Industrial organizational (I-O) psychology is one of the most popular subfields of psychology, and for good reason. I-O psychology jobs are plentiful in businesses, organizations, and even government. These jobs typically pay well, too.
But before you can begin thinking about the rewards of becoming an I-O psychologist, you have to get the appropriate training. You can do so in Kentucky at any number of schools, both in person and online. In fact, Kentucky has several excellent I-O psychology graduate programs to choose from, each of which offers excellent instruction from respected professionals.
The I-O psychology programs in Kentucky are generally two-year programs that prepare you to enter the workforce upon graduation. One of the advantages of I-O psychology is that you can find employment with a master’s degree, though you can choose to continue your education in a doctoral program if you want additional training.
Industrial Organizational Psychology Programs in Kentucky
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering industrial organizational psychology programs in Kentucky:
- Western Kentucky University
- Eastern Kentucky University
- Northern Kentucky University
- Southern New Hampshire University
- The Chicago School
- American Public University
Western Kentucky University
Master of Science in Psychology – Industrial Organizational Psychology
The focus of the MS in IO Psychology from Western Kentucky University is on training you as an effective scientist and practitioner. To do so, you will complete advanced coursework that explores the scientific foundations of I-O psychology as well as participate in experiential learning activities that prepare you to hit the ground running with your career upon graduation.
This 45-credit program is mostly coursework, though you must complete a 6-hour thesis, too. You can also participate in up to six credits of internship experiences. You can complete the internship during the summer between the first and second years of the program.
Some of the courses you will take include the following:
- Job Analysis and Compensation
- Organizational Psychology
- Analysis of Variance
- Professional Issues and Ethics in Psychological Science
- Advanced Training in Business and Industry
The aforementioned thesis must be defended prior to graduating from the program. You will spend time in prior semesters conducting your thesis research and writing your paper.
To apply, you must have an undergraduate degree, preferably in psychology, with a 2.75 GPA or higher in your psychology coursework. Your psychology coursework must include research methodologies and statistics. Additionally, you must submit the following:
- Transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended
- Three letters of recommendation
- A 500-word personal statement
- GRE scores are not required but are recommended
Eastern Kentucky University
Master of Science in Industrial Organizational Psychology
Eastern Kentucky’s MS in I-O Psychology is a fully online program. In addition to offering you the flexibility of learning remotely, this program also offers flexibility regarding how long you take to complete the graduation requirements. If you study full-time, you can complete the 36 credits in two years. But, if you need more time, EKU will accommodate you.
Like most I-O psychology programs, this one espouses the scientist-practitioner model of training. As such, you will take part in expensive psychological research during your tenure in the program. You will also have opportunities to learn about specific I-O psychology approaches during your coursework, which might include the following:
- Performance Management
- Applied Research Methods
- Professional Development
- Work Analysis
- Organization Change and Development
The final component of this program is a summative capstone course. On the one hand, this course allows you to integrate what you’ve learned throughout the program and develop high-level IO psychology skills. On the other hand, the capstone gives you opportunities to apply your knowledge in real-world situations. This gives you the confidence as a practitioner of IO psychology before you graduate.
You can take part in an optional internship, too. Though internships are not required to graduate, EKU strongly recommends that you participate in an internship to get even more on-the-job training.
You can apply to this program, provided you have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Your degree must include two or more undergraduate psychology courses, including a statistics class and an upper-division psychology course.
Furthermore, you must have a 2.75 cumulative undergraduate GPA and a 3.0 GPA for your last 60 credits of study. If you don’t meet these requirements, you must take the GRE exam and score 149 or higher on the verbal subtest and 144 or higher on the quantitative subtest.
When applying, you must provide the following:
- Transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended
- A statement of career goals
- A curriculum vitae or resume
- Three professional references
- GRE scores, if applicable
Northern Kentucky University
Master of Science in Industrial Organizational Psychology
The I-O psychology graduate program at Northern Kentucky University is a 45-credit degree that takes about two years to complete if you study full-time. Part-time studies are allowed as well.
This is a multidisciplinary degree program that explores many fields of psychology. This includes cognitive science, social psychology, and organizational psychology. You will also explore facts of data-driven research and statistical methods as a student in this program.
