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4+1 Master of Industrial and Organizational Psychology

The program endeavors to instill professional skills through meaningful coursework, relevant research, and professional internships.

Through small class sizes, students participate in meaningful coursework that integrates engaged learning practices, faculty mentored research, professional internships, and captivating field experiences. You’ll be prepared and trained as an expert ready to take on careers in research, consultation, or even career coaching in the public or private sectors. Our program’s unique perspective to the industrial workforce brings value to various industries that seek IO psychologists to help improve productivity, increase efficiency, and promote team-building within an organization. The 4+1 opportunity will allow candidates to begin graduate coursework immediately and save significant investment and time earning this prestigious degree.

Online

IO Psychology Virtual Information Session

September 11

Join us for this virtual session to learn more about the field of IO Psychology as well as our IO program here at FSC. Hear about the program plan and career forecast from your program director and learn from your admission counselor how to move forward to apply to our program!

Apply today to start next term
Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Priority deadline is Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

Students are advised to submit applications as early as possible to assure optimal admission consideration.

Top Reasons to choose 4+1 Master of Industrial and Organizational Psychology at florida southern college

Choose Your Path

Students who choose to pursue the Thesis option as their culminating degree experience will work with faculty on research projects designed to match the student’s interest. This track is suited for those who plan to continue to a doctoral degree. Students who anticipate going directly into an applied position should choose the Internship option as it will better prepare them for strong performance in the corporate world.

Gaining Skills and Networking in the Field

Student will gain skills in analytical software, data analysis, survey development and administration, training and development, public speaking and presentations, and overall leadership. Students primarily network through the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP). This organization has a strong online presence and a national conference every year. Other opportunities are with the Society for Human Resource Managers (SHRM) and the Academy of Management.

Top-Tier Internships

To give our students meaningful experiences and the competitive advantage they will need in their careers, we partner with local corporations such as Bristol Myers Squibb, Collins Aerospace, Globalization Partners, Cemex, AgAmerica, Publix Supermarkets, Employment Technologies, Braathe Enterprises, Allegiance Staffing, Rebellion Defense and more.

STEM Optional Practice Training

The STEM OPT extension allows for 24 months of additional OPT employment authorization for students in specific STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. Employment must be directly related to an F-1 student's program of study in an approved STEM field.

Expert Faculty

Our faculty are highly published experts with significant practical experience. They are here to provide you with the individual attention needed to advance your career trajectory.

Team-Building

The program emphasizes a team-oriented educational model in which workgroups are formed each semester for group-based projects and discussion forums. You will get a chance to work with every other student in your cohort and develop connections that will last a lifetime.

Employment Outlook

$113,320
Median salary for Industrial and Organizational Psychology in 2018.
14%
Estimated job growth in the field of IO Psychology by 2028.

Outstanding Faculty

The psychology department consists of a diverse group of published, research-oriented professionals who devote themselves to the mentorship of students. In addition to industrial and organizational psychology, our faculty members have expertise in the areas of experimental psychology, social behavior, gender diversity, law and human behavior, and legal and criminal psychology. Our professors are deeply committed to student success, academic excellence, and provide every student with positive, engaged learning experiences.

Dr. David CS Richard, MBA
- Department Chair, Social and Behavioral Sciences

The mission of the IO Psychology graduate program is to develop in students the theoretical and practical foundations for a meaningful lifetime of work in the field. Our aspiration is to recruit the very best students into a program that emphasizes teamwork and rigorous study to ensure that students graduate with the intellectual, practical, and social skills needed for a successful career.

Read More about Dr. David CS Richard, MBAMeet Our Faculty

Program Details

Hybrid

Courses are offered in a hybrid format, a combination of online and in-class meetings. One class will be offered on campus in the evening and one course will be offered online.

  • Completed Application (Students are encouraged to apply for admission during their Junior year).
  • Current Résumé
  • Professional Essay (Maximum of two single-spaced pages).
    1. Why are you interested in pursuing a graduate degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology?
    2. Highlight your academic and/or professional experiences that may be relevant to your success in this graduate program.
    3. Discuss your academic strengths and weaknesses. How will these enhance or challenge your success as a graduate student? As the program at FSC is highly focused on a teaming model, please share your experiences contributing to teams in the past, whether in an educational, employment, or other setting.
  • One letter of recommendation (academic reference preferred)
  • GPA of 3.0+ overall (cumulative)
  • Must have 93+ undergraduate credit hours completed at the start of the program.
  • MSIO Director Approval

Course descriptions are available in the academic catalog.

Academic Catalog

Required Courses - 33 hours

Course Number Course Name
PSY 6100 Statistics and Research Methods I
PSY 6150 Industrial Psychology
PSY 6200 Statistics and Research Methods II
PSY 6250 Organizational Psychology
PSY 6300 Workplace Motivation
PSY 6350 Personnel Selection
PSY 6400 Training and Development
PSY 6450 Leadership
PSY 6500 Special Topics in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
PSY 6960/6961 Internship in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
OR  
PSY 6970/6971 Thesis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Program Total - 33 hours

Students may take the following four classes within the 4+1 program: PSY 6100, PSY 6150, PSY 6200 and PSY 6250.

Florida Southern College reserves the right to revise fee schedules. $250 Non-Refundable Enrollment Deposit (Upon acceptance and applied toward your first-semester tuition balance.)

2022-2023

Base Required Fees Cost
Tuition Per Credit Hour $800
Technology fee per semester is based on credit hours enrolled $30 to $120

Any IO courses attempted in the fall or spring semesters before receiving the undergraduate degree will be charged at the traditional undergraduate full-time tuition rate. Any taken in a summer semester before receiving the undergraduate degree will be charged at the traditional undergraduate summer tuition rate. Graduate courses taken after the student receives their undergraduate degree will be billed at the current graduate IO program per credit hour rate.

$250 Non-Refundable Enrollment Deposit (Upon acceptance and applied toward your first semester tuition balance)

*Tuition will be billed prior to the beginning of each semester based on credit hours. Tuition must be paid by the first day of class.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is IO Psychology?

Industrial and Organizational Psychology is the intersection of psychology, business, and computer science. It studies emotions, cognition and behavior in the workplace.

Are online courses asynchronous?

This program includes an in-person course and an online course each semester. There will be times when the online course has synchronous (scheduled) meeting times.

What types of careers will I be prepared for with a degree in IO Psychology?

IO Psychologists work in various fields, including Human Resources, Training and Development and a variety of other positions in industry and academia, including non-profit organizations, religious institutions, military organizations, as well as large corporations.

Will this program prepare me for a PhD in a related field?

Toward the end of our MSIO program, students have the opportunity to choose an internship route or a thesis route. The internship option will prepare the student to go to work in an IO-related field. The thesis option is for students who are interested in preparing for a doctorate program.

How does the internship option work?

Our faculty have developed relationships with various employers in the Central Florida area that offer internships in the field of IO psychology. In their second year of study, students will work with their program director to coordinate relevant internship experiences in an appropriate setting.

Program Contact

Kimberly Smith

Admission Counselor and Advisor
 863.680.3090
863.777.4434