As a prospective industrial organizational (I-O) psychology student, you have an interesting program of study ahead of you that prepares you to apply psychological principles in the workplace.
But I-O psychology is much more than doing some psychological tests on employees. Instead, I-O psychology offers benefits like improving employee recruitment, training, and retention. I-O psychologists also strive to improve communications between workers and their supervisors.
Of course, I-O psychology also touches on the quality of the work environment, worker satisfaction, and human factors considerations, too. These are just a few examples of the knowledge and skills you will gain in your program.
The biggest step in this process is deciding which Ohio-based I-O psychology program is best for you. This guide will help you decide among some of the popular options!
Industrial Organizational Psychology Programs in Ohio
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering industrial organizational psychology programs in Ohio:
- Capella University
- John Carroll University
- The University of Akron
- Xavier University
- Bowling Green State University
- Grand Canyon University
John Carroll University
John Carroll University was founded in 1886 as a men’s college. It remained a male-only college until 1968 when women were admitted to the university’s College of Arts and Sciences. Today, there are roughly 3,000 students at the university, most of whom are undergraduates. However, there is a small graduate school with several hundred students.
In addition to a small-campus atmosphere, John Carroll University offers small class sizes. The typical class has just 21 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1. You can choose from almost 70 undergraduate majors, or if you are a graduate student, there are a handful of programs from which to choose.
With high-quality academic programs at all levels, John Carroll University can provide you with the expertise you need to confidently begin your career.
Industrial Organizational Psychology Program Information
The ‘Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial, and Organizational Psychology’ from John Carroll University prepares you for entry-level work in I-O psychology in a variety of settings. The four-year program mostly includes coursework, though practicum opportunities are available during which you can see how I-O psychology is implemented in the workplace.
Some of the courses you can expect to take include the following:
- Experimental Design and Analysis
- Labor Relations
- Professional Development in Psychology
- Human Memory and Cognition
- Tests and Measurements
It’s recommended that you add a minor in business to this undergraduate I-O program. The business minor includes 31 credits of related coursework. Paid and unpaid internships in I-O psychology are also available. These internships take place off-campus in the Cleveland area.
If you choose, you can continue your studies in an accelerated MBA program. This program requires just one additional year of study, provided you have elected to complete the business minor.
You can apply as a first-year student. When applying, you need to provide high school transcripts and at least one letter of recommendation. John Carroll University is currently waiving the ACT/SAT testing requirement. There is no application fee.
The University of Akron
The University of Akron was founded in 1870 as Buchtel College. Initially, the college was extremely small, with less than 200 students. Over the years, the school grew and changed, and today has roughly 15,000 students at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. The school offers hundreds of programs for students at every level, giving you plenty of options for completing your college education.
Over its history, the University of Akron has prided itself on the quality of its academic programs. This commitment to developing and delivering a top-notch education has garnered Akron many accolades.
It ranks as one of Princeton Review’s Best Regional Colleges in the Midwest. It’s also an RU/H research university, according to the Carnegie Foundation.
Industrial Organizational Psychology Program Information
The University of Akron’s graduate program in Industrial Organizational Psychology is one of the nation’s largest and most well-respected programs. The program offers a Master of Arts in I-O Psychology or a Ph.D. in I-O Psychology.
The M.A. option includes coursework, an applied internship, and a specialty exam, all of which must be completed prior to graduation. This takes roughly two years to complete, during which time you will study topics like:
- Leadership
- Motivation
- Performance Appraisal
- Personnel Selection
- Training Methods
The five-year Ph.D. program follows the scientist-practitioner model, so you will engage in learning activities that enhance your research skills as well as your ability to apply your learning in real-world I-O situations.
As a Ph.D. student, you will study topics such as:
- Performance Evaluation
- Organizational Psychology
- Information Processing
- Psychometric Theory
- Legal Issues in IO Psychology
You will also spend a great deal of time conducting research in I-O psychology. You will do so under the guidance of several I-O psychology faculty. A dissertation, practica, and internship experiences are also required.
You can apply to this program online. You must have a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 undergraduate GPA from an accredited college or university to qualify.
You must also score 150 or higher on the Verbal and Quantitative GRE tests. Additionally, you must provide three letters of recommendation.
