Getting a professionally-focused degree like industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology is a solid choice, given the increasing focus on making workplaces more functional and productive. And getting your psychology degree in Maryland is also a good choice because of its proximity to many large cities with a high volume of businesses and organizations.
Whether you are just beginning your college education, seeking a graduate program to complete your education, or somewhere in between, Maryland has the industrial-organizational psychology programs to help you achieve your goals.
Below are some of the popular options to consider for your training in I-O psychology. Each one is discussed in detail, including information about the program’s focus, core coursework, requirements, and admissions information. Let’s get started!
Industrial Organizational Psychology Programs in Maryland
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering industrial organizational psychology programs in Maryland:
- Frostburg State University
- Capella University
- The University of Maryland
- The University of Baltimore
- The University of Maryland Baltimore County
- George Mason University
- Purdue Global
- Grand Canyon University
Frostburg State University
Frostburg State University gets its name from the city where it was founded in 1898. Back then, the school was a teacher training school, but today, it has greatly expanded its degree offerings to include many other areas of focus, including education, business, liberal arts, and more. In fact, FSU offers nearly 50 undergraduate programs of study, more than a dozen graduate programs, and one doctoral program.
FSU is a small school with fewer than 5,000 students, most of which are undergraduates. The school attracts students from around the region because of its many accolades for academics.
Industrial Organizational Psychology Program Information
The Industrial and Organizational Psychology Minor from Frostburg State is the only undergraduate I-O program in the state. It’s a good way to get introduced to I-O psychology to see if this is the field of study for you.
As part of this program, you will learn about psychological theories and how they can be applied to the workplace to alter behaviors, improve efficiency, and improve productivity. You will also study research methods to learn the basics of conducting psychological research as it relates to organizational psychology.
Additionally, you will study the various forces that impact worker behavior and how those behaviors influence what happens in the workplace. You will study topics like human resources, organizational leadership, and communication as part of your exploration of workplace issues.
This 18-credit minor is interdisciplinary in nature, with courses in psychology and management both required. This minor is available to students with any major.
You can apply as a first-year student online at any time. To qualify, you must have completed the following courses in high school:
- 4 English units
- 3 social science or history units
- 3 biological and physical science units (including labs)
- 4 math units, including Algebra I and II and Geometry
- 2 foreign language or advanced technology units
ACT/SAT scores, an essay, and letters of recommendation are optional.
The University of Maryland
The University of Maryland is the largest and most prestigious public university in the state. The university got its start in 1856 when Maryland’s General Assembly chartered it as an agricultural school. The first class had only 34 students. Today, though, the university has almost 41,000 students, 12 academic colleges, and offers hundreds of programs for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students.
Not only has the University of Maryland grown over the years, but it has also established itself as one of the premier public universities in the nation. It’s a top research university and offers many undergraduate and graduate programs ranked among the country’s best.
Industrial Organizational Psychology Program Information
The University of Maryland’s Master of Professional Studies in Industrial/Organizational Psychology gives you the flexibility of choosing a 100 percent online option or an on-campus option for completing your studies. The curriculum is exactly the same regardless of which option you choose.
This 30-credit program can be completed in as little as one year. During that time, you will take courses like:
- Analytical Thinking: Statistical Methods at Work
- The Business of Evaluation: Research Methods at Work
- Business Fundamentals and Legal Issues Facing Organizations
- Managing Strategic Organizational Change
- Selection and Classification Issues in Organizations
This program also includes a practicum component during which you will observe a practicing I-O psychologist in a real-world setting. The mentorship you get during the practicum and the exposure to I-O psychology applications will be invaluable as you continue your education and begin your career.
You must submit a graduate application to apply. You must also complete a supplementary application for the I-O program. The following must be submitted with your applications:
- Official transcripts from each college or university you have attended
- A statement of purpose
- A resume or curriculum vitae
- One letter of recommendation
You can also submit a writing sample, a description of your research or work experience in I-O psychology, and a portfolio if you wish. An admissions interview may also be necessary.
The University of Baltimore
The University of Baltimore was founded in 1925 by business professionals who wanted men and women in the area to have access to business courses to help fuel the area’s economic growth. Initially, classes were held at night to allow students to work during the day. However, day classes were added in the late 1930s, which marked the beginning of the university’s growth into a full-scale educational institution.
