When you think of Indiana’s colleges and universities, you likely think of Indiana University, Purdue University, and other large schools. And while Indiana has its fair share of big colleges, there are also many smaller schools that offer online graduate programs in psychology.
Below is a list of four programs you might consider if you’re interested in pursuing an education in industrial/organizational psychology. Some of the programs are bachelor’s degrees; others are master’s degrees. In either case, the popular programs outlined below are available entirely online to give you the flexibility you need to finish your studies. Likewise, there are options from schools in Indiana and outside the state, too.
Industrial Organizational Psychology Programs in Indiana
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering industrial-organizational psychology programs in Indiana:
- Purdue University Global
- Indiana Wesleyan University
- Grand Canyon University
- Michigan State University
- Walden University
- Southern New Hampshire University
- National University
Purdue University Global
Bachelor of Science in Psychology in I/O Psychology
The online Bachelor of Science in Psychology in I/O Psychology from Purdue Global is a four-year program requiring 33 courses. It’s an ideal option for getting into I/O psychology on the ground level. Alternatively, you can use this program to prepare for advanced studies in this field in a graduate program.
The curriculum includes 180 quarter credits and is divided between 45 credits of core requirements and 107 credits of major-area coursework. The remaining courses are electives of your choosing.
The Core requirements focus on helping you build the essential skills required for being successful in college and your career. For example, you’ll take a two-course sequence on College Composition to learn how to be a better written communicator. You’ll also take a Communicating Professionalism class that teaches you the basics of professional ethics and conducting yourself in a way that’s commensurate with your position in industrial/organizational psychology.
Additionally, you’ll take a statistics class–which is an integral component of your psychology education, given the focus on conducting research. Of course, you must also take Introduction to Psychology to get a solid overview of psychology as a science, its history and development, and current applications of psychology in many different fields.
Other core requirements are as follows:
- An arts and humanities class
- A science class
- A social science class
- A general elective course
Within the major, you’ll take classes that focus on business, industry, and psychology. Business and industry-related classes include Interpersonal Communications, Introduction to Management, and Human Resource Management. You’ll also take Global Business, which gives you insights into the legal, cultural, economic, and political systems that are at play when business is done internationally.
Meanwhile, you’ll take classes that set you up for success working as a manager or consultant in I/O psychology. For example, you’ll take classes on Employment and Staffing, Leadership in Practice, and Organizational Behavior–all of which are necessary for you to master as an I/O psychologist-in-training.
For example, the Organizational Behavior class is critical because it helps you understand how the emotions, perceptions, attitudes, values, and personality of every worker affect organizational outcomes. Furthermore, studying these and other aspects of organizations makes you better equipped to find resolutions for problems that are preventing businesses from realizing their potential.
Other major-area classes focus more specifically on psychology. The History of Psychology class, for example, examines the beginnings of this field of inquiry, seminal research throughout the years, and modern approaches for studying human behavior. You’ll also take classes like the following to get a broader understanding of psychology:
- Psychology Program and Profession
- Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
- Research Methods
- Personality Development
- Introduction to Industrial/Organizational Psychology
In addition to the coursework required for this degree, you must also complete a capstone experience. The purpose of this class is to help you integrate your learning from throughout the program and apply it in a case study situation. You’ll assess your personal and professional growth as a result of your studies and explore ethical considerations, too. Likewise, you’ll reflect on what you’ve learned, discuss the lifelong benefits of your learning, and the impact of your degree program on your future career.
To apply, fill out the online application to Purdue Global. You must meet the following requirements to qualify for admission:
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
- Be at least 18 years of age (though you can apply for admission at 16 years of age, with the approval of the Dean).
- Complete a Purdue Global Enrollment Agreement.
- Complete the electronic Identity and Document verification.
- Complete any other requirements as deemed necessary by the program.
- Provide proof of English proficiency if it isn’t your native language.
Online Master of Science – Industrial Organizational Psychology
Another option to consider for getting a degree in psychology is the online Master of Science from Purdue Global. Like the bachelor’s degree from Purdue discussed earlier, this master’s program is entirely online. It’s also an accelerated program–the average time for completion is just one year.
Purdue’s graduate psychology program offers a concentration in Industrial/Organizational psychology that prepares you to apply psychological principles in organizational settings. Broadly speaking, you’ll explore theories, techniques, methods, and practices of I/O psychology while also examining topics like workplace attitudes, leadership, human resource management, and employee evaluation, to name a few.
Many of the courses you’re required to take discuss general psychology topics that are pertinent to any application of psychological principles. For example, you’ll take Foundations of Professional Psychology, which examines the skills, knowledge, and abilities you need to be an effective psychologist. The Ethics and Standards for Professional Psychology class builds on these concepts and helps you develop a professional identity and a commitment to conducting yourself in an ethical manner.
Some of the courses explore research-oriented subjects. Good examples of this are the following classes:
- Advanced Research Methods
- Applied Statistics for Psychology
- Testing, Measurement, and Assessment
In each case, you’ll learn how to use psychological principles to obtain data, analyze it, and use your findings to enhance an organization’s ability to function and the abilities of its workers to function, too.
