The Best Industrial-Organizational Psychology Master’s Programs for 2025
Learn about the best industrial-organizational psychology programs, admission requirements, and how to choose the right program for you.
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A master’s in industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology can prepare you for a career helping organizations to improve workplace environments and employee well-being.
Check out this ranking of the best organizational psychology programs to learn about application requirements and what to look for when choosing a program.
Best Industrial-Organizational Psychology Master’s Programs
New York University
- New York, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
New York University's master's in industrial-organizational psychology trains graduates to use a research-based, consultative approach to solving business problems. We appreciate the NYC-based program's integrative curriculum, which includes internships, network development, and team-based projects.
Specialization areas include conflict and negotiation, diversity and culture, executive coaching, and quality of work life. Designed for working professionals, the 36-credit program features primarily evening classes, full- or part-time enrollment, and a choice of a comprehensive exam or thesis. Students have five years to complete the requirements.
Applicants do not need a bachelor's in psychology to apply, but they do need prerequisite courses in introductory psychology and statistics (behavioral statistics preferred).
Highlights:
- Instructors are leaders in the field and hold a Ph.D.
- Small class sizes
- Students can continue working while earning their degree
Considerations:
- No online or distance courses
- No financial aid or scholarships offered by the department
- Limited graduate housing available
31%
Yes
96%
9%
$37,332
$37,332
9%
57,335
Private
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
- New York, NY
- 4 year
- Campus
Why We Chose This School:
CUNY Bernard M. Baruch College offers a master's in industrial-organizational psychology that prepares practitioners and researchers focused on human behavior in the workplace. We like that students can enroll full or part time for in-person classes at the central Manhattan campus.
Graduation requires 36 credits, including required courses, a thesis, and electives in topics like motivation, performance management, survey research in organizations, emotions in the workplace, and group processes and high-performance work teams. Core courses cover the design of psychological research, applied statistical analysis for business decisions, and problems in I/O psychology.
Highlights:
- Affordable tuition rates
- GRE waived for 2025
Considerations:
- No online or distance courses
- Expensive off-campus living
53%
Yes
88%
51%
$11,090
$20,520
51%
19,698
Public
Rice University
- Houston, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
Located in Houston, Texas, Rice University offers a master of industrial-organizational psychology that spans two years of full-time study. We like the program's focus on scientific and practical knowledge about future workplaces using methodological and statistical skills. Students explore practicing in diverse and dynamic work environments, improving training in an aging workforce with greater technological demands, and facing challenges, such as mergers and acquisitions, AI, and automation.
The non-thesis degree program requires 44 credits and a project-based capstone experience course. Electives include foundations of social psychology, multivariate statistics, psychometrics, and foundations of individual differences.
Highlights:
- Concentrated, two-year program
- Variety of electives
- No thesis required
Considerations:
- Full-time study only
- No online or evening courses
- Enrollees cannot work full time while earning their degree
10%
Yes
98%
9%
$51,634
$51,634
9%
8,672
Private
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
The master's in industrial-organizational psychology at the University of Central Florida allows students to choose between thesis and non-thesis options. The full-time, 38-hour curriculum takes two years to complete at the school's Orlando campus. Non-thesis option enrollees still conduct research by working with a faculty member on a potentially publishable project or by submitting a client-facing or research project approved by the program's director.
We appreciate the focus on practical training throughout the program. Core courses include industrial-organizational psychology consulting practice; work motivation and job attitudes; psychological testing; and recruitment, placement, and selection.
Highlights:
- Affordable in-state tuition
- Thesis optional
- Graduate fellowships available
Considerations:
- Out of 120-130 applicants, only 16-18 accepted
- GRE scores, taken within the prior five years, required
- No online or part-time study options
9%
Yes
92%
43%
$6,916
$25,759
43%
68,842
Public
University of Georgia
- Athens, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
The University of Georgia offers its master's in industrial-organizational psychology program at its Gwinnett campus in Lawrenceville. Students move through the two-year program as a cohort that includes two summer semesters. We like the blended in-person and online format that requires five on-campus course sessions per semester. In-person classes meet on weekends to accommodate working professionals.