Today, the University of Baltimore is still a small school – there are fewer than 4,000 students. However, it has grown to include more than 70 degrees and programs for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. The university offers courses during the day, night, and on weekends and has an online campus to give you the most flexibility for completing your degree.
Industrial Organizational Psychology Program Information
The M.S. in Applied Psychology, Industrial and Organizational Psychology Concentration from the University of Baltimore focuses on preparing you for research and practice as an I-O psychologist. The curriculum includes traditional coursework, opportunities for research, and experiential learning activities that mold you into an effective leader.
What’s more, you will learn how to help organizations find talent, train employees, and motivate workers to perform their duties at a higher level.
This 42-credit program takes about two years to complete. During that time, you will take courses including the following:
- Motivation, Satisfaction, and Leadership
- Personnel Assessment
- Job Analysis
- Intermediate Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
- Organizational Psychology
You will also take 12 credits of elective courses that allow you to tailor your studies to your specific areas of interest. Examples of elective courses include Interviewing Psychology, Employment Law in Human Resource Management, and Personality at Work, among others.
This program also requires the completion of an applied program in I-O psychology in which you propose solutions to simulated or real-world workplace problems to demonstrate your competency in critical I-O psychology skills.
The admissions requirements for this program are as follows:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology from a regionally-accredited college or university
- Have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Achieve grades of B or higher in undergraduate research methods and statistics courses
The University of Maryland Baltimore County
Regarding academic institutions, the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) is relatively young. The school was established in 1966 and joined the University of Maryland System as a new campus serving the Baltimore area. The need for UMBC arose from the Baby Boom – with post-World War II children reaching university age, the state needed additional campuses to accommodate the influx of students.
UMBC was established with a commitment to giving students a high-quality education. The university has also strived throughout its existence to make education easily accessible for all. Today, UMBC offers over 100 undergraduate degrees and graduate programs, including a selection of doctoral degrees.
With more than 14,000 students, UMBC is a good-sized school that offers many student organizations and experiences that enhance your education.
Industrial Organizational Psychology Program Information
The Master of Professional Studies in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from UMBC is a 30-credit program that integrates psychology, business, management, and related concentrations to prepare you for work in a variety of business-related fields. This on-campus program starts each fall and requires two years to complete.
You will take various courses to build the necessary knowledge and skills in I-O psychology. Some of these courses include the following:
- Research Methods and Statistical Data Analysis
- Group Decision Making
- Strategic Planning
- Organizational Behavior
- Legal, Ethical & Professional Issues in I/O Psychology
This program also requires that you complete a field experience and capstone. This experience allows you to integrate what you’ve learned in classroom settings by overseeing an I-O psychology-related project in a local organization. UMBC offers many different field experience locations, but you can choose the location of your field experience if you prefer.
You can apply to this program online at any time. To do so, you must have an undergraduate degree in psychology or a related field from an accredited college or university. Alternatively, you can have an undergraduate degree in another field so long as your coursework includes Introduction to Psychology, Research Methods, or Statistics.
Furthermore, you must have a 3.0 GPA or higher and submit a personal statement outlining your goals for the program. You must also provide the following:
- A resume
- Official transcripts from each college and university you’ve attended
- Three letters of recommendation
Industrial Organizational Psychology Work Opportunities in Maryland
Working in Maryland as an I-O psychologist presents some interesting opportunities. On the one hand, you might use your expertise to go into private practice or consulting and work on a contractual basis with businesses and organizations throughout the state and region. This career path usually requires a terminal degree (a Ph.D. or Psy.D.) and a handful of years of experience working in the field.
Another option you might explore in Maryland is working for a federal agency. Maryland’s proximity to the nation’s capital makes it easy to commute to work if required. And with so many federal agencies in the area, there are virtually endless possibilities for finding a job in organizational management, human resources, talent development, or related fields.
With a few years of experience under your belt, you might shift from practicing I-O psychology to teaching it. Academic positions usually include a teaching component and research, too, so you would be responsible for leading courses for undergraduate and graduate students as well as conducting original research on campus.
The need for I-O psychologists is increasing as time goes by, so it stands to reason that your skills will be in greater need in the coming years. This is good news, as it likely means that there will be plenty of job opportunities in I-O psychology upon your graduation.
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