people with Ph.D.s in this fieldwork in psychological research or academics. For example, you might pursue a career as a college professor, teaching the next generation of I-O psychologists.
Another option might be to work in the research sector and lead investigations into human factors, workplace communication, leadership, and other critical aspects of I-O psychology.
The point is that the more education and training you have, the greater the variety of jobs you can pursue. Additionally, as your level of education and experience rise, so too do the potential earnings. Though not all I-O psychology careers require a Ph.D., it can pay dividends in the long run to have one!
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