Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology

• How I/O Psychology contributes to effective performance and productivity in the 21st century work organization.
• Methods of interpreting and critiquing published research in the field, and applying research results to identify organizational opportunities and solve organizational problems.
• The foundational role of job analysis with respect to all personnel functions, how to evaluate various job analysis approaches and techniques, and how to conduct a job analysis.
• How to evaluate the purpose, importance, techniques, and outcomes associated with key human resources management processes, including recruitment, selection and retention, performance appraisal, and training and development.
• A critical examination of the role of work motivation and job attitudes in predicting work behavior.
• How to critique and apply methods for optimizing team effectiveness in organizations.
• Classic and contemporary theories of leadership, as well as how to critically evaluate the impact of leadership on organizational functioning.
• The importance of organizational development (OD) and change to organizational culture, success, and effectiveness. Students will apply organizational analysis and OD and change techniques in a range of organizational scenarios.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for professionals with a background in I/O Psychology is expected to grow 19 percent nationally from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations.

According to a recent article in Crain's Chicago Business (2016), Industrial and Organizational Psychologists will be one of the top 10 most in-demand jobs in 2016 (that pay $60,000+) in Chicago. Demand for I/O Psychologists is projected to grow at 53% over the next ten years. According to this article, corporations recognize that their most valuable assets are their employees and they are willing to invest in psychologists to ensure that their employees are motivated, productive, and satisfied with their work.

NLU's M.S. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology is a comprehensive program designed specifically for the needs of adult students with features that set it apart:

• Professionally focused — Developed to meet the needs of employers and aligned with industry's best practices and with the Guidelines for Education and Training at the Master's Level in I/O Psychology, published by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP).
• Renowned faculty — Faculty practitioners and academic researchers with years of experience in the field.
• Learning community — Small class size and a cohort model means students progress through the program with the same group of peers.
• Flexible — A 100% online delivery that adheres to Quality Matters standards and enables you to take coursework within your schedule.
• Accelerated format — A 20-month curriculum enables students to graduate quickly.
• Connections after graduation — Students will become members of a professional community of psychology graduates with enhanced opportunities for ongoing career development.
• Generous transfer credit — Up to 9 credit hours of transfer credit from previous graduate work accepted for required and elective courses.

All applicants must meet NLU's general admission requirements, as well as additional requirements specific to the M.S. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology graduate program. Refer to the appropriate Application Checklist available online at nl.edu/applyonline.