Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

The master of science in industrial/organizational psychology program prepares students for careers in human resources, organizational development, change management, and leadership development. As a leader in the field, we offer the only industrial/organizational psychology program in the Boston area. Our innovative program draws upon the Bertolon School of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences to incorporate both case-based method of instruction and a strong emphasis on structured quantitative research. Our curriculum follows the guidelines developed by the Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology for master’s degree programs in I/O psychology, which is the dominant professional society.

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Program Requirements

Student Voices

Kailee Kennedy

"After taking one year of classes in the MS Industrial/Organizational Psychology program, I transitioned to a role in consulting that I previously thought I could only step into after finishing my degree. Interviewing for this role required me to respond to a case study.

The three classes that helped prepare me the most for the case study were Data Analysis for I/O Psychology (Dr. Ben Miller), Research in Organizations (Dr. Dia Chatterjee), and Organization Consulting (Dr. Hinda Sterling). The skills that I developed in these courses, including execution of research, process consulting, and data analysis, were integral to my interview success and are now relevant in my day-to-day work.

I look forward to continuing my journey as a student in the program and the opportunities to apply what I have learned as a student to my professional role."

- Kailee Kennedy

M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology curriculum is designed according to the guidelines developed by the Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology for master’s degree programs in I/O Psychology. Our 42 credit program consists of 9 core courses including a customized internship that provides real-world experience in areas such as corporate performance, personnel testing and human resources; and 5 electives with specializations in either human resources or organizational development. Learn more about program requirements and courses.

It is this adherence to the scientific method that distinguishes our I/O degree from general organizational psychology or related programs. It is the I/O field’s dedication to the use of the scientific method that qualifies it to be considered by many as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) field.

At the same time our program includes courses from the Bertolon School of Business that are related to I/O Psychology. This combination of STEM emphasis with business related courses adds strength and important diversity to our curriculum.

Program highlights include:

  • Well-rounded curriculum with core courses in both psychology and business, and specialized courses in human resources and organizational development
  • Customized 300-hour internship that provides students with practical experience in areas such as corporate performance, personnel testing, organizational development, and human resources. Examples of internship placements include TÜV SÜD America Inc., Randstad International, Linkage Inc., Boston Planning and Development Agency, Gemline (Manufacturing)
  • Expert faculty who have worked in, and consulted with, diverse organizations from charities to public social service systems to Fortune 500 companies
  • Flexible class formats: Classes are held primarily in person. To build flexibility for students who work, we offer our courses in the evenings. We also offer a few hybrid and online courses. 
  • Full-time students can complete these program within two years; part-time students can complete this program in three or four years depending on the number of courses taken per semester
  • Classmates from across the country and around the world. Recent or current students have enrolled from enrolled from China, Sweden, Russia, Germany, the Caribbean Islands, India, Kenya, Nepal, and Italy.

Neil Jacobsen

I/O psychology graduate student Neil Jacobsen

“So many of the projects I completed in class have given me the skills I use in my job every day,” he said. “I was prepared to come in and contribute.”

Read Neil's story.

Selected Internship Locations

Leadership and Staffing Consulting

  • Linkage, Inc. (Leadership and Organizational Development Consulting Firm, Lexington, MA)
  • i3 Solutions (Staffing and Training Firm, Headquarters: Sterling, VA, internship completed in MA with local supervision)
  • Weston & Sampson (Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering Consulting Firm, Peabody, MA)
  • The Employee Engagement Group (Organizational Consulting Firm, Woburn, MA)
  • Partners Healthcare (Internal Organizational Development Consulting Group, Boston, MA)

Education

  • North Shore Community College (Lynn, MA)
  • Bertolon School of Business, Salem State University (Salem, MA)
  • Center for International Education, Salem State University (Salem, MA)
  • Salem State University Alumni Office (Salem, MA)

Healthcare

Care Dimensions (Hospice Organization, Danvers, MA)

Beverly Hospital (Beverly, MA)

North Shore Partners Healthcare Group (Salem Hospital)

Lahey Behavioral Health (formerly Northeast Behavioral Health) (Beverly, MA)

Human Resources

  • CRICO Strategies/Risk Management Foundation for  Harvard Medical Institutions 
  • Beverly Hospital
  • Northeast Arc
  • Barton Associates, Peabody, MA
  • Boston Planning and Redevelopment Agency 
  • Peabody Essex Museum 
  • Kapersky Lab, Woburn, MA
  • Randstad International (A Global Staffing Agency, Boston, MA)
  • Club Realty (Human Resources, Boston, MA)

Government, Non-Profit and Social Services

  • Bridgewell (Services for Peoples with Disabilities and Other Life Challenges, Lynnfield, MA)
  • YMCA Northshore (various locations, Northshore of Boston)
  • Public Consulting Group (Public Sector Management Consulting, Boston, MA)
  • Greater Lynn Senior Services (Lynn, MA)
  • NFI-MA (Human Services Non-Profit, Danvers, MA)
  • Massachusetts Department of Transportation (Boston, MA)

Additional Locations

  • Mercury Computer Systems (Defense Electronics, Chelmsford, MA)
  • Dynatrace Software (“World Leader” in Application Performance Management, Waltham, MA)
  • New England Biolabs (Biotechnology, Genomic Research, Ipswich, MA)
  • Rapid7 (IT Security Data & Analytics Consultants, Boston, MA)
  • GEMLINE (International Lean Manufacturing Organization, Lawrence, MA)
  • TÜV SÜD America Inc. (Global Testing, Certification, Inspection and Training Provider, Peabody. MA)
  • Daley and Associates LLC (1 Financial Center, Boston, MA)
  • dataCon, Inc. (Electronics Manufacturing provider focused on delivering mission critical defense and aerospace systems, Burlington, MA)
  • EBSCO Information Services (Ipswich, MA)

Careers

A fast-growing field, Industrial/Organizational Psychology is projected to grow 53 percent between 2012 and 2020. Types of positions include:  Human Performance Consultant, Human Resources Generalist, Management Consultant, I/O Psychologist, Organizational Consultant and Executive Coach.  The median wage range for Industrial/Organizational Psychologists is $70,000-$90,000+ depending on actual job title and job location.*

*Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition; O*NET Online. 

 

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