Master of Professional Studies in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

The MPS - Industrial/Organizational Psychology is offered through the Department of Psychology in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. The program provides rigorous training in the scientific principles and methods of IO Psychology that increases your ability to have a dramatic impact in the workplace.

Mentoring and advising are an essential part of the program. Students meet with faculty and the academic program director to ensure that educational goals and career learning and development goals are met. Students should contact the program director, Dr. Nikita Arun via e-mail: iomps@umd.edu.

Overview

The Master of Professional Studies in Industrial/Organizational Psychology is a 30-credit, 10-course graduate program that features a broad foundation on organizational topics—including the application of research and statistical methods in business, the handling and analysis of large datasets, the methods of motivating, selecting, and developing employees, and the skill of managing organizational change.

• Offered in-person/hybrid (major code MPIO) or online (major code MPIV). The curriculum is identical in each delivery format.
• Designed for working professionals who desire advanced knowledge in industrial and organizational psychology to enter, advance, or expand their career options. 
• Through evidence-based best practices and the ability to ask and answer the questions that matter in the workplace, you’ll improve your marketable expertise and statistical skills, and graduate to a new world of career flexibility, mobility and advancement.
• Helps drive a more productive workplace by targeting employee development, retention, and performance for companies and organizations.
• Can be completed in fifteen months of continuous full-time enrollment. See Designation of Full-time/Part-time Status. Full-time students enroll in two 3-credit courses (6 credits) over the course of five 12-week terms (15 months).

Courses

Below is a listing of all program courses. For a detailed course description that includes pre-requisites or co-requisites, see The Graduate School Catalog, Course Listing as follows:  PSYC Course Descriptions. 

Registration Overview

• See the sample plan of study, below. Students should use this as a guide to develop a plan with the academic program director.  
• Actual course offerings are determined by the program and may vary semester to semester. Students should note if a course has a pre-requisite or co-requisite. 
• Specific class meeting information (days and time) is posted on UMD’s interactive web service services, Testudo. Once on that site, select “Schedule of Classes,” then the term/year. Courses are listed by academic unit.   
• Due to visa requirements, international students admitted into the in-person learning option (major code MPIO) are required to register for on-campus sections and attend lectures in-person.
• The program uses specific section codes for registration, which are listed on the sample plan of study.

Sample Plan, Fall Admission

Sample Plan, Spring Admission

Overall

• Program offers two learning options: in person (major code MPIO) or online (major code MPIV). The curriculum is identical in each delivery format.
• Uses the term academic calendar with classes held each 12-week term: I (fall), II (winter), III (spring), IV (summer).
• Classes are held weekday evenings (e.g., after 5:00 p.m.) to accommodate the working professional’s schedule.
• Classes complemented by pre-recorded online lectures and other course material, such as readings, assignments, and projects.
• Instruction provided by University of Maryland faculty and professionals in the field. 

In-Person Learning

• Classes meet in UMD College Park campus classrooms, offering a focused, distraction-free learning environment. 
• Instructors present dynamic and interactive seminar-style instruction.
• Students enrolled in a program that features in-person instruction are required to submit the University’s Immunization Record Form prior to the first day of their first semester/term. See Health Requirements. 

Online Learning

• Using advanced audio and video technology, UMD’s online learning environment delivers dynamic and interactive content. 
• Students required to attend live, synchronous lectures held virtually (e.g., use of video technology, such as Zoom). 
• Online lectures (lecture, slides, presentation, and Q&A interactions) are recorded and video-archived for student review.

Upon successful completion, graduates will have mastered the following competencies:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and research trends in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. 
• Use the concepts, language, and major theories of Industrial/Organizational Psychology to discuss and evaluate organizational practices and psychological research. 
• Understand methodology that is used for research in Industrial/Organizational psychology. 
• Critically examine published research to determine the strengths and weakness of this research and appreciate the limitations of published findings. 
• Understand legal and ethical issues in Industrial/Organizational psychology and research and the ethical standards to protect humans, subject research participants, and employees. 
• Understand the general goals of selection and training and the characteristics of valid and reliable assessment instruments. 
• Summarize empirically supported approaches to selecting, developing, and retaining employees. 
• Understand how culture and diversity are related to issues of individual and organizational success. 
• Understand various career trajectories within industrial/organizational psychology including issues in selecting and applying to doctoral programs.