This is a ranking of the top online Industrial and Organizational Psychology graduate degrees in the U.S. This list is designed for online students to be informed of top college and degree options for studying IO Psychology.
Our list includes online master's and online PhD programs.
We use a combination data from the National Center for Education Statistics and from a proprietary data set of academic influence to form the ranking. For more information about our objective, data-driven ranking methodology see our College Denominator.
IO Psychologists apply psychological principles, organizational research methods and psychology theory to businesses and other organizations.
An Industrial Organizational Psychology program addresses issues such as job attitudes and satisfaction, personnel psychology, recruitment, selection and placement, training and development, workplace motivation and reward systems, structure of work and human factors, performance measurement, quality of work life, conflict management, organizational development and consumer behavior.
An undergraduate degree is required for admission into these IO Psychology degree programs.
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Top Industrial Organizational Psychology Graduate Degrees Online
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
USC's program in Applied Psychology has been consistently ranked among the top. USC offers the online Master of Science in Applied Psychology program and the online Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership degree program.
The online MS in Applied Psychology offers a concentration in Organizational Psychology, and has particular strength in Consumer and Business psychology. It also offers a Master's degree that can be earned in a one-year intensive program consisting of 34 units (credits).
Students can also participate in internships and a capstone project completed at the end of the program. Graduates can pursue PhD programs in IO Psychology. The online Master of Science in Applied Psychology teaches both Consumer Psychology and Organizational Psychology, and is the only Master's degree in Applied Psychology from a Top 25 institution.
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus
University Park, Pennsylvania
Penn State World Campus offers the Master of Professional Studies in Psychology of Leadership program.
This program is a collaborative curriculum with the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts, and teaches students the psychology within the leader and follower dynamic. This program focuses on applied psychological tenets gathered from research.
Courses include:
- Psychological Foundations of Leadership
- Global and Cross-Cultural Leadership
- Psychology of Shared and Collective Leadership
Credits required: 33 credits
Penn State also boasts of the first student founded, fully online Psychology Club. The club uses all forms of social media to keep in touch with members and to publicize networking opportunities and career availability.
Florida Institute of Technology-Online
Melbourne, Florida
Florida Institute of Technology offers both Master's and Doctoral level degrees in I-O Psychology. The 45 credit hours of the master's degree can be completed in two years, with an independent research project that can be further developed in the doctoral program, if desired.
The doctorate focuses more on current research within the field. Specific research teams are formed, supervised, and lead by professors. Students are encouraged to write professional papers for publication or presentation at academic and professional conferences.
The doctorate in Industrial Organizational Psychology requires 90 semester hours of credit.
The Center for Organizational Effectiveness is an excellent resource for students at any level to gain capital measurement and talent management strategies.
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Fort Collins, Colorado
One of the popular fields within the online community at Colorado State University is the Master of Applied Industrial/Organizational Psychology online degree.
Through CSU's master's program students learn to apply principles of psychology to the workplace.
Students will research, analyze, and assess employee performance and satisfaction as well as workplace conditions, diversity, and policies.
This practical online degree can be completed in as little as two years. Students can jump start this degree by earning a certificate in Organizational Psychology before being admitted to CSU.
This degree easily lends its self toward the Human Resources and Leadership and Management career fields.
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas
Consistently recognized as one of the top colleges in the U.S., Kansas State has provided a well-rounded, superior level of education since its founding in 1863.
The school's Industrial and Organizational Psychology program started in the 1960's and has been successfully preparing students for numerous career choices from private consulting to public agencies ever since.
The department created the online 38-credit-hour master's program, which takes two and a half years to complete.
There are eight classes and a practicum required, including:
- Applied Research Methods I and II
- Professional Ethics and Legal Issues
- Personnel Training, Selection, Performance Appraisal and Organizational Psychology
- Practicum: Job Analysis, and the final Practicum Report.
The last semester of the program consists of students conducting a research practicum in their own organization under the supervision of faculty.
