M.S. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology

M.S. in Industrial and Organizational (IO) Psychology

The 42-credit M.S. in Industrial and Organizational (IO) Psychology prepares students for careers as practitioners and researchers by emphasizing a curriculum of evidence-based practice and course activities that enhance student experiential learning. You'll focus on preparing yourself to facilitate effective leadership within organizations and to help those same organizations hire, train and motivate employees.

Why IO psychology?
IO psychology applies psychological principles developed from rigorous scientific research to enable problem-resolution in the workplace. As half of adults' waking lives are spent in the workplace, IO psychologists contribute to aligning organizations' missions with its people. We do that by focusing on the essential human components that create high functioning organizations, including selecting the right job applicants, training employees and measuring their performance, designing professional growth and motivation strategies, assessing organizational climate and facilitating change management. Due to the important role that IO psychologists play in organizations' success, job opportunities in the field continue to grow. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has labeled IO psychology the fastest growing occupation, with a median pay of over $77,350.

We also offer a Graduate Certificate in Global Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

Krystal Roach, M.S. '18

Krystal Roach

"During my time at UBalt, I took a cross-cultural psychology course as well as an organizational psychology course where I traveled to Barcelona with my classmates. I'm currently applying for jobs, and I feel confident that the cross-cultural competencies I gained in the program and my experiences abroad help to set me apart from other candidates."

Krystal is an IO psychology doctoral student at Central Michigan University.

Megan Erickson, M.S. '20

Megan Erickson

"The University of Baltimore's IO psychology program really fosters a tight-knit community; even after graduating, I keep up with my cohort and I also plan to keep in touch with my professors. You definitely don't see that from all programs!"

Megan is a research analyst with The University of Baltimore's Center for Drug Policy and Prevention.

Contact us.

Kahlil King
lecturer and program director
phone: 410.837.6683
email: kking@ubalt.edu
view Prof. King's faculty profile

Angie Miller
academic adviser
phone: 410.837.6282
email: amiller@ubalt.edu

M.S. students Bryson Barksdale and Derrick Scheetz

Bryson and Derrick are learning how psychology can be implemented into the workplace in UBalt's IO Psychology program. The program, which boasts 100 percent job placement, is helping to prepare its students to excel in this high-demand career. Learn about the IO Psychology program's global engagement opportunities.

Study Abroad

Each year, the IO Psychology program offers study abroad opportunities comprised of a face-to-face phase, a 10-day trip to either University of Barcelona (Spain) or University of Pau-Bayonne (France), and a virtual collaborative team project with students from the host institution. Course tuition covers the bulk of the travel-related costs in the form of a travel scholarship. Learn more about our study abroad opportunities.

Shelby "My two study abroad programs at UBalt not only made me a competitive candidate when gaining employment with global companies, it also provided me with invaluable experiences that shaped who I am today. These programs created lifelong bonds with my peers, helped me to grow stronger and more independent in myself personally and as a practitioner, and allowed me to seamlessly integrate into a global workforce."

-Shelby Reichardt, M.S. '18

Graduate students outside of Maryland pay in-state tuition.

UBalt is now offering in-state tuition to graduate students who live in Washington, D.C.; Northern Virginia (Arlington, Loudoun, Fairfax and Prince William, Clark, Culpeper, Fauquier, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania, Stafford and Warren counties and the city of Fredericksburg. As well as Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park); Pennsylvania (Adams, York, Chester and Lancaster counties); and all Delaware counties.

IO Psychologists Will Help Shape the Post-Pandemic Workplace

IO psychologists discuss the challenges they and their colleagues will face in helping open up workplaces.
(courtesy of APA.org)

#3 in Best Science Jobs

According to U.S. News & World Report, industrial psychologist ranks #3 on its list of the best science jobs of 2022.

What's the difference between an M.S. and an M.P.S.?

The M.S. in IO Psychology program prepares students to rigorously and methodically address organizational issues. An M.S. (Master of Science) is not the same as an M.P.S. (Master of Professional Studies):

The M.S. emphasizes psychological ethical principles around freedom and autonomy of the individual, privacy and confidentiality, public representation, honest brokering (record keeping & fees), training, research and dissemination of information, and assessment and evaluation. These essential principles are integrated in all UBalt classes.
The emphasis of the M.S. in IO Psychology program is developing students' competencies that far surpass basic knowledge and research. Students gain the advantage of not only “doing” IO psychology, but understanding the essential “why” behind the practices. This fundamental knowledge ensures ethical and relevant interventions and engagements that fulfill organizational missions.
We require our students to enter the M.S. program with a psychology background.
UBalt students who graduate with an M.S. in IO Psychology are prepared for careers as organizational contributors, independent consultants and researchers.

Conversely, an M.P.S. degree is aimed at the early to mid-career professional who desires credentialing and basic competencies in IO psychology. It is also not regarded the same by industry professionals and academics.

Our program is the only M.S. in IO psychology in the Mid-Atlantic region, other than New York. We are proud to have been graduating hundreds of M.S. students for over 30 years.

What competencies do IO Psychology students develop?
The IO Psychology curriculum develops student competencies in all domains recommended by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP, Division 14 of the American Psychological Association). Our students engage in real-world and simulated experiential learning activities, such as conducting job analyses with real clients, preparing personnel assessment reports and developing organizational surveys.

The IO Psychology program also offers students opportunities to prepare for the global workforce through relevant coursework and international collaborative projects (both virtual and in-person), such as the European Erasmus Mundus Winter School program.

Where do UBalt's IO Psychology graduates work?
Our graduates are employed in numerous industries and settings, including:

FEDERAL JOBS

DHS/TSA
FBI
OPM
U.S. Customs & Border Protection
U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency

HEALTHCARE

Kennedy Krieger Institute
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Bristol-Myers Squibb

STATE JOBS

Maryland Aviation Administration
Maryland Transit Administration

CONSULTING FIRMS

Booz Allen
Grant Thornton
PDRI (a CEB company)
Deloitte
Kaisen

RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS

Loyola University
IMPAQ International
UMD CASL

RETAIL COMPANIES

Under Armour
McCormick & Company, Inc.

Learn more about your career and internship opportunities.

Helping pay for your degree.

To help you learn while putting your skills into practice, and to offset the cost of your education, consider applying for a graduate assistantship .

The Schaefer Center for Public Policy offers selective fellowships for full-time students to work on applied research projects. In addition, there are opportunities for students to work as student assistants or as research assistants on various center projects. Deadlines are April 15 (fall semester) and Oct. 15 (spring semester).

Our Students: A Profile

Attendance: Most of our students attend full time (9 credits/semester) and most graduate within two years.
Hometowns: A large percentage come from out of state and a number come from other countries such as Thailand, India and those in Central and South America.
Age: Ages range from approximately 22 (after completing their bachelor's degree) to 45. The median age is approximately 26.
Diversity: I-O psychology concentration students are predominately female (about 80 percent), and about 15 percent are minorities, primarily African American.
Experience: Most students come to the program having just completed their bachelor's degrees in psychology, but some come with considerable work experience in a variety of occupations.

Who are the IO Psychology faculty?

Kahlil King. lecturer and program director

We also have several regular adjunct faculty who bring IO psychology field experience to further enhance your classroom learning, including:

IO Psychology Spotlights

2023 IOP Graduates

2023 IO Psychology graduates pictured with Professor Thomas Mitchell (center)

For more information about graduate admission, please contact the Office of Admission at gradadmission@ubalt.edu, 410.837.6565.

Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences