宅男频道

Industrial-organizational psychology, otherwise known as I-O psychology, is a subfield of psychology focused on workplace dynamics.

“I would say it is using scientific study to look at employee-employer relationships as they relate to productivity, morale, engagement, job satisfaction and attitudes,” said Dr. Thomas MacCarty, associate dean of psychology at 宅男频道 (SNHU).

According to SIOP, the work of IOPs focuses on 6 key areas, all of which carry “critical relevance” for both employees and businesses:²

• Testing: Develop tests to measure job knowledge, skills, personality and other performance factors
• Staffing: Recruit employees that fit an organization’s culture and develop programs to train and retain the best
• Performance management: Design measurement systems that help improve job performance
• Employee attitude and satisfaction: Build employee empowerment, job satisfaction and educational programs
• Organization development: Groom future organizational leaders within fair compensation and promotion guidelines
• Change management: Consult on downsizing or acquisitions, helping to manage company culture and hiring practices

The American Psychological Association (APA) recognizes industrial-organizational psychology as a specialty in professional psychology.³ According to the APA, “there are many variables that determine how well an organization or company operates.” The APA cites the ability to communicate well, resolve conflicts, evaluate process issues and manage effectively as “examples of the components necessary for businesses to succeed.”

Hiring and training practices, the ways in which employees interact and many other factors can cause problems in any of these areas. Your master’s in organizational psychology can prepare you with the skills and knowledge of human behavior to tackle them.

“Virtually any job in which you deal with people and need to know how to relate to them and what influences their behavior will benefit from a graduate degree in psychology,” said Dr. Barbara Lesniak, SNHU senior associate dean of social sciences. When it comes to people issues in the workplace, industrial-organizational psychology graduate programs fit the need perfectly.

Industrial-organizational psychologists (IOPs) work in nearly every type of organization imaginable, in both the public and private sector. You might work for a hospital, a manufacturing firm, a government agency or a private university.

Industrial-organizational psychology master's programs do not lead to licensure or certification. However, SNHU’s program aligns with the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) standards required for a wide range of roles and responsibilities.²

Depending on the organization, your research might focus on aptitude tests for job candidates, leadership development programs, staffing and compensation guidelines, workplace safety recommendations or programs to improve work-life balance.

According to the American Psychological Association, IOPs “are qualified as trainers, facilitators, assessors, coaches and consultants. I-O psychologists may also work directly in an organization’s human resources department, or they may act as independent consultants, called into an organization to solve a particular problem.”²

Industrial-organizational psychologists (IOPs) analyze issues in the workplace, conduct research and recommend solutions based on their findings. Process breakdowns, productivity losses, personality conflicts, poor morale and even safety concerns are among the issues an IOP might help address.

The American Psychological Association describes 6 common workplace scenarios where IOPs might use their research:²

• Apply best practices to teach employees how to work better
• Document how the work environment affects performance
• Design a survey to pinpoint issues affecting workplace behavior
• Make recommendations to increase productivity/workplace quality
• Create screening procedures for job applicants
• Uncover work-related issues influencing performance

Some IOPs teach college or conduct research, or both. Some work as executive coaches or training specialists, others as human resource generalists or managers. Others have less familiar titles, like:

• Employee efficiency expert
• Employment law expert
• Leadership coach
• Organizational performance manager
• Research analyst

"I have always had a passion to help others, and the psychology program allowed me to gain knowledge in the approaches, methods and theories that can be used when working with people who could display multiple behaviors," said Shaunta Irvin Roberson '18 '21G.

When you earn a master’s in organizational psychology, you'll focus on the skills and knowledge that address these and other workplace-related issues. You’ll gain a foundation in psychology and learn how to apply psychology research to real-world situations.

Yes – industrial-organizational psychology is in very high demand by organizations in nearly every industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 6% growth for industrial-organizational psychologists (IOPs) through 2032.¹

Over time, senior management in a variety of organizations has seen the value in turning to IOPs for help with solving a wide variety of business problems. That positive trend may account for the high rate of growth, according to the BLS.

In 2023, the BLS reported median annual wages of $147,420 for IOPs.¹ In fact, the BLS reports that several related roles may also experience higher-than-average demand through 2032, including:¹

• Management analysts: 10% growth with median annual wages of $99,410
• Market research analysts: 13% growth with median annual wages of $74,680
• Operations research analysts: 23% growth with median annual wages of $83,640

Most definitely. Human resources professionals use psychology in many aspects of their work, from recruiting and hiring staff to training and developing the workforce.

Industrial-organizational psychology graduate programs incorporate psychology principles that are fundamental to the work of HR departments.

Your master’s in organizational psychology prepares you to add value to the HR function. In fact, many industrial-organizational psychologists (IOPs) choose human resources as a career path, often as HR generalists or managers. Some use their credentials to work as human resources practice leaders.

If you’re already working in HR, a master’s in I-O psychology can supplement your HR skill set and open doors to new opportunities. As an IOP graduate student, you’ll learn to apply psychology research findings to common workplace challenges, including how to:

• Motivate workers and retain the best talent
• Enhance quality of life in the workplace
• Use strategic HR management to resolve issues

Many schools offer undergraduate online psychology degree programs, as well as master's in psychology online and on campus options, but only you can decide which one is best for you. You’ll need to consider whether the program fits your budget, your schedule and your career plans, among other things.

宅男频道’s online master’s in organizational psychology is one of the most affordable in the nation. And since we're an accredited university, you can count on a high-quality education. Our faculty members are among the best in online education, bringing real-world experience from all aspects of psychology to the classroom.

"When I found I-O psychology at SNHU, I was thrilled because I would be able to take courses I was interested in," said Jackie Lancaster '21G, who also earned her bachelor's at SNHU in 2019. "The best part was that the program aligned with what I was doing for work and had the potential to allow me to bring new opportunities to my place of employment."

SNHU also offers one of the most flexible online master's degree programs you’ll find. At SNHU, going to school online means being able to create your own schedule. That’s because we have no set class times. So as long as you turn in assignments by the weekly deadlines – typically Thursday and Sunday nights – you can squeeze in coursework when and where it’s most convenient for you.