Of the 45 credits needed to graduate, 36 must be earned at NKU. You can fulfill these requirements by taking courses like:
- Cognition in the Workplace
- Multivariate Statistics and Research Design
- Training and Development
- Organizational Change and Development
- Job Analysis and Staffing
You can tailor your studies to your specific interests by taking elective courses. For example, you can take courses on leadership, motivation, or occupational health. Other options include independent study, thesis research, or a practicum experience.
This program includes a capstone course in applied research. This required course examines organizational psychology and the role of applied research. You will create a research portfolio and revise it with additional research as you progress through the program.
You can apply to this program online at any time. You must have an undergraduate degree from a regionally-accredited college or university with a GPA of 3.0 or higher for your last 60 undergraduate credits. Moreover, you must have at least nine semester credits of coursework in psychology, one of which must be statistics (with a B or better).
Additionally, you must submit the following with your application:
- Official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended
- GRE scores (at least 150 on the verbal test, 150 on the quantitative test, and 3.5 on the writing test)
- A statement of personal interest
- Three letters of recommendation
- A curriculum vitae or resume
Harvard University
Master of Science in Industrial Organizational Psychology
Your opportunities to study I-O psychology in Kentucky aren’t limited just to schools that are physically within the state’s borders. The I-O psychology master’s program from Harvard is a good example of this. With 11 out of 12 courses online, you can complete nearly the entire degree from the comfort of your home in Kentucky. Just one on-campus visit is required in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Aside from the obvious benefit of studying at one of the best universities in the nation, this distance program from Harvard offers many other advantages. You will work with Harvard faculty who are experts in this field, and you get personalized career and academic advisement throughout the program.
Furthermore, the program is flexible in terms of the coursework you take, which allows you to customize your learning experience to your specific interests. You can even stack this master’s degree with related certificates to get an even more well-rounded education.
While in this program, you’ll take many different IO-related courses, like the following:
- Organizational Behavior
- Statistics
- Human Resource Management
- Motivation
- Psychometrics
Harvard offers you the chance to conduct paid research and take part in entrepreneurial opportunities through its Innovation Lab as well.
Admission to this program requires you to have a four-year degree from a regionally-accredited college or university. You cannot already be enrolled in a psychology master’s degree or related field, nor can you already possess a graduate degree in this field. You must also pass three prerequisite courses before you will be considered for admission.
When applying, you must provide transcripts from every college or university you have attended. The admissions team will evaluate your academic performance and consider the following factors in their admission decision:
- Student conduct
- Financial standing
- English proficiency
Southern New Hampshire University
Master of Science in Industrial Organizational Psychology
Another excellent online IO program you might consider is the MS in I-O psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. This 36-credit program is entirely online and can be completed in about two years of full-time studies.
This program is asynchronous, meaning there are no set class times. This enhances your ability to study according to your schedule while still having easy 24/7 access to all course materials online. SNHU also offers robust support services to help you get the most out of your online education.
This I-O program’s curriculum dives deep into the application of psychological principles in the workplace. As such, you will take courses like the following:
- Motivation in the Workplace
- Psychology of Leadership
- Organizational Consulting
- Seminar in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Cognitive Processes
This program does not require a thesis or an internship, but a capstone course is required as a summative learning experience. You will be assessed on your ability to integrate the skills and knowledge you’ve learned in your studies in preparation for your graduation and pursuit of an I-O career. This is not a licensure track program, though.
You can apply online at any time. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis, and you can begin the program at five different points throughout the academic year. When applying, you must submit undergraduate transcripts from every college and university you’ve attended.
Industrial Organizational Psychology Work Opportunities in Kentucky
One of the advantages of getting a graduate degree in I-O psychology is that so many different career paths are open to you. You might work in the human resources department of a large company where you devise programs that improve employee retention. You might also work as a market research analyst for a large firm and predict how well a new product or service might sell given the past performance of the market.
There are opportunities to specialize your work even further. For example, you might work as a consultant who implements strategies to improve employee productivity. By the same token, you might specialize in training and onboarding programs that improve how well employees are trained when hired, which can improve their productivity and longevity in the company.
Some I-O psychologists work independently, too. For example, you might develop bespoke training programs for companies or create communication improvement programs for large businesses or organizations. Of course, you can also devise workforce development programs and oversee their implementation in businesses and organizations.
No matter which direction you go, you have the opportunity to earn a very high salary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean annual salary for I-O psychologists is $144,610.
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