Program Description and Objective

The Master of Science Degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology provides a comprehensive slate of I/O-specific courses designed to prepare students for immediate entry into careers in applied settings. Academic coursework is supplemented with an applied externship completed for academic credit. The program requirements provide excellent preparation for those interested in pursuing a Ph.D. upon completion of the MS. The course of study also includes a strong, five-course quantitative sequence in research methodology, statistics, and measurement. I/O students are expected to become competent in theory, research, and application of psychology as each relates to human behavior in private and public organizations.

The primary objective of the industrial/organizational program is to provide students with the skills to apply the principles and methods of psychology to organizations, public and private, and to settings where people are engaged in work. To be successful in this application, the graduate must have developed knowledge and appreciation of psychological theory and research as they apply to organizations and people at work, and mastery of the measurement and research technologies which are commonly used in the discipline.

Externship Program

The externship program is currently under the direction of Dr. Shultz. The standard externship experience is at least half-time work over a three-month period. It is typically completed during the summer after the first year's coursework. Southern California's urban areas provide a wealth of opportunities for hands-on experience. Students have completed externships with such organizations as Sempra (Southern California Gas Company), The Los Angeles Unified School District, the Betty Ford Center, Edison International, and Fleetwood Enterprises. We believe the externship experience is a major contributing factor to the marketability of our graduating students.

Click here for the Externship Proposal Form

Click here for the Externship Evaluation Form

Click here for the Externship Exit Interview Form

Note: The forms listed above require Microsoft Word to view. If you need the reader, you can the Microsoft Word Viewer for free.

Student Programs

Dr. Agars is the current faculty sponsor of the I/O student group "Students Promoting Industrial/Organizational Psychology" (SPI/OP) . SPI/OP hosts guest speaker presentations on compelling themes in human resource management. Through committee work, newsletter contributions, and interaction with business student organizations, active members can develop connections with regional business organizations and can become a part of the SPI/OP network of future I/O professionals.

Selected I/O students also contribute their time and energies to a mentoring program for new undergraduate students. Dr. Agars is the current director of our student mentoring program. Upon selection, entering students are assigned to a second-year student who can provide information and advice.

Industrial/Organizational Faculty

Application and Admission

Program Course Requirements

Industrial/organizational Psychology Faculty

Dr. Mark Agars
Dr. Janelle Gilbert
Dr. Janet Kottke
Dr. Kenneth Shultz

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applying for admission is a two step process:

Step One: University Application

Step Two: Psychology Department Application

All information and forms must be received by Admissions and the Psychology Department by the appropriate deadlines to be guaranteed consideration for current academic year admission. It is your responsibility to be sure all information is received. All applicants whose files are complete by the appropriate dates will be reviewed and considered for admission to classified status. Late applicants may be considered if there are openings and will be notified by letter as to their acceptance or non-acceptance into their respective programs.

STEP ONE: University Application:

Send the following materials to:

1.) The completed University Application for Graduate Admission with your check attached.
You may apply online (Click here to apply) or request an application by calling 909-537-5188

2.) One official copy of transcripts from each college and university you have attended, regardless of whether you received a degree.

Please note that you do not have to request CSUSB transcripts if you are a current student or graduate of CSUSB.

Please allow enough time (at least one month) for your college transcripts to be sent to the University. The University admissions office must evaluate transcripts of all colleges attended before they can send a Graduate Credit Summary to the Psychology Department. The Psychology Department cannot review your file without this summary.

If you are an unclassified graduate student currently enrolled at CSUSB, you must file a change of major form (at least one month prior to our deadline) at the admissions and records office so that an updated credit summary will be forwarded to the Psychology Department.

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STEP TWO: Psychology Department Application:

Send the following Materials to:

1.) A copy of transcripts from each college and university you have attended, regardless of whether you received a degree.

2.) A copy of your university application for graduate admission.

3.) Statement of Purpose

1-2 page typewritten description of your preparation for graduate study, goals for the graduate training program, and professional aspirations following receipt of the Master's Degree.

4.) Psychology Department Information Form (enclosed in application packet).

5.) Three (3) letters of recommendation (enclosed in application packet).

Two should come from instructors who know the quality of your academic work. These letters should be from people who can make relevant comments on your likely success in a graduate Psychology program.

Letters of recommendation should be sent directly from the writer (or placement file) to the Psychology Department; or included with the application in a sealed envelop that has the recommender's signature over the seal.

Program Course Requirements

For students seeking admission in the Industrial/Organizational Psychology Option, the following also are required for classified status:

1. Completion of the following prerequisite courses or their equivalent:

a. PSYC 100. Introduction to Psychology

b. PSYC 210. Psychological Statistics or MSCI 210. Applied Business Statistics

c. PSYC 311. Introduction to Experimental Psychology

The following courses (or equivalent) are recommended:

a. PSYC 302. Management and Organizational Behavior or MGMT 302. Management and Organizational Behavior

b. PSYC 355. Industrial Psychology or MGMT 455. Human Resources Management

c. PSYC 377. Tests and Measurements

Program of Study for the Industrial/Organizational M.S. Degree

1. PSYC 581A. Seminar in Industrial/Organizational Psychology: Current Professional Issues (2)

2. PSYC 581B. Seminar in Industrial/Organizational Psychology: Organizational Leadership (2)

3. PSYC 581C. Seminar in Industrial/Organizational Psychology: Processes of Work Groups (2)

4. PSYC 581D. Seminar in Industrial/Organizational Psychology: Training and Executive Development (2)

5. PSYC 601. Performance Assessment (4)

6. PSYC 602. Organizational Development (4)

7. PSYC 603. Personnel Selection and Validation (4)

8. PSYC 604. Work Motivation and Organizational Reward Systems (4)

9. PSYC 611. Advanced Independent Study (2-5) for a total of (5)

10. PSYC 633. Professional Ethics and Law (4)

11. PSYC 640. Advanced Methods in Psychological Research (4)

12. PSYC 641. Analysis of Variance (5)

13. PSYC 642. Regression and Nonparametric Statistics (4)

14. PSYC 643. Multivariate Methods (4)

15. PSYC 644. Applied Psychological Measurement (4)

16. PSYC 675. Practicum in Applied Psychology (4)

17. PSYC 689. Externship in Applied Psychology (2-5) for a total of (4)

18. PSYC 699. Thesis (5)

19. Four units chosen from:
PSYC 650. Advanced Cognitive Psychology (4)
PSYC 652. Advanced Learning and Motivation (4)
PSYC 654. Advanced Life-Span Developmental Psychology (4)
PSYC 656. Advanced Biological Psychology (4)
PSYC 658. Advanced Personality and Social Psychology (4)

20. A minimum of four units chosen from:
ACCT 503. Financial Accounting (4)
ECON 503. Economic Analysis (4)
FIN 503. Financial Management Concepts (4)

May choose only one of the following two courses:
HD 540. Work, Retirement and Leisure (4)
PSYC 540. Work, Retirement and Leisure (4)

MGMT 601. Organization Theory and Behavior (4)
MGMT 641. Managing Human Resources (4)
MGMT 642. Communication and Interpersonal Processes (4)
MGMT 644. Industrial Relations (4)
PSYC 612. Directed Readings (2-5)
PSYC 636. Cross-Cultural Counseling (4)
PSYC 665. Psychopathology (4)
PSYC 679. Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy (4)

An advanced writing course (306) is also required. This class is typically taken during the first year and must be completed before students can advance to candidacy. Qualified students may waive this requirement by demonstrating comparable level work from their undergraduate curriculum.