Xavier University
Xavier University was founded as a private Jesuit Catholic school in 1831. Back then, it was a men’s college, but today, it is a co-educational institution with approximately 7,000 students. Though it’s still a small school, Xavier has greatly expanded its program offerings over its nearly 200 years in existence. In fact, there are nearly 100 undergraduate majors, more than 60 minors, and more than 40 graduate programs offered today.
As a Jesuit institution, Xavier’s goal is to help its students integrate learning with the development of upstanding moral character and an emphasis on spirituality. As a result of this, Xavier students graduate with a sense of duty for the common good and compassion for others.
Industrial Organizational Psychology Program Information
The Master of Science in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Xavier University focuses on critical I-O subjects like talent management, employee evaluations, organizational development, and human resources research.
You will gain competence in these areas through coursework, thesis research, and an internship. Coursework includes topics such as:
- Training and Development
- Personnel Psychology
- Assessment Techniques in I-O Psychology
- Professional Development Issues in I-O Psychology
- Advanced Research Design and Analysis
The six-credit thesis component includes an empirical research study that’s completed under the supervision of a faculty advisor. You will present your initial thesis plan to a three-member committee for approval, and then once complete, you must defend it to the same committee.
The final component of this program is a three-credit, 120-hour supervised internship in an I-O setting. You can also take on an I-O based project for your internship or join an ongoing project at the internship site.
You can apply to Xavier online at any time. When you do, you must submit the following:
- Official transcripts from each institution you’ve attended
- Three letters of recommendation
- A written statement
- A $35 application fee
GRE scores are currently waived as a requirement but might be reinstated as a requirement in the future.
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University was founded in 1910 as a teacher training institution. Like so many other colleges and universities that began this way, Bowling Green has evolved greatly over the years to become a much more comprehensive academic institution. There are more than 200 undergraduate majors available, in addition to a host of graduate and doctoral programs for advanced studies.
One of the unique features of Bowling Green is that the university has developed dozens of partnerships with public and private organizations that enhance your ability to learn. The combination of these partnerships with high-quality faculty and relevant academic programs means you get a well-rounded education that gives you the skills you need for success.
As a bonus, the City of Bowling Green is consistently ranked among the best college towns, so you can get a good-quality education while experiencing one of the best college environments in the country!
Industrial Organizational Psychology Program Information
Bowling Green’s Ph.D. in Industrial Organizational Psychology is a 4-5 year program that includes coursework, opportunities for research, and applied projects that help you further your knowledge and skills in the psychology of work.
You will take a wide range of courses to develop your expertise in this field. These include:
- Psychometrics
- Motivation and Morale
- The Social Environment of Work
- Organizational Staffing
- Occupational Health Psychology
You can explore research opportunities with Bowling Green’s I-O psychology faculty and also have opportunities to present your research at national conferences. Many Bowling Green I-O students are also published researchers.
The applied project component is managed by the Institute for Psychological Research and Application (IPRA). This campus-based institute works with public and private organizations to improve personnel selection, staff training, and employee health, among many others.
You can apply to Bowling Green’s graduate school online. To apply, you must have an undergraduate degree. You must also submit the following:
- A personal statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- A resume or curriculum vitae
I-O Psychology Work Opportunities in Ohio
One of the benefits of getting a degree in I-O psychology is that, apart from becoming an industrial organizational psychologist, there are many other careers you can pursue. With a bachelor’s degree, you can work in human resources for an organization and help connect employees with resources and benefits due them by their employer. You might also work in an organization’s recruitment or staffing department, assisting managers with vetting prospective employees or providing help with developing new training programs.
A master’s degree in I-O psychology opens many other potential career paths. For example, you might work in a management position in a business, such as leading the human resources department. Likewise, you might be employed by a business as its executive coach, for which you would help train the company’s executives to be more effective and inspiring leaders.
Some industrial organizational psychologists in Ohio work for government agencies, too. For example, you might work for one of Ohio’s large cities like Cleveland, Cincinnati, or Columbus, where you help city staff members identify roadblocks in workflows and bottlenecks that prevent them from delivering services to the city’s residents in a timely fashion.
As another example, you might be employed by a city or state government agency to make recommendations regarding the organizational leadership of a department. In that case, you might observe how the department is currently operating, note essential changes that can improve the department’s functionality, and oversee the implementation of suggested changes to make the organization work better.
These are just a few career possibilities with a degree in I-O psychology. Truly, you can tailor your employment experience in this field to virtually any application you wish. The sky’s the limit!
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