The Best Industrial-Organizational Psychology Master’s Programs for 2025
Explore industrial-organizational master’s programs in this degree guide and ranking. Learn what to look for in a program, what to expect, and more.
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Key Takeaways
- Top programs for I-O psychology master’s degrees include those from New York University, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College, and Rice University.
- I-O psychology master’s programs cover how to improve organizational dynamics, boost staff performance, and aid in training.
- Admission typically requires a relevant four-year degree, good academic standing, and at times, work experience.
Industrial-organizational psychologists help organizations boost effectiveness, increase employee retention, and improve productivity. The most common employers are scientific research organizations, colleges, and universities. Industrial-organizational psychologists earn an average salary exceeding $100,000.
Learn about the best industrial and organizational psychology master’s programs and what to expect in school and in your career.
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
9%
N/A
$37,332
$37,332
96%
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
51%
N/A
$11,090
$20,520
88%
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
9%
N/A
$51,634
$51,634
98%
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
43%
N/A
$6,916
$25,759
92%
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
37%
N/A
$8,878
$25,186
95%
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
74%
N/A
$21,719
$21,719
87%
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
80%
N/A
$7,176
$16,680
86%
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
45%
N/A
$20,034
$20,034
90%
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
61%
N/A
$31,590
$31,590
90%
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
80%
N/A
$4,337
$18,482
84%
30,298
Public
What to Look For in an Industrial-Organizational Psychology Master’s
Industrial-organizational master’s programs help learners build valuable insights into workplace psychology. They teach practical techniques and theories for improving organizational behavioral dynamics.
Curricula typically cover:
- Methods for optimizing and motivating employee performance
- How to build and manage training, development, and professional improvement programs
- Business administration from a human resources perspective
- Leadership-oriented insights into organizational change management
Some schools design curricula to cover skills and proficiencies endorsed by organizations like the Society for Human Resource Management or the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Regardless, you should always look for industrial-organizational master’s degrees at accredited institutions.
Admission requirements vary, but they typically include a four-year degree in a related field, a strong academic track record, and a compelling statement of purpose. Some schools prefer or require applicants to have one or more years of relevant work experience.
As a master’s student, you can qualify for various financial aid options, including federal aid and private scholarships.
What to Expect in an Industrial-Organizational Psychology Master’s Program
Industrial-organizational master’s degrees typically consist of about 30-36 credits. If you study full time, you can usually graduate in about two academic years.
Learning content generally includes a combination of applied theory and research methods. Some curricula also cover business administration and organizational development.
Industrial-organizational master’s programs typically culminate in a capstone experience or thesis. Capstone projects prompt you to display your synthesized knowledge, while a thesis involves producing an original work of research-focused scholarship.
Practical Experience Opportunities
At the master’s level, practical experiences in industrial-organizational psychology typically take the form of practicums or internships. Students secure placements through partnerships between their school and participating employers. Placements can last for a single semester or an entire academic year.
Practicums and internships allow you to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting and develop your skills under the tutelage of an experienced professional. They also double as excellent networking opportunities that may help your future job search.
Research Opportunities
Many industrial-organizational master’s programs involve multiple courses in research methods and statistical analysis. Some also have thesis options or requirements, which allow you to design and perform your self-directed research.
Depending on the school, you may contribute to ongoing studies or research programs and work alongside faculty members or external researchers.
In some cases, research participation could lead to opportunities to earn publication credits. You might also be invited to join presentations at industry events or conferences.
Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial-Organizational Psychology Master’s Programs
With an industrial-organizational master’s degree, you can pursue careers in human resources, organizational management, or business administration. Some roles involve extensive interpersonal interactions, while others have a stronger research or analytical focus.