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, New Hampshire
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has offered online programs since 1996. SNHU is a private, non-profit university, accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
SNHU offers the online Master of Science in Psychology: Industrial Organizational Psychology degree.
For their Master's program, there are no GRE or GMAT scores required for admission.
Students are accepted to the online Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in I-O Psychology on a rolling basis.
This degree can be completed in as little as 15 months if two classes are taken per 10-week term. A total of 36 credits should be completed, including a seven-course online psychology core, a capstone, and a seminar course.
Some examples of core courses are:
- Social Psychology
- Cognitive Processes
- Theories of Personality
- Motivation in the Workplace
- Ethical Practices in Psychology
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is a not-for-profit school with more than 4,200 students (both on campus and online). It has over 20 degree programs to choose from. The institution utilizes the Engaged Professional Model of Education.
This emphasizes the need for in-the-field training along with classroom and research experience. There are over 500 organizations across the country who network with the school to provide such opportunities.
The online Master's degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology can be completed in 22 months, which includes an applied research project.
Along with the core curriculum, electives to choose from include:
- Consumer Psychology,
- Human Capital Development
- Consulting Skills
- Process Improvement
A certificate program in I-O Psychology is also available online for as little as nine credit hours which can be completed in about five months.
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona
Grand Canyon offers an online Master's, an online Graduate Certificate, and two online PhDs in Industrial Organizational Psychology:
- Online Master of Science in Psychology: Industrial Organizational Psychology
- Online Graduate Certificate in I/O Psychology
- Online Ph.D in General Psychology: Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Qualitative Research)
- Online Ph.D in General Psychology: Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Quantitative Research)
For the online industrial organizational psychology master's program, online students will use problem solving and the principles of psychology for improved employee/employer relationships. Course material will include ethics in behavior, statistics, and research and development. Students must complete a final research project before graduating.
Grand Canyon lets its students create and propose their own research topics. When completed the topic must be presented and discussed with fellow students and professors.
This online certificate program is 16 credits total, and lasts for 18 weeks. Students learn:
- Human resource management using principles of psychology for online and in-person working environments
- Organizational and social principles and methods and their uses in the enhancements of business
- Psychological principles for how organizations work
- Organizational development's theoretical foundations
- Management and consulting strategies for reaching organizational, group, and personal goals
Online students enrolled in the Qualitative research PhD program gaining an understanding and creating solutions by gathering data concerning people's motivations, beliefs, and behaviors. This PhD undertakes understanding the quality of the workplace and its effects on employee satisfaction, what motivates employees, and other qualitative aspects of the working relationships. Students learn from and interpret previous examples of this method.
Online students enrolled in the Quantitative research PhD program learn by researching, collecting, and interpreting numerical data. This is a statistical and data-driven approach to improving the overall working relationships and the bottom line of the organizations and their goals. Students learn from and interpret previous examples of this method.
Online PhD length of each track: 60 credits.
Golden Gate University-San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Golden Gate University offers the online Master of Arts in Industrial Organizational Psychology. This program is also offered at their campus in San Francisco.
The course is 42 units total, with 36 being required courses, and six courses in electives. Required courses include Applied Psychological Research, Group Dynamics in Organizations, and Organizational Change.
There is a Writing proficiency requirement for admission, and a Math requirement in Statistics.
These proficiency requirements are to help the student succeed.
The Math requirement may be waived if the student has taken a similar course at an accredited college.
This program is especially suited for working adults, since the course work is flexible, and can be completed on the student's schedule. All courses are taken online.
William James College
Newton, Massachusetts
William James College is the new name and home of the prestigious Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology--which was a graduate college of Psychology founded in 1974. The institution averages 600 students per year.
It utilizes an educational model which combines class lecture with clinical experience. The school manages the Organizational and Leadership Psychology department.
Students can enroll in the Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology or the Leadership Psychology Doctorate Program (PsyD).
The online Master of Arts program is offered as an 11-month accelerated degree. This online master's degree can be completed in one to two years. The 30 credits of graduate work also includes a six-credit, 80-hour field project.