A final general class you’re required to take is Life Span Development. This course analyzes the various stages of life and the milestones that occur during each stage. Not only that, but you’ll also learn about human development using various models, including those focusing on culture, context, and development.
The second component of this program is a five-course concentration sequence. These classes focus specifically on I/O psychology topics that enhance your training and give you the necessary skills to practice competently in an organizational setting.
The Industrial/Organizational Theory and Development class is a key part of this training. In it, you’ll get an overview of I/O psychology and essential methods of practice. You’ll also explore the history of this field and discuss elements of I/O psychology practice like ethical considerations, sociocultural influences, and organizational behavior, to name a few.
Speaking of organizational behavior, the Organizational Management and Behavior course analyzes how organizations function. This includes a discussion of how organizations respond to change, their ability to use conflict management strategies, and how to develop effective organizational communication strategies.
Three other concentration courses are also required:
- Workplace Motivation and Attitudes
- Organizational Leadership–Management, Training, and Evaluation
- Human Resources Management
You can also choose to complete an I/O psychology practicum if you wish. This five-credit field placement is a great opportunity to get your feet wet in a real-life I/O setting. You’ll have opportunities to apply what you’ve learned in class and learn from experienced I/O psychologists in the field as well.
Another choice you have to make is whether you complete a thesis or a capstone as part of your training. Both require research, but the thesis is much more research-intensive and theoretical in nature. The capstone, meanwhile, focuses more on demonstrating the skills you’ve learned in the context of developing a proposal for research that includes a literature review, a unique hypothesis, and methods for testing your hypothesis.
Purdue Global’s online application for graduate admission is available online. You must meet the following criteria to be considered for admission:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Provide official transcripts showing that you’ve completed a bachelor’s degree.
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Submit an Enrollment Agreement.
- Complete the Identity and Document verification process by submitting a copy of an official and valid government-issued photo I.D.
- Arrange finances to pay for the program.
- Provide proof of English proficiency if it isn’t your native language.
Indiana Wesleyan University
Master of Arts in Psychology in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
If you want to pursue an advanced education in this field, the Master of Arts in Psychology in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Indiana Wesleyan is a popular choice. With just 10 courses required to graduate, most students finish this degree in less than two years. In fact, you might be able to finish the requirements in as little as 15 months.
One of the reasons why this program can be completed so quickly is because of the full support you get from the university. From academic tutors to technical support to chaplains to assist with life issues, Indiana Wesleyan has you covered. Additionally, you’ll have access to the Center for Student Support for counseling should you need it.
The curriculum for this graduate degree follows a familiar path. On the one hand, you’ll take advanced courses in business that focus on organizational structures, leadership, and multicultural issues in the workplace. On the other hand, you’ll take classes more specific to psychology, such as cognitive psychology, social psychology, and psychopathology.
This program also has a strong focus on positive psychology. This niche of psychology focuses on the things you can do or need to incorporate into your life to be more mentally healthy. This approach is in sharp contrast to traditional psychological perspectives, which focus on what’s wrong and how to fix those problems. Instead, you’ll learn how to assist other people in:
- Being more gracious
- Recognizing their strengths
- Building stronger connections with others
- Living a life with more meaning.
- Focusing on building their strengths.
Related to this is the study of life coaching and leadership principles. Learning how to mentor others and encourage them to identify and achieve their goals is an important process for you as a prospective I/O psychologist. When you’re brought in to change the culture of a business or organization, for example, you might start by meeting with managers and executives and getting a sense of their individual goals and challenges. Doing so might help inform you of the greater goals and challenges of the organization and what you can do to help make those goals a reality.
At the end of the program, you’re required to complete a capstone project. This program serves as a summative assessment in which you synthesize what you’ve learned in your classes and apply that learning to a real-world I/O situation. You’ll reflect on your personal and academic growth, too. By completing the capstone, you’ll be able to show the broad range of skills and abilities you’ve acquired and how you can use those tools to provide I/O-related services to businesses and organizations.
You can start the registration process to Indiana Wesleyan University online. The requirements for admission are as follows:
- Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
- Have a 2.5 cumulative undergraduate GPA or higher.
- Submit two letters of recommendation from references who can speak to your academic and professional abilities. You may submit two professional recommendations if you’ve been out of college for more than three years.
Grand Canyon University
Online Masters in Industrial Organizational Psychology
By enrolling in the online Master of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Grand Canyon University (GCU), you’ll take a significant step towards becoming a specialist in I/O psychology. This program is structured in alignment with the American Psychological Association’s (APA) standards, ensuring that your education is both relevant and comprehensive.
Offered through GCU’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, this degree provides you with a solid understanding of scientific principles, research methods, and consulting techniques. You’ll learn to generate valuable data and apply insights to enhance workplace environments, improving both productivity and efficiency.
