Frequently Asked Questions

What is Industrial/Organizational Psychology?

The general field of psychology encompasses a number of professional specialty areas. The specialty area of Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology produces versatile behavioral scientists specializing in human behavior in the work place. I/O Psychologists recognize the interdependence of individuals, organizations, and society, and they acknowledge 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, human service, and health care organizations. I/O Psychologists specialize in improving the performance of these various organizations by improving the performance and well being of individuals, teams, and groups. Thousands of companies and organizations have recognized the value that I/O Psychologists bring to bear on making workplace improvements. Such improvements include selecting highly qualified people, measuring employee performance, evaluating organizational and program effectiveness, enhancing the quality of the work environment (job redesign), creating training and development programs, and improving employee retention.

What will a Master’s degree in I/O Psychology enable me to do?

The I/O Master’s program offers a practitioner-oriented terminal masters degree intended to prepare professionals in the human resource field. The program’s principal goal is to prepare students to perform quality professional human resource services in a variety of work settings as internal or external consultants; thereby providing either career-advancement for those already in the field or entry-level opportunities for those embarking upon their careers.

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 HRM-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 is with other HRM 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.

When are courses offered?

Consistent with the program’s goals to provide career-advancement opportunities, the program is designed to accommodate working students’ schedules. Classes are offered in the evenings and occasional Saturdays, primarily during the 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. time block at McNichols. Summer courses generally run from early May until early June.

How much control do I have over the selection of my courses 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 per year.

What do courses usually entail?

Courses vary from formal lecture-based 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 and student projects which require out-of-class contacts within organizational settings.

What is the typical number of students in each class?

The average classroom size is 10 to 15 students.

What are the requirements of the internship?

To conduct several projects in a work environment under the supervision of a faculty member and an organizational representative/mentor. 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 internship experience include any public or private organization capable of providing supervision. In general, larger organizations are more likely to accommodate these endeavors. Recent internship sites include: Aon Consulting, 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.

What are the pros and cons of the thesis option?

Pros: project management experience; ability to specialize with more in depth
knowledge of a subject; offers more flexibility in scheduling
Cons: short timeline, given a 2 year program; intense; scholarly rather than applied

What is the timeline for thesis research?

Full Time: Approximately one year
Part Time: Approximately 1 1/2 to 2 years