The PhD program requires 98-credit hours of doctoral work. Students have up to six years to complete all requirements.
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Rolla, Missouri
The Master of Science in I-O Psychology distance learning program at Missouri University of Science and Technology has been ranked second in the nation for affordability and quality.
Students enrolled in this 36-credit hour graduate program will find a thorough curriculum that emphasizes the application of theories to real-world situations. Both thesis and no-thesis tracks are offered. Some examples of core classes include:
- Small Group Dynamics
- Job Analysis and Performance Management
- Employee Affect and Behavior
- Personnel Selection
- Advanced Leadership Theory and Practice
Upon graduation students will feel confident in their ability to manage personnel within increasingly complex technological environments.
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, Tennessee
Austin Peay State University offers over 56 majors and 63 different concentrations. There are 300 full-time faculty members teaching on three main campuses and within a growing online community.
The Master of Science program provides the training in research methods of I-O Psychology.
Skills from this program can be applied to many areas such as performance evaluations, motivational speaking, team performance, and leadership.
Students must complete 12 courses (34 credit-hours) entirely online, including a comprehensive exam or thesis.
Core courses may include:
- Performance Management
- Personnel Assessment and Selection
- Training and Development
- Leadership and Organizational Change
All of this can be completed in under two years.
Purdue University Global
Indianapolis, Indiana
Part of the world-renowned Purdue University system, Purdue University Global offers a personalized, flexible online experience tailored for working adults.
Purdue University Global offers 180 online programs, including those at the associate, bachelor, master and doctoral levels. Purdue University Global allows students to earn credits for their experiences - allowing them to earn their degree faster.
Purdue University Global's online Industrial Organizational Psychology programs focus on organizational management, workplace motivation and attitudes, and behavior theories and strategies. The University offers the concentration at several degree levels.
The online Master of Science in Psychology: Industrial Organizational Psychology degree requires 65 to 75 credits, and the graduate certificate requires 30 credits. Students can gain real-world experience through completing a practicum.
Purdue University Global also offers a non-practicum option.
Thomas Edison State University
Heavin School of Arts and Sciences
Trenton, New Jersey
The Heavin School of Arts and Sciences at Thomas Edison State University offers a 36-credit online Master of Arts in Liberal Studies degree with five areas of concentration from which to choose:
- Online Learning and Teaching
- Digital Humanities
- Geropsychology
- Industrial-Organizational Psychology
- Professional Communications
Of the 36 total credits, 12 credits, or four courses, must be dedicated to the chosen specialization. For I-O Psychology those core courses are:
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Psychological Factors in Selecting and Growing Organizational Talent
- Unearthing and Enhancing Organizational Talent Through Psychology
- The Psychology of Leadership, Motivation, and Teamwork
The majority of students take two courses per term and are able to complete all requirements within six terms.
Franklin University
Columbus, Ohio
Franklin University's Master of Science in Business Psychology is offered both online and on campus.
No GRE or GMAT scores are required to apply. In a total of 36 semester hours students will gain an in-depth understanding and practical experience in applying psychological principles to business performance.
The majority of students are able to complete all requirements in as little as 14 months. Tuition is currently set at $659 per credit. Course examples may include:
- Individual and Organizational Intelligence
- Managerial Psychology
- Psychology of Creativity, Innovation, and Change
- Behavioral Economics and Neuro-Finance
Most courses are weighted at a total of four credits.
University of Hartford
College of Arts and Sciences
West Hartford, Connecticut
Through the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Hartford, students may enroll in the online Master of Science in Organizational Psychology degree.
No GRE scores are needed for admittance. The total 36 required credits are comprised of five core courses, including a capstone project, and seven electives in organizational psychology, management and general psychology.
The online program mirrors the on-campus MSOP offered at UHart. Students typically take 2 to 4 courses per semester.
Full program offerings are available in Spring, Summer, and Fall, allowing students to graduate in as little as 18 months or spread out over multiple years depending upon the student's goals and desired work-life balance.
Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Bellevue University offers a comprehensive online Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
The curriculum is set up in a cohort format where students will progress through a set group of courses with the same peers fostering a greater sense of companionship. A total of 36 credits should be completed for graduation. Some course examples may include:
- Social Psychology
- Job Analysis and Performance Appraisal
- Organizational Development
- Personnel Selection
- Practicum and Skill Development
- Measurement and Design
Tuition is currently set at $565 per credit hour with the majority of courses being weighted at three credits each.
Adler University
Chicago, Illinois
Alfred Adler, the school's namesake, was one of the first community psychologists who pioneered the idea that positive social changes would improve community health and individual well-being.
Adler University was founded in 1952 and is the oldest independent psychology school in North America.
Organizational Psychology is offered as a Master's degree, which has a strong focus on social responsibility.
It is a 46-credit hour program, and can be completed in as little as two years. Practicums, or supervised field placements, are required throughout the courses and start in the first year with a minimum of 150 hours in a community service setting. Adler has partnered with over 700 agencies providing internship sites for students to apply their knowledge.
University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, Texas
Online instruction at the University of the Incarnate Word began in 2000. The I-O Psychology degree is offered at the Bachelor's and Master's levels.
Students will develop analytic skills through class work and be able to apply the skills learned through their in-the-field experience.
At the Bachelor's level 38 hours of core course material and 15 hours of concentration work is required. The Master's level requires an additional 15 hours of core course work and 15-18 hours of concentration work.
A three to nine hour comprehensive exam or master's thesis is required to complete the degree. The Master's level work blends easily into the Doctoral level program for anyone wishing to complete their PhD.
National University
La Jolla, California
Using the Oxford Learning Model of one to one teaching, National University has created a personalized learning experience for its students.
The school was founded in 1996 as an online university. Its School of Psychology offers Bachelor through Doctoral level studies, including post Baccalaureate and Master's certifications.
Within the I-O Psychology program, the online Master of Science in Industrial Organizational Psychology level requires 36 credit hours beyond the Bachelor's degree. The curriculum's courses are eight weeks long. A post master's certificate requires six courses, or 18 credit hours. The university allows two years to complete these six courses.
The online PhD in Psychology: Industrial Organizational Psychology is an additional 60 credit hours beyond the Master's level. Students are expected to complete graduate studies within seven years while taking courses 12 weeks in duration.
Baker College
Owosso, Michigan
At Baker College, the Center for Graduate Studies and the College of Business offers the online Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. The required 38 credit hours include comprehensive courses such as:
- Psychology of Leadership
- Psychology of Performance and Motivation
- Tests, Measurements, and Assessments in the Workplace
- Individual and Group Factors in the Workplace
- Psychology of Personnel Management and Human Resources
All courses have been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Students in this program are trained to apply theories and principles of psychology for organizational success, it is not intended to prepare for or grant licensure.
Touro University Worldwide
Los Alamitos, California
Founded in 1971 to serve the Jewish population in New York City, the Touro College and University System is a nonprofit institution of higher learning with over 19,000 students enrolled.
Touro University Worldwide was established recently in 2008, and offers a number of successful programs from undergraduate to graduate and Doctorates, including the Master's in Industrial Organizational Psychology.
This program features concentrations in Coaching and Consulting, Human Resource Management, and Occupational Health Psychology. This wide range of offerings lets TUW's students tailor their degrees to match their career goals more than a typical online Industrial Organizational Psychology degree.
Online students interested in Organizational Psychology may enter either the Master's or Doctorate programs.
To graduate from the Master's in Industrial Organizational Psychology, students must complete a total of 36 credits, no matter their concentration.
TUW aims for maximum flexibility in its programs, utilizing asynchronous learning and allowing students to choose full-time or part-time paths of study.
The Doctorate of Human and Organizational Psychology includes several steps. First, students take basic courses on theory and research. They then enter the pre-dissertation/proposal stage. Finally, their work culminates in a dissertation.
Carlos Albizu University-Miami
Miami, Florida
Carlos Albizu University offers its Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology both on campus and fully online.