The 36-credit curriculum includes electives in advanced analytics, diversity and teams, organizational change, and principles of leadership and a capstone completed during the second year. Enrollees learn to apply theory and analyze data to diagnose organizational issues and formulate evidence-based solutions.
Highlights:
- Courses taught by experienced practitioners and faculty
- First-year students can receive alumni mentorship
- Program respected by hiring managers in I-O psychology
Considerations:
- GRE scores required (waived with three years of professional work experience and a graduate degree or "B" undergrad GPA)
- No part-time study options
- Strict attendance policy and admission criteria
20%
Yes
95%
37%
$8,878
$25,186
37%
41,615
Public
DePaul University
- Chicago, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
Chicago-based DePaul University offers an industrial-organizational psychology graduate program that leads to a master of arts and a Ph.D. We like the program's focus on collaboration with faculty to develop and implement new research in the field. The four-year, cohort-based curriculum includes in-person classes held on DePaul's Lincoln Park campus and internships within the Chicago business community.
The master's portion comprises 18 courses and a thesis. The Ph.D. requires six courses and a dissertation. Learners can opt for a secondary specialization in communication, management, marketing, or women's and gender studies.
Highlights:
- Most students receive graduate assistantships with $30,000 stipends per academic year
- Industrial-organizational classes average 6-12 students
- Alumni network of 201,000 members
Considerations:
- No part-time or online study options
- Enrollees must earn both a master's and a doctorate
- Only three applicants typically admitted per cohort, based on grades, GRE scores, and recommendations
60%
Yes
87%
74%
$21,719
$21,719
74%
21,348
Private
San Jose State University
- San Jose, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
We like San Jose State University's master's in industrial-organizational psychology because it focuses on a scientist-practitioner model. The program prepares graduates to become strong thinkers and problem solvers who can apply theory and methods to professional situations.
The curriculum includes internships at Silicon Valley companies, including Adobe, Google, LinkedIn, and Nvidia. Graduates may find permanent positions at these organizations or pursue doctoral study. The in-person, 30-credit program takes two years to complete. Some students work part time, but full-time employment is discouraged. Graduation requires the completion of a master's thesis.
Highlights:
- Affordable tuition rates
- GRE not required for admission
- 93% of students successfully complete the program
Considerations:
- No part-time or online study options
- No tuition waivers or assistantships
- Requires an undergraduate degree or extensive coursework in psychology
71%
Yes
86%
80%
$7,176
$16,680
80%
36,062
Public
Fairfield University
- Fairfield, CT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
The industrial-organizational psychology master's program at Fairfield University offers classes at its Fairfield, Connecticut campus. Full-time enrollees can complete the program in 24 months, but we appreciate that Fairfield also offers a part-time study option, along with an accelerated, five-year integrated bachelor's and master's track.
In addition to required industrial-organizational psychology coursework, both the 36-credit master's curriculum and the five-year, accelerated track include supervised fieldwork placements. Students can pursue electives in areas that include conflict communication, cross-cultural management and sustainability leadership, perspectives and theories in organizational communication, and small group and team communication.
Highlights:
- GRE not required for admissions
- Courses offered in the evening or on weekends to accommodate working professionals
- Rolling admissions
Considerations:
- No online study options
- Graduation requires a comprehensive exam
21%
Yes
90%
45%
$20,034
$20,034
45%
6,289
Private
Southern Methodist University
- Dallas, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
Southern Methodist University's master's in organizational psychology offers an accelerated, 1.5-year pathway for SMU undergraduates. The 36-credit, cohort-based curriculum requires full-time attendance at the Dallas, Texas, campus. Core classes are only scheduled on weekdays and include topics in advanced applied social psychology, people and organizational analytics, and strategic management in human capital.
Learners also complete full-time, paid summer internships. We like that students benefit from long-term relationships between the school and internship organizations and from the professional opportunities available to graduates in Dallas.
