Graduate Programs

PSYCHOLOGY: INDUSTRIAL/ORGANIZATIONAL

Degree Offered:
Master of Arts Degree in Psychology, M.A.

Coordinator: Jo Ann Lee

MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY

The objective of the master's degree program in Industrial/Organizational Psychology is to train psychologists in the knowledge and skills necessary to address problems encountered in industry. The program provides a foundation in the research methods and content of basic psychology as well as training in the applied skills of professional practice. Students in the Industrial/ Organizational concentration develop knowledge and skills pertaining to people at work, including personnel selection and design and evaluation of programs, such as programs for training employees, increasing performance, enhancing quality, reducing conflict and enhancing job satisfaction. The relatively small, competitively selected student body receives individual attention from faculty members who maintain rigorous standards of academic excellence.

Admission Requirements. To be considered for admission to graduate study in psychology, a student must present the following requirements in addition to those required by the Graduate School.

  1. Completed application by March 15
  2. 18 hours of undergraduate psychology including: Introductory Psychology, Research Methods, and an undergraduate course in statistics
  3. GPA above 2.8 overall and 3.0 in psychology
  4. Satisfactory GRE scores, including the Advanced GRE test in psychology
These are minimum standards. Admission to the program is very competitive for the fewer than fifteen spaces in the program available each year. The primary application deadline is March 15 for admission in the fall semester, but if space is available, late applications will be considered until July 1. Students may not begin the program during the spring semester.

Degree Requirements. The Industrial/Organizational program requires at least 48 semester hours of graduate coursework as specified below. Full-time students should be able to complete the program in two calendar years. The enrollment of a student who receives three grades of C or one Unsatisfactory grade during his or her graduate career is automatically terminated.

Basic Knowledge and Methods in Psychology (14 hours) 

 
PSYC 6102  Research Design and Quantitative Methods in 
           Psychology (3G)
PSYC 6107  Ethical and Professional Issues in Psyc. (2G)
PSYC 6999  Thesis (3G)
and two courses selected from the following: 
PSYC 6010  Topics in Learning and Cognition (3G)
PSYC 6015  Topics in Perception and Physiological Psychology (3G)
PSYC 6020  Topics in Development Psychology (3G)
PSYC 6030  Topics in Social Psyc. and Personality (3G)
Industrial/Organizational Psychology (22 hours) 
PSYC 6140  Psyc. Measurement and Evaluation (3G)
PSYC 6171  Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3G)
PSYC 6171L Laboratory in I/O Psychology (1G)
PSYC 6172  Personnel I (3G)
PSYC 6174  Organizational Dynamics I (3G)
PSYC 6175  Organizational Dynamics II (3G)
PSYC 6177  Personnel II (3G)
PSYC 6477  Projects in I/O Psychology (3G)
Electives selected in consultation with Adviser (12 hours) 
PSYC 6173  Individual Dynamics (3G)
PSYC 6176  Counseling in Organizations (3G)
PSYC 6899  Readings and Research (3G)
Graduate courses from other disciplines
The faculty will conduct a thorough review of student performance on a regular basis. Continuation in the program is contingent upon a favorable review during these evaluations. Students who consistently show borderline course performance, who fail to complete coursework on a timely basis, or who otherwise perform unprofessionally or unsatisfactorily may be required to complete additional courses or may be removed from the program.

Comprehensive Examinations. All students are required to complete successfully comprehensive examinations covering research design, ethics, and information related to Industrial/Organizational Psychology. A student who fails the comprehensive exam twice will be removed from the program.

Assistantships and other Financial Assistance. A variety of resources are available for financial assistance. These include teaching assistantships to proctor the general psychology laboratory, research assistantships to assist on faculty grants, and graduate assistantships in psychology and other campus units such as the Learning Assistance Center and the University Honors Office. These range from $5000 to $7200 per academic year. Information on loans, grants and employment opportunities is available from the Financial Aid Office.

Research Experiences. In addition to the completion of a thesis, students have the opportunity to work with individual faculty members on their research. The Department of Psychology has an energetic and dynamic faculty of more than 30 psychologists who are committed to education and have established an excellent record of productivity in all the major areas of psychological research and professional practice.

Practica. An extensive practicum component utilizes the Charlotte area as a setting for applied experience. All students must complete 3 hours of Projects in I/O Psychology (PSYC 6477) and they are strongly encouraged to take 6 hours.

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