The program requires 36 credits and is delivered entirely online, giving you the flexibility to balance your studies with personal and professional responsibilities. Taught by experienced professionals in psychology, business, and research, the program encourages collaboration with faculty and peers for a dynamic learning experience.
You’ll take core courses such as:
- Introduction to Graduate Studies in the Liberal Arts: This course prepares you for graduate-level learning by focusing on essential skills for success.
- Contemporary and Ethical Issues in Psychology: This course covers professional skill development and addresses ethical issues in the field of psychology.
- Social and Cultural Psychology: You’ll explore the effects of social, group, and multicultural factors on individual behavior.
- Industrial/Organizational Psychology: This course applies social and organizational psychology principles to business and industry settings.
- Organizational Behavior and Development: This course examines the theoretical foundations of organizational functioning.
- Strategies for Effective Leadership and Consultation: You’ll study methods for achieving goals through effective leadership, consulting, and management practices.
- Principles of Personnel and Human Resource Management: This course discusses psychological principles related to managing human resources in diverse work environments.
This master’s program focuses on understanding workplace behavior and using research-driven methods to improve management practices. It also emphasizes ethical considerations, preparing you for challenges in the I/O psychology field.
Through the program’s rigorous coursework, you’ll develop a strong foundation in consulting and management strategies, social and organizational methods, and the psychology behind organizational development.
A key component of this program is the Professional Capstone, where you’ll create original research ideas and explore career opportunities within I/O psychology. This course is designed to help you plan your career or further education in psychology, as well as present your research findings.
Upon graduation, you’ll be well-prepared for roles in:
- Private corporations
- Government agencies
- Universities
- Research facilities
I-O psychologists play a critical role in organizations that prioritize effective management and interpersonal skills to maintain profitability. Other potential employers include community organizations, healthcare providers, and nonprofit organizations.
To be admitted into GCU’s program, you must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution or a program approved by GCU, with a GPA of 2.8 or higher.
Michigan State University
Master of Science in Work and Organizational Psychology
The Master of Science in Work and Organizational Psychology from Michigan State University might not be based in Indiana, but the program is open and available to you as an Indiana resident. The program’s format is unique–classes are just five weeks long, which gives you greater flexibility for completing your studies while maintaining your current employment.
This 30-credit program requires about 21 months to complete. During that time, you’ll participate in active online discussions, learn from experienced experts in the field, build a portfolio, and participate in hands-on learning activities. As a result of this, you’ll graduate with all the tools you need to be an effective organizational psychologist.
To gain these skills, you’ll take part in a curriculum that includes coursework and practicum experiences. The coursework includes both general and specific studies in organizational psychology. For example, you’ll take a two-part course in Quantitative Analysis that enables you to critically and accurately evaluate data. You’ll also take a two-credit class in Consulting Roles and Professional Development that explores the common duties of organizational psychologists.
Furthermore, a course in Current Topics in Work and Organizational Psychology is required. As the name indicates, you’ll discuss pressing issues in this field and explore how organizational psychology can be used to address problems in a modern workplace setting.
As a work and organizational psychologist, a large part of your job will be to evaluate employees and develop ways to improve their performance. You’ll gain skills relevant to this pursuit in the Performance Management and Employee Attitudes and Engagement classes.
The Performance Management course is all about helping employees improve their performance. On the one hand, you’ll learn how to assist in clarifying responsibilities for employees as well as expectations for their performance on the job. On the other hand, you’ll learn how to help organizations align performance expectations with short-term and long-term organizational goals.
Meanwhile, the Employee Attitudes and Engagement course explores your role in gauging workplace attitudes and helping improve them, if necessary. Additionally, you’ll learn how to boost morale and facilitate more engagement by employees in achieving company goals, and you’ll also explore how to bring employees and management together to work toward creating an improved workplace environment.
Other required courses explore additional topics in I/O psychology, such as:
- Test and Measurement Development
- Staffing Organizations
- Workplace Learning and Development
This program’s practicum component includes four separate practicum experiences. Each experience focuses on a different aspect of work and organizational psychology. For example, the first practicum focuses on Making the Business Case, in which you examine ways that work and organizational psychology can improve a business’ functioning. The second practicum, Applied Skills in Data Analysis and Interpretation, helps you develop the advanced analytical skills necessary for making sense of the data you collect about an organization’s functioning.
The third practicum is called Developing a Training and Onboarding program, and as the name indicates, its focus is on the process of finding and training talent, bringing them into the fold of an organization, and working to retain top talent within the organization. The final practicum experience is Attitude Survey and Development Analysis, which enhances your skills related to procuring data from employees and analyzing that data to make more effective decisions about the workplace environment.
Bear in mind that you must meet the following requirements to apply:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Provide three letters of recommendation from professional and academic references.
- Provide a personal statement in which you discuss your interest in working in this field. You must also outline any related work experience, how this degree will help you achieve your career goals, and discuss the personal attributes you possess that will help you be an effective work and organizational psychologist.
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Provide proof of English proficiency if it is not your native language.
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