The required 42 graduate credits cover a variety of essential topics for student success in the field including:
- Selection and Placement
- Training and Development
- Performance Measurement
- Organizational Development
- Quality of Work-life
Students will receive extensive practical training in these areas throughout the curriculum and specifically through six credits of applied research or capstone projects. Many students have gone on to publish their research findings in professional journals. To successfully graduate, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.
Walden University
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Walden University offers the online Master of Science in Industrial Organizational Psychology degree.
This degree requires a total of 48 credits, up to 40 of which may be applied towards the PhD program.
There are seven areas of specialization:
- General Practice
- Consulting Psychology
- Evidence-Based Coaching
- Forensic Counseling
- Human Resource Management
- International Business
- Organizational Diversity and Social Change
All requirements can be completed in as little as 15 months. Tuition is currently set at $535 per quarter hour. The PhD in Industrial Organizational Psychology: General Practice requires 90 credits for course work and 20-115 credits for the dissertation.
The same areas of concentration are offered in addition to an eighth Research and Evaluation specialization. Students have up to eight years to complete all requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Industrial Organizational Psychology?
Industrial Organizational Psychology (IO Psychology) is the intersection of psychology and business. It deals with the human element of business.
Practitioners are referred to as Industrial Organizational Psychologists (IO Psychologists) or Organizational Psychologists.
IO Psychologists bring their psychology backgrounds to the study of the workplace, and make employees' jobs and work environments better (safer, more healthy and satisfying, etc.), thereby improving employee performance.
In turn, these improvements make businesses more efficient and profitable. They conduct scientific research to understand organizational behavior. IO Psychologists can work in organizational consulting roles or be employed by a company in their professional practice.
What are Master's in industrial organizational psychology programs?
A bachelor's degree is required for admission into online Master's in Industrial Organizational Psychology programs. Online Master's in Industrial Organizational Psychology programs typically require 30 to 40 credits, and can be completed in 18 to 24 months. An Industrial Organizational Psychology master's program goes into deeper knowledge and research into the field.
There are on campus and online master's in industrial organizational psychology degrees available across the nation. The typical minimum degree required to work as an industrial organizational psychologist is a master's degree. Students learn advanced knowledge of industrial psychology and human behavior.
What do you learn in IO Psychology Graduate Programs?
Students in the master's and PhD programs can develop skills in many relevant domains, including advanced social psychology, human behavior, how to develop training programs, employment law, and qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Students complete a capstone project or a supervised internship in many master's programs. These experiential learning opportunities help graduates become Industry professionals.
Students benefit from comprehensive curriculum and applied projects in organizational development and organizational behavior in their industrial psychology programs. Some programs even offer data science courses in their I-O Psychology graduate degree programs.
What Degree is best for Industrial Organizational Psychology?
The minimum degree required to practice workplace psychology is usually a master's in industrial organizational psychology or a related field, such as Organizational Leadership, Psychology, or Operations Research.
Often Industrial Organizational Psychologists will work closely with the Human Resources department at organizations. For teaching IO Psychology in colleges and universities, the best degree would be a doctorate. A PhD would provide a higher average income relative to a master's, and potentially provide career longevity given the higher opportunity for tenure.
Is it worth getting a Master's in IO Psychology?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Industrial Organizational Psychologists make an annual average median salary of $139,280. At this rate, the lifetime earnings will be over approximately $8,000,000 over the next 40 years. This assumes a 2% increase each year. The lower 25% make an average salary of $72,490 per year, and the top 25% earn an average median salary of $210,030 per year.
Where do industrial organizational psychologists get paid the most?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Industrial and Organizational psychologists can get paid the most in local government (earning $156,940 per year), followed by the scientific, research and development sectors (earning $122,100), followed by colleges, universities, and professional schools (earning $111,050). The median annual wage for industrial organizational psychologists in this industry was $139,280 as of May 2022.
The state that pays the most on average is California (paying an average of $125,000 per year), followed by Ohio (paying an average of $108,320 per year).
More Resources:
- The Best Online Bachelor's Programs in Industrial Organizational Psychology
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