Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

1.  What is the difference between a Human Resource Management (HRM-MBA) and an MA in I/O Psychology?

An I/O Psychology MA prepares you to function as a professional psychologist practitioner.  As such, your professional affiliation with other psychologists places expectations that you will ascribe to the APA Code of Ethics and will have general knowledge about psychological concepts.  In addition, the I/O MA traditionally focuses on theory and research and prepares individuals to function in a broad range of work settings.  the HRH-MBA, however, prepares you to function in a more supervisory or managerial role.  This may include management of systems, as well as people.  As such, your professional affiliation with other HRM professional places vague expectations about ethical considerations and focuses on HRM operations.  An HRM degree typically prepares you to address a specific work situation of HRM, such as salary administration, benefits, or employee relations, to name a few.

2.  How much control do I have in the selection of my course and their scheduling? 

Although there are opportunities to take elective courses, the course offerings generally rotate on a yearly basis.  Thus, most courses are offered one time a year.  All courses are offered during the evenings, 6:40 to 9:10.  Summer courses generally run from early May until mid-June from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

3. What do courses usually entail?

Courses vary from formal lecture courses which survey a given topic, or set of topics, to applied and research seminars which provide hands-on opportunities.  Assignments range from typical essay exams to student research proposals to student projects which require out-of-class contacts within organizational settings.

4. Are there any daytime courses offered?

Rarely, and elective course may be offered during the day, perhaps on a Saturday.

5. How many credit hours are recommended for each semester?

Nine to twelve for Full-Time students (not employed).
Three to six for Part-Time students (if employed).

Ideally, full-time students will complete the sequence described above (four courses per semester for the first 8 months, 2 courses for May and June).  Thus, the program is designed to be full-time for the first year only.  The second year is essentially part-time.  This is because students are working at their practicum jobs and taking one course per semester.  In addition, they are taking the capstone/practicum sequence courses which meet only twice a month for 1 1/2 hours.

Part-time students typically complete two courses per semester.  Thus, it takes approximately three years to complete the program.

6.  What is the typical number of students in each class?

The average classroom size is 10 to 15 students.

7. Are teaching-assistantships or resident-advisor positions available?

These opportunities are rare.  However, students have assisted in teaching a research lab in social psychology in the past.  Efforts are being made to increase the availability of these opportunities.

8. What are the requirements of the practicum?

To conduct two projects in a work environment under the supervision of a faculty member and an organizational representative.  This involves approximately 250 paid or unpaid hours.  Details of the project are defined by students in consultation with the workplace representative.  Appropriate sites for the practicum experience include any public or private organization capable of providing supervision.  In general, larger organizations are more likely to accommodate these endeavors.  Recent practicum sites include: General Motors, Masco Industries, Ford Motor Company, Federal Mogul Corporation, Detroit Center Tool, University of Detroit Mercy, and others.  Dr. Zimmerman-Oster typically arranges this component of the program.

9. What are the pros and cons of the thesis option?

The thesis option offers the ability to gain in-depth understanding and investigation of the a theoretical topic.  It also provides the opportunity to build your repertoire of skills to include hypothesis generation, hypothesis testing, literature review, data collection, statistical analysis, data interpretation, report writing, and presentation skills.  This original research experience is necessary preparation for future research and organizational problem solving.  It is also useful for the continuation to a Ph.D. program.  Thus, it prepares students who expect to gain employment in academic and consulting settings.  Choosing not to pursue a thesis will provide the opportunity to take two additional courses.  This may be more beneficial to some students who intend simply to advance at their present place of employment with their advanced degree.  Additional requirements of a thesis include strong self-motivation and the ability to achieve self-imposed deadlines to insure completion.

10. What is the timeline for thesis research?

The thesis typically takes three semesters to complete and includes the following steps:  topic selection, literature review, hypothesis generation, thesis committee selection, Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, proposal presentation to thesis committee, revisions, data collection, analysis, reporting, and final presentation defense.  (Note: Please see the MA program's booklet  Guidelines for Thesis Research and the College of Liberal Arts and Education Guide for Preparing Theses and Dissertations.)  The research must be approved by both the theses committee and the University Institutional Review Board.  Defense of the thesis proposal must occur during the first week of June or the second week of September following the student's first year of completed study for the full-time students or during the above months/timeframe of the year prior to graduation for part-time students.  While students may work on their thesis during the summer months, limited faculty support is available from June to September.

11.  What am I qualified to do with an I/O Psychology MA versus a Ph.D.?

This will depend on the expertise that you develop during your program, as well as on your previous work and academic experience.  Typically, I/O M.A.'s enter or advance in the field of Human Resources Management or become consultants to business.  A Ph.D. is usually the required degree if you choose to teach or conduct research in an academic setting.

12.  Where have alumni of the program become employed?

So far, 100% of our graduates have become employed in some area of human resources.  The majority of alumni have found employment in Michigan private sector organizations.  Two-thirds have obtained new positions upon graduation, while one-third advanced in the employment thy held when entering the program.

13. What placement services are available?

The Center for Professional Practice and Career Development does not typically have leads on positions of interest to I/O MA graduates.  However, they may be utilized for the organizational resource library.  This library has detailed information about several employers.  This information will be valuable for your employment campaign.

14.  Where can I go after UDM to get a Ph.D?

The I/O MA program is designed to be a "terminal Master's program".  This means that it is structured so that students will either advance or enter for the first time into the Human Resources field and end their formal education after receipt of the MA.  For those that aspire to obtain a Ph.D., you are strongly urged to complete a thesis and to consider the possibility of relocation.  This may be necessary because of the competitiveness that exists in acceptance into Ph.D. programs.  Notably, the I/O Ph.D. program at WSU is extremely competitive and generally accepts students prior to enrollment in another MA program and who are available for full-time study.

15.  What kind of networking is available?

Students interact with one another as colleagues.  This professional affiliation can be formalized through involvement in (1) the student honor society, Psi Chi, (2) tow local professional associations:  Michigan Association of Industrial/Organizational Psychologists (MAIOP), and the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), and (3) the American Psychological Association.  A subscription to "TIP", The Industrial/Organizational Psychologist, will keep you aware of developments in the field, as well as position openings nationwide.  In addition, a modest student alumni association is operational.