Highlights:
- No thesis required to graduate
- GRE not required for admission
Considerations:
- No part-time or online study options
- Bachelor's degree-holders from other schools may be admitted on a space-available basis
- Working full-time discouraged
13%
Yes
90%
61%
$31,590
$31,590
61%
11,842
Private
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Charlotte, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
We like that the University of North Carolina at Charlotte's industrial-organizational master's program is guided by five foundational elements: leadership, organizational change and development, talent, culture/climate, and analytics. In addition, evening and weekend classes at the school's uptown Charlotte campus accommodate working professionals in industrial-organizational psychology-related fields. The program admits new cohorts in the fall of even years.
The two-year curriculum offers classes in competency modeling, job attitudes, succession planning, and talent management. Internships are not required, as most students are already employed in industrial-organizational-related positions.
Highlights:
- Standardized test score admission requirements waived
- Six graduate transfer credits may be accepted
- The most affordable tuition among the schools on this list
Considerations:
- No online study options
- Graduation requires a comprehensive exam
- No internship placement
56%
Yes
84%
80%
$4,337
$18,482
80%
30,298
Public
How To Choose an Industrial-Organizational Psychology Program
Choosing an industrial-organizational psychology program that works best for you is a personal decision. One major consideration is how well the program reflects your interests and your career goals. Before applying to any program, take the time to research accreditation status, program reputation, costs, and degree and admission requirements.
Accreditation
Accreditation confirms that a college or university meets high academic standards. Choosing an accredited school recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation ensures financial aid eligibility and degree recognition by employers and doctoral programs.
No organization currently provides programmatic accreditation for organizational psychology programs.
Admission Requirements
Because specific admission standards vary by program, make sure you meet GPA and undergraduate course requirements before applying. Some programs require letters of recommendation and/or standardized test scores while others do not. Finally, keep application deadlines and your preferred start date in mind.
Career Relevance
An I-O psychology master’s can lead to career opportunities in human resources, management consulting, and training and development. When choosing a program, consider whether courses and specializations align with your professional goals. Does the curriculum prepare you for certifications offered by organizations like the Society for Human Resource Management or the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology?
Cost and Financial Aid
Average graduate tuition rates in 2021-22 ranged from $12,596 to $20,513, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. When evaluating what you can afford, consider other expenses such as housing, transportation, and textbooks.
Loans, grants, and scholarships can help offset the overall cost of your degree. The first step in determining your financial aid eligibility is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid . Universities may provide scholarships and funding support to qualified students based on need or merit.
How to Apply to an Industrial-Organizational Psychology Program
Each master’s program in I-O psychology has its own admission criteria, but all require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and documentation that you have met specific benchmarks for admission. The following steps will help you craft a strong admission packet and help you stand out from other applicants.
- Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational requirement for pursuing a master’s in I-O psychology. An undergraduate major in psychology, business, or a related field provides a solid foundation for graduate work. If you have a degree in another subject, you may need to satisfy course prerequisites in psychological foundations, research methods, and statistics.
- Step 2: Meet GPA and GRE Requirements
Minimum GPA and standardized test score requirements vary by program. In general, you need an overall GPA of at least 3.0 for admission, but the more competitive programs may require a 3.5 GPA or higher. A growing number of schools waive GRE scores. However, some psychology programs require or strongly recommend them.
- Step 3: Personal Statement
Your personal statement is an essential component of your application. Admissions committees look at personal statements to get a deeper understanding of your academic and professional goals and what sets you apart from other applicants. The best personal statements are tailored to the program you are applying to, addressing how the program fits your interests and what contributions you can make to the department.
- Step 4: Letters of Recommendation
Some graduate schools require letters of recommendation. The strongest letters come from professors, advisors, and supervisors who know you well enough to provide specific examples of your strengths and achievements. Ideally, you should include at least one reference from someone familiar with the field of I-O psychology. It is always a good idea to request letters well in advance of the deadline to accommodate busy schedules.
- Step 5: Submit Completed Application
Once you have gathered all the required materials, the next step is to complete your online application and submit it along with the application fee. In addition to your personal statement, you may be asked to include a resume that describes volunteer or work experiences and any honors or awards you have earned. Some master’s programs also require a virtual or in-person interview.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming an I-O Psychologist
A master’s in I-O psychology or a related field provides the specialized training needed to launch your career. While a master’s can be a terminal degree, it also provides the foundation for doctoral studies, which can lead to advanced research-oriented or clinical positions.
