CSULB MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
INDUSTRIAL/ORGANIZATIONAL
PSYCHOLOGY
THE I/O PSYCHOLOGY PROFESSION
Industrial-Organizational (I-O) psychology is both the study of behavior in organizational and work settings and the application of the methods, facts, and principles of psychology to individuals and groups in organizational and work settings. I-O psychologists are versatile behavioral scientists specializing in human behavior in the workplace. I-O psychologists recognize the interdependence of individuals, organizations, and society, and they recognize the impact of factors such as increasing government influences, growing consumer awareness, skill shortages, and the changing nature of the workforce. I-O psychologists facilitate responses to issues and problems involving people at work by serving as advisors and catalysts for business, industry, labor, public, academic, community, and health organizations. They are:
· Scientists who derive principles of individual, group, and organizational behavior through research;
· Consultants and staff psychologists who develop scientific knowledge and apply it to the solution of problems at work; and
· Teachers who train students in the research and application of Industrial-Organizational Psychology
The following parameters differentiate the IO specialty from others.
a. Populations: The distinct focus of I/O psychology is on human behavior in work settings. Therefore, the populations affected by the practice of I/O psychology include individuals in and applicants to business, industry, labor, public (including non-profit), academic, community, and health organizations.
b. Problems: I/O psychologists deal with problems or issues that can be classified as both applied and basic in nature. Basic problems are quite variable, following the investigator's interests. Examples include research on methods of behavioral measurement, communication, motivation, social interaction, and leadership. Applied problems and activities are oriented around scientific solutions to human problems at work. These latter problems and activities include but are not limited to:
o Recruitment, Selection and Placement: Analyzing jobs and work, developing recruitment procedures, developing selection procedures, validating tests, optimizing placement of personnel, and identifying management potential
o Training and Development: Identifying training and development needs, formulating and implementing training programs, coaching employees, evaluating the effectiveness of training and development programs, and planning careers.
o Performance Measurement: Developing criteria, determining the economic utility of performance, and evaluating organizational effectiveness.
o Motivation and Reward Systems: Developing, implementing, and evaluating motivation and reward programs such as goal setting programs or pay-for-performance plans.
o Organizational Development: Analyzing organizational structures and climates, maximizing the satisfaction and effectiveness of individuals and work groups, and facilitating organizational change.
o Quality of Work Life: Identifying factors associated with job attitudes, designing and implementing programs to reduce work stress and strain, developing programs that promote safe work behavior and the prevention of accidents, illnesses, and injuries, and designing programs that enhance work/family life.
o Consumer Behavior: Assessing consumer preferences, evaluating customer satisfaction with products and services, and developing market segmentation strategies.
Source: Society for Industrial
and Organizational Psychology, Inc.
CSULB MSIO PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Master of Science program in Industrial/Organizational
Psychology (MSI/O) is a rigorous program designed for students who plan
to use psychology in the solution of problems in business and industry.
The program combines scientific discipline with professional practice.
Student learning is achieved through seminars consisting of both a core
sequence and course electives, practicum experience within an organization
and development of a thesis. Required seminars examine a variety of content
areas within Industrial/Organizational (I/O) psychology including organizational
behavior, personnel psychology, training, and organizational development.
Elective courses allow students some flexibility in determining which statistics
and research methods courses best suit their personal interests.
Additionally, students are required to choose from
among several one-unit specialty courses which provide in-depth analysis
of specific topics such as worker compensation, team building, SPSS data
analysis and levels of analysis in organizations. The practicum enables
students to implement I/O knowledge and skills in an organization. The
required thesis provides the opportunity for students to display the culmination
of their research and analytical skills. In order to assist student development
of a researchable, practical thesis topic, all students take a thesis preparation
seminar during the second year of enrollment.
This full time program was established specifically
to encourage qualified individuals to advance their formal education beyond
the bachelor's degree in areas that emphasize the value of human resources
in the industrial community. The program is conceived as leading to a terminal
M.A. degree, but some of our students successfully pursue doctorate
education. Perhaps
due in part to student interest in organizations, the majority of students
are employed part time. Such employment can facilitate understanding of
Industrial/Organizational theory, and provide the opportunity for practical
applications of material discussed in the seminars. Although part time
employment (particularly in human resource or organizational development
fields) is encouraged, students are advised to work no more than 20 to
25 hours during the first year of enrollment.
The MSI/O program at CSULB is an academically challenging
program that requires a high degree of student dedication for satisfactory
completion. Each seminar during the first year of enrollment typically
assigns 60 - 80 pages of primary (i.e., journal articles and book chapters)
and secondary (i.e., textbook) reading sources weekly, in combination with
group assignments, research proposals, class presentations and/or exams.
Through experience, faculty have learned that satisfactory progress is
unlikely to be achieved by students who attempt to work more than 20 to
25 hours in addition to enrollment in the MSI/O program. In order to properly
address student academic needs, applicants will not be admitted if they
cannot commit to full time enrollment status. The program typically admits
16 - 19 students annually. Although there are no minimal cutoff scores
beyond University requirements for admittance, successful applicants typically
possess a GPA greater than 3.5 for their last 60 units, and have combined
verbal and quantitative GRE scores over 1050. Most graduates of the program
have found positions in industry, have advanced in the companies employing
them, or have been accepted into Ph.D. programs elsewhere.
Example Job Titles of CSULB MSIO Graduates
Example Organizations for which CSULB MSIO Graduates Work
Los Angeles USD, Strategic Business Solutions - Rite Aid, Andersen Worldwide, Ford Motor Company, Ernst & Young, Pacific Bell, Hay Group Consulting, Toyota Motor Credit Corporation, Universal Studios, J.D. Power & Associates, City of Long Angeles, City of Santa Monica, City of Huntington Beach, City of Long Beach, County of Los Angeles, County of Orange, Boeing, TRW, Southern California Edison, The Gas Company, Jack-in-the-Box (Corporate), TransAmerica, CSU Dominguez Hills, California State University Chancellor’s Office.
Psychology Department * CSULB * 1250 Bellflower Blvd. * Long Beach, CA 90840-0901 * 